Seriously Considering this E39 M5

"Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)" (NKlein) 04/07/2015 at 01:50 • Filed to: None

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Price is a little high IMO but it seems like a motivated seller. I think the 13K-13.5K range is fair.

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SlickMcRick > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 04/07/2015 at 02:09

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ust did a little reading about the earlier M5s like the one you have interest in. As long as maintenance can be proven you should be good to go. Don't expect repairs to be cheap though. Also apparently VANOS seals seem to be a common issue of the earlier models and could cause some issues with oil consumption.

I say get as much research as you can in tonight and make your move when you know for certain this is what you want. Far too often I've heard if you want a reliable M5 just get a 540i with the sport package. 90% of the car with less headache.

Dunnik > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 04/07/2015 at 02:11

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The E39 has a reputation for being reliable (esp. for a BMW) if it's been well-maintained (which this one would seem to be). Still enough analogue in this era M5. And it's an M5. That's worth saying again. It's an M5.

It's 15 years old though, and it isn't getting any younger, despite the lowish mileage. Even though the PO seems to have put quite a lot of work into it, you know there's more work ahead. However, if you see this as something you'll have in 10 years time, when it officially becomes a classic, then it would certainly be worth it.

Price does seem a titch on the high side, for some reason. A shameless low-baller would get as close to $10k as possible.

Can confirm, incidentally, what the seller says about a Canadian car: speedo primarily in km, and the DRL's (which should be the law in the US too, really). I'm sure you could switch over temperature and distance on the digital displays from metric to whatever antiquated system of measurement you guys use.

Dunnik > SlickMcRick 04/07/2015 at 02:16

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Yea I've heard that before too, to get the V8 with the sport pack.

Being an Oppo, this would preclude you from slapping M-badges on it, however xD

Chris@Carlypso > Dunnik 04/07/2015 at 02:26

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The 540i is 50% of the car with 90% of the headache - ask me, I've had both.

SlickMcRick > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 04/07/2015 at 02:29

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Just did a little Edmunds price check and this is what they came up with.

First off this car has all the bells and whistles so I ticked all the boxes and listed it as clean since it does have some minor mechanical issues. And this is what I got.

Trade in value : $10,454

Private Party : $12,107

Retail: $14,892

Based on this chart you may be able to bid lower. I'd start the offer around 12K-12.5K personally.

Dunnik > Chris@Carlypso 04/07/2015 at 02:31

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Reading your article now, a real eye-opener O_O

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/public-service…

I forget how much plastic they used in the wrong places :/

stuttgartobsessed > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 04/07/2015 at 03:23

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Aside from VANOS issues, you should know that the M5 requires super special secret oil that is only available from BMW, and is expensive. Also repairs will NOT be cheap.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Chris@Carlypso 04/07/2015 at 03:25

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Did you find the "plastic" and other associate engine failures in the S62?

KatzManDu > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 04/07/2015 at 06:36

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I'm an ex-M5 owner, too (E39, 2000, 11/99 build-date.)

Oil leaks from the rear main seal and valve cover gaskets can be a headache. Earlier cars (like this one) had loose-fitting piston rings which allow a lot of oil past. You will be topping off on oil at rates greater than 1 quart per 300-400 miles if these oil leaks aren't addressed. The good news is that when it is time to replace upgrade the clutch, the rear main seal is an easy fix (does not require the block to come apart.)

Check the plastics under the car. It's easy for them to get shredded when tires blow or just from crappy roads.

Also, timing chain tensioner maintenance should be done. This is stupid easy to do. It will also be due for a fan clutch and new fan, as plastic in older fans can get brittle and shatter, destroying your radiator and hoses.

MAFs can go, too. It has two of them. Double the fun, double the cost. Of course, you could get a chip like the Evolve setup which changes the car to speed/fuel density from MAF-based fuel-injection which means you don't need the MAFs anymore.

alwaysmiata > Chris@Carlypso 04/07/2015 at 08:12

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After talking to different friends who have one of each I kind of get the feeling I don't want to own either, at least until I get a place with a heated garage and some better tools.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > KatzManDu 04/07/2015 at 10:45

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I stayed up late last night doing some research and the thing that is kinda scaring me right now is that I will likely have to do the clutch, flywheel, and Service 2 within the next 10-15k miles. Thoughts?

Chris@Carlypso > alwaysmiata 04/07/2015 at 12:04

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The M5 has parasitic maintenance costs as well, but the main difference is that it is something really special and lovely. Like having a pet elephant - annoying 90% of the time, but irreplaceable the other 10%.