The E39 M5 thread (pics inside!)
30-03-2009, 12:14 AM
#1
The E39 M5 thread (pics inside!)
discuss here 
seems like a few peeps on here have these
enjoy reading how the change goes from cossies to BMW's (M3's and M5's!!!)
wanna see some pics
ill start off with one of my old ones
1999 V, avus blue, close to standard, only subtle mods: K&N panel filters, facelift steering wheel and instrument cluster, widescreen monitor, tv in motion and upgraded navigation computer (from MKII to MKIII)
seems like a few peeps on here have these
enjoy reading how the change goes from cossies to BMW's (M3's and M5's!!!)
wanna see some pics
ill start off with one of my old ones
1999 V, avus blue, close to standard, only subtle mods: K&N panel filters, facelift steering wheel and instrument cluster, widescreen monitor, tv in motion and upgraded navigation computer (from MKII to MKIII)
30-03-2009, 12:19 AM
#3
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I had one of these, an ideal 4 door super saloon to go to from a cosworth.
Rakes of power, space for family picnic hamper and tartan rug and a crowd puller when its all waxed up and mincing about.
and of course not to forget the tone of the V8 under load, simply the best.
Oh and 186 mph out the factory (derestricted).
Simply one of the best cars your money can buy under 10k.
Rakes of power, space for family picnic hamper and tartan rug and a crowd puller when its all waxed up and mincing about.
and of course not to forget the tone of the V8 under load, simply the best.
Oh and 186 mph out the factory (derestricted).
Simply one of the best cars your money can buy under 10k.
30-03-2009, 12:21 AM
#4
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Times are changing Beefy.
We all on here, Do and always will love the old fords but we are aloud to move out of the 80s and buy newer more reliable cars to love and enjoy, BUT our love for RSs will never be took.
Peace out.
We all on here, Do and always will love the old fords but we are aloud to move out of the 80s and buy newer more reliable cars to love and enjoy, BUT our love for RSs will never be took.
Peace out.
30-03-2009, 12:46 AM
#5
I had one of these, an ideal 4 door super saloon to go to from a cosworth.
Rakes of power, space for family picnic hamper and tartan rug and a crowd puller when its all waxed up and mincing about.
and of course not to forget the tone of the V8 under load, simply the best.
Oh and 186 mph out the factory (derestricted).
Simply one of the best cars your money can buy under 10k.
Rakes of power, space for family picnic hamper and tartan rug and a crowd puller when its all waxed up and mincing about.
and of course not to forget the tone of the V8 under load, simply the best.
Oh and 186 mph out the factory (derestricted).
Simply one of the best cars your money can buy under 10k.
30-03-2009, 04:27 AM
#7
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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id reather have an evo......when you see a big bmw like that it looks like there going to collect there pension or off to the carravan site for a weekend away....my oppinion
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30-03-2009, 05:30 AM
#8
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I went from Cossie's to an M3 Evo, really do fancy getting an E39 M5 but all that is stopping is i've spent a little bit on the M3 & its nicely setup now for occasional trackdays with R888's etc etc but if i sell it i will have to start again with an M5 getting it upto scratch. Would one of these manage ok on the occasional trackday & ring on standard brakes with different pads/fluid, i'm sure they are the same discs as the M3 evo but M5's a lot heavier.
Off to Brands Hatch now for a trackday bye bye.
Off to Brands Hatch now for a trackday
bye bye.
30-03-2009, 07:39 AM
#11
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Still loving mine 
Its a 2001 ( 31/03/2001...phew facelift model...Le Mans blue with Black/Grey leather.
Spent a bit of cash this week on it replacing a few service items, the spark plugs i removed looked FOOKED!!! they should have been replaced on the last Inspection 1 service i think, but these had BMW stamps on them which makes me think they may be original :O
New Mafs too
Sometimes i get a little complacent with it, but when i drive another car it makes me realise how good it really is!
Its a 2001 ( 31/03/2001...phew
facelift model...Le Mans blue with Black/Grey leather.Spent a bit of cash this week on it replacing a few service items, the spark plugs i removed looked FOOKED!!! they should have been replaced on the last Inspection 1 service i think, but these had BMW stamps on them which makes me think they may be original :O
New Mafs too
Sometimes i get a little complacent with it, but when i drive another car it makes me realise how good it really is!
30-03-2009, 07:44 AM
#12
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ha,ha,ha i remember the 28th december.cruise down to donnington with tv on,cruise control set at 90 mph.
did a full trackday without a hiccup and surprised a few cars out there....
then tv back on and set cruise control................
yes there are pensioners cruising about in their 5 series,but TRUE petrolheads see an m5 with its hugely wide rear wheels and quad exhausts and give you the nod of respect.
30-03-2009, 09:51 AM
#13
10K+ Poster!!
Still loving mine
Its a 2001 ( 31/03/2001...phew facelift model...Le Mans blue with Black/Grey leather.
Spent a bit of cash this week on it replacing a few service items, the spark plugs i removed looked FOOKED!!! they should have been replaced on the last Inspection 1 service i think, but these had BMW stamps on them which makes me think they may be original :O
New Mafs too
Sometimes i get a little complacent with it, but when i drive another car it makes me realise how good it really is!
Its a 2001 ( 31/03/2001...phew
facelift model...Le Mans blue with Black/Grey leather.Spent a bit of cash this week on it replacing a few service items, the spark plugs i removed looked FOOKED!!! they should have been replaced on the last Inspection 1 service i think, but these had BMW stamps on them which makes me think they may be original :O
New Mafs too
Sometimes i get a little complacent with it, but when i drive another car it makes me realise how good it really is!
Spark plugs are Inspection II iirc...
Alex - thinking of getting an M5 LOL
30-03-2009, 09:56 AM
#14
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30-03-2009, 10:16 AM
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I doubt there is a better car available for the cash...they simply rock!
30-03-2009, 10:32 AM
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discuss here
seems like a few peeps on here have these
enjoy reading how the change goes from cossies to BMW's (M3's and M5's!!!)
wanna see some pics
ill start off with one of my old ones
1999 V, avus blue, close to standard, only subtle mods: K&N panel filters, facelift steering wheel and instrument cluster, widescreen monitor, tv in motion and upgraded navigation computer (from MKII to MKIII)
seems like a few peeps on here have these
enjoy reading how the change goes from cossies to BMW's (M3's and M5's!!!)
wanna see some pics
ill start off with one of my old ones
1999 V, avus blue, close to standard, only subtle mods: K&N panel filters, facelift steering wheel and instrument cluster, widescreen monitor, tv in motion and upgraded navigation computer (from MKII to MKIII)
is this the one i think it is
30-03-2009, 10:47 AM
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30-03-2009, 10:50 AM
#24
no probs with the K&N's, and not experienced MAF failure, but did come accross one car when i was originally looking for one, and it was slow as shit, so guess it had camshaft sensor fault, or MAF problems
id say around the same, but rarely as low as 15, usually stays above 17 most of the time
30-03-2009, 02:12 PM
#29
Spent a bit of cash this week on it replacing a few service items, the spark plugs i removed looked FOOKED!!! they should have been replaced on the last Inspection 1 service i think, but these had BMW stamps on them which makes me think they may be original :O
New Mafs too
New Mafs too
What bits did you actually change?? ...and if you dont mind me asking, what did it all cost??
These cars are mega value.. its the potential for massive bills/heavy oil consumption that puts me off them a wee bit.
Cheers,
Grant
30-03-2009, 02:41 PM
#30
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I take it you just re-freshed the service items and changed the MAF's as they're known to be problem areas??
What bits did you actually change?? ...and if you dont mind me asking, what did it all cost??
These cars are mega value.. its the potential for massive bills/heavy oil consumption that puts me off them a wee bit.
Cheers,
Grant
What bits did you actually change?? ...and if you dont mind me asking, what did it all cost??
These cars are mega value.. its the potential for massive bills/heavy oil consumption that puts me off them a wee bit.
Cheers,
Grant
i replaced;
Spark Plugs ( Original equipment NGK's ) - Ł56
Bosch MAF's (same as original equipment) - Ł177
Air Filters - Ł22 ish
MicroFilters - Ł20 ish
Oil Filter - Ł10 ish (obviously this will be fitted when the oil service is done)
I replaced the items because i had no proof they'd ever been changed (although filters would obviously have been done at service intervals.)
The car was a little hesitant too, which now seems to be fixed since fitting new MAF's
The bills can be large, but the fact im not really interested in modifying it means im spending less each week than i was with my cossies/evo etc..
30-03-2009, 03:20 PM
#32
well, it's due a service soon....but i refuse to pay over the odds for servicing!! I will take it to a garage for an oil change, literally just to get a stamp in the book and ill attach all receipts for the next owner to see.
i replaced;
Spark Plugs ( Original equipment NGK's ) - Ł56
Bosch MAF's (same as original equipment) - Ł177
Air Filters - Ł22 ish
MicroFilters - Ł20 ish
Oil Filter - Ł10 ish (obviously this will be fitted when the oil service is done)
I replaced the items because i had no proof they'd ever been changed (although filters would obviously have been done at service intervals.)
The car was a little hesitant too, which now seems to be fixed since fitting new MAF's
The bills can be large, but the fact im not really interested in modifying it means im spending less each week than i was with my cossies/evo etc..
i replaced;
Spark Plugs ( Original equipment NGK's ) - Ł56
Bosch MAF's (same as original equipment) - Ł177
Air Filters - Ł22 ish
MicroFilters - Ł20 ish
Oil Filter - Ł10 ish (obviously this will be fitted when the oil service is done)
I replaced the items because i had no proof they'd ever been changed (although filters would obviously have been done at service intervals.)
The car was a little hesitant too, which now seems to be fixed since fitting new MAF's
The bills can be large, but the fact im not really interested in modifying it means im spending less each week than i was with my cossies/evo etc..
) i only go there for the stamp too. wouldnt trust them enough to do anything further than that, especially if they cant even complete the simple task of an oil change would only ever let a trusted friend, or a well known specialist work on a proper car like an M5. personally, i consider specialist history better than BMW history anyway (after the warranty period is up) even though having that BMW stamp seems to matter a lot to buyers, not that it makes much of a real difference. its all in the head!!!
30-03-2009, 03:44 PM
#34
quite a few things, main ones being: headlights, rear lights, tv monitor and navigation unit (if it has them), instrument cluster and steering wheel
maybe few others that ive prob forgotten
maybe few others that ive prob forgotten
Last edited by indycos; 30-03-2009 at 03:46 PM.
30-03-2009, 03:54 PM
#37
Totally amazing cars. Absolutely love everything about mine. They do everything pretty well or better. Speed, handling, comfort, quality, reliability, build quality, everything about them is better than 90% of cars out there. The power is excellent and so usable you don't have top bother with the gearbox if your feeling lazy, with over 200ftlb of torque from idle rising to around 370ftlb from 2000pm to the limiter, she will pull from 10mph to 186mph in 5th gear. :lol1:
As for daily driving, again, it excels, the big V8 heats up fast and you can potter to the shops with no drama and she will sit outside looking subdued to all but those who know what she is. They don't feel anything like as big as they are once you get the hang of them, and you can easily push the limits more each week. It may be a few weeks before you disable the incredibly competent DSC though, shes a heavy girl at the back so needs your wits about you to push hard in the rain with DSC off. With it on, your grandma couldn't lose it, honestly, the computer would almost forbid it. lol
The quality you are buying and driving is what swings it for me. They drive better at 200,000 miles than any Ford, Subaru or Mitsubishi Lancer does when NEW. And so they should, don't forget, fully loaded, these cars were Ł65000 only 6-7 years ago!
Toy lovers will be at home as the list of toys is massive on an M5. lets see, here is my spec. (In the order i can think of them...):
Some light viewing for you...
YouTube - Top Gear
YouTube - E39 M5 "Star" Madonna Guy Ritchie BMW Films
Ive owned a lot of good cars, and ive driven more fast and high quality cars than most, and the E39 M5 is the best daily driver i have ever owned. These are pre stupid road tax increase too.
Problems?
They don't have anything you would call common problems, they are massively over engineered.
Bushes take a hammering. Buy powerflex, fit and forget.
Ensure vanos rattle on startup goes silent after no more than 2.5 seconds.
Have someone scan the ECU for fault codes, it has a very serious management system and nothing gets passed it.
camshaft sensors are quite common, they last years but go unnoticed as the engine runs well without them.
MAF's fail or get contaminated. easy to test from the display on the dash if you know how.
Good test of the vanos system sensors.
Drive in 2nd. 2500rpm. Nail it. Should pull quite progressively to 4k, then pull harder round to the limiter.
Drive in 2nd. 4000rpm. Nail it. Should shove you back in your seat like a turbocharged car and pull progressively to the limiter.
Servicing costs:
Well, the late ones, (Which you SHOULD buy) don't use oil, so change every 6000 ish ideally. Everything else is standard 5 series really, so cheap to run if you can afford the fuel costs. Nothing really to wear out as per any modern 5 series.
A few pics of mine...
Inside the sump pan after 105000 miles.
As for daily driving, again, it excels, the big V8 heats up fast and you can potter to the shops with no drama and she will sit outside looking subdued to all but those who know what she is.
They don't feel anything like as big as they are once you get the hang of them, and you can easily push the limits more each week. It may be a few weeks before you disable the incredibly competent DSC though, shes a heavy girl at the back so needs your wits about you to push hard in the rain with DSC off. With it on, your grandma couldn't lose it, honestly, the computer would almost forbid it. lolThe quality you are buying and driving is what swings it for me. They drive better at 200,000 miles than any Ford, Subaru or Mitsubishi Lancer does when NEW. And so they should, don't forget, fully loaded, these cars were Ł65000 only 6-7 years ago!
Toy lovers will be at home as the list of toys is massive on an M5. lets see, here is my spec. (In the order i can think of them...):
5L V8 400BHP
6 Speed Manual Gearbox
18" Alloys
SAT NAV
TV
Teletext
Dual Zone Digital Climate Control
Grey and black Nappa Leather Interior
Brushed Aliminium Trim
Electric Heated Seats with Drivers Memory
Centre front and Rear Arm Rest
Premium Sound System with 6 disc changer
On-board Computer showing MPG/temps etc
Built in laptimer and stopwatch (handy at the ring)
Cruise Control
Sports Mode (Improves steering and accelerator ratio)
Traction Control
Multi Function Steering Wheel (controls radio and cruise control)
Electric rear privacy blinds
Electric Tilt and Slide Sunroof
Electric windows all round
Electric Folding Mirrors with memory
Interior and exterior mirrors are all automatic anti glare. (They go dark when bright lights shine in them)
Washer jets, and mirrors are all heated.
Multiple Airbags in dash, wheel, front pillars and all four doors
Power Assisted steering
Xenon Head Lights
Angel eyes (You must upgrade these to 7000K LED's)
Front Fog Lights
Auto Tyre pressure monitoring
Parking Sensors front and rear
Mirrors drop to view kerbs automatically when you select reverse. (Switchable)
Remote Central Locking
Alarm/Immobiliser
Automatic rain sensing Wipers
auto headlight activation
Anti Lock Brakes
Toolkit in boot
DECENT First aid kit built into car
Rechargeable torch built into car
Warning Triangle built into car
2 Main ignition keys with remote controls built in
Full tints all round
3 driver settings that set the position of: Seats, steering wheel, mirrors and aircon. Great for other drivers.
Auto key charging. The remotes charge up in the ignition automatically. No batteries in them.
Disarm key personalisation.
(When Nicole gets in with her key, the car sets all seats, mirrors, aircon, steering wheel etc to her settings. When i use my keyfob to disarm, it sets it back to mine. No more changing seats and stuff... bliss!)
Do any other features actually exist? Some light viewing for you...
YouTube - Top Gear
YouTube - E39 M5 "Star" Madonna Guy Ritchie BMW Films
Ive owned a lot of good cars, and ive driven more fast and high quality cars than most, and the E39 M5 is the best daily driver i have ever owned. These are pre stupid road tax increase too.
Problems?
They don't have anything you would call common problems, they are massively over engineered.
Bushes take a hammering. Buy powerflex, fit and forget.
Ensure vanos rattle on startup goes silent after no more than 2.5 seconds.
Have someone scan the ECU for fault codes, it has a very serious management system and nothing gets passed it.
camshaft sensors are quite common, they last years but go unnoticed as the engine runs well without them.
MAF's fail or get contaminated. easy to test from the display on the dash if you know how.
Good test of the vanos system sensors.
Drive in 2nd. 2500rpm. Nail it. Should pull quite progressively to 4k, then pull harder round to the limiter.
Drive in 2nd. 4000rpm. Nail it. Should shove you back in your seat like a turbocharged car and pull progressively to the limiter.
Servicing costs:
Well, the late ones, (Which you SHOULD buy) don't use oil, so change every 6000 ish ideally. Everything else is standard 5 series really, so cheap to run if you can afford the fuel costs. Nothing really to wear out as per any modern 5 series.
A few pics of mine...
Inside the sump pan after 105000 miles.
30-03-2009, 04:38 PM
#39
im loving mine, its a 2001 facelift, with the same spec as stus above with a phone built in as part of the comms pack,
the wood trim is about to be swapped for the aluminmium one ive got, and the k+n`s are due any day,
im amazed at how well it handles for a big car! truely amazing imo.
and it is a crowd puller! if people know what it is, then 9 times out of 10 they stop and have a look, ive had people looking around it 4 times already last week, when i came out of shops lol,
i love the electric rear blind aswell, its soooo good for anoying people who want to sit up your ass! just slow down and deploy the blind lol
the wood trim is about to be swapped for the aluminmium one ive got, and the k+n`s are due any day,
im amazed at how well it handles for a big car! truely amazing imo.
and it is a crowd puller! if people know what it is, then 9 times out of 10 they stop and have a look, ive had people looking around it 4 times already last week, when i came out of shops lol,
i love the electric rear blind aswell, its soooo good for anoying people who want to sit up your ass! just slow down and deploy the blind lol
Last edited by JTECH James; 30-03-2009 at 04:40 PM.
30-03-2009, 04:44 PM
#40
oh, i set the aux ventillation today, so when i came to use the car at lunchtime, she was nice and cool inside already after being sat in the sun!
they have lots of hidden features too, if you drive the car till its hot, and switch off, you can hit the max button on the ac, this apparently then fires up the electric water pump, and circulates hot air around the car for about an hour, so you can sit and wait for someone etc, in the warm!
and ive heard if you flash main beam twice, then get out and lock it, the main beam comes on for 30 secs so you can see to get to your front door at night, but i havent tried this yet...
** i need an updated nav disc if anyone has one, mine is on 2003!** cash waiting!
they have lots of hidden features too, if you drive the car till its hot, and switch off, you can hit the max button on the ac, this apparently then fires up the electric water pump, and circulates hot air around the car for about an hour, so you can sit and wait for someone etc, in the warm!
and ive heard if you flash main beam twice, then get out and lock it, the main beam comes on for 30 secs so you can see to get to your front door at night, but i havent tried this yet...
** i need an updated nav disc if anyone has one, mine is on 2003!** cash waiting!
Last edited by JTECH James; 30-03-2009 at 04:55 PM.