Back when the e60 came out, EVERYONE said it was ugly. It's just that the design was ahead of its time and aged better than anything else from the rivals (look how dated the e class and A6 of 2003 look). Back then they even said the E90 3 series was fat and ugly too. It grew on everyone and now it has dated really well
I just bought an E60 in mint condition and upgraded the infotainment and dash. So far pretty much everyone thinks it's new - like a few years old at most. It's 17!
Funny thing is this actually ended up becoming one of the best looking 5series ever made. Will take the E60 over the F10 and F90. Truly an ageless design
I see absolutely none of those shitty styling references simply because the E60 has aged much, much more gracefully than the S-Type or the E-Class W211. Both look like grandpa's cars.
No,he wasn't. It was just the BMW hype that saved this model line. People were buying it cause of the badge. Even if it would look like Sang Yong,still would've been success. Because it has the badge.
@@alexzhou7 Aged magnificently is E34/E38/E39,models with all the genes carried out by BMW threw the years. E60/E90 family are disgrace for BMW. Inside,the interior is horrible,looks cheap and not driver oriented,outside looks like KIA. It's just your eyes have gotten used to the design,cause you see it more often. People buy them cause it's newer model and gas Idrive to play with. That's all.
I had an E60 545i in black. I just deleted the muffler and I was done. Looked great, sounded great too. Years later I now have a 2007 E61 550i wagon. It’s a motorsport edition and it’s great. Looks fantastic for a 14 year old car. Mufflers are gone. Roof is fixed. Serviced and running well!!
is this dude crazy or is it just me? this is one of the most beautiful iconic models they've made...today it blends in well with the modern cars of today
Most people and journalists hated the look back then, the design was so different from what BMW was doing, the fans were shocked, the design was ahead of its time. It’s funny to watch all these vintage journalists reviews on UA-cam, they were all saying how ugly it was, I am sure that all these old journalists find it beautiful today.
Today the E60 has aged very well !!! Mine has 185k on the clock and still running fine. With a lil bit of cosmetic work and a tune, she’s faster than these new base model Impalas, Civics, Altimas and even looks better 🙌🏾
The timeless design of the E60 makes it look fresh even after the F10 and G30 being rolled out. However it's the last BMW you can get with the glorious NA engines! That's a win on its own..
I have the first edition of this. got out of the factory in 2003. other than some minor electronics issues everything else is perfect. and with some minor beauty modifications this 2003 car looks like a 2012. It was actually timeless
@@lolowong439 lol if you maintain your car you wont be missing oil leaks my 530d has 300200km on the clock and she is still running like dream and pulling like a train with 500 nm tourq and 160 kw 😉 i actually dropped an polo gti a few days ago witch shows this car 17 years later can still perform well against modern performance cars and hot hatches
@@lolowong439 no they are fine the only thing i chanded thats started leaking was the thermostat i have been mainting it servicing it every 10 000km using 5w30 castrol edge oil thus far there are no oil leaks it had a gearbox service on 200 000km and 300 000km
The E60 has a timeless design,even in 2021 it looks new and fresh.I think its the best looking bmw ever made.Its versatile,powerful,luxurious and pretty.
I just bought a really tidy 2003 530i and I got it insured on a classic policy. Amazing to think it's 20 years old. One owner, 107k miles and heated comfort seats. So much car for £2500.
I first got to drive a BMW was a E60 530i from a friend 10 years ago. The very next morning I woke up dreamin of it already. Until now they still caught my attention.
I have the e60 530i in this colour with the msport package. An absolutely stunning car. The best car I’ve ever owned for sure. Just love it. All stock except input a set of 20” rims on it and a little boot lip😁
I've got a late '03 530i. I bought it in 2011 on 84k miles. It's now on 193k miles. Looks better now than back then, IMO. However, I was disappointed with it over my previous E39 in some areas (interior is dreadful IMO), so I bought an E39 as well.
Had a 2004 model with the same exterior and interior color. Even with the same rims with the 5 spokes. The 3 liter straight six was incredibly nice. I found the power to be enough even though having more wouldn't be anything wrong.
I drove an E60 525d recently and was amazed at how nice it still felt with 150,000 miles up. The looks at the time, and especially after the E39, were ghastly but time has moved on and they look fine today. At 12 years old it was free of rattles, rust and the paint and interior still looked very nice. I'd prefer a 6 Series though.
It's the most weird 5 Series, but in my opinion, it's the most coolest design and the game-changer for BMW. Like the E60 M5, but these days M5 use V8 TT. Isn't a bit boring? *not always actually 😁😁
At that time he did not know anything, I rekon he loves it now. Chris Bangles was Way ahed of his time and right now he’s driven it by now...class Leader , his Owen Word ..
This guy was a freaking joke. “Ugly girls have to be dirty” applied to a sexy car while the buttons on his shirt could barely hold his ginormous disgusting belly. Treats the back seat area as if he was in his dirty old couch.... “large overhang” ??! Excuse me? More room in the trunk, makes the car longer and gives it presence. And the yellow shades..... WHY?
to be fair, most reviewers at that time considered this to have unbalanced and weird looks; in retrospect, the design aged very nicely (especially models with the M-package). but yeah, Tom wasn't really the one to tell us about looks back then :)) he has lost a lot of weight since then, you know :D
The big overhang reminds one of like a Panther body Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. The E39 was a significantly smaller vehicle, with a shorter wheelbase which then translated into a sportier, more in control drive. The reviewer had good reason to be taken aback by the at the time radical changes.
@@standyourground9973 The E39 does feel lighter, but the E60's sports package sort of "cheats" and keeps it flat on turns (active suspension). The E39 leans a lot on turns in comparison to the E60 with the SP.
2014 F10 owner here. I love the way my LCI looks but my mate has the 2009 model of the car in the video...yes the boot looks stuck on but the rest looks really nice.
They were simply just not prepared for such in a car in 2003. It was truly ahead of its time. So, yes, it was radical, it was scandalous, it was controversial..at the time. Now, it's just awesome. E39 had its time. E60 can have the rest.
Nah there is nothing wrong with an e60 have you driven one if not you should its an absolute pleasure im driving an e60 530d at the moment and its just a joy to drive
Oh man, I really have a hard time following this channel, mainly because of one personality, couldn't say anything in these days of political correctness but you just took care of that problem ( Not sure if your job or life is now in jeopardy ) I can't stop laughing. Please don't let anyone else in front of the camera!!!! Thanks, we all will benefit from your great sense of humor, especially in these tumultuous times.
Ehhhhh he was wrong, Although since 2011 as much as I love a nice 5 series the Sline A6 Auto is a much much superior car, and that’s ignoring the elephant in the room that is the bmw timing chain issues
Wat timing chain issues that was on the e90 lci 320d and 320i my 530d 04 model still has the original timing chain 300200km and 17 years later best car ive owned im gonna drive it to the wheels fall off
This is the model that started BMW's experiment with ugliness. This was and still is a very ugly car, no matter how many fanboys shout at the presenter. The model before that, the E39, was by far the best looking, smooth and solid car.
Still never like this E60 design to date, even for the M5 version. Even the E63 6-series look way better than this, and I'm not a big fan of its rear styling.
This and the 7 series highlighted as the other ugly BMW are in my opinion the best looking. He describes them as looking "heavy", well its a large saloon I want it to look big, imposing, and heavy.
Hahah do they really compare Jaguar with BMW in case of look? I understand they want to push in their Britain brand, but common guys... Jags look like 20 years older than BMW
I think he must of looked in the mirror and not the new 5 series. Still 'one' of the nicest looking 5 series imo, and I own a g30 🙌🏽
🤣🤣🤣🤣
totally agree
This guy is talking bs
I agree, my 2007 E60 525i is 15 years old and still looks like a new car. its beautiful to drive and looks spectacular
Back when the e60 came out, EVERYONE said it was ugly. It's just that the design was ahead of its time and aged better than anything else from the rivals (look how dated the e class and A6 of 2003 look). Back then they even said the E90 3 series was fat and ugly too. It grew on everyone and now it has dated really well
I think it looks great with a timeless design.
U said it
@@supersanex_x well its true
Sorry, it doesn't. If you want to talk timeless design, you may want to look at fifth-gen Maserati Quattroporte. Now that is a design icon.
@@farishanafiah8461 well, I dont think so. But funny how much E60 were sold in its lifetime.
I just bought an E60 in mint condition and upgraded the infotainment and dash. So far pretty much everyone thinks it's new - like a few years old at most. It's 17!
Still great looking today
E60 is my favourte 5 series
"Just like ugly girls have to be dirty" hahahaha that was gold. A comment like that today could land you in prison
Was thinking just that!!
The E60 has aged brilliantly
Like a hot girl with a fit mum.
Funny thing is this actually ended up becoming one of the best looking 5series ever made. Will take the E60 over the F10 and F90. Truly an ageless design
GOD BLESS U MATE FOR SAYING DIS. REALLY ; GOD BLESS U.
Then you must be a moron with eye problems
I see absolutely none of those shitty styling references simply because the E60 has aged much, much more gracefully than the S-Type or the E-Class W211. Both look like grandpa's cars.
He couldn’t have been more wrong
No,he wasn't. It was just the BMW hype that saved this model line. People were buying it cause of the badge. Even if it would look like Sang Yong,still would've been success. Because it has the badge.
Eleonik 76 regardless it still has aged magnificently
@@alexzhou7 Aged magnificently is E34/E38/E39,models with all the genes carried out by BMW threw the years. E60/E90 family are disgrace for BMW. Inside,the interior is horrible,looks cheap and not driver oriented,outside looks like KIA. It's just your eyes have gotten used to the design,cause you see it more often. People buy them cause it's newer model and gas Idrive to play with. That's all.
@@eleonik76 you have no idea what you talking about the e60 have aged amazing
😂👍
This is actually probably the most beautiful 5 series ever. Makes me miss my E60 :(
E60 looks modern and good even at today. And the successor F10 looks plump compared to E60.
Nobody likes new BMW styles...30 years later they are classics going up in value. E46/39 anyone?
@@aaronwainwright5173 هف
I had an E60 545i in black. I just deleted the muffler and I was done. Looked great, sounded great too. Years later I now have a 2007 E61 550i wagon. It’s a motorsport edition and it’s great. Looks fantastic for a 14 year old car. Mufflers are gone. Roof is fixed. Serviced and running well!!
is this dude crazy or is it just me? this is one of the most beautiful iconic models they've made...today it blends in well with the modern cars of today
this dude is crazy, the car is absolutely beautiful
Most people and journalists hated the look back then, the design was so different from what BMW was doing, the fans were shocked, the design was ahead of its time. It’s funny to watch all these vintage journalists reviews on UA-cam, they were all saying how ugly it was, I am sure that all these old journalists find it beautiful today.
Today the E60 has aged very well !!! Mine has 185k on the clock and still running fine. With a lil bit of cosmetic work and a tune, she’s faster than these new base model Impalas, Civics, Altimas and even looks better 🙌🏾
The timeless design of the E60 makes it look fresh even after the F10 and G30 being rolled out. However it's the last BMW you can get with the glorious NA engines! That's a win on its own..
Yup. That is precisely why I just bought myself a 2006 530i RWD manual 6. 258hp of pure filarmonica.
With this level of journalisms it’s no wonder fifth gear was left in the shade...
Actually i love how e60 looks since first time i saw and still do , and i have no idea why people don't
But this car still looks good today. Drastic change will always be overwhelming.
The Bangle haters just seem silly now
I have the first edition of this. got out of the factory in 2003. other than some minor electronics issues everything else is perfect. and with some minor beauty modifications this 2003 car looks like a 2012. It was actually timeless
You've missed the oil leaks.
@@lolowong439 The oil won't leak if you change it.
@@lolowong439 lol if you maintain your car you wont be missing oil leaks my 530d has 300200km on the clock and she is still running like dream and pulling like a train with 500 nm tourq and 160 kw 😉 i actually dropped an polo gti a few days ago witch shows this car 17 years later can still perform well against modern performance cars and hot hatches
@@christohees9150 I have been maintaining very regularly. Perhaps you have to skip OE gaskets, oil pan, cylinder head, etc to keep things durable.
@@lolowong439 no they are fine the only thing i chanded thats started leaking was the thermostat i have been mainting it servicing it every 10 000km using 5w30 castrol edge oil thus far there are no oil leaks it had a gearbox service on 200 000km and 300 000km
The E60 has a timeless design,even in 2021 it looks new and fresh.I think its the best looking bmw ever made.Its versatile,powerful,luxurious and pretty.
I had one of these, 2009 525i M, loved it
This is the best typical and timeless BMW ever made.
How can he comment on the looks of the 5 series when you could cook chips in that hair...... SHAMPOO IS WHAT YOU NEED MR
I just bought a really tidy 2003 530i and I got it insured on a classic policy. Amazing to think it's 20 years old. One owner, 107k miles and heated comfort seats. So much car for £2500.
2:08 very true statement
I first got to drive a BMW was a E60 530i from a friend 10 years ago. The very next morning I woke up dreamin of it already. Until now they still caught my attention.
The E60 has a beautiful design. Looks like a brand new car today. Almost all other cars today from 2003 look dated.
I think that it looks beautiful,as well as the 7 series
I have the e60 530i in this colour with the msport package. An absolutely stunning car. The best car I’ve ever owned for sure. Just love it. All stock except input a set of 20” rims on it and a little boot lip😁
The msport package looks like a different car
I've got a late '03 530i.
I bought it in 2011 on 84k miles. It's now on 193k miles. Looks better now than back then, IMO.
However, I was disappointed with it over my previous E39 in some areas (interior is dreadful IMO), so I bought an E39 as well.
If he had a time machine into the future, he would’ve seen the disgusting oversized grilles of the new models and he’d be happy with the e60
Had a 2004 model with the same exterior and interior color. Even with the same rims with the 5 spokes. The 3 liter straight six was incredibly nice. I found the power to be enough even though having more wouldn't be anything wrong.
Can’t deny it was plagued with reliability issues and hasn’t aged the best but that’s true for a lot of cars in its class from the time as well.
Reliability was only a problem on very high performance models and it terms of looks it aged amazingly well, waaay better than the W211 E Class.
I drove an E60 525d recently and was amazed at how nice it still felt with 150,000 miles up. The looks at the time, and especially after the E39, were ghastly but time has moved on and they look fine today. At 12 years old it was free of rattles, rust and the paint and interior still looked very nice. I'd prefer a 6 Series though.
After all the years I think in M-styling this is one of the best 5 series. Still today in 2023 looks beter than 90% cars on the road:)
I have one. It now looks stylish and cool
"this bmw is ugly" said the guy who looked like he's straight out of toy story
It's the most weird 5 Series, but in my opinion, it's the most coolest design and the game-changer for BMW. Like the E60 M5, but these days M5 use V8 TT. Isn't a bit boring? *not always actually 😁😁
I love my beautiful BMW
Me too! E60!
I'd take one any day of the week! I think it looks fine, I really can't see the problem. I'd take mine as an M5 please!
You like taking it to the shops then
and 17 years later is on youtube *slow internet?
internet explorer
Happy new year !!
At that time he did not know anything, I rekon he loves it now. Chris Bangles was Way ahed of his time and right now he’s driven it by now...class Leader , his Owen Word ..
This guy was a freaking joke. “Ugly girls have to be dirty” applied to a sexy car while the buttons on his shirt could barely hold his ginormous disgusting belly. Treats the back seat area as if he was in his dirty old couch.... “large overhang” ??! Excuse me? More room in the trunk, makes the car longer and gives it presence. And the yellow shades..... WHY?
to be fair, most reviewers at that time considered this to have unbalanced and weird looks; in retrospect, the design aged very nicely (especially models with the M-package). but yeah, Tom wasn't really the one to tell us about looks back then :)) he has lost a lot of weight since then, you know :D
The big overhang reminds one of like a Panther body Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. The E39 was a significantly smaller vehicle, with a shorter wheelbase which then translated into a sportier, more in control drive. The reviewer had good reason to be taken aback by the at the time radical changes.
@@standyourground9973 The E39 does feel lighter, but the E60's sports package sort of "cheats" and keeps it flat on turns (active suspension). The E39 leans a lot on turns in comparison to the E60 with the SP.
@@RealEstateClub- I own an E39 540i touring and an e60 545i sport package 6MT. The E39 feels much much much heavier. The E60 turns in like a CHAMP.
The car is aged really well
I like the look than newer models of 5 series
Styling has aged so nicely
That car is actually lighter than the f10
Uhh -- I would hope so. The F10 is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than both the E39 and E60. Lighter materials can't help that.
2014 F10 owner here. I love the way my LCI looks but my mate has the 2009 model of the car in the video...yes the boot looks stuck on but the rest looks really nice.
how on earth can you have a 2009MY car in 2003?
That car has grown on most people.
I don't know what sucks more - The review or the reviewer.
Thanks for another excellent video.
How ironic is it that a guy with thís haircut called the 5 series ‘ugly’..
THES HE EVAN BADS
They were simply just not prepared for such in a car in 2003. It was truly ahead of its time. So, yes, it was radical, it was scandalous, it was controversial..at the time.
Now, it's just awesome.
E39 had its time.
E60 can have the rest.
Best bmw ever built and a future classic
Way ahead of its time
Very sorry but e60 is an evergreen design which is still super stylish well into the 21st century.. I. E. 2020..
E39 was the last decent bmw
Nah there is nothing wrong with an e60 have you driven one if not you should its an absolute pleasure im driving an e60 530d at the moment and its just a joy to drive
Great looking car
How wrong he was... This was the start of something great for the 5 series
Makes me feel Young again 👶
This guy must've been off his rocker if he thought the E60 was ugly
time flies, this is 3 generations ago, and the new 2024 5 series headlamp stole some of the design from the E60 which they say its a classic now.
Still looks better than today's 5 series.
NOT UGLY
It’s funny cause the one thing I never liked about the e60’s design was its headlights.
I can't believe that man really looked in the mirror after he'd dressed himself and had the nerve to give design critiques.
When this was released, this bought all of the cars looks to date now.
Oh how wrong they were
I like this car
LCI isn’t the best looking like, pre LCI is just gorgeous, I have a red 2008 E60
Funny this guy states ’looks are everything, 😂
How wrong he was !! Its a well nice looking car 👌
i think its bueatiful :)
I still love the e60
Oh man, I really have a hard time following this channel, mainly because of one personality, couldn't say anything in these days of political correctness but you just took care of that problem ( Not sure if your job or life is now in jeopardy ) I can't stop laughing. Please don't let anyone else in front of the camera!!!! Thanks, we all will benefit from your great sense of humor, especially in these tumultuous times.
this review didnt age well in personal opinion. love my E60 530i. This is a beautiful 5 series
That’s not a new bmw 5 series that 5 series is from 2003
This was filmed in 2003...
Mad Duck whoooosh
Bill bailey doing car reviews these days
How can he comment on style look at him
Wait! This guy is lecturing bmw about how to style a new car while wearing utility trousers, running trainers and a shirt! 😂
I've always thought the E60 was pretty ugly to be honest 😂 occasionally they can look decent but mostly not my style
Ehhhhh he was wrong,
Although since 2011 as much as I love a nice 5 series the Sline A6 Auto is a much much superior car, and that’s ignoring the elephant in the room that is the bmw timing chain issues
the other elephant being the A6 auto box
I clearly say from 2011 A6, it was the previous model that had the worse gearbox ever made
Clearly you’re unaware of the C7’s multitronic reliability
Wat timing chain issues that was on the e90 lci 320d and 320i my 530d 04 model still has the original timing chain 300200km and 17 years later best car ive owned im gonna drive it to the wheels fall off
The msport looks like a different car
Ugly?? it's beautiful
10 Jun 2014
This is the model that started BMW's experiment with ugliness. This was and still is a very ugly car, no matter how many fanboys shout at the presenter.
The model before that, the E39, was by far the best looking, smooth and solid car.
THIS! I always love the E39 design. It still look great to this day, especially the M5 version.
Still never like this E60 design to date, even for the M5 version. Even the E63 6-series look way better than this, and I'm not a big fan of its rear styling.
My phone has a better camera
Did age well tho
Mr BMW was right
I am stunned. ;)
You were wrong chubby.
Yay
no way its got tailpipes haha
This and the 7 series highlighted as the other ugly BMW are in my opinion the best looking. He describes them as looking "heavy", well its a large saloon I want it to look big, imposing, and heavy.
Hahah do they really compare Jaguar with BMW in case of look? I understand they want to push in their Britain brand, but common guys... Jags look like 20 years older than BMW
I own a e60
I think BMW took a page out from the Corolla book.
Thanks to Clarkson all I see is an Australian bloke in a dress with horn rimmed glasses.