RE: BMW M5 (E39): Spotted
Discussion
sutts said:
This feels like an opportunity for some gratuitous pics of my E28 - Cirrus Blue with factory option M-Tec body kit, derided by some as 'Tupperware' although I like the 80's look!
Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
........Way nicer than the E39, even if less dynamically accomplished.....A true modern era icon. Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
These cars are superbly engineered. Sometimes they seem to get better with age.
E60 interiors are definitely not on par with the E39. They may be alot more modern, but all the plastics feel flimsy and start wearing off.
Also, the E39s are now at an age where some major components need replacing, which will be costly. However, once sorted, it's a car that will give you many more years of reliable motoring.
E60 interiors are definitely not on par with the E39. They may be alot more modern, but all the plastics feel flimsy and start wearing off.
Also, the E39s are now at an age where some major components need replacing, which will be costly. However, once sorted, it's a car that will give you many more years of reliable motoring.
I had an E39 M5, which then swapped for a B10 3.3 and then for my current car, a B10 V8s. Have put 150K miles on it, and now showing 200k.
V8s is "obviously" the nicest of the 3, but then I like a relaxed drive. I do agree with various comments that these cars are now starting to reach an age where you will have to start putting some money into them to keep them going properly. Quite a lot of rust spots coming up on mine..... Vanos is always a fear on the M5.
V8s is "obviously" the nicest of the 3, but then I like a relaxed drive. I do agree with various comments that these cars are now starting to reach an age where you will have to start putting some money into them to keep them going properly. Quite a lot of rust spots coming up on mine..... Vanos is always a fear on the M5.
On my second E39 M5, First one I used for 10 years and personally put 205k miles on it... my second I've only had 11 months and have added a meagre 15k to it....
In the cold light of day I've probably spent £2k a year on average on maintenance, but that includes tyres.
Occasionally, I've had the odd teeth sucking bill but generally it averages out with lowish service bills by using a knowledgeable Indy....
In the cold light of day I've probably spent £2k a year on average on maintenance, but that includes tyres.
Occasionally, I've had the odd teeth sucking bill but generally it averages out with lowish service bills by using a knowledgeable Indy....
I am 3 years and 70,000 into E39 M5 ownership (120,000 now) and I just love it! Mr Vanos sorted a blown resistor for £35 (BMW quote was £1750 parts and £1200 labour ) I have replaced disks and suspension and tyres all round and preemptively replaced the timing chain tensioner and big end shells, that's it! Solid, safe, dependable, ridiculously quick when poked and very tactile. Servicing costs are sensible and it looks like its past the value low point, so I'm a happy bunny!
jamespink said:
...Mr Vanos sorted a blown resistor for £35 (BMW quote was £1750 parts and £1200 labour )...
I dread to think how many people were shafted by a main dealer for Vanos work over the years. As soon as these cars came into the hands of the capable independent specialists it was obvious that the bulk of Vanos issues could be sorted by easily replacing solenoids and some soldering, instead of swapping out the whole unit.I have to agree with the sentiments of this thread. Whilst the E39 lacks the preposterous performance of the later variants or the tactile charms of its predecessors, it simply does everything so well. A normally aspirated V8 with a perfect amount of power and low-down torque for the real world (apart from bragging rights you really don't need more than 400bhp in the UK), manual gearbox and a luxurious interior, all wrapped up in an understated yet elegant body. The consummate package, for only £10k!
sutts said:
This feels like an opportunity for some gratuitous pics of my E28 - Cirrus Blue with factory option M-Tec body kit, derided by some as 'Tupperware' although I like the 80's look!
Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
Sir you have a wonderful car in a great colour. Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
Nice car the e39 m5, not surprised they are creeping up in values. Really fantastic cars, the new f10 m5 sadly is lacking in feel for me, brutally fast so much so to feel what i am doing in my car at 30-40mph in the f10 by the time i felt the same way i was hitting 75+, so a real world license looser and not for me after living with one for couple of months, however solid build quality is present though. After the e34 an e60 is the next step for me.
I decided that the E39 M5 was kinda the end of the line; a big-hearted NA V8 with the full-complement of 3x pedals. I really really wanted one so spent some time sourcing a real great one.
I've had my Estoril Blue example for almost a year now. It's got less than 50k miles and is honestly like new. I'm quite smitten with it, its such an accomplished machine - its all the car you need.
Note to the PH Team - if you ever need a beautiful and totally stock E39 M5 for a feature then this one lives about 2mins from your office!
I've had my Estoril Blue example for almost a year now. It's got less than 50k miles and is honestly like new. I'm quite smitten with it, its such an accomplished machine - its all the car you need.
Note to the PH Team - if you ever need a beautiful and totally stock E39 M5 for a feature then this one lives about 2mins from your office!
Edited by Benja_Exige on Sunday 26th April 22:11
Benja_Exige said:
I decided that the E39 M5 was kinda the end of the line; a big-hearted NA V8 with the full-complement of 3x pedals. I really really wanted one so spent some time sourcing a real great one.
I've had my Estoril Blue example for almost a year now. It's got less than 50k miles and is honestly like new. I'm quite smitten with it, its such an accomplished machine - its all the car you need.
Note to the PH Team - if you ever need a beautiful and totally stock E39 M5 for a feature then this one lives about 2mins from your office!
That is lovely!!I've had my Estoril Blue example for almost a year now. It's got less than 50k miles and is honestly like new. I'm quite smitten with it, its such an accomplished machine - its all the car you need.
Note to the PH Team - if you ever need a beautiful and totally stock E39 M5 for a feature then this one lives about 2mins from your office!
Edited by Benja_Exige on Sunday 26th April 22:11
I looked at e39 M5's a couple of years ago but at that time my budget could only stretch to a high mileage rough example. I ended up going for a 2002 plate 540 sport with 6 speed manual gearbox with 104k on the clock. Sapphire black with sand/beige interior, it's a rare care with how many left showing 16 sport manuals on the road.
Hands down it's the best car I've ever owned. In my view it still looks great, especially on 18" style 37s, it goes like a rocket when you want to, sounds phenomenal with my silencer delete yet I can cruise down the motorway in total comfort achieving an easy 32mpg.
32k later I've spent around £2.5k on it over the last 2 and a bit years, mainly doing all the jobs that, at this mileage, needed doing to keep it going.I've done most the work myself, but its shortly going in for paintwork to addresss a couple of rust spots and then I've taken the difficult decision to put it up for sale and look for a 996 - still not sure whether this will be a mistake!
Hands down it's the best car I've ever owned. In my view it still looks great, especially on 18" style 37s, it goes like a rocket when you want to, sounds phenomenal with my silencer delete yet I can cruise down the motorway in total comfort achieving an easy 32mpg.
32k later I've spent around £2.5k on it over the last 2 and a bit years, mainly doing all the jobs that, at this mileage, needed doing to keep it going.I've done most the work myself, but its shortly going in for paintwork to addresss a couple of rust spots and then I've taken the difficult decision to put it up for sale and look for a 996 - still not sure whether this will be a mistake!
sold my Porsche 964 and bought a Silverstone Blue E39 M5 - the difference in power was unbelievable - felt very modern yet old school at the same time. Did cost about 30 quid in petrol everytime I went out.....ended up selling it to a garage near Putney Bridge for about 5.5K in cash as I was moving to Singapore 2 days later.....gutted. Still miss the beast.
How did these compare against its direct competitors?
Merc W211 E55 K
Audi C5 RS6
Jag XKRV8
Aloina B5
In straight line speed alone only the Jag in this list is slower and the Merc is hugely faster
Unsure about track times
M5 is the only stick shifter
Looks Merc extremely subtle, RS6 very obvious to anyone it's a sporty version, XJR very similar to the rest of the range, Alpina (who? /what is that) most people would never have heard of this vehicle.
E39 M5 very subtle - internal leather being two colours may give something away, and I don't think Joe public would be aware/notice the exhausts.
"Legendary" status in that list? Not sure what do you think? All are very good cars
Merc W211 E55 K
Audi C5 RS6
Jag XKRV8
Aloina B5
In straight line speed alone only the Jag in this list is slower and the Merc is hugely faster
Unsure about track times
M5 is the only stick shifter
Looks Merc extremely subtle, RS6 very obvious to anyone it's a sporty version, XJR very similar to the rest of the range, Alpina (who? /what is that) most people would never have heard of this vehicle.
E39 M5 very subtle - internal leather being two colours may give something away, and I don't think Joe public would be aware/notice the exhausts.
"Legendary" status in that list? Not sure what do you think? All are very good cars
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