Thinking about buying an E39 M5
#1
Thinking about buying an E39 M5
hey its pretty much my first thread where i am gonna ask you guys for lil help and your thoughts that you could share with me.
to start of i sold my CLS 6MT about 2 months ago i had it slightly moded with sc and i clearly loved the car i had it since 50k miles and after 100k mark it started to make me some problems but i am a mechanic so i took care of basicly everything including engine swap because i blew the original one... i dont fix cars for living its my hobby but i do wrench alot at work (mostly machines)...
im on the market to find something that will replace the CL that i loved and trust me its not an easy job to find something... i test drove many cars lately, i even almost bought an BRZ but backed it out in last minute... here is a list of a cars that i test drove lately...
BRZ/FRS: great looking cars, great handling but i realized that i would spend way to much money to make it fast enough...
Mustang GT: i just dont like the car the position behind the wheels is so weird
GTO 6.0: pretty cool car but it was missing something
'09 M3: i loved that car but 45k price tag made me walk away
335i: pretty cool car with potential but too many of them out there
G37: car is overall cool but guido mode is not for me
S5: same as M3
finally i came across the E39 M5 it was 01 with 90k miles(its not the exact car that i would buy but i decided to try it) i have to tell you guys that i never drove this car before but i just simply fallen in love with it i love the postion behind the wheel i love everything about this car it just felt right for me... the way it transfer power to the ground is just crazy i love the interior... there is some thing that i cant describe but it just feels great to drive and overall an awesome car but...
yes i realize its expensive to maintain i do realize that VANOS might be an nightmare... i just love the combo of sedan great V8 engine that you cant compare to anything else great feedback from pedals, steering, shifter, having four doors...
it would not be my daily car... i have a beater right now that i drive to work(it 02 sentra) it would serve me as a weekend/fun and pleasure... i just love to drive that car like no other! what im looking for is low miles 50-60k(if the price is reasonable maybe less) miles 01-03 that is clean no accidents and has a full service records
does anyone owned that car ? does anyone has some experience with those ? please bear with me
to start of i sold my CLS 6MT about 2 months ago i had it slightly moded with sc and i clearly loved the car i had it since 50k miles and after 100k mark it started to make me some problems but i am a mechanic so i took care of basicly everything including engine swap because i blew the original one... i dont fix cars for living its my hobby but i do wrench alot at work (mostly machines)...
im on the market to find something that will replace the CL that i loved and trust me its not an easy job to find something... i test drove many cars lately, i even almost bought an BRZ but backed it out in last minute... here is a list of a cars that i test drove lately...
BRZ/FRS: great looking cars, great handling but i realized that i would spend way to much money to make it fast enough...
Mustang GT: i just dont like the car the position behind the wheels is so weird
GTO 6.0: pretty cool car but it was missing something
'09 M3: i loved that car but 45k price tag made me walk away
335i: pretty cool car with potential but too many of them out there
G37: car is overall cool but guido mode is not for me
S5: same as M3
finally i came across the E39 M5 it was 01 with 90k miles(its not the exact car that i would buy but i decided to try it) i have to tell you guys that i never drove this car before but i just simply fallen in love with it i love the postion behind the wheel i love everything about this car it just felt right for me... the way it transfer power to the ground is just crazy i love the interior... there is some thing that i cant describe but it just feels great to drive and overall an awesome car but...
yes i realize its expensive to maintain i do realize that VANOS might be an nightmare... i just love the combo of sedan great V8 engine that you cant compare to anything else great feedback from pedals, steering, shifter, having four doors...
it would not be my daily car... i have a beater right now that i drive to work(it 02 sentra) it would serve me as a weekend/fun and pleasure... i just love to drive that car like no other! what im looking for is low miles 50-60k(if the price is reasonable maybe less) miles 01-03 that is clean no accidents and has a full service records
does anyone owned that car ? does anyone has some experience with those ? please bear with me
#3
i drove one and it has not enough juice for me... its a nice car but M5 is the first car that i drove and i felt like it doesnt need to be modified at all its great the way it is... maybe a short shifter and exhaust but thats all... i think i found a right word for that a "driving experience" is like no other car that i have driven... this car made me smile like a 5 year old kid got his first hot wheel car...
#4
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These are the 2 thoughts I heard most about that car:
1) Get it! The E39 M5 is considered one of the best cars ever made, and you should hop on one now before prices go up as it becomes rarer.
2) It's a 10-year-old BMW. It's going to cost an arm and a leg to maintain and it's not worth it.
1) Get it! The E39 M5 is considered one of the best cars ever made, and you should hop on one now before prices go up as it becomes rarer.
2) It's a 10-year-old BMW. It's going to cost an arm and a leg to maintain and it's not worth it.
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phee (07-15-2012)
#5
It is one of the cars that i would want to stay in my garage forever... i really am able to do most of the work myself i have a friend who owns a shop and he works only on BMW and he really wants me to get this car too... maybe i should test drive e46 M3 ? but i dont think i want...
#6
My first Avatar....
It is one of the cars that i would want to stay in my garage forever... i really am able to do most of the work myself i have a friend who owns a shop and he works only on BMW and he really wants me to get this car too... maybe i should test drive e46 M3 ? but i dont think i want...
#7
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
dew it
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#9
Moderator
#10
אני עומד עם ישראל
My step dad is selling his 2001 6MT E39 540i w/M sport package 139k on the clock. It's Sport Titanium Metallic I believe and in great shape. He's the original owner, body is straight, Dinan maintained, ALL electronics work, adult driven, basically babied. Clutch is two years old IIRC, rear diff replaced under factory warranty.
They are great drivers cars. If you can't find a clean M5 and maybe want to look at 540s again pm me I'll get you some pics of the car.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06371654&Log=0
Here's an M I thought was interesting...
They are great drivers cars. If you can't find a clean M5 and maybe want to look at 540s again pm me I'll get you some pics of the car.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06371654&Log=0
Here's an M I thought was interesting...
#11
Fahrvergnügen'd
I just shit my pants. I thought my E36 was a whore.
Here's what you need to know if you're in the market for a 10yr old M5 with 80 to 100k miles on it. Even if it was garaged and well maintained certain parts will need replacement. 1) Radius Arms in the front suspension (aka upper control arms)- $700 2) Driveline Carrier Bearing which necessitates separation of the 2-piece aluminum driveline and it is not designed to be re-used- $2,000 3) Differential Bushings-$1,400 4) Rear Shocks-$1,600 5) Clutch-$1,900
#12
אני עומד עם ישראל
^ lol yeah, but drive that car and you're grinning from ear to ear... I think for 11k it's a steal especially if he really had all the bs done to it.
#13
Currently Post-Acura
I remember in high school a kid's dad had one just like that and he lived in Franklin Lakes. His dad had a letter from BMW in the glovebox saying that a front plate obstructed airflow to the engine and it was his way out if a NJ cop gave him trouble about no front plate.
#14
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#17
AZ Community Team
My step dad is selling his 2001 6MT E39 540i w/M sport package 139k on the clock. It's Sport Titanium Metallic I believe and in great shape. He's the original owner, body is straight, Dinan maintained, ALL electronics work, adult driven, basically babied. Clutch is two years old IIRC, rear diff replaced under factory warranty.
They are great drivers cars. If you can't find a clean M5 and maybe want to look at 540s again pm me I'll get you some pics of the car.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06371654&Log=0
Here's an M I thought was interesting...
They are great drivers cars. If you can't find a clean M5 and maybe want to look at 540s again pm me I'll get you some pics of the car.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06371654&Log=0
Here's an M I thought was interesting...
I currently looking for a used Honda Accord for my daughters and it's amazing the amounof BS out there on Craigslist.
#18
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
OP, I have been in love with the E39 M5 since the day it came out. I remember reading a Car and Driver article about it basically being able to destroy a Vette yet luxurious and a 4 door. Just love that concept and the styling is the best BMW ever produced IMO, understated yet aggressive enough to know it's a sports sedan. If I were in your shoes with the ability to purchase one, work on one or have a buddy that could help me out, I'd be all over it and buy one.
Although my MS6 is obviously not nearly in the same category as the E39, I enjoy having an understated sedan that can put most cars away in a stop light to stop light race when most people would never see it coming.
Last edited by SuperTrooper169; 07-13-2012 at 10:07 AM.
#19
אני עומד עם ישראל
I know.. If I was in the market for a car I might want to fly down to Vegas and look at it, drive it home if it all checks out since it appears he's done most of the expensive things.
#20
Moderator
#21
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=184940
[QUOTE]
General:
Air filter – every 15k miles / 25k km
Brake fluid – every 2 years, or less
Coolant – every 3 years, or less
Think about at 50k miles / 80k km, if not already done:
Belts
Transmission fluid
Pre-cat oxygen sensors
Think about at 70k miles / 110k km, if not already done:
Fuel filter
Thrust arm bushings
Power steering fluid
Wheel bearings
Think about at 90k miles / 145k km, if not already done:
Fan clutch, radiator
Fuel pump
Think about at 100k miles / 160k km, if not already done:
Rod bearings/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
General:
Air filter – every 15k miles / 25k km
Brake fluid – every 2 years, or less
Coolant – every 3 years, or less
Think about at 50k miles / 80k km, if not already done:
Belts
Transmission fluid
Pre-cat oxygen sensors
Think about at 70k miles / 110k km, if not already done:
Fuel filter
Thrust arm bushings
Power steering fluid
Wheel bearings
Think about at 90k miles / 145k km, if not already done:
Fan clutch, radiator
Fuel pump
Think about at 100k miles / 160k km, if not already done:
Rod bearings/QUOTE]
Last edited by StreetKA; 07-13-2012 at 11:35 AM.
#22
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Rod bearings at 100k.. fuck that.
#23
Moderator
#26
אני עומד עם ישראל
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StreetKA (07-13-2012)
#28
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
I had the pleasure of driving a 01 M5 for a month back in 01. Rich boss at work let me borrow it while my POS was getting a trans put in.
I hate BMW. But that thing was awesome. Only BMW I would ever own.
I looked at a few when I was looking fro a car last September. Only 2 I could find near me & 1 was pristine with 10K miles on it but the guy wanted $40K. The other had 140k miles on it & was just too much $ for that much mileage.
I hate BMW. But that thing was awesome. Only BMW I would ever own.
I looked at a few when I was looking fro a car last September. Only 2 I could find near me & 1 was pristine with 10K miles on it but the guy wanted $40K. The other had 140k miles on it & was just too much $ for that much mileage.
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StreetKA (07-13-2012)
#29
I had the pleasure of driving a 01 M5 for a month back in 01. Rich boss at work let me borrow it while my POS was getting a trans put in.
I hate BMW. But that thing was awesome. Only BMW I would ever own.
I looked at a few when I was looking fro a car last September. Only 2 I could find near me & 1 was pristine with 10K miles on it but the guy wanted $40K. The other had 140k miles on it & was just too much $ for that much mileage.
I hate BMW. But that thing was awesome. Only BMW I would ever own.
I looked at a few when I was looking fro a car last September. Only 2 I could find near me & 1 was pristine with 10K miles on it but the guy wanted $40K. The other had 140k miles on it & was just too much $ for that much mileage.
a year ago i wouldn't even think about getting a bmw i just dont like them but my friend talk me into a driving one and i just freaking love this car... im going to test drive one tomorrow but i still think i need to do more research about this car... is there any part source like online website that you can get a oem parts for less ? i need to check how much parts cost like clutch etc i dont care about labor because i will do all by myself rod bearing sound scary but if you catch it early enough you may just end up with taking the bottom apart and replace them...
#30
Moderator
this.
a year ago i wouldn't even think about getting a bmw i just dont like them but my friend talk me into a driving one and i just freaking love this car... im going to test drive one tomorrow but i still think i need to do more research about this car... is there any part source like online website that you can get a oem parts for less ? i need to check how much parts cost like clutch etc i dont care about labor because i will do all by myself rod bearing sound scary but if you catch it early enough you may just end up with taking the bottom apart and replace them...
a year ago i wouldn't even think about getting a bmw i just dont like them but my friend talk me into a driving one and i just freaking love this car... im going to test drive one tomorrow but i still think i need to do more research about this car... is there any part source like online website that you can get a oem parts for less ? i need to check how much parts cost like clutch etc i dont care about labor because i will do all by myself rod bearing sound scary but if you catch it early enough you may just end up with taking the bottom apart and replace them...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/
http://www.rockauto.com/
http://www.bmminiparts.com/
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/m5-...ion-offerings/
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/
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StreetKA (07-14-2012)
#31
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#32
Senior Moderator
My dad has an 03, and I quite like driving it. It is definitely a car that puts a smile on my face (track or normal driving). Not a cheap car to own in terms of parts/maintenance, but you can do a lot to reduce costs (sounds like OP has that thought out already).
I haven't driven it at all this year, but since I am visiting my parents tomorrow, I think I will have to take it out for a spin.
I haven't driven it at all this year, but since I am visiting my parents tomorrow, I think I will have to take it out for a spin.
Last edited by West6MT; 07-13-2012 at 11:31 PM.
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StreetKA (07-14-2012)
#34
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#36
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
White? I'll never make that mistake again.
#37
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
I've owned several white cars.. no big deal. It looks hot. I would definitely get it in that combo.
Last edited by Majofo; 07-15-2012 at 11:35 AM.
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StreetKA (07-15-2012)
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StreetKA (07-15-2012)