05 STI to E39 M5

[TheAngryDog]

Jim1985 said:

Im going to register on some forums - any recommended uk based ones?

I'm not after a car that's specifically faster than my STI, I just don't want it to feel like a step down in performance. Plus I can always buy another STI, I feel the market for E39 M5s may have bottomed... This might be my only chance! Plus I'm expecting a company car in the next year so that should help. Then it'll probably get sold on when I move in eighteen months or so and get an inexpensive buzzy little hatchback for track duties.

That posted example sounds ideal- I can't see pics though. Ill have to register

M5board and bmw5 forum are probably the best.

[2stis]

Jim1985 said:

Anyone done a similar change? Would I be disappointed? Would it struggle on track? I know brakes are a weak point...

Not done a 'change' as such but did add an M5 to my STI ver 4 and STI ver 6 Type-RA. The M5 is an amazing car. I have used it on track, including the 'Ring where it does appear to be in its element due to its damping, but smoother UK tracks it is less optimised to - it's still quite a heavy car. The STIs are better on track, and probably cost less to run per track mile. I did some man maths and concluded that a trailer to get the Scoobies to the track and saving some dosh by SORNing them and only using on track was the way to go! The M5 now has a towbar and is by far the most versatile car I have owned. I think if I could only have 1 car and didn't do dozens of track days a year then the M5 would fit the bill as what it doesn't excel at on track it makes up for on every other day and scenario.

[Jim1985]

Cool will sign up! I think the fact I'm ignoring all advice against tracking one (exaggeration) shows how much I want one lol. I actually planned it out and thought practically, affording a track day in January or December is too near to Xmas to justify the additional expense. Likewise in the month of my GFs birthday and our holiday. So realistically I would be looking at 8 MAXIMUM. And even then I might have to do less because of servicing costs.
Also, for a bit of clarification, I'm not the ballsiest driver. I've always been too concerned about crashing to really push it on the road. So really, trackdays are more about being able to drive as fast as I want to in my own car as another aspect of enjoying it, rather than beasting it round and knocking seconds off my lap time. I enjoy driving but I'm not competitive. If a better car passes me, then it's obvious why. If a lower powered car passes me, it's because the driver is more skilled than me. Either way it doesn't affect my enjoyment. I genuinely enjoy driving, so track days let me do that and not risk my license or my life. As a result, maybe having a perfectly honed track tool would satisfy me less than owning the car I actually want. The mighty M5...
I noticed the other day how few E39s of any guise are actually on the road anymore, at least locally. Anyone experience any snobbery or do people on the whole genuinely like M5s?
People either talk to me about my STI or roll their eyes haha.

[2stis]

Jim1985 said:

Anyone experience any snobbery or do people on the whole genuinely like M5s?

Had mine years and never noticed any 'snobbery' - 95% of the population don't even know what it is I would think. I suppose some might just think it is an old BMW saloon but they aren't likely to mention it. Certainly has a better public perception than a Subaru STI!

[Bradders901]

Here is some nice footage and sound bites of an e39 m5 on the ring, looks pretty capable at speed but maybe needs some help on the twistier bits:

http://youtu.be/04M9Uu8zPeU

[Patrick Bateman]

Its compliance on the road is arguably its greatest strength. I can't help but feel a little bit miffed every time I see another one fitted with an aftermarket suspension.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 28th December 23:33

[Jim1985]

Fantastic insight thank you! I suppose with mine being a newage and yours being classics, the valley between them as the M5 will be a little bigger for you than me. With me being very keen on one would you advise it?

[Patrick Bateman]

Come again? Were you on the sauce last night?

[TheAngryDog]

Patrick Bateman said:

Come again? Were you on the sauce last night?

I believe he was replying to 2stis post

[Jim1985]

Yes I was replying to 2STIs. I have a habit of writing a reply whilst someone else does and confusing matters!
I think I'm 99% decided I'm going to try and get one in the next few months. Ive got Oulton Park booked in Feb so I'll do that in the STI and take it from there.

Is £8000 a realistic budget?

[2stis]

Jim1985 said:

With me being very keen on one would you advise it?

Yes, I would say go for it as I doubt you will be disappointed! They really are great cars and are fun on track, it's just that is not really their forte so just wanted to double-check your requirement in that regard.

As for your £8k budget I think that would be enough but it could be difficult to locate a good one, but with patience and luck, doable. I know when I was looking over 4 years ago there were already a lot of dogs out there. In the end I found a minter for 50% over the budget you mention but it has needed nothing major since (is now on only 67k miles today though). I think it pays to search out the best you can find for a given budget as they are not cheap to put things right (as mentioned many times it has a £60k car running costs, not in relation to the fact that they have dropped to only a few thousand to buy today).

[Jim1985]

Fantastic!
Yes, the running coats have intimidated me somewhat. But I'm making sure the car I buy has had recent brakes, suspension refresh at some point in it's life and hopefully and inspection 2 recently.

[Hereward]

Jim1985 said:

Fantastic!
Yes, the running coats have intimidated me somewhat. But I'm making sure the car I buy has had recent brakes, suspension refresh at some point in it's life and hopefully and inspection 2 recently.

Really do make every effort to have the underside of any prospective purchase inspected. I need to replace some corroded brake and fuel lines on mine and these things are only apparent when you get under the car, not to mention a thorough inspection of the jacking points. Good bargaining points, too.

[Jim1985]

Thanks for the hint! Any other comments on M5 ownership?

[tjk123]

Jim1985 said:

Thanks for the hint! Any other comments on M5 ownership?

Well just an illustration of possible running costs:

I've replaced the rod bearings, dashboard blower fan, control arms, lambda sensors, final stage resistor, alarm sensor, brakes all round, had a handbrake overhaul, refurbed the wheels, had 4 new tyres, new battery and quite a bit more in 15k miles and 3 years of ownership. The light control module is now on the blink and I have a couple of rust spots to sort this year. Still love the car though and don't want to contemplate selling. Mine is an 02 facelift with 103k miles.

[e21Mark]

Although I've never owned the E39 version (I've had E12 & E28, plus several M3), I think it's no different to owning any M car and accepting that running costs will generally be higher. The pay off though, is that you'll be driving a superb performance car, that also has excellent build quality and minimal (if any) depreciation. In fact, it's likely values will rise as there are fewer examples available, that have been properly maintained.

It's definitely worth joining a dedicated forum too. I did, when I bought my first E30 M3 and it needed new front wheel bearings. The M3 items were about £240 each, whereas the E28 items were less than £30! The only difference was the ABS ring which I swapped with a £14 puller from Halfrauds! I have no doubt that there are similar gems of info relating to the M5.

Anyway, best of luck on your search for the right M5.

[rb5er]

Jim1985 said:

Is £8000 a realistic budget?

Yes that should go some way towards a years worth of running costs. You might even have a few pennies left over.

[Jim1985]

Haha! Glad you put that smiley face there!

Signed up to M5Board and BMW5 although BMW5 won't send the activation email so I can't log in at the moment.

Thanks for all the info. I'm glad to be going into this with open eyes. Is rod bearings a common grumble? When I looked into M5 ownership a few years ago I don't think I read about that.

[drivin_me_nuts]

I ran one for more than most - 4 years and 160k miles. It ran up big bills and be under no illusion, these are not cars that carry the reliability of Japanese cars. I have known three that have developed cracks in their cylinders at around 125-150k. Eyes wide open and leave a minimum of 5k in your repair fund.

I lived mine. I hated mine. Choose carefully.

[Jim1985]

Ah Deary me, I'm confused again. I always imagined they were expensive to run but that it was maintenance rather than breaking down.