ZeroPSI

I have been searching around and looking at buying a used 2001-2003 M5. They are pretty rare breed to come by around here, I see alot of the left-coast and Texas for sale on eBay.

Do any of you have any experience with the cars? Any reason why they are so hard to come by? Just not alot of them made during their production, or everyone just enjoys them so they are holding onto them?

TIA for any info.

cmschmie

Maybe people just don't want to get rid of them
They are sweet ass rides

ZtotallynakedZ

One of my favorite cars of all time-just an all around pleasure to drive. If it wasn't RWD, I would think about one for a new car. I think a combination of not a lot being made, on top of people holding on to them make them harder to come by. But then again, around my parents, I see at least one every time I'm around that area.

poohlikeshunny

my pops had a 2002 for the longest time, and it was in the shop repeatedly for all kinds of electronic failures. but it was a dman fine car otherwise! navi left a little to be desired though...after using an acura and lexus touchscreen nav, the old school bmw navis blow (nothing as bad as iDrive though!)

ShavedH22CL

thats my fav. BMW of all time.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Too bad you weren't looking for one earlier. I had a friend who was looking to sell his that was a 2003 (I forget, but I think that is right).

BustedJack

Thing with any BMWs and especially the M3 and M5, you want to drive them hard and they are fun. But after 3-5 yrs get rid of them before the problem starts.

JCVTLS

A lot more are coming up for sale now that the new M5 is out. Keep looking, you will find the right one.

ZeroPSI

I got a 98 E36 M3 when I graduated High School. I had it all through college and never had a problem, but then again, in the 6 years I owned it, I only put 14,000 miles on it.

TL CHROMETIDE

The E39 M5 is definitely my favorite BMW. I'm sure someone here on Acurazine has one.

nokiaman

My dad happens to own a local BMW dealership. When the E60 came out I remember asking him to compare both of them..."The E39 M5 feels like a race car.Solid, very fast impressive handling,a superb V8 stock brakes were best in category...Now comparing it with the E60 is almost not fair as the new is packed with the latest technology, years ahead in term of speed and an impossible to match high-revving V10 although very heavy". Now funny part is that people brought E60's back because electronics, early models and the looks,some of them could not get used to. Also you probably know of the low-end torque the e39 had that is absent in the new E60. Don't get me wrong though I'm not hating or bashing on the new M5. It's one of my dream cars(actually M6) and I sweat until the day I will own one. My dad has been selling BMW's for almost 34 years and according to him the E39 must be in the best top 3 cars BMW has ever built.(He owns one and an M3 and mamma's X5)
So YES PEOPLE ARE HOLDING ONTO THEM. I think they look better than the current generation.

Just my long ass

shrev

e39 m5 is a hot car, but be careful...my boss's had lots of electrical issues for some reason....bmw offered to buy it back from him so he ended up getting a 745i

daemonicus

he got rid of his M5 because it had electrical problems and replaced it with a 745i? heh.

blxmjx

I had one. It wasn't that impressive to me. Felt like an old man car. I sold mine less than a year after owning it. It was pretty problem free besides the weak clutch.

Lawaia

Not much inventory with less than 10,000 produced for the US market between 1999-2003.
Here's mine...

Daily Driven.....

sandiegodrive

NON-ACURA:

E39 FTW!

ZeroPSI

I came across two of these at our local BMW dealer about two months ago but did not pull the trigger because I was scared of owning a V8 with the gas prices. I am really regretting that decision right now.

civic4982

^ why? gas prices have gone up since then haven't they?

gtg710w

I would snatch one up if I had money. Only thing I dislike about m5 is the black plastic accents that runs through the sides.

civic4982

of course that's IMPOSSIBLE to fix. :sarcasm:

some people think that those ugly black plastic accents have a purpose, like preventing your car from getting door dings perhaps.

civic4982

oh and:

M5 > any other sedan

S14 n Tsx

how much are they now?

ZeroPSI

Yea, but that should not have been my deciding factor. Now, I can't find any of them local.

Anywhere from $32 to $40k depending on options, miles, etc.

S14 n Tsx

^^ still pricy.

Brandon24pdx

They're not nearly as rare as the E34 or E28 M5's.

ZeroPSI

For a 400HP, 6spd, RWD sedan that looks amazing.

I have been looking at a new TL-S too. Same price, just a few years newer, and alot less power and looks.

S14 n Tsx

I guess but I perfer brand new car over used...

mclarenf3387

E39 M5>*

When I get into those, it just feels awesome. When I get into a E60 M5 it just doesn't have that same feeling for some reason.

FiveLiterCheater

My friend has a 2001 M5 with a bunch of dinan stuff (chip,exhaust,intakes, suspension etc..)

That thing is a monster

Seattle Cl-S

As a total package, I'd have to agree with this statement. Great looks, great engine, excellent handling, nice interior. On the track, however, the E39 M5 is not as special as it once was. Many newer cars are pretty comparable performance-wise. I find myself passing them pretty easily on the road course...and that was when I was stock. They just don't have quite enough torque for their weight. Even the E90 M5 has "just" 383 lb/ft. But when you gets those rpm's up in the powerband --> hold on!

blktsx23

yah my brother has one.. juss got one recently no more than a couple months ago.