My E39 M5 Christmas Present
Discussion
Hello All,
If you aren't familiar with the petrolveins car history, a quick overview:
At 19 I bought my beloved BMW E46 330i Sport, at 21 I replaced it with a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate, replaced that with a Lotus Elise S2 111S this year, and added a BMW E39 540i Sport Auto to the fleet when I turned 22 this summer. After much debate the Elise was sold last month, I decided I would find one car to replace both the Elise and the 540i, I've still got the 540i but it will be sold in the New Year. The search took me through many different options, but in the end the heart ruled over the head and on Christmas Eve I bought myself my long-standing dream car.....an E39 M5.
Without further a do here it is...
E39 M5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
E39 M5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
E39 M5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
E39 M5 by tlynchie, on Flickr
It's a December 2000 car, which makes it a facelift 2001 model year. Finished in LeMans Blue with Black Heritage Leather inside with Walnut trim. It has covered 119k with full BMW and Specialist history.
I looked at several M5s and struggled to find a good one, so many have fallen into the wrong hands, others aren't advertised accurately. But I soon realised I wasn't going to find a perfect car. Most disappointing was some of the "immaculate" cars listed for over £12k were far from it. I was made aware of this car through a friend of a friend, and while not perfect was by far the most honest car I'd seen. I got a good deal, because I knew it needed some attention in the brake department, and also a new thermostat along with some more minor issues such as parking sensors, wheel refurb etc. I'm not going to lie I hesitated hugely when I began looking at M5s, especially after seeing some of the higher priced ones, the tales of huge bills ringing in my ears but the honesty of this car and a very genuine seller along with a good deal meant I knew I had plenty of budget to get things right on this car. If I had spent top money I'd have nothing left when it breaks. So with my spare change I'll probably get the suspension overhauled if I can too, and get a silencer delete sorted to unleash some noise! Bonus is the interior in this one is almost unmarked, beside some stonchips and the odd scuff the bodywork is free of corrosion, and it came with some very new conti rear tyres and some good Pirellis on the front. No nav, but I've got it on the 540i and even with the latest discs never ever use it. Oh and the plate was included, I wasn't sure what FUM could mean, but after some googling I've discovered 'fum' is romanian for smoke. That'll do nicely.
If I'm honest I'm not quite sure it has sunk in yet that it's mine. I've wanted one of these since the day they came out, and now I own one! With the brakes not at their best I haven't explored anywhere near its limits yet, but my God it is stonkingly fast! On paper I think the Elise is quicker to 60, but the way this thing pulls from low revs so hard is incredible. It comes alive at higher speed where the Elise was running out of puff. When doing my research I discovered the S62 engine develops 75% of peak torque from just 1,000 rpm. How did they do that!!? When you accelerate up through the gears the way it pushes you back into seat after each change is fantastic! It's also incredibly comfortable, just wafting along beautifully when asked to. The sport button is also a revelation. With it pressed the throttle is so much more responsive and the steering much better weighted, then when you've had your fun and trundle into the next village you depress the sport button and the whole car just seems to exhale deeply and just relax down. Amazing. The first time I drove one of these last year I didn't know about that button and came away bitterly disappointed, so glad I went back to look again. This one could be a keeper. It's far too quiet though so those silencers are in for the chop. I'm sure it will cost me a fortune in the long term but it will be so worth it! With a dicky thermostat I can't rely on my mpg figures but my 17mpg average at the moment is tolerable. Insurance isn't great either, but it'll get less the closer I get to 25.
I'll do by best to keep this updated with photos and costs. Merry Christmas folks, I'm off go to sink another bottle of rum now and stare at my M5, (and 540i for that matter).
If you aren't familiar with the petrolveins car history, a quick overview:
At 19 I bought my beloved BMW E46 330i Sport, at 21 I replaced it with a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate, replaced that with a Lotus Elise S2 111S this year, and added a BMW E39 540i Sport Auto to the fleet when I turned 22 this summer. After much debate the Elise was sold last month, I decided I would find one car to replace both the Elise and the 540i, I've still got the 540i but it will be sold in the New Year. The search took me through many different options, but in the end the heart ruled over the head and on Christmas Eve I bought myself my long-standing dream car.....an E39 M5.
Without further a do here it is...
E39 M5 by tlynchie, on FlickrE39 M5 by tlynchie, on FlickrE39 M5 by tlynchie, on FlickrE39 M5 by tlynchie, on FlickrIt's a December 2000 car, which makes it a facelift 2001 model year. Finished in LeMans Blue with Black Heritage Leather inside with Walnut trim. It has covered 119k with full BMW and Specialist history.
I looked at several M5s and struggled to find a good one, so many have fallen into the wrong hands, others aren't advertised accurately. But I soon realised I wasn't going to find a perfect car. Most disappointing was some of the "immaculate" cars listed for over £12k were far from it. I was made aware of this car through a friend of a friend, and while not perfect was by far the most honest car I'd seen. I got a good deal, because I knew it needed some attention in the brake department, and also a new thermostat along with some more minor issues such as parking sensors, wheel refurb etc. I'm not going to lie I hesitated hugely when I began looking at M5s, especially after seeing some of the higher priced ones, the tales of huge bills ringing in my ears but the honesty of this car and a very genuine seller along with a good deal meant I knew I had plenty of budget to get things right on this car. If I had spent top money I'd have nothing left when it breaks. So with my spare change I'll probably get the suspension overhauled if I can too, and get a silencer delete sorted to unleash some noise! Bonus is the interior in this one is almost unmarked, beside some stonchips and the odd scuff the bodywork is free of corrosion, and it came with some very new conti rear tyres and some good Pirellis on the front. No nav, but I've got it on the 540i and even with the latest discs never ever use it. Oh and the plate was included, I wasn't sure what FUM could mean, but after some googling I've discovered 'fum' is romanian for smoke. That'll do nicely.
If I'm honest I'm not quite sure it has sunk in yet that it's mine. I've wanted one of these since the day they came out, and now I own one! With the brakes not at their best I haven't explored anywhere near its limits yet, but my God it is stonkingly fast! On paper I think the Elise is quicker to 60, but the way this thing pulls from low revs so hard is incredible. It comes alive at higher speed where the Elise was running out of puff. When doing my research I discovered the S62 engine develops 75% of peak torque from just 1,000 rpm. How did they do that!!? When you accelerate up through the gears the way it pushes you back into seat after each change is fantastic! It's also incredibly comfortable, just wafting along beautifully when asked to. The sport button is also a revelation. With it pressed the throttle is so much more responsive and the steering much better weighted, then when you've had your fun and trundle into the next village you depress the sport button and the whole car just seems to exhale deeply and just relax down. Amazing. The first time I drove one of these last year I didn't know about that button and came away bitterly disappointed, so glad I went back to look again. This one could be a keeper. It's far too quiet though so those silencers are in for the chop. I'm sure it will cost me a fortune in the long term but it will be so worth it! With a dicky thermostat I can't rely on my mpg figures but my 17mpg average at the moment is tolerable. Insurance isn't great either, but it'll get less the closer I get to 25.
I'll do by best to keep this updated with photos and costs. Merry Christmas folks, I'm off go to sink another bottle of rum now and stare at my M5, (and 540i for that matter).
Edited by petrolveins on Saturday 14th February 15:20
Well done, its a nice looking car. Not so keen on the wood trim though!
What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
TheAngryDog said:
Well done, its a nice looking car. Not so keen on the wood trim though!
What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
Jacking points seem fine, ahhh yeah pixels have gone walkies off the dash, but its on my list of little things to sort out. What I like about it most, is its a good honest car, that needs some work and then it can be enjoyed and driven like it was meant to be and I won't feel one bit guilty about it! Neeeeeed to get it booked in for the brakes soon as though.What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
petrolveins said:
TheAngryDog said:
Well done, its a nice looking car. Not so keen on the wood trim though!
What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
Jacking points seem fine, ahhh yeah pixels have gone walkies off the dash, but its on my list of little things to sort out. What I like about it most, is its a good honest car, that needs some work and then it can be enjoyed and driven like it was meant to be and I won't feel one bit guilty about it! Neeeeeed to get it booked in for the brakes soon as though.What are the jacking points like? Pixels on the clocks?
I aren't a fan of the sport button, kinda makes the car feel a little artificial to me, but everyone has their preferences!
Get signed up to the M5Board and BMW5 Forums!
The pixels are easily sorted, there are a few companies who will do it for you, should be less than £100 and should last a considerable amount of time!
Hurry up with the back box delete
I have been waiting to see what you would go for. Very nice! So no Vauxhall VXR8.
I love the wood and black leather. I love the idea of drifting a car with a wood dash.
Do you intend on taking it on track at any point or will it be mainly a fast street car?
I love the wood and black leather. I love the idea of drifting a car with a wood dash.
Do you intend on taking it on track at any point or will it be mainly a fast street car?
Edited by parmley on Saturday 27th December 17:53
Congratulations, wonderful car. It won't suffer any depreciation whatsoever so keep it for the long-term and get it back to fully mint condition.
The E39 M5 is the sweetspot of the performance saloon genre. Restrained, elegant, sophisticated, understated and subtle. Enjoy your iron fist nestled in a velvet glove.
The E39 M5 is the sweetspot of the performance saloon genre. Restrained, elegant, sophisticated, understated and subtle. Enjoy your iron fist nestled in a velvet glove.
Nice one, welcome to M5 ownership. To be honest I've only just joined the club and am loving every second so far. What a machine ! Nice looking example you have too.
Believe me after buying the car the next best thing to do is that muffler delete......you will love it.
Look forward to seeing how you get on with it and see if you have a similar experience to me.
Enjoy
Believe me after buying the car the next best thing to do is that muffler delete......you will love it.
Look forward to seeing how you get on with it and see if you have a similar experience to me.
Enjoy
How much does that cost you to insure and curious at 22 what do you do for a living? I owned a Silverstone blue one a few years ago and loved it. Ended up selling it to a guy from Holland who came up to Glasgow, bought it and shipped via Newcastle and broke it for spares.
Edited by Jer_1974 on Saturday 27th December 22:34
Jer_1974 said:
How much does that cost you to insure and curious at 22 what do you do for a living?
£1500 which isn't too bad I guess. Hard to explain what I do for a living, a few on here know, but I look after a collection of rather nice classic cars among some other things.Edited by Jer_1974 on Saturday 27th December 22:34
Janosh said:
Looks lovely 
What made you choose the M5 over a Monaro?
This was half the price of a nice Monaro, and a far better car in every respect. I loved the Monaro because it was different and sounded the nuts, but the high driving position and crap build quality would have annoyed me.What made you choose the M5 over a Monaro?
Refined Detail said:
Very nice, still have a softspot for these, and yours is one of the decent colour combinations.
Plate looks familar... were you behind me on the A272 around Cowfold - Haywards Heath on Christmas Eve (iirc) I was in an Phoenix Yellow E46 M3 convertible.
Thanks, and nope not me. It returned home to Surrey from Kent in the morning, and then I was too pissed to drive it again until yesterday.Plate looks familar... were you behind me on the A272 around Cowfold - Haywards Heath on Christmas Eve (iirc) I was in an Phoenix Yellow E46 M3 convertible.
Fantastic car, on my must have list for some time now.
The heritage leather would be on my my 'must have list' and the no sat-nav means that there will be no dated screen that doesn't work as well as a £200 Tomtom in the middle of your dashboard for years to come - win win!
Please keep this thread updated, I currently have an e36 M3 and one of these would be my favoured replacement for it in a couple of years.
Congratulations on what appears to be a fantastic example.
The heritage leather would be on my my 'must have list' and the no sat-nav means that there will be no dated screen that doesn't work as well as a £200 Tomtom in the middle of your dashboard for years to come - win win!
Please keep this thread updated, I currently have an e36 M3 and one of these would be my favoured replacement for it in a couple of years.
Congratulations on what appears to be a fantastic example.
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