Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Bmw M5

[NormanBurrows]

Hi There,

I ran an E39 M5 from new in August 1999 until October 2005 covering about 60,000 miles. I am pretty good at coaxing good fuel figures and got 18mpg around town, 25-28mpg on a careful run.
Servicing was coming up around every 12-14K with costs averaging around £300 for an Oil Service, £500 for an inspection. Do not risk using a back street garage unless you know their integrity is 110%.
From new these cars suffered from "assembly" faults like most of the other BMs I've had: whining diff, whining gearbox, very stiff selector. All done under warranty and no reoccurences. Things to check:
Must have FDSH - if you have to have (say) a cylinder head, it's £5K. A short motor £25K. Walk away if any oil leaks or traces on motor. Get the owner to state the oil consumption, some of these cars drank a pint in 200 miles. Mine did 1500 miles per pint. All the gadgets must work or repair costs will be high. I sold mine when the annual warranty extension got to £1K per year at 6 years old.
On the plus side, out of 3 M5s I had, the E39 was the best. Ace motor, good handling, and a cruiser when you want it to be. Well looked after Ms do incredible mileages without trouble. And it looks like a 520 to the unknowing!
Hope this helps. If you've any further questions please ask.

Cheers,


Norm.

[beancounter]

Thanks Norman - very helpful.

Unfortunately I'd be looking to buy at the point at which you sold - i.e. around 5 years old / 50k miles. I wouldn't buy without full BMW service history. Have you heard of anyone having major engine problems even after proper BMW servicing?

Thanks

BC

[NormanBurrows]

Hi,

I still have close contact with the main agents in Blackpool (Derek Woodman - ex motorcycle champion) so I've just left a message on their chief techncian's voice mail to call me back. When he does I'll ask him what horrors he's had in the workshop and then pass them on to you.

This guy came 2nd in the World in BMWs quality competition for techies (a German won - no fix then). He blue-printed my first E34 3.6L M5 in 1990. Motorsport built it with the wrong grade pistons and an incorrectly machined timing cover. Hmmm. I asked him to rebuild it to tightest tolerances which proved to be a mistake, but quite funny. Smoke poured off the engine when they started it as the heat was unbelievable. Any more than 50mph and she started to boil the oil. Took me over 10,000 miles to free her off. But then, she turned in 5mpg better than new and hit the 155 speed limiter with a vengence. Not bad for 315bhp.

Cheers,


Norman B.

[beancounter]

Thanks Norman.

It's very kind of you to go to so much trouble. Thank you very much.

BC

[NormanBurrows]

Hi BC,

Chief Techie has just called to say:

1) High oil consumption was a problem in cars produced between Sept 98 till Feb 00. Some are OK if run-in properly but others will drink you dry. There is no easy fix ~ the block and piston design was changed. Mine did 1500mpp which was considered good albeit annoying at £30 per 4L tin.
2) VANOS was modified in Nov 2000 to prevent excessive noise. Again, if it hasn't been a problem in six years, it probably isn't going to be. Mine was a July 99 production car as was a little noisy but OK in service.
3) Brakes on all M cars are very expensive. It cost me £1800 for disks and pads two years ago!! So, look through front wheels at disks. Any serious wear ridges will mean replacement is imminent.

Other than that, he says, E39s are a solid car that should give many more years of fine service.

Hope this helps.

Best of Luck,


Norm.

[beancounter]

Great info!

Thanks again Norman.

BC

[gordonparker]

Goodmorning, if you require a more local place for general servicing etc I can recommend the following;
PCS - BMW and Merc Specialists, 54 Barton Rd Water Eaton, MK2 3BN
01908 270503
I have been using them for a few years and have found them far superior than the local dealer and a good deal cheaper.

[beancounter]

Thanks Gordon.

Do they do sales, or just servicing?

BC