I can vouch for the E60 525i. Solid car, I’ve never had any really bad problems with mine.
In the ~7 years I’ve owned mine (bought at 8 years old with 150k miles on the clock), I’ve had to:
- replace the front springs
- replace the front shocks
- replace an ignition coil
- have a wiring repair job done on the reversing switch
… and other than that, it’s been fuel, filters, and tyres. It’s been solidly reliable, decently fun to drive, and very practical.
Should be fine
It’ll be the N53 engine, same as on my 2008 E60 525i, but as yours is the 530i, it’ll have the variable length intake manifold that mine is missing (can’t remember what BMW call it, but the 530i has a good chunk more power as a result).
iDrive will probably be the older CCC type, but 2008 was the changeover year when CiC was introduced, so it could be either (mine is early 2008 and has the CCC version).
If it’s the M Sport pack, the front springs and shocks are a fair bit more expensive than they would be otherwise, but not as expensive as an M5 would be, with the fancy electronic suspension.
My 525i has honestly been one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever owned - and I’ve had it since it was on 150,000 miles. Engine is bulletproof. Can’t comment on automatic transmissions because mine is a manual.
I’d buy it.
I think this says it all.
Running an engine with no lubrication is not going to be good for it. And now you’ve put oil in it and it isn’t driving very well, then that tells me some very bad things have happened inside.
You’re looking at a big bill for repair.