who on here owns an e39 m5
19-10-2007, 09:16 PM
#1
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who on here owns an e39 m5
after my other post on here and doing some reading this evening im very tempted to go looking for an m5.
there are a couple of nice ones on pistonheads for 11k and some more in auto trader for 12k,so decent money.
i cant imagine how one drives though-ive had a 2000 model bmw 535i sport auto which was nice but always felt big,and not sporty.i would imagine the m5 feels much stiffer-and quicker!
im after some info from the m5 owners on here,comedy dan,jim green????
there are a couple of nice ones on pistonheads for 11k and some more in auto trader for 12k,so decent money.
i cant imagine how one drives though-ive had a 2000 model bmw 535i sport auto which was nice but always felt big,and not sporty.i would imagine the m5 feels much stiffer-and quicker!
im after some info from the m5 owners on here,comedy dan,jim green????
19-10-2007, 09:52 PM
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I also have one. I also can proudly say that I have had one a little longer than Mr C Dan, and Mr Green. I have also covered over 40k miles in mine. So what do you want to know?
JJ
JJ
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19-10-2007, 10:15 PM
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Quick buyers guide from my point of view.
Firstly - the M5 is one of the finest cars that I have ever owned bar none. It is capable of being very very quick, and very limo like at the same time.
When I bought mine, the BMW warranty was still a good viable proposition, as it could be transferred from owner to owner, and was not subject to any excess. Sadly, these days, it is subject to a £250 excess for M cars, and will cost a shit load to renew. As such, they are less desirable than they once were.
BMW carried out a facelift of the car in late 2001. Whilst it may seem like just a set of headlights and clear indicators, there is more to it. The facelift also benefitted from an alteration to the piston ring/ or other internal mods. I am not technical enough to tell you what they did, but I can tell you why. Mine is a 1999 car, and it uses a truck load of oil. To put it into scale, mine uses about 1 litre per 800 odd miles. BMW consider this to be acceptable. I can tell you that I know nobody who has a facelift version that uses anything like this much oil. So thats your first absolute must.
Secondly, the service history is quite important. A number of people use specialists rather than the actual BMW dealers for services. This is no bad thing as such, but see if you can establish which oil was used. Many will tell you that Valvoline make an equivalent oil. It is bollocks - I used it once on someones recommendations, and drained it out after about a week - Vanos was much noisier. Make sure she is only run on TWS. End of (also Castol Edge 10W60 these days)
Do not buy one without the TV. Provided you have the one with the monitor, the sat nav can be retrofitted by a couple of guys around the country. I had mine done, and it is superb. Most importantly, it is imperative for resale value. They aint the same without to be fair.
VANOS - lots of horror stories on this. Simply put, they will rattle a little on first start up, but this should only last a few seconds. If it doesn't, then walk away. It is a horrible sound. BMW did carry out a retro fit primer pump for the VANOS system that pre-charges the VANOS system with oil. I have not yet fitted one to mine, but have been considering it.
If possible find a car that has had the VANOS already replaced. At this sort of budget, it is likely.
Watch for rough idle. Mine sounded fine, but the idle was rough due to a VANOS solenoid failure. Warranty picked up the tab though, so no worries.
The MAFs go for a past time. There are two of them, which are quite dear at 200 odd quid each depending on where you get them from. They are easy peasy to fix, and usually provide good power over knackered ones!
The engine themselves are pretty solid notwithstanding the above. The usual thing for the cars is the bushes and suspension components which wear due to the size of the car.
Zorst is stainless, so no worries there, and the cats are fine so long as the car is run regularly.
Average MPG is usually around the 19 - 20 overall. The facelifts can be better, but only if driven like a poof.
Sublime to drive. Took mine round the ring, and what I love about it is the ease with which a fuckwit like me could get most of the ability out of it.
Also free advice - buy BMW brake discs. They come with a 2 year warranty, which I have abused in respect of warping them. It will save you money in the long run- trust me!
Final advice. Get the last seven digits of the number of the car you are buying and ring BMW GB. They will be able to verify the service history, and all major works carried out to the car. This will give you peace of mind.
Did I miss anything?
JJ
Firstly - the M5 is one of the finest cars that I have ever owned bar none. It is capable of being very very quick, and very limo like at the same time.
When I bought mine, the BMW warranty was still a good viable proposition, as it could be transferred from owner to owner, and was not subject to any excess. Sadly, these days, it is subject to a £250 excess for M cars, and will cost a shit load to renew. As such, they are less desirable than they once were.
BMW carried out a facelift of the car in late 2001. Whilst it may seem like just a set of headlights and clear indicators, there is more to it. The facelift also benefitted from an alteration to the piston ring/ or other internal mods. I am not technical enough to tell you what they did, but I can tell you why. Mine is a 1999 car, and it uses a truck load of oil. To put it into scale, mine uses about 1 litre per 800 odd miles. BMW consider this to be acceptable. I can tell you that I know nobody who has a facelift version that uses anything like this much oil. So thats your first absolute must.
Secondly, the service history is quite important. A number of people use specialists rather than the actual BMW dealers for services. This is no bad thing as such, but see if you can establish which oil was used. Many will tell you that Valvoline make an equivalent oil. It is bollocks - I used it once on someones recommendations, and drained it out after about a week - Vanos was much noisier. Make sure she is only run on TWS. End of (also Castol Edge 10W60 these days)
Do not buy one without the TV. Provided you have the one with the monitor, the sat nav can be retrofitted by a couple of guys around the country. I had mine done, and it is superb. Most importantly, it is imperative for resale value. They aint the same without to be fair.
VANOS - lots of horror stories on this. Simply put, they will rattle a little on first start up, but this should only last a few seconds. If it doesn't, then walk away. It is a horrible sound. BMW did carry out a retro fit primer pump for the VANOS system that pre-charges the VANOS system with oil. I have not yet fitted one to mine, but have been considering it.
If possible find a car that has had the VANOS already replaced. At this sort of budget, it is likely.
Watch for rough idle. Mine sounded fine, but the idle was rough due to a VANOS solenoid failure. Warranty picked up the tab though, so no worries.
The MAFs go for a past time. There are two of them, which are quite dear at 200 odd quid each depending on where you get them from. They are easy peasy to fix, and usually provide good power over knackered ones!
The engine themselves are pretty solid notwithstanding the above. The usual thing for the cars is the bushes and suspension components which wear due to the size of the car.
Zorst is stainless, so no worries there, and the cats are fine so long as the car is run regularly.
Average MPG is usually around the 19 - 20 overall. The facelifts can be better, but only if driven like a poof.
Sublime to drive. Took mine round the ring, and what I love about it is the ease with which a fuckwit like me could get most of the ability out of it.
Also free advice - buy BMW brake discs. They come with a 2 year warranty, which I have abused in respect of warping them. It will save you money in the long run- trust me!
Final advice. Get the last seven digits of the number of the car you are buying and ring BMW GB. They will be able to verify the service history, and all major works carried out to the car. This will give you peace of mind.
Did I miss anything?
JJ
19-10-2007, 10:59 PM
#10
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awesome car, puts a smile on my face very day.
It will be going to the Nurburg ring in March, cant wait and I feel it will be totally usale there too, afterall, it was designed, built and tested on the Nurburg ring.
It will be going to the Nurburg ring in March, cant wait and I feel it will be totally usale there too, afterall, it was designed, built and tested on the Nurburg ring.
19-10-2007, 11:02 PM
#11
You forgot a pic JJ!
Seriously cool car you have too
Fast for sure, yet as we found going to the pub back after Devon RSOC Day, comfy travel for 4. Sublime limo like is a good description, till you let the V8 rip.
Goes well, so much torque at any revs, and for a big old barge you certainly seem to hustle it around rapidly.
I wanted one, and if not the EVO, then an M5 would have been a natural progression from my old M3
Quality cars
Si
Seriously cool car you have too
Fast for sure, yet as we found going to the pub back after Devon RSOC Day, comfy travel for 4. Sublime limo like is a good description, till you let the V8 rip.
Goes well, so much torque at any revs, and for a big old barge you certainly seem to hustle it around rapidly.
I wanted one, and if not the EVO, then an M5 would have been a natural progression from my old M3
Quality cars
Si
20-10-2007, 07:59 AM
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Good write up JJ, cant believe they use so much oil, alot of people dont check oil all the time on new cars, so they might have been run dry when new?? is that a concern?
Carl
Carl
20-10-2007, 08:48 AM
#15
Shame you arent local enough to JJ for him to take you out in it.
I can honestly say it wasnt until I went in his as a passenger I first really understood just how good they are if you have the balls to take advantage of it.
Unless you are a driving god, the M5 is almost certainly better than you are.
I can honestly say it wasnt until I went in his as a passenger I first really understood just how good they are if you have the balls to take advantage of it.
Unless you are a driving god, the M5 is almost certainly better than you are.
Though i must get a Derv
20-10-2007, 09:39 AM
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Hi guys
Nice photo Si - both cars in one shot! ROFOL. Note the bonnet on the cosworth is in its standard position!!! QAlso thanks to Chip for the compliment - I do like to kill her every so often!
Mine gets a lot of abuse - as it should be. I love that it can be thrown around with such comparitive ease!
As far as the oil checking is concerned, this is not really a big issue. The car will tell you when she is low on oil waaay before it would be doing damage. Ie it doesnt wait until it notes pressure drop, it actually has a level sensor.
So long as people do as they are told, there should be no issue.
JJ
Nice photo Si - both cars in one shot! ROFOL. Note the bonnet on the cosworth is in its standard position!!! QAlso thanks to Chip for the compliment - I do like to kill her every so often!
Mine gets a lot of abuse - as it should be. I love that it can be thrown around with such comparitive ease!
As far as the oil checking is concerned, this is not really a big issue. The car will tell you when she is low on oil waaay before it would be doing damage. Ie it doesnt wait until it notes pressure drop, it actually has a level sensor.
So long as people do as they are told, there should be no issue.
JJ
20-10-2007, 12:31 PM
#22
Originally Posted by dave cos4x4
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
M5 is my Intended next car.
20-10-2007, 12:39 PM
#23
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by dave cos4x4
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
M5 is my Intended next car.
How much difference is there when you chip them?
Im assuming that neither the timing is excesively retarded or the fuelling excessively rich at WOT so is it more a case of improving the part throttle map and the way the fly by wire throttles react to throttle angle changes?
Or is there a genuine gain to be had on the top line too?
20-10-2007, 12:41 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by dave cos4x4
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
M5 is my Intended next car.
How much difference is there when you chip them?
Im assuming that neither the timing is excesively retarded or the fuelling excessively rich at WOT so is it more a case of improving the part throttle map and the way the fly by wire throttles react to throttle angle changes?
Or is there a genuine gain to be had on the top line too?
20-10-2007, 12:44 PM
#25
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
How much difference is there when you chip them?
Im assuming that neither the timing is excesively retarded or the fuelling excessively rich at WOT so is it more a case of improving the part throttle map and the way the fly by wire throttles react to throttle angle changes?
Or is there a genuine gain to be had on the top line too?
Im assuming that neither the timing is excesively retarded or the fuelling excessively rich at WOT so is it more a case of improving the part throttle map and the way the fly by wire throttles react to throttle angle changes?
Or is there a genuine gain to be had on the top line too?
You ever had anything to do with modified ones?
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
20-10-2007, 12:55 PM
#26
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
You ever had anything to do with modified ones?
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Lets face It, BMW Msport are not amaturs and do actually know how to produce a decent engine and they fitted Vanos for a reason. LOL
20-10-2007, 01:01 PM
#27
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
You ever had anything to do with modified ones?
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Lets face It, BMW Msport are not amaturs and do actually know how to produce a decent engine and they fitted Vanos for a reason. LOL
Exactly what I expected to hear to be honest mate!
Dirty great centrifugal charger would be fucking awesome
20-10-2007, 01:05 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
You ever had anything to do with modified ones?
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Just wondered how that engine responds to lairier cams etc, but its not something you hear of people doing a lot on VANOS equipped cars.
Lets face It, BMW Msport are not amaturs and do actually know how to produce a decent engine and they fitted Vanos for a reason. LOL
Exactly what I expected to hear to be honest mate!
Dirty great centrifugal charger would be fucking awesome
I wonder what the M5 is like?
20-10-2007, 03:26 PM
#30
Hmm... agreed, should in theory be good for around 550 - 600bhp at a guess. The management would be a bit of a mare to get within 97% though as its a twinned system.
I bet the germans or Yanks have allready done it and have a bolt on kit somewhere.
I bet the germans or Yanks have allready done it and have a bolt on kit somewhere.
20-10-2007, 03:59 PM
#31
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all the m5's for the money i want to spend are all fuckin miles away 
the silverstone blue one on pistonheads has finance owing on it according to the hpi check waiting for the guy to get back to me
neil has sold his dave,but his mate who bought it is selling it....but its not got comms pack,which i want.
the silverstone blue one on pistonheads has finance owing on it according to the hpi check
waiting for the guy to get back to meneil has sold his dave,but his mate who bought it is selling it....but its not got comms pack,which i want.
21-10-2007, 03:03 PM
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Both the europeans and the yanks have done supercharger kits, both with similar results being in the 500-600 bhp mark with not much trouble.
The American company was Dinan - legends State side, but priced to match.
I could be tempted, though the kits tend to run up to about £15k, and dont allow for any internal alteration. At that price, it becomes worth more than the car!
Esp when you consider that the above is the kit only price!
Cant remember the European company.
JJ
The American company was Dinan - legends State side, but priced to match.
I could be tempted, though the kits tend to run up to about £15k, and dont allow for any internal alteration. At that price, it becomes worth more than the car!
Esp when you consider that the above is the kit only price!
Cant remember the European company.
JJ
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