E30 Zone

Guys,

I really have been fighting the urge to buy an E39 M5 for ages now. Infact since before I had my E46 M3. I should have bought one then but was silly enough to buy the M3 instead. That proved a mistake because me and the M3 didn't get on.

I have purposely not looked too heavily into buying the M5 because that would be fatal; if you know what I mean.

So now I'm going to tempt fate and start looking in to it. Does anyone have any experience, opinions, views, comments on the M5? Would I be better served chucking my council cash at an Alpina?

I would be looking at a facelift M5, say 2001>, low mileage as possible. I reckon about £15-£18k ish?

buy a b10.

a B10 is a totally different ball game, different power delivery with an auto box and softer suspension and a car aimed at a totally different buyer to the M5. I think they are both great cars but the M5 will have the slightly higher running costs. Although both won't be cheap since BMW changed their extented warranty cover not to include anything worth while, and upped the price! but this has affected the values of B10's too.

Damo head over to the alpina register forum if you want to read more on B10 ownership experience!

My neigbour at my mum and dads had an M5 he had a replacement engine fitted under warranty from bmw for a cool £12000! but that was under the old warranty system

I actually prefer the B10 V8S (375 bhp).

Nicer power delivery than the M5 with more low end grunt. The suspension is from I can tell no softer at all than the M5. As a package I found the B10 to be a little more complete.

Running costs are going to be very high but both the M5 and Alpina B10 V8S are fantastic cars. Don't expect them to be raw though, they are very very far from it being extremely refined.

If your budget doesn't stretch to the B10 V8S then the B10 V8 is still very good.

Hi,

BMW E39 M5 Worst BMW I have ever owned, and close to the worst
Car I have ever owned.

For sure they are very quick when their running correctly.

If your going to buy one of these without a Main Dealer Warranty which
is a bit of Joke in itself, then I suggest you purchase a bulk order of
Cam Position Sensors, make sure every recall has been done, and
be prepared for many visits to your local dealer or Mechanic.

They handle like pigs when pushed hard, the Brakes when pushed are
f*****g useless, they eat rear tyres for breakfast, and yet so many
still rave about them.

I spent a fortune on AP Brakes, Suspension, ARB's, SSK, the list went on
and still it was useless.

If you have a numb ass and like going fast in straight lines then this
is the Car for you !!!!!!!

Regards,

The Gorilla.

GermanGorilla wrote:Hi,

BMW E39 M5 Worst BMW I have ever owned, and close to the worst
Car I have ever owned.

For sure they are very quick when their running correctly.

If your going to buy one of these without a Main Dealer Warranty which
is a bit of Joke in itself, then I suggest you purchase a bulk order of
Cam Position Sensors, make sure every recall has been done, and
be prepared for many visits to your local dealer or Mechanic.

They handle like pigs when pushed hard, the Brakes when pushed are
f*****g useless, they eat rear tyres for breakfast, and yet so many
still rave about them.

I spent a fortune on AP Brakes, Suspension, ARB's, SSK, the list went on
and still it was useless.

If you have a numb ass and like going fast in straight lines then this
is the Car for you !!!!!!!

Regards,

The Gorilla.

LoL

i've heard this before from a few people in the trade and all of the above is quite true

in a few more years these will be worthless

all of the above is quite true

My BMW mechanic (master technician at main dealers) says the E39 is quite possibly the worst BMW ever made when it comes to reliability. He said finding a good one is nigh on impossible and as mentioned above it will spend a lot of time in the garage needing repairs.

I have lusted after one for years and when I was finally in a position to get one I opted for an E36 M3 Evolution (see my avatar) - quite simply one of the nicest cars I've ever owned and I've taking quite a shine to it!

If I ever get an M5 it will be the newer one (is that an E60!? ) but even then my mechanic reckons they still have their issues.

Hmmm....

What do I say to that!

I'm stuck as to what to do to be honest. I've been there done that with the E34, the E39, whilst I knew wasn't perfect, I thought was a great car.

I have two friends, well actually one belongs to a parent at our childrens school; They think they're the best thing since sliced bread. Both BMW maintained, one is a 2000 the other is a 2001. Neither have been problematic although neither are driven to their limits. Neither has been a burden and both are serviced under 4+. I understand the warranty structure has changed. A bit of a sh*t move on BMW's part there. Maybe that is another reason why the prices are dropping.

If I did get one then it would be a very late model with impeccable manners and a known past. Either way I know it isn't going to be cheap to run/maintain/insure. I'm under no illusions there.

I guess a trip to the dealer is in order this week to chat to the guys there. Thankfully spending like I do at the dealers counter gets me through the counter hatch on occasion.

Many thanks for all your input.



Dameon

E39s are a very nice car better brakes and coilovers and can be made into an awsome car

Also it's not good having 'Anal' under your name

Hmm German Gorilla, you've nearly made me cry with that.. I've always 'looked up' to the e39 M5

old_skool_2002 wrote:Hmmm....

What do I say to that!

I'm stuck as to what to do to be honest. I've been there done that with the E34, the E39, whilst I knew wasn't perfect, I thought was a great car.

I have two friends, well actually one belongs to a parent at our childrens school; They think they're the best thing since sliced bread. Both BMW maintained, one is a 2000 the other is a 2001. Neither have been problematic although neither are driven to their limits. Neither has been a burden and both are serviced under 4+. I understand the warranty structure has changed. A bit of a sh*t move on BMW's part there. Maybe that is another reason why the prices are dropping.

If I did get one then it would be a very late model with impeccable manners and a known past. Either way I know it isn't going to be cheap to run/maintain/insure. I'm under no illusions there.

I guess a trip to the dealer is in order this week to chat to the guys there. Thankfully spending like I do at the dealers counter gets me through the counter hatch on occasion.

Many thanks for all your input.



Dameon

The 02 in your avatar looks like the car used in the Film4 BMW ads. Any correlation? What's with the colour scheme??

German Gorilla, thanks for your advice. I appreciate where you are coming from and the value of your advice.

I went to the dealer today and had a chat to a few guys that are in no way sales orientated and they disagreed with a lot of things mentioned, on the whole. With exception to the Vanos units (£1000 a side) and camshaft position sensors.

I agree that IF I wanted to track/drift/cock about in the car or otherwise abuse it, I may have problems. I am talking about buying a very low mileage late model with known history. I would of course pamper the thing like a third child. Which, from the sounds of it is what they require!

blatantarrogance wrote:

old_skool_2002 wrote:Hmmm....

What do I say to that!

I'm stuck as to what to do to be honest. I've been there done that with the E34, the E39, whilst I knew wasn't perfect, I thought was a great car.

I have two friends, well actually one belongs to a parent at our childrens school; They think they're the best thing since sliced bread. Both BMW maintained, one is a 2000 the other is a 2001. Neither have been problematic although neither are driven to their limits. Neither has been a burden and both are serviced under 4+. I understand the warranty structure has changed. A bit of a sh*t move on BMW's part there. Maybe that is another reason why the prices are dropping.

If I did get one then it would be a very late model with impeccable manners and a known past. Either way I know it isn't going to be cheap to run/maintain/insure. I'm under no illusions there.

I guess a trip to the dealer is in order this week to chat to the guys there. Thankfully spending like I do at the dealers counter gets me through the counter hatch on occasion.

Many thanks for all your input.



Dameon

The 02 in your avatar looks like the car used in the Film4 BMW ads. Any correlation? What's with the colour scheme??

Yes!

Same car. Well, not that exact car, but same model. 1973 2002 Turbo. Awesome car too. Only 1600 some odd ever made. All in white with the exception of a few in Polaris silver.

One day it will be mine

If you are going to buy an E39 M5 avoid pre 2000 ones.

Alot of the guys I know who have them did their research before buying and the conclusion always comes back the same - buy Yr 2000+

M5pilot wrote:If you are going to buy an E39 M5 avoid pre 2000 ones.

Alot of the guys I know who have them did their research before buying and the conclusion always comes back the same - buy Yr 2000+

Thanks Sal,

I kinda figured that too with what I had heard. Sound advice, thanks.

Dameon.

what are the issues with the pre facelift ones then?

Disease, plague, pestolence and world famine from what I have heard!

I think it's a combination of ironing out a lot of previous issues and the fact that the facelift cars are a better spec.

Hmm... Been thinkin about either an e39 M5 or TVR Cerbera as my next car.. Wont be for quite a while, but starting to look up and research which is why i was so upset bout German Gorilla's post There isnt anything sub 10k that i would want really

Me too mate. I felt like a kid on christmas day that has just been told there are no pressies

old_skool_2002 wrote:Me too mate. I felt like a kid on christmas day that has just been told there are no pressies

I guess the best way to tell is drive one and see if you like it.. That way you determine if Santa came to visit or not

I was so up for buying an E39 M5 as an upgrade to the E34 3.8 but just felt so let down when I test drove one.

I was lucky enough that the owner (a member of another forum) let me drive the for a good 30 mins and in any fashion I wanted.

It was quicker than my 3.8 over 110 mph but not by alot. I was expecting monumental earth shattering torque but that just didn't happen. The top end was a little flat.

The ride was extremely nice as were the seats. The handling didn't feel as sure footed as I wanted either but it did have serious amounts of grip even if it was a little nervous to drive very fast.

The thing that I found is that it just didn't feel like an M car but instead a quicker version of a 540i manual 6 speed.

Thinking back carefully I have to say that while I didn't come away that impressed I still liked it alot. The only thing that stopped me buying one was the fact that I got out of the E39 and drove home in my E34 and found it felt more like a racecar and the ride was far much stiffer in the sport mode.

If my E34 ever goes then I would probably still seriously look at the E39 as it's such a hard job finding a decent E34.....but it would have to be a very late one with the right spec and I'd have to make sure somehow the vanos was good, the engine didn't burn too much oil, the MAFs were replaced, the clutch was new, it had new discs all round, rear arb not bent etc etc .....shit, that list is quite long of make sures before you buy!

I think if the right car came along I'd still have one but the E34 would still have to stay.

I'm really having trouble believing that people are slating the e39 so much!

yes they are heavy on rear drop links but My dad's 02 plate 530d despite not being hammered, has given him no problems in 72000 miles!

wned from new and all it has had is a full BMW service history
new BMW front discs and pads, BMW rear pads
BMW rear drop links and a couple of sets of tyres.. I'm sorry but to me that is a cracking car!

Similar story with his 97 plate 523i, top mounts and drop links again but still 110000 miles in 3 years and no problems left me in no position to believe that it is not a car of good build quality!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Alpina-B10-4- ... dZViewItem

Hi,

Regarding the Rear Drop Links on the E39 M5 its not the links
but the ARB Brackets themselves.

Mine were replaced 5 times by the dealer, before I went to
BeastPower and purchased the Alloy Brackets for 200.00 USD, which
was the only way of stopping them rip out.

One time they were replaced at the Dealer, I drove around the first
roundabout and ping, the nearside was gone in 2 minutes.

So ask yourself aside from the Vanos, the MAF's the CPS, the fact that
the engine will retort to default mode if the Petrol Cap is not shut
properly why on earth would you want such a bag of old nails ?

I had AP 6 Pot BBK, Adjustable Coliovers, Stainless Brake lines,
Eibach Uprated ARB's, Delrin Bushes, UUC SSK and DSSR Rail,
Carbon Intakes, Uprated Cold Air Intakes, and a load more rubbish,
that still would not make the bloody thing move properly.

I would still rather drive my old E34 M5 3.6 which may not be quite as fast but at least I was always sure of arriving.

The E34 M5 were hand built and were based on Race Car components.

The E39 M5 was Munich's way of trying to earn a lazy Euro.

They took a mainstream model, stuck in a bigger engine which they
never really understood, added a few suspension bits, and called
it an M5.

Build it and the people will come, and they did, all waving their 60 K plus
cheques for a car which was nothing more than a sub 30k model,
with a big engine and some stripey badges.

Go live with one for just one day, and if the engine SES light does
not come on at some point then David F*****g Blane must be in the
Car.

Most overarted underpeforming M car ever.

And the New M5 is almost as bad. Sold that after 2 weeks Vanos, MAF'S.
Visits to the Dealership should be for routine servicing and little bits and
pieces not every week.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

old_skool_2002 wrote:

blatantarrogance wrote:

old_skool_2002 wrote:Hmmm....

What do I say to that!

I'm stuck as to what to do to be honest. I've been there done that with the E34, the E39, whilst I knew wasn't perfect, I thought was a great car.

I have two friends, well actually one belongs to a parent at our childrens school; They think they're the best thing since sliced bread. Both BMW maintained, one is a 2000 the other is a 2001. Neither have been problematic although neither are driven to their limits. Neither has been a burden and both are serviced under 4+. I understand the warranty structure has changed. A bit of a sh*t move on BMW's part there. Maybe that is another reason why the prices are dropping.

If I did get one then it would be a very late model with impeccable manners and a known past. Either way I know it isn't going to be cheap to run/maintain/insure. I'm under no illusions there.

I guess a trip to the dealer is in order this week to chat to the guys there. Thankfully spending like I do at the dealers counter gets me through the counter hatch on occasion.

Many thanks for all your input.



Dameon

The 02 in your avatar looks like the car used in the Film4 BMW ads. Any correlation? What's with the colour scheme??

Yes!

Same car. Well, not that exact car, but same model. 1973 2002 Turbo. Awesome car too. Only 1600 some odd ever made. All in white with the exception of a few in Polaris silver.

One day it will be mine

I find myself lusting after them too, I've secretly wanted one since I was 18....

shocked to read this bout the e39
ps i only 20 and my dream car is an inca orange 2002..im strange..but in the right place

is the m5 vanos prob similar to that of e36 m3 evo..seals leeking etc

One 02 touring, orange (not sure if it's inca)



02 with e30m3 lump.

I had a 02 Touring once...silver with a black vinyl roof and a full length Webasto....lovely it was untill some plonker rear-ended it!

At times I look at the e30 and wonder where the progress is!

TBH a standard '02 is an ugly rusting sed of a car, reminiscent of slogh from the Goonies. Fully specced up, it takes on new meaning.

A standard e30 is better looking that a trampy standard '02.

well this is an interesting read, certainly put me off E39 M5 for life as by the time i have the shekels in my pocket they will all be dogs.,

Is it really that hard to find a decent E35 M5?

E30BeemerLad wrote:Is it really that hard to find a decent E35 M5?

i would say its impossible.

lol, I should have edited that post

When the E39 was launched @96' the world motoring press agreed that it was "the best car ever built by BMW" and the car went on to win best luxury sedan for six or seven years with a lifetime achievement award before the new model was launched.
I think that although the E39 does have some "issues" it's still a brilliant car.
I have owned a 92' E34 from new for 12 years and 97' E39 which I got in 01' and kept for 4 years before I moved over here and had to sell both. The E34 was still running with most original components and was built to last forever whilst many 'bits' of the E39 had to be replaced. The E34 had 150k miles on it when I sold it and the E39 had @210k miles.
Maybe many E39 M5's have been absolutely hammered and this is why the earlier models have a very bad reputation ?
Personally I have always preferred the E34 based on my absolute satisfaction which mine gave me and the ultimate driving machine for me will always be the E34 M5.
I love em' all E30 - E39 models, cheers.

Well that's saved me a packet!!!! Cheers guys!!!

I've always fancied one of these, but i seem to easily break the most solid of cars with my driving and mileage!!!!

Just crossing it off my list now!!

Let's get saving for an E60 M5 then!

But then, we have to worry about the gearbox.