Bmw E39 M5
03-21-2008, 10:23 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Bmw E39 M5
Hey kids,
I'm about to pull the trigger and buy an E39 M5. Who has one or has had one, and what advice do you fellas have for a newbie to the BMW brand?
I'm about to pull the trigger and buy an E39 M5. Who has one or has had one, and what advice do you fellas have for a newbie to the BMW brand?
03-21-2008, 10:39 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Apr 2007
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St. Jude Donor '08
Fantasic car.
Make sure it's under the original warranty
If not be prepared to part with some serious cash if you need service!
Make sure it's under the original warranty
If not be prepared to part with some serious cash if you need service!
Last edited by CJR2; 03-21-2008 at 10:42 PM.
03-21-2008, 10:59 PM
#4
Team Owner
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03-31-2008, 07:15 PM
#10
Racer
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to clarify, so I dont sound negative... The issues I had with the car were all very close to the 50k mark. Mirror wouldnt dim, pixels in dash burned out, one of the subs blew etc.. but the biggest issue was something to do with the intake. It required them to remove half the engine to repair, and had it not been under warranty, it would have cost me at least $3k to fix. Just a heads up! 
04-01-2008, 04:19 PM
#11
Instructor
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10-28-2014, 06:05 AM
#12
11-02-2014, 09:10 AM
#14
Team Owner
Dwight,
I had a 2002 M5. I can tell you don't even try to find a 2001.5, just go with a 2002-03.
Make sure to listen for VANOS noise. When cold it will be even more pronounced. Dr Vanos can rebuild it if needed and it isn't the end of the world cost wise.
What is expensive is if the valve guides go out. They are made of plastic. It is STUPID expensive to fix.
Most guys try to find examples with Extended Leather, but I don't see the big deal.
TO me, it was just like when buying a ZR-1. I don't worry about color, I worry about documented service history and condition first.
Also, the car is real sensitive to wear and tear on internals if the 10/60 weight oil (I think that's the weight) is the ONLY oil used throughout the history of the car.
Also, make sure all the Pixels work on the display. They can be fixed, but it is an aggravating repair.
Great freaking car and probably the best BMW ever built. I got my E55 AMG W211 only because I wanted something with an Auto as a daily and it is a powerhouse and torque monster compared to the E39 M5.
Good luck and PM me with any questions.
I had a 2002 M5. I can tell you don't even try to find a 2001.5, just go with a 2002-03.
Make sure to listen for VANOS noise. When cold it will be even more pronounced. Dr Vanos can rebuild it if needed and it isn't the end of the world cost wise.
What is expensive is if the valve guides go out. They are made of plastic. It is STUPID expensive to fix.
Most guys try to find examples with Extended Leather, but I don't see the big deal.
TO me, it was just like when buying a ZR-1. I don't worry about color, I worry about documented service history and condition first.
Also, the car is real sensitive to wear and tear on internals if the 10/60 weight oil (I think that's the weight) is the ONLY oil used throughout the history of the car.
Also, make sure all the Pixels work on the display. They can be fixed, but it is an aggravating repair.
Great freaking car and probably the best BMW ever built. I got my E55 AMG W211 only because I wanted something with an Auto as a daily and it is a powerhouse and torque monster compared to the E39 M5.
Good luck and PM me with any questions.