First time M5 buyer.

[taz1]

What should i look out for apart from the obvious: vanos, rust etc.

Would also prefer a facelift model, anyone selling on here?

[M7RT V]

Rust is now a big thing on the E39s, check the sills and jacking points very carefully. The arches and boot lids are also bad for rust.

You'll need some patience to find a good one and be prepared to see alot of sheds which are described as mint

Service history is very important including the 1200 mile running in service. The engine should be quiet and smooth. If it feels a bit flat it probably needs a pair of new MAFs.

Give Glenn at GMS Cars a call, he always has a couple of E39s and will know of what else is around, he's a top bloke to deal with too!

Here's my old one

[JMBMWM5]

Which model are you looking for?.

[Singh911]

If an E39 they are brilliant. I had a few of them, cooling was a concern with them iirc.

[RichardM5]

Singh911 said:

If an E39 they are brilliant. I had a few of them, cooling was a concern with them iirc.

Cooling as such is not the issue, the issue is that the thermostats fail and they then run too cold and rich.

[StuH]

RichardM5 said:

Cooling as such is not the issue, the issue is that the thermostats fail and they then run too cold and rich.

It was the MAF's that were the problem for me. Get them cleaned or replaced and the car is transformed.

[Benja_Exige]

taz1 said:

anyone selling on here?

I'm half thinking about selling mine. It must be one of the nicest around. Its a 2002 car with a smidge under 50k miles in Estoril, extended leather etc etc. Its an absolutely unmolested no after-market mods whatsoever car, and looks/drives like it just rolled out the factory,..hmmm lovely.

I bought it as a keeper and its only just back from Phil at CPC where it had a full check-up, service and new clutch/flywheel. My problem is space. If I can find somewhere for it to live then I'll keep it, but if someone pitched up in the interim with the right money I might let it go...decisions decisions.

[5.0v8]

JMBMWM5 said:

Which model are you looking for?.

Preferably the e39 model.

[5.0v8]

Benja_Exige said:

I'm half thinking about selling mine. It must be one of the nicest around. Its a 2002 car with a smidge under 50k miles in Estoril, extended leather etc etc. Its an absolutely unmolested no after-market mods whatsoever car, and looks/drives like it just rolled out the factory,..hmmm lovely.

I bought it as a keeper and its only just back from Phil at CPC where it had a full check-up, service and new clutch/flywheel. My problem is space. If I can find somewhere for it to live then I'll keep it, but if someone pitched up in the interim with the right money I might let it go...decisions decisions.

Thanks for the advice guys, will bear this in mind when i get round to have a look at a few!

Sounds great! Could you send me some picture if possible?

[RWD cossie wil]

Benja_Exige said:

taz1 said:

anyone selling on here?

I'm half thinking about selling mine. It must be one of the nicest around. Its a 2002 car with a smidge under 50k miles in Estoril, extended leather etc etc. Its an absolutely unmolested no after-market mods whatsoever car, and looks/drives like it just rolled out the factory,..hmmm lovely.

I bought it as a keeper and its only just back from Phil at CPC where it had a full check-up, service and new clutch/flywheel. My problem is space. If I can find somewhere for it to live then I'll keep it, but if someone pitched up in the interim with the right money I might let it go...decisions decisions.

What sort of figure would temp you?

[fin911]

E39 M5 would be the one for you! Look for one with rod bearings, vanos rebuild and suspension done lately or get ready to do those. They are in that age now that they need some love, but will be worth it for sure

[TheAngryDog]

fin911 said:

E39 M5 would be the one for you! Look for one with rod bearings, vanos rebuild and suspension done lately or get ready to do those. They are in that age now that they need some love, but will be worth it for sure

Suspension possibly, but Rod bearings and vanos rebuilds aren't strictly necessary. There are many M5's with high mileage that have not had a vanos rebuild or new Rod bearings

[BM-Rod]

I've a Facelift E39 M5 Individual for sale if anybody's interested.

Edited by BM-Rod on Sunday 5th July 22:16

[m3psm]

My 1999 has covered about 154k miles and is used as my daily driver and only car and it’s so far been OK. I bought it with a few issues I knew about and got a few surprises, but had it delivered to the workshop before I drove it to have the urgent items fixed.

The key issues were;
• Diff needed new seals
• Rocker cover gaskets leaking a little
• Suspension getting tired
• Brakes need overhaul
• Breather pipes clogged
• All filters needed replacing
• Clutch needed replacing
• Very minor bodywork rust starting to materialise
• Jacking points starting to rust

I’ve now got a wheel sensor gone which means it’s got no ABS or traction, but that’s a cheap repair and seems easy enough to do. Keeps it fun in the rain too

I bought it a long term project and it’ll probably come off the road for a few months for a full bodywork overhaul and re-spray, but it’s a totally usable every day car if you accept that it’s 16 years old. It’s also had the back box delete which is a bit noisy for some, but that noise puts a smile on my face every single time I drive it.

If you walk in with your eyes wide open and allow fairly deep pockets to keep these wonderful machines on the road, they’re fantastic. If you just want cheap power though, you’ll probably be safer with something else.

I would have no idea what to replace mine with now, so think it’s a keeper with maybe a second car for the commute to save the mileage as it creeps closer to 200k.

[NickWelham]

Hi BM Rod,
Do you have an email address I can email you on re. the M5?
Many thanks, Nick.

[hygt2]

m3psm said:

The key issues were;
• Diff needed new seals
• Rocker cover gaskets leaking a little
• Suspension getting tired
• Brakes need overhaul
• Breather pipes clogged
• All filters needed replacing
• Clutch needed replacing
• Very minor bodywork rust starting to materialise
• Jacking points starting to rust

Looks all fair wear and tear on a car >10 year-old and >100k miles. Would you polybush all the suspension and sub-frame bushes?

[5.0v8]

BM-Rod said:

I've a Facelift E39 M5 Individual for sale if anybody's interested.

Edited by BM-Rod on Sunday 5th July 22:16

Rod could you pm details when possible!

[5.0v8]

Out of interested how much would i be looking at spending if a vanos unit was to fail?

[Tom W]

Hi, I have a lovely Titan Silver Silver (relatively uncommon paint colour) 2002 M5 with only 71k and 2 previous owners. Here is a link to my PH advert. Looking for a fellow enthusiast home to continue cherishing it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[BM-Rod]

PM sent 5.0v8.