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I'll start with the reasons you might NOT want to get it:
- It drinks gas quickly. Be prepared to spend about $9X.XX for 400KMs.
- If you can't DIY at all, maintenance will be extra expensive (like any BMW)
- Even if you can DIY, consumables will still be expensive. Most people will put TWS in their M5, and just the oil alone will run you over $100. The rotors are huge, so brake jobs are never cheap. You don't want to cheap out on the tires for your 400hp car, so those can get pricey too.
- If you're young, you might not want a sedan, it's a great car, but it's still a sedan.
- Insurance is up there, remember, you're still insuring what used to be a $100K car
If you're ok with all of the above, go for it. It's an awesome car, and I'll list just a few of the positives:
- It's a major sleeper
- It's the perfect blend of power and class. It can be brutally fast, and perfectly quiet.
- Aside from consumables, it's fairly low maintenance. Register on m5board.com and start reading. Get to know the things that usually fail, and change them out early. Since I've had the car, I've only had to replace a fog light cover, low beam, brake light and the FSU. On the other hand, I've also done a lot preventative maintenance. I've replaced most fluids, and changed thermostat.
- It's, IMO, on it's way to being a classic BMW. It's praised by most enthusiasts, and is still used to judge many modern day cars (check the latest edition of EVO).
Some tips:
- 2001+ had a number of cosmetic upgrades. I would go with an 01+ unless you find a steal on a 2000. If you do get a 2000 at a good deal, no worries. 400hp is 400hp.
- If you want aux input, find an 03. The head unit on the 03 allows you to buy a $30 cable to get aux input. The 00-02s require much more work. I spent about $350 on my ipod integration, although it works through the OEM nav screen now.
- The nav is a piece of crap. Don't even the think about buying this car because of the navigation feature.
- The cup holders are worse than that nav unit.
- The car only came with a few options (rear sun screens, PDC, interior trim, interior colour) so don't worry too much about them
Update:
Tips:
- Spend more money on a car that has been well maintained. This is true for most used cars, but especially true for 10 year old M cars. A few maintenance items will run you a few thousand dollars, so don't try to save $1K on a car that will need $4k in maintenance over the next year.
- Don't worry if the car has missing pixels in the dash, it happens to everyone eventually.
Track Days:
- Taking the M5 to the track is insanely fun, but insanely expensive. The car has to be in tip top shape, with brake fluid always fresh, and brakes with >50% left at the minimum. This becomes very expensive, very quickly.
- For a cheaper alternative, taking the M5 to auto-x is also fun, but you have to be honest, this car was just not made for auto-x. You'll get your 4000lb butt spanked by miatas all day.
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I searched for truth, and all I found was You
TWS = Castrol TWS 10W60 oil
Which is what BMW calls for the motor to use.
Same with every other M car out there.
From BJ BMW it's about $17/L if I remember when I asked, but I don't buy from them.
Each oil change for the E39 M5 will take 6.5L of oil (with the filter change)
My buddy sold his because it cost over $3000 to do a brake service (pads/rotors)
he bought a Yaris where the same thing costs around $150
Yup, that doesn't surprise me. Try tracking the car. Before each track day, you need to do an inspection, and your breaks need to be at least 50%, or you need a brake job. Now *thats* an expensive hobby.
When I went to a PDC track day, my brakes were at 25%, so I essentially had to 'waste' 25% and get a full brake job if i wanted to go. That was painful.
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I searched for truth, and all I found was You
I love the E39.. but budget 3-5k per year for maintenance or repairs...
U might get lucky one year. But its gona need VANOS repair some day, intake manifold carbon clean up one day, clutch has to be changed often if u're not a very proficient manual driver, cooling system, suspension arms... etc.. it adds up.
Edit: Always Always Always have the car inspected. Lots of different shops to choose from - Nixon Automotive, CG Motorsports, Autowest BMW, Brian Jessel Autohaus, The Speed Syndicate, Drivehard Performance, Rise Auto Salon, Blitzkrieg Motorwerkes etc. The list goes on. The PPI will save you money in the long run and prevent a lot of nightmares.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS
I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off.
owned an e39 540i for a couple years and absolutely fucking loved it aside from maintenance costs. an e39 m5 would be real high on my list of sedans if i was in the money. one of my favorite cars ever. i actually posted on in that thread too hehe
Definitely spend a lot of time reading the FAQs on m5board.com
There's also links to buying tips and a buying guide somewhere that tells you what to look for as these cars get older.
I purchased one a few months back--spent quite some time looking for one. You'll definitely want one with full service records and documentation of proper maintenance. The torque is addicting
Similarly, the M5 has also been a car that I've really wanted ever since it came out. I figure that now is as good time as any to buy one. That and it only comes in manual, which is what I prefer.
i'm just enjoying every moment of it, had the brakes done at BJ BMW for 700 bucks. Not bad. =]
$700 for a brake job?
Man... it's been forever since I've brought a car into a dealership and paid for a repair, so it's always a shock to see how much they charge for even relatively simple jobs... lol
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