Looking at an E60 M5 tomorrow
Discussion
Morning chaps, don't think I've been on this forum before, so hello 
Looking at an E60 M5 tomorrow to potentially scratch an M car itch I've had since I was a teenager when in about 1997 I saw drawings of the then upcoming E46 M3 and E39 M5 in a car mag in Italy while on hols
I'm sure it's been asked and answered loads but my PH search skills are letting me down - could someone highlight the main things to look out for in terms of history the car should have, common faults that should have been been rectified/monitored etc? Dealer is ODavis who I've encountered before and seems straight up, car is this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
I'm not too worried about running costs (I'd be px-ing my Porsche 993 which has cost me about £3K a year to look after in my ownership), but are there any upcoming big services/consumables likely to need doing given its age and mileage?
Looking at an E60 M5 tomorrow to potentially scratch an M car itch I've had since I was a teenager when in about 1997 I saw drawings of the then upcoming E46 M3 and E39 M5 in a car mag in Italy while on hols
I'm sure it's been asked and answered loads but my PH search skills are letting me down - could someone highlight the main things to look out for in terms of history the car should have, common faults that should have been been rectified/monitored etc? Dealer is ODavis who I've encountered before and seems straight up, car is this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
I'm not too worried about running costs (I'd be px-ing my Porsche 993 which has cost me about £3K a year to look after in my ownership), but are there any upcoming big services/consumables likely to need doing given its age and mileage?
JMBMWM5 said:
Buy another Porsche and forget that Money pit, that's my best advice.
Had all the "M" cars and for me that was the worst even new.
+1Had all the "M" cars and for me that was the worst even new.
Why would you want to buy a car that delivers super car performance, glorious V10 sound, luxury, space, comfort and refinement?
In all seriousness, my advice is just get the car you're interested in inspected by a local BMW dealer and get a full report on the car and include a clutch/gearbox test if the clutch hasn't been replaced already and a history of any existing faults.
Epic cars!
Seems strong money, however, been a while since I checked these cars out so may be the going rate given the mileage, condition and history.
On the subject of the mileage, I'd be haggling for OD to provide a 1yr BMW Warranty as part of the deal, it used to be that sub-60k mile cars weren't crazy expensive to put a warranty on, so should only cost the dealership a bit more than providing their own 6-month warranty... and at £25k, they've got enough margin to cover the extra!
Is it just me, or does the car seem to be sitting lower than a standard E60 M5 should? Maybe it has had some suspension work done which they haven't noticed/listed?
If you've had enough of your 993 and need to scratch the M-car itch, then I say go for it providing the BMW warranty is in place. However, even as an E60 fan, I'm an even bigger 993 fan so think that I'd stick with the devil I knew in your position.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Grant
On the subject of the mileage, I'd be haggling for OD to provide a 1yr BMW Warranty as part of the deal, it used to be that sub-60k mile cars weren't crazy expensive to put a warranty on, so should only cost the dealership a bit more than providing their own 6-month warranty... and at £25k, they've got enough margin to cover the extra!
Is it just me, or does the car seem to be sitting lower than a standard E60 M5 should? Maybe it has had some suspension work done which they haven't noticed/listed?
If you've had enough of your 993 and need to scratch the M-car itch, then I say go for it providing the BMW warranty is in place. However, even as an E60 fan, I'm an even bigger 993 fan so think that I'd stick with the devil I knew in your position.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Grant
Wouldn't go for that one, seems very strong money. For £25k you should be able to get an LCI (07 onwards) and under 60k miles so you can stick a cheap(ish) BMW Insured Warranty on it.
No mention of throttle actuators being changed (they go around 40-50k miles), clutch (lifespan depends on usage) or spark plugs which are supposed to be every third oil service. That's £5-6k right there...
No mention of throttle actuators being changed (they go around 40-50k miles), clutch (lifespan depends on usage) or spark plugs which are supposed to be every third oil service. That's £5-6k right there...
Interesting info, thanks so far everyone.
Zod said:
It's a great car, but surely you'd be mad to sell a 993 for it, unless you're looking to crystallise a profit.
I've done everything I want to in the 993 and I won't make any significant profit out of it. And having two soft top Porsches is doubling up on the same kind of car sort of. Plus with an M5 we can more easily go away with our baby daughter. I can't help with specifics on the E60 because my steed is an E90 M3, but to add to others comments I'd be looking for an AUC car and get the dealer to throw in a second year warranty.
Then drive it like you stole it knowing that when it goes BANG you hand it back for repair and still sleep easy.
Then drive it like you stole it knowing that when it goes BANG you hand it back for repair and still sleep easy.
That's been for sale for a few months, would seem a nice example though. I would say its slightly overpriced. My clutch and flywheel were replaced at 39K miles. Throttle actuators anywhere between 40-60K generally, mine both failed at 60K. I wouldn't say mine has been a money pit at all, it's been very reliable. Insurance is only £250 a year for me. Discs and
pads can be expensive. I did a trackday in mine last week and it was great fun on track but a bit heavy on tyres and brakes.
pads can be expensive. I did a trackday in mine last week and it was great fun on track but a bit heavy on tyres and brakes.
Not yet, trying to hammer out a deal. Should know in a day or so.
Test drive was rather fun. Obviously you can only get a smidgen of a taste of what the car is like as I'm not comfortable pushing a car that is a) not mine, and b) completely new to me. We would have been left for dead if my clone has been driving the 993 in front of us given how well I know that car and how tactile it is
Noise is good although not as loud as I was expecting. Then again it's not a dedicated sportscar so that shouldn't really be a surprise. From what I could sample of the V10 it feels a real peach. I was expecting it to drive a bit like my old 550 Maranello but it's a completely different beast. Feels much lighter to position on the road even though it weighs a lot more. Character of the engine feels completely different as well even though displacement/max revs/power are not a million miles apart: 5 litre / 8200rpm / 500bhp plays 5.5 litre / 7700rpm / 485bhp. Think that's probably why the car is so popular actually, it's not "easy" power, if you don't rev it you don't get it, very un-GT like! You can't help noticing that the weight blunts the straight line performance slightly though, if it weighed as much as a 530i it would be proper supercar bonkers!
That gearbox is interesting isn't it! Especially if you're used to Porsche PDK - you don't half know when you're changing gear Suspect that playing with the settings helps a bit and I imagine one develops a technique to smooth is out after a bit of practice.
The gearbox we can label as "character", but what I did find a bit balls is the seat bolster moving thing. I'll caveat this comment by saying that I am very wide and not just because I'm still carrying an extra few kgs from xmas, and that it may have been on "uber" support setting if there is such a thing, but basically it felt like I was being punched in the kidneys every few secs. Not cool. There was plenty of support as is and once we switched it off things were much improved.
Anyway, overall a very interesting car, love the dual personality luxury 5 series cruiser with a mental side Hopefully one will feature in my garage in short order
Test drive was rather fun. Obviously you can only get a smidgen of a taste of what the car is like as I'm not comfortable pushing a car that is a) not mine, and b) completely new to me. We would have been left for dead if my clone has been driving the 993 in front of us given how well I know that car and how tactile it is
Noise is good although not as loud as I was expecting. Then again it's not a dedicated sportscar so that shouldn't really be a surprise. From what I could sample of the V10 it feels a real peach. I was expecting it to drive a bit like my old 550 Maranello but it's a completely different beast. Feels much lighter to position on the road even though it weighs a lot more. Character of the engine feels completely different as well even though displacement/max revs/power are not a million miles apart: 5 litre / 8200rpm / 500bhp plays 5.5 litre / 7700rpm / 485bhp. Think that's probably why the car is so popular actually, it's not "easy" power, if you don't rev it you don't get it, very un-GT like! You can't help noticing that the weight blunts the straight line performance slightly though, if it weighed as much as a 530i it would be proper supercar bonkers!
That gearbox is interesting isn't it! Especially if you're used to Porsche PDK - you don't half know when you're changing gear
Suspect that playing with the settings helps a bit and I imagine one develops a technique to smooth is out after a bit of practice. The gearbox we can label as "character", but what I did find a bit balls is the seat bolster moving thing. I'll caveat this comment by saying that I am very wide and not just because I'm still carrying an extra few kgs from xmas, and that it may have been on "uber" support setting if there is such a thing, but basically it felt like I was being punched in the kidneys every few secs. Not cool. There was plenty of support as is and once we switched it off things were much improved.
Anyway, overall a very interesting car, love the dual personality luxury 5 series cruiser with a mental side
Hopefully one will feature in my garage in short order Sounds like positive feedback and nice to hear a new driver not mention torque for a change
You need to drive the SMG in manual S5 mode (quickest setting unless you turn DSC off). Lift off the throttle on upshifts... or not if you want to reveal the S6 mode 8250rpm party trick
The active seats are actually an option and can be turned off permanently either via the iDrive or with the buttons on the console. Personally I find them awesome!
You need to drive the SMG in manual S5 mode (quickest setting unless you turn DSC off). Lift off the throttle on upshifts... or not if you want to reveal the S6 mode 8250rpm party trick
The active seats are actually an option and can be turned off permanently either via the iDrive or with the buttons on the console. Personally I find them awesome!
Shaoxter said:
Sounds like positive feedback and nice to hear a new driver not mention torque for a change
You need to drive the SMG in manual S5 mode (quickest setting unless you turn DSC off). Lift off the throttle on upshifts... or not if you want to reveal the S6 mode 8250rpm party trick
The active seats are actually an option and can be turned off permanently either via the iDrive or with the buttons on the console. Personally I find them awesome!
Let me guess:You need to drive the SMG in manual S5 mode (quickest setting unless you turn DSC off). Lift off the throttle on upshifts... or not if you want to reveal the S6 mode 8250rpm party trick
The active seats are actually an option and can be turned off permanently either via the iDrive or with the buttons on the console. Personally I find them awesome!
1) ref gear change, S6 party trick is a sledgehammer to the back?!
2) ref bolsters, you're a lot skinnier (I.e. Sensibly sized!) than me width wise!
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