Where are all the E39 M5's?

[tobybmw535i]

I have been looking for a E39 M5 for a while now on and off, but just cant seem to find any!

I am looking for a (Low Millage car below 70k) with DSP, Heritage leather in any colour combo.

There doesn't seem to be any around at the moment does anyone know of any cars?

[M7RT V]

Try giving GMS Cars a call, he normally has cars in the pipeline even though they are not listed on his site.

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/

Tell him Martyn with the Bluewater M5 sent you

[tobybmw535i]

M7RT V said:

Try giving GMS Cars a call, he normally has cars in the pipeline even though they are not listed on his site.

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/

Tell him Martyn with the Bluewater M5 sent you

Thanks i will give him a call.

[knowlesi]

As a matter of interest why are you so particular on low mileage? I would suggest that history and condition is a much more crucuial requirement for a car that is in the region of 11-15 years old and might provide you with a better selection of vehicles. At 70K miles most consumable parts will need replacing if they haven't been already and so not only will you be paying a premium for a low mileage example but you'll be footing the additional bills for some big ticket items. In my opinion obviously.

I have literally taken possession of a 2001 Carbon Black M5 with over 130K miles on the clock but it came with a wallet full of receipts and invoices to back up all the work carried out and you would not know it has done such mileage. I would recommend trawling the market and buying private.

Food for thought hopefully.

[tjk123]

knowlesi said:

As a matter of interest why are you so particular on low mileage? I would suggest that history and condition is a much more crucuial requirement for a car that is in the region of 11-15 years old and might provide you with a better selection of vehicles. At 70K miles most consumable parts will need replacing if they haven't been already and so not only will you be paying a premium for a low mileage example but you'll be footing the additional bills for some big ticket items. In my opinion obviously.

I have literally taken possession of a 2001 Carbon Black M5 with over 130K miles on the clock but it came with a wallet full of receipts and invoices to back up all the work carried out and you would not know it has done such mileage. I would recommend trawling the market and buying private.

Food for thought hopefully.

What he said. Really not worth focusing on mileage unless you have some kind of fetish for a car with less than the magic 100k on the clock.

Something enthusiast owned which has stacks of receipts for the usual stuff - rod bearings, chain guides, control arms, assorted sensors, HVAC issues... . That said you might get lucky and buy a peach with 70k miles which needs nothing doing... until you have to fork out for any or all of the above (or are persuaded to do them as preventative maintenance). You really should buy on condition.

[tobybmw535i]

tjk123 said:

knowlesi said:

As a matter of interest why are you so particular on low mileage? I would suggest that history and condition is a much more crucuial requirement for a car that is in the region of 11-15 years old and might provide you with a better selection of vehicles. At 70K miles most consumable parts will need replacing if they haven't been already and so not only will you be paying a premium for a low mileage example but you'll be footing the additional bills for some big ticket items. In my opinion obviously.

I have literally taken possession of a 2001 Carbon Black M5 with over 130K miles on the clock but it came with a wallet full of receipts and invoices to back up all the work carried out and you would not know it has done such mileage. I would recommend trawling the market and buying private.

Food for thought hopefully.

What he said. Really not worth focusing on mileage unless you have some kind of fetish for a car with less than the magic 100k on the clock.

Something enthusiast owned which has stacks of receipts for the usual stuff - rod bearings, chain guides, control arms, assorted sensors, HVAC issues... . That said you might get lucky and buy a peach with 70k miles which needs nothing doing... until you have to fork out for any or all of the above (or are persuaded to do them as preventative maintenance). You really should buy on condition.

I understand where you guys are coming from but 70K was my top Millage. I would be planning on putting a fair few miles on it for 18 months and then chopping it in for something newer.

My thinking was if i could sell the car with less than 100K on it i might not loose so much money . Although do you guys think it would be better buying a 100K plus car and just run it and see what i can get for it at the end?

[Depthhoar]

If you're buying an M5 because you want an uber-saloon that really performs (and not just for investment), then don't get too hung up on mileage. As Knowlesi says above, 70k miles can be a threshold mileage with these cars where a lot can need doing to properly fettle them, so you may find yourself with a big ticket vehicle purchase price + a £3k bill immediately after you take ownership.

As with all other cars, condition, maintenance history and provenance are the most critical issues in your buying decision; mileage comes further down the pecking order.

Don't get too hung up on spec either. Fundamentally, you buy an E39 M5 because of 'THAT' engine and the car's driving dynamics; everything else is mere window dressing.

What about this one?:-

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

(It isn't mine by the way and I have no connection with the vendor).

This has had a lot of work done on it in key areas, the sort of things a knowledgeable & enthusiastic owner would know and care about. OK, it's done 100k miles but most of the important running gear/brakes/bodywork has been refreshed and brought up to scratch. These cars will do 200+k miles if looked after so don't let mileage put you off. (The one in the ad also has a sub-woofer which very nearly fulfils your DSP requirement!)

It may be a pre-facelift car but it's had most of the cosmetic changes to update the look. Also, pre-facelift cars are where the real value is in the E39 M5 market since they drive the same as their younger brothers and everyone, but everyone, wants the facelift version for which they pay a premium.

Buy a well looked after early car and you'll be laughing! Best of luck in your quest.

[Gruber]

M7RT V said:

Try giving GMS Cars a call, he normally has cars in the pipeline even though they are not listed on his site.

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/

Tell him Martyn with the Bluewater M5 sent you

I went in to see Glenn at GMS a couple of weeks ago. At that time he had two in stock - a red pre-facelift and a blue facelift car. Both very nice and he seemed like a thoroughly good chap. Neither were quite what I was looking for in terms of spec (I really struggle with the colour coded seat inserts!) but both seemed well looked after cars.

[Gruber]

Actually, OP, I think 4star said they have a Le Mans blue pre-facelift car with circa 70k miles and heritage leather, coming onto their website in the next few days. Might be worth you giving them a call?

And of course, this one has just gone up on their website

http://www.4starclassics.com/BMW-E39-M5-For-Sale-6...

It's beautiful, clearly had a shed-load spend on it, and I'm seriously tempted. Just struggling with mileage vs price.

[Hereward]

Gruber said:

M7RT V said:

Try giving GMS Cars a call, he normally has cars in the pipeline even though they are not listed on his site.

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/

Tell him Martyn with the Bluewater M5 sent you

I went in to see Glenn at GMS a couple of weeks ago. At that time he had two in stock - a red pre-facelift and a blue facelift car. Both very nice and he seemed like a thoroughly good chap. Neither were quite what I was looking for in terms of spec (I really struggle with the colour coded seat inserts!) but both seemed well looked after cars.

Bought mine from him a few months ago. I can confirm he's a decent guy and has a nice selection of big-engined metal for sale.

[Patrick Bateman]

They're rare enough without looking for lower milage cars and being fussy with options.

[Hereward]

Patrick Bateman said:

They're rare enough without looking for lower milage cars and being fussy with options.

Indeed. I bought mine based solely upon the colour. Finding out later that it had Individual Audio and a Playstation nestled in the rear arm-rest was a nice bonus!

[M7RT V]

Hereward, did you buy the black one with the ACS exhaust, front lip etc?

Cheers,

Martyn

[tobybmw535i]

Gruber said:

Actually, OP, I think 4star said they have a Le Mans blue pre-facelift car with circa 70k miles and heritage leather, coming onto their website in the next few days. Might be worth you giving them a call?

And of course, this one has just gone up on their website

http://www.4starclassics.com/BMW-E39-M5-For-Sale-6...

It's beautiful, clearly had a shed-load spend on it, and I'm seriously tempted. Just struggling with mileage vs price.

Thanks i will have a look.

[FunkySon]

tobybmw535i said:

Gruber said:

Actually, OP, I think 4star said they have a Le Mans blue pre-facelift car with circa 70k miles and heritage leather, coming onto their website in the next few days. Might be worth you giving them a call?

And of course, this one has just gone up on their website

http://www.4starclassics.com/BMW-E39-M5-For-Sale-6...

It's beautiful, clearly had a shed-load spend on it, and I'm seriously tempted. Just struggling with mileage vs price.

Thanks i will have a look.

I remember test driving that car when it was last for sale at 4star and it was a bit of a dog. I walked away. The guy that bought it posts on one of the BMW forums and has spent a massive amount of cash on it so whilst it seems like a lot of money it's just a fraction of what's been spent in the last two years. Could be a bit of a bargain if it's been done well.

There are plenty around so if you wait I expect that you'll get what you want. That's what I did and I eventually found a car with 62k at a sensible price. It didn't have heritage at the time but it does now.

Duncan

[irish boy]

Haven't seen this car in the flesh myself but I've heard it's very good.

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2001-BMW-M5-m5-132209459

[Hereward]

M7RT V said:

Hereward, did you buy the black one with the ACS exhaust, front lip etc?

Cheers,

Martyn

Correct! The exhaust has now gone, replaced with a Milltek. Hamann front splitter coming off at some point too, to get the look a bit more standard.

Most people would have been wary of the car since it was SORN'd and had 7 owners but I knew I'd buy it before even seeing it. I gave Munich Legends a blank cheque book to fettle it - they gave it an Inspection 2 and a full check over and, apart from a few minor suspension parts, couldn't find any issues.

Edited by Hereward on Wednesday 30th July 08:51

[Carlton Banks]

snitcher exhaust - :lol:

Made me laugh!

[Gramrugby]

Another plug for Glen at GMS. I've bought 2 cars from him in the last couple of years, and I live in the North of Scotland!

[Patrick Bateman]

For them being so rare there's now 3 decent looking ones within an hour of me.