BMW M5 - E39 model (2000-2003)

[moochofun]

I'm thinking of buying an old E39 M5. I've always had a hankering for one. Has anyone on here got one or had one that can offer me any advice on buying one, what to look out for and beware of?

I'm going for a late 2000 model or newer as there was a few updates namely the VANOS units, dash layout, lights etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated  

[Tonto1]

I very nearly bought one of these last year.  As an everyday driver and tow car!!

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Not an M5, but did have an E39 535 Sport 2000 model year, when it was good, it was a fantastic car to drive, really did shrink round you and feel like a slightly larger go kart. But when it was bad I seriously considered torching it. Check for wear in the bushes, and ball joints etc, many aren't separately replaceable, you have to replace the whole arm or link.

Wheel bearings, it's a heavy car, so takes some stick, the ABS trigger wheels are part of the bearing assemblies if the replacements aren't fitted and (sensors) shimmed correctly it'll start triggering random ABS faults eventually.

And don't get me started on the electronics,   BMW boasted at the time that it had more computing power than an Apolo space mission. What they didn't say is that if it starts to go wrong, the car turns into Apolo 13    

The E39 M5 is probably my favourite looking M5, I'd just be looking at the lowest mileage, most pampered car and most thorough service history I could.

[moochofun]

Great stuff gadgetman, thanks for that.

I'm aware of things like the bushes and the alloys arms that need replacing (it was the same with my old E34 525i Sport) so I know what to expect there but the info on the ABS/bearings could prove very useful.

My thoughts are to find cars the correct spec first then choose by condition and service history. Prices vary quite a bit (by as much as £5k in some instances) depending on the mileage covered, although some of the higher mile cars have been in better overall condition...

www.M5board.com is great for info as well should anyone else be thinking along these lines...

[MaestroDave]

I've got a 2000MY E39 M5 (pre facelift), Silverstone Blue, Black Leather, 85k on the clock, FSH etc - also came from a very reputable previous owner...

I love it, though fuel economy is absolutely horrendous on short runs. I use it as my everyday car, and average under 10mpg... though on a decent run I can get 25mpg. I've had to do very little to it, though simple things can be expensive (Engine oil for example is very specific and not at all common). Most other parts are available from "lesser" models so not too pricey. In all it's a very well built car, reasonably easy to work on too.

Dave

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Aye, that's a weird thing about the E39, mechanically it's extremely easy to work on for a "modern" car, the only caveat is anything related to electrical/electronics. The car has half a dozen or so ecu's all bus'd together and sharing data. It can make troubleshooting tricky, and as modules are coded (permanently?) to the car, you can't easily substitute spares in for testing, unless they're brand new.

Personally, while many ordinary E39's rack up big milages with no problem, I wouldn't go for one like that again. It'd be lower milage and history for me.    

[moochofun]

Great stuff gents, thanks for the help. I'm off on a jaunt on Monday to have a look at 4 up/down the country all with around 80k miles, 'immaculate' & full BMW service records...

The M5 won't be a daily driver for me so not too worried about economy. I think I'm gonna go and buy and old van to romp about in - I think I'd miss the X5's general lugging ability too much so something has to take its place - although my cousin has got a corker of a 2002 A4 diesel estate for close on £3k...

Thanks again for the info/help  

[gixermark]

how did you find the X5 ?  doesn't seem that long from you where over picking it up...

did you ever get to test the Kumho wets ?