E60 / E61 M5 Buyers Guide
Discussion
k it. I'm getting the exhaust done.Shaoxter said:
The warranty will stay the same ONLY if it's the monthly policy. An annual one will go up in price when you renew after it's passed 60k. That's what I did, bought just under 60k and took out a monthly policy. Except I cancelled it after a few months because I found it useless - had one fault diagnosed as an old battery which wasn't covered and another which was under the £250 excess. Car's been fine ever since for the last 2 years!
BTW check the service history carefully and make sure it's complete, they can be all dealer stamps but doesn't mean it will have been serviced on time. Check a recent thread about someone who had a warranty claim rejected for a rod bearing failure because the SH was incomplete!
I think you can get it serviced at an indy using genuine parts but BMW value servicing is available on these cars and not outrageously expensive.
p.s. an E60 M5 didn't appeal previously but a 320d did??
Thanks. And no, as a driving proposition, it didn't appeal. It didn't even appeal after I drove one last year (a Touring) but I've driven the F10 a couple of times since, and as impressed as I am by what it can do, I do feel that the S85 and its n/a approach will be revered in years to come. So I'm looking to get in soon-ish before too much time passes and the feeling either goes, or the prices head northwards.BTW check the service history carefully and make sure it's complete, they can be all dealer stamps but doesn't mean it will have been serviced on time. Check a recent thread about someone who had a warranty claim rejected for a rod bearing failure because the SH was incomplete!
I think you can get it serviced at an indy using genuine parts but BMW value servicing is available on these cars and not outrageously expensive.
p.s. an E60 M5 didn't appeal previously but a 320d did??
Plus the 320d was bought because we needed reliability and economy, neither of which I am too fussed by now.
Morning All
Good and bad news over the weekend.
The good news is that we received planning permission to build our garage.
The bad news is that we don't have the cash to do it, so looking to raise some funds.
The 355 is staying but as soon as I can find a replacement car, the M5 wagon is going on the block.
Its a pity but I can't justify having that much cash tied up when we want to get on with doing the house.
Likely moving down into the budget E46 M3 area, so hardly a sob story, but thought I'd give people a heads up if anyone is in the market.
Also, if anyone knows a reasonable M3 for sale (ideally in LSB or Imola), then let me know.
Drew
Good and bad news over the weekend.
The good news is that we received planning permission to build our garage.
The bad news is that we don't have the cash to do it, so looking to raise some funds.
The 355 is staying but as soon as I can find a replacement car, the M5 wagon is going on the block.
Its a pity but I can't justify having that much cash tied up when we want to get on with doing the house.
Likely moving down into the budget E46 M3 area, so hardly a sob story, but thought I'd give people a heads up if anyone is in the market.
Also, if anyone knows a reasonable M3 for sale (ideally in LSB or Imola), then let me know.
Drew
So, I thought I'd post up my thoughts on the old wagon, having spent the best part of a year with it.
In a nutshell, cracking engine but in the wrong sort of car.
I used the M5 for everything from station car, to B&Q and the tip, to family holidays to a quick Sunday blast out on my own and it did it all without fuss. The problem is, it did everything except the quick Sunday blast without any sense of occasion or enjoyment. The reason why?
Cracking engine, but in the wrong sort of car.
The lack of torque was bothersome. That V10 engine should really have found its way into a baby Mclaren F1 type car. Free of breathing restrictions, I think that is genuinely a potential fire cracker of an engine, well suited to a lightweight application. Not so much a 2 tonne family barge.
Above 4k RPM, the engine really comes alive and tears around the rev counter. The last 1500 rpm are very special. Its amazing, and it makes a stonking noise. The problem is, the car is geared such that halfway through first gear and you’re at the speed limit for most of the time. So for the majority of its use, its below 4k rpm and in that range, it feel heavy and pedestrian. With 7 ratios to play with, I always wondered if shorter 1-6 and overdrive 7th might have been a better option.
I never felt quite as comfortable for long stints as I did in my e39 despite the seats being adjustable every which way. I’ve borrowed another e39 whilst I look for a replacement, and it really is like riding around in an old slipper that’s carved out of granite. You could cover vast distances through several brick walls and arrive fresh.
Build quality I find hard to gauge, but in my short stint in the M5, I would have been in a large financial hole without the fully comp warranty (throttle actuators, tailgate wiring, DSC unit, DAB tuner, aircon condenser and pump plus other sundries). Not exactly fantastic or confidence inspiring and certainly not for the amateur DIY mechanic like myself.
Fuel economy was acceptable for the performance. I wasn’t expecting anything great so I wasn’t surprised. The pitiful tank and short range however were simply irritating, especially on holiday. 15mpg is fine. A 60L tank isn't.
I liked the SMG. It feels properly mechanical and plenty quick enough at swapping cogs whilst still making you feel attached to the car in a way that I find autos and DSG boxes simply don’t. Its good fun, makes you think but allows you comfort when in traffic. If you live in town but enjoy driving, its brilliant. That said, I still miss a proper gearstick so am going to have a manual in my next car.
The ride was very compliant but ultimately the grip was too good and just not playful enough at regular speeds. You could get the back end out easy enough if you were above 4k rpm in the power band, but that’s not wet roundabout territory in any gear (at my driving ability at any rate). Which then left you with enjoying the odd pull through the gears which is fun (and the kids loved the noise), but not worth the other compromises or trying to find a large open area with nothing to hit at 50mph.
I sold it with full warranty and freshly MOT’d by BMW. It was in perfect condition. I hope the new owner gets on better with it.
For me, I’m glad I bought it. I’m also glad I sold it. I've got a garage to build and something to find to put in it. Something like an older M car...
In a nutshell, cracking engine but in the wrong sort of car.
I used the M5 for everything from station car, to B&Q and the tip, to family holidays to a quick Sunday blast out on my own and it did it all without fuss. The problem is, it did everything except the quick Sunday blast without any sense of occasion or enjoyment. The reason why?
Cracking engine, but in the wrong sort of car.
The lack of torque was bothersome. That V10 engine should really have found its way into a baby Mclaren F1 type car. Free of breathing restrictions, I think that is genuinely a potential fire cracker of an engine, well suited to a lightweight application. Not so much a 2 tonne family barge.
Above 4k RPM, the engine really comes alive and tears around the rev counter. The last 1500 rpm are very special. Its amazing, and it makes a stonking noise. The problem is, the car is geared such that halfway through first gear and you’re at the speed limit for most of the time. So for the majority of its use, its below 4k rpm and in that range, it feel heavy and pedestrian. With 7 ratios to play with, I always wondered if shorter 1-6 and overdrive 7th might have been a better option.
I never felt quite as comfortable for long stints as I did in my e39 despite the seats being adjustable every which way. I’ve borrowed another e39 whilst I look for a replacement, and it really is like riding around in an old slipper that’s carved out of granite. You could cover vast distances through several brick walls and arrive fresh.
Build quality I find hard to gauge, but in my short stint in the M5, I would have been in a large financial hole without the fully comp warranty (throttle actuators, tailgate wiring, DSC unit, DAB tuner, aircon condenser and pump plus other sundries). Not exactly fantastic or confidence inspiring and certainly not for the amateur DIY mechanic like myself.
Fuel economy was acceptable for the performance. I wasn’t expecting anything great so I wasn’t surprised. The pitiful tank and short range however were simply irritating, especially on holiday. 15mpg is fine. A 60L tank isn't.
I liked the SMG. It feels properly mechanical and plenty quick enough at swapping cogs whilst still making you feel attached to the car in a way that I find autos and DSG boxes simply don’t. Its good fun, makes you think but allows you comfort when in traffic. If you live in town but enjoy driving, its brilliant. That said, I still miss a proper gearstick so am going to have a manual in my next car.
The ride was very compliant but ultimately the grip was too good and just not playful enough at regular speeds. You could get the back end out easy enough if you were above 4k rpm in the power band, but that’s not wet roundabout territory in any gear (at my driving ability at any rate). Which then left you with enjoying the odd pull through the gears which is fun (and the kids loved the noise), but not worth the other compromises or trying to find a large open area with nothing to hit at 50mph.
I sold it with full warranty and freshly MOT’d by BMW. It was in perfect condition. I hope the new owner gets on better with it.
For me, I’m glad I bought it. I’m also glad I sold it. I've got a garage to build and something to find to put in it. Something like an older M car...
Shaoxter said:
The warranty will stay the same ONLY if it's the monthly policy. An annual one will go up in price when you renew after it's passed 60k. That's what I did, bought just under 60k and took out a monthly policy. Except I cancelled it after a few months because I found it useless - had one fault diagnosed as an old battery which wasn't covered and another which was under the £250 excess. Car's been fine ever since for the last 2 years!
BTW check the service history carefully and make sure it's complete, they can be all dealer stamps but doesn't mean it will have been serviced on time. Check a recent thread about someone who had a warranty claim rejected for a rod bearing failure because the SH was incomplete!
I think you can get it serviced at an indy using genuine parts but BMW value servicing is available on these cars and not outrageously expensive.
p.s. an E60 M5 didn't appeal previously but a 320d did??
I'll be looking to purchase E60 M5 at start of 2016 and keen to do as much research as possible.BTW check the service history carefully and make sure it's complete, they can be all dealer stamps but doesn't mean it will have been serviced on time. Check a recent thread about someone who had a warranty claim rejected for a rod bearing failure because the SH was incomplete!
I think you can get it serviced at an indy using genuine parts but BMW value servicing is available on these cars and not outrageously expensive.
p.s. an E60 M5 didn't appeal previously but a 320d did??
With regards the warranty - £103 monthly sounds pretty decent if it covers most of the car parts and labour as I imagine if gearbox etc had to go you'd be looking at a hefty bill so is this something that most take out as I read previously that BMW own one is the best (subject to FBMWSH and under 60k?
Is it the BMW one that carries the £250 excess on all claims?
If I contact them with reg of car that I plan to purchase will they be able to advise over phone same day that the specific car I plan to buy would qualify for their warranty?
Regards.
Why are you garaging it? These machines are meant to be driven!
They're not known to rust like older BMWs either. Mine's been used regardless of weather and the previous owner used it as a daily. Underneath it's still really clean.
Cars aren't meant for sitting around in a garage and I think the general consensus is that lack of use tends to throw up more issues.
They're not known to rust like older BMWs either. Mine's been used regardless of weather and the previous owner used it as a daily. Underneath it's still really clean.
Cars aren't meant for sitting around in a garage and I think the general consensus is that lack of use tends to throw up more issues.
Shaoxter said:
Why are you garaging it? These machines are meant to be driven!
They're not known to rust like older BMWs either. Mine's been used regardless of weather and the previous owner used it as a daily. Underneath it's still really clean.
Cars aren't meant for sitting around in a garage and I think the general consensus is that lack of use tends to throw up more issues.
Well- i guess i was thinking it would maintain it's value and (great) condition if i did, i'm in the highlands, so the winters can be (but not always) fierce.They're not known to rust like older BMWs either. Mine's been used regardless of weather and the previous owner used it as a daily. Underneath it's still really clean.
Cars aren't meant for sitting around in a garage and I think the general consensus is that lack of use tends to throw up more issues.
So just stick a set of the narrower 184(?) style alloys (any links to any sets?)
And Man-Up? is that the general consensus?
Hi Guys. I was looking at buying one of these cars as I've noticed you can grab a decent example for around the £16k figure. I found a great review here: http://msportdriver.com/share/ownership-and-mainte... if anyone was in the same situation as me, not knowing whether to go for it or not?!
patrick80 said:
Hi Guys. I was looking at buying one of these cars as I've noticed you can grab a decent example for around the £16k figure. I found a great review here: http://msportdriver.com/share/ownership-and-mainte... if anyone was in the same situation as me, not knowing whether to go for it or not?!
Thanks Patrick that helps me as currently looking at this type of car. Oil service every 3k miles is quite a lot, with regards petrol we all know about the petrol delivery but hey we dont buy them to look at the petrol gauge going down.If honest I'm a bit torn between going for one as always fancied one or looking at an alternative make.
I'd be looking at one around the 08/09 year so a bit more thinking before I jump in me thinks
so I have seen one of these for £12kish with 130k (2005) on the clock after looking at M3s. It looks superb and with a FSH and a load more car for the money than an M3. I have read 'warranty, warranty, warranty' but can you get one anywhere at this mileage?
How often do these engines blow up??
Clutch and brakes won't be covered anyway will they and can budget for that... Just not the thing becoming a write off!
How often do these engines blow up??
Clutch and brakes won't be covered anyway will they and can budget for that... Just not the thing becoming a write off!
Edited by amdowney on Sunday 22 May 10:26
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