E39 M5 questions

[DocSteve]

Hi,

Just been looking at a few of these beasts, currently have an E39 530i.

Anyway, a few questions regarding a 2003 model for sale at a main dealer that I test drove today. It has not been prepped yet by BMW and hence has some problems which I identified. Most of it cosmetic or will simply need doing like a faulty heater blower but a couple of other things:

- It was originally an imported car from Germany. Presumably the spec and output of the engine should be comparable to UK sold models?

- I drove it for around 20 mins and the last orange light on the rev counter remained on. The engine temp was gauge was about quarter of the way around. Is it normal for one of these to take so long to reach optimal engine temp? I don't remember others taking this long.

- I know it's hard to tell on a quick test drive but it didn't feel quite as fast as some of the other cars I've driven. Otherwise the engine seemed to run well and no obvious noise from the VANOS. Anything I should be watching out for / asking them to check?

Any other advice very gratefully appreciated!

Cheers,

Steve

[M5 Russ]

DocSteve said:

Hi,

Just been looking at a few of these beasts, currently have an E39 530i.

Anyway, a few questions regarding a 2003 model for sale at a main dealer that I test drove today. It has not been prepped yet by BMW and hence has some problems which I identified. Most of it cosmetic or will simply need doing like a faulty heater blower but a couple of other things:

- It was originally an imported car from Germany. Presumably the spec and output of the engine should be comparable to UK sold models?

- I drove it for around 20 mins and the last orange light on the rev counter remained on. The engine temp was gauge was about quarter of the way around. Is it normal for one of these to take so long to reach optimal engine temp? I don't remember others taking this long.

- I know it's hard to tell on a quick test drive but it didn't feel quite as fast as some of the other cars I've driven. Otherwise the engine seemed to run well and no obvious noise from the VANOS. Anything I should be watching out for / asking them to check?

Any other advice very gratefully appreciated!

Cheers,

Steve

As long as its RHD then the spec should be fine. You need total service history including all stamps so if its all in German then no problem.
Faulty heater blower is a common fault and is caused by a £50 part called a final stage unit which clips in the drivers footwell - very easy to sort.
The last orange light on the rev counter always stays on.
They are very very fast - are sure it was warmed up ? They rev round to nearly 8k so keeping it below 5k in a test drive wont really help although there is masses of torque in any gear.
The temp gauge on 1/4 is perfectly normal and warming up should take no longer than any other car TBH.
These cars dont suffer the vanos issues like the e36 M3 etc but it still needs to be listened too. These engines are pretty quite and with a standard exhaust the car sounds quite. It needs a set of tails to let it sing.
There will never be a better time to buy one of these cars and since you already have a 530i then you are used to your mpg being low so expect 15-20 round town and 25 on a run. Insurance is surprisingly cheap, much cheaper than an M3 too.
Also these are cheaper to service than a M3 too so use a very good independent.
Anything else then feel free to ask.

Russ

[DocSteve]

Thanks Russ,

That's very helpful and reasurring.

The final stage unit is actually something I've replaced on my 530i so sure the dealer will take care of that.

Will be calling up some insurance cos on Monday....

Cheers,

Steve

[Trellis]

The car should feel fast.

They can vary. I've driven 5 or 6 and 2 of them just didn't feel ballistic. If I were you I'd drive a couple more before deciding which to buy........

[derestrictor]

After several years sybaritic, honey coated anvillism, I can confidently proclaim it's status as the most emphatic all rounder since Doug McLure's seminal performance in 'At The Earth's Core.'

Beyond the within.

[smack]

DocSteve said:

Hi,

Just been looking at a few of these beasts, currently have an E39 530i.

Anyway, a few questions regarding a 2003 model for sale at a main dealer that I test drove today. It has not been prepped yet by BMW and hence has some problems which I identified. Most of it cosmetic or will simply need doing like a faulty heater blower but a couple of other things:

- It was originally an imported car from Germany. Presumably the spec and output of the engine should be comparable to UK sold models?

It is RHD? Does it have a speedo with Miles with UK printed on it? It will be a Euro spec, which is no different from one bought in anywhere else in Europe.
US spec M5's had different brakes from Euro spec cars, but again, only sold in North America, and nothing to worry about.

I have a German purchased UK Spec car, and with any luck it should have the import paperwork - or the first owner will have it as they needed it to first register it with the DVLA. The dealer should be able to check the history of the car, including any warranty work in the UK. It will not come up under the usual search a dealer does - imports or diplomatic / tax free cars (such as US Armed Forces, NATO) cars which are all suppled by Park Lane ( http://www.bmwtaxfree.co.uk/1000-diplomatic/index.... ) don't get listed on the normal UK car database (according to my local dealer), but if the service guy knows his stuff, he should be able to find it on the system.
He also should be able to check what spec and options the car was built with.