Should one replace an E39 M5?
Discussion
I dont need to replace her, well I will keep her in any case actually, resting her up at the warehouse at work for an indefinate period, but just fancy something new (er).
£30k budget but cant find anything that justifies changing. I suppose I am just keeping up with the Jones' and getting sick of "You drive an 11 year old car" comments.
Dont fancy an E60 M5 (although am drawn to an E61 for some reason) not sure how I feel about going to a latter date M3 V8.
Have considered a PCP on one of those nasty interior'd but lovely vocal C63 AMG's. Only drive maybe 100 miles if that each weekend so petrol and running costs not much of an issue.
Any suggestions, anyone changed and been happy, should I just blow £5k on a damn good refurb and the rest on hookers and holidays?
I know this is often discussed with no real outcome just interested to hear anyones view who have changed. Every time I get in her though, even with 140k on teh clock the quality is apparant, the quiet, the Jeckyl and Hyde personality, sheer well made air to it that I dont find in new cars or affordable ones anyway.
£30k budget but cant find anything that justifies changing. I suppose I am just keeping up with the Jones' and getting sick of "You drive an 11 year old car" comments.
Dont fancy an E60 M5 (although am drawn to an E61 for some reason) not sure how I feel about going to a latter date M3 V8.
Have considered a PCP on one of those nasty interior'd but lovely vocal C63 AMG's. Only drive maybe 100 miles if that each weekend so petrol and running costs not much of an issue.
Any suggestions, anyone changed and been happy, should I just blow £5k on a damn good refurb and the rest on hookers and holidays?
I know this is often discussed with no real outcome just interested to hear anyones view who have changed. Every time I get in her though, even with 140k on teh clock the quality is apparant, the quiet, the Jeckyl and Hyde personality, sheer well made air to it that I dont find in new cars or affordable ones anyway.
Hi,
This debate will continue!
There's still nothing that 'stands out' for an E39 M5 owner (on the whole) to change to. It 'still' comes down to what direction the change 'could' be. If it's a more sportier and intense drive, then it seems the 911 is still a top choice. If comfortable speed is still wanted, then E60/1, AMG type murmurings still abound. One thing is certain though, and you'd have to spend substantial amounts for a comparable all rounder. I know that last comment can and does vary, but on the whole, that what it seems to come down to.
I'd say perhaps think about spending £5-10K and Supercharge, BBK, quality suspension & wheels refresh and engine overhaul and continue the enjoyment !
comments like 'its 11 years old' etc are a part of the reason the UK is in the mess it is, overborrowing on new cars just to 'keep up with the jones's - ignore it. Bank the rest of the money leftover
I know the 'OEM only' crowd will have heart palpitations at anything non BMW/OEM on a car, but the above is what I'd do if I was in the enviable position of being in M5 ownership and having 30 grand sloshing around
Cheers, Dennis!
P.S - to help sway you...
This debate will continue!
There's still nothing that 'stands out' for an E39 M5 owner (on the whole) to change to. It 'still' comes down to what direction the change 'could' be. If it's a more sportier and intense drive, then it seems the 911 is still a top choice. If comfortable speed is still wanted, then E60/1, AMG type murmurings still abound. One thing is certain though, and you'd have to spend substantial amounts for a comparable all rounder. I know that last comment can and does vary, but on the whole, that what it seems to come down to.
I'd say perhaps think about spending £5-10K and Supercharge, BBK, quality suspension & wheels refresh and engine overhaul and continue the enjoyment !
comments like 'its 11 years old' etc are a part of the reason the UK is in the mess it is, overborrowing on new cars just to 'keep up with the jones's - ignore it. Bank the rest of the money leftover
I know the 'OEM only' crowd will have heart palpitations at anything non BMW/OEM on a car, but the above is what I'd do if I was in the enviable position of being in M5 ownership and having 30 grand sloshing around
Cheers, Dennis!
P.S - to help sway you...
I'd treat it to a re-fresh and enjoy the depreciation proof motoring.
It still has so much to offer - build quality, understated looks, fairly economical (for a 5.0 V8), enough torque and usable power to compete with anything modern.
I sold mine pretty much exactly a year ago. I don't think a week has gone by when I haven't looked in the classifieds at e39 M5's
It's the only car I've ever regretted selling and miss it badly. I will get another next year.
If you still need something special, maybe get this is the left over £25k
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3124407.htm
It still has so much to offer - build quality, understated looks, fairly economical (for a 5.0 V8), enough torque and usable power to compete with anything modern.
I sold mine pretty much exactly a year ago. I don't think a week has gone by when I haven't looked in the classifieds at e39 M5's
It's the only car I've ever regretted selling and miss it badly. I will get another next year.
If you still need something special, maybe get this is the left over £25k
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3124407.htm
humpbackmaniac said:
£30k budget but cant find anything that justifies changing. Any suggestions, anyone changed and been happy, should I just blow £5k on a damn good refurb and the rest on hookers and holidays?
Every time I get in her though, even with 140k on teh clock the quality is apparant, the quiet, the Jeckyl and Hyde personality, sheer well made air to it that I dont find in new cars or affordable ones anyway.
I guess auto boxes are on the agenda if you've considered a C63; an Alpina B5 might be an option.......very similar weight to E39 M5 but with another supercharged 100Hp & 150lb-ft of torque Every time I get in her though, even with 140k on teh clock the quality is apparant, the quiet, the Jeckyl and Hyde personality, sheer well made air to it that I dont find in new cars or affordable ones anyway.
. Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 2nd November 14:04
As family grew and track days diminished, I've gone from a GT3 to CSL to now the E39 M5. All have offered something very unique, where the designers and engineers valued the engineering and focus on the driver first - whether the priority was on track (GT3), road/track (CSL), or road (M5).
What WAS common to all 3 cars that made them utterly brilliant: fluidity and depth of feedback that only comes from a brilliant analogue chassis and suspension combined with a big hearted n/a engine. Sadly, both of these features are missing from most modern cars, and hence why each of them are very difficult to replace.
The E39 M5 is bettered by many newer cars in almost every specific measurable parameter taken in isolation, but the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts. And at 10-12k for a mint low mileage facelift example, they are an absolute bargain.
What WAS common to all 3 cars that made them utterly brilliant: fluidity and depth of feedback that only comes from a brilliant analogue chassis and suspension combined with a big hearted n/a engine. Sadly, both of these features are missing from most modern cars, and hence why each of them are very difficult to replace.
The E39 M5 is bettered by many newer cars in almost every specific measurable parameter taken in isolation, but the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts. And at 10-12k for a mint low mileage facelift example, they are an absolute bargain.
spareparts said:
The E39 M5 is bettered by many newer cars in almost every specific measurable parameter taken in isolation, but the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts.
That sums it up well. I am on my 4th and it does wind me up. The clutch is still sticky, one of the speakers is blown (only found out today), there are rattles and rust to deal with but I'd still sooner have that than any other car.4 new OEM shocks are around £600 (plus fitting), get the whole car professionally cleaned and polished and you'll feel much better
Thanks Guys, much as I thought. I do love the old girl, nothing in my budget "feels" £25,000 better to be honest!
But then I spotted this and....ooooooooh
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3376072.htm
Potential for financial ruin by just one dashboard light but an almost 700hp is attractive.
But then I spotted this and....ooooooooh
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3376072.htm
Potential for financial ruin by just one dashboard light but an almost 700hp is attractive.
Should one replace an E39 M5? In a word - no. There aren't many cars that can blend comfort, performance and practicality so well.
If you are talking about adding something to the fleet then with the bases so well covered already by the M5 you can perhaps go for something less broad in its abilities? An estate car for more practicality, an off roader for mud plugging and winter duties, or something less practical but more sporty (e.g. a 2 seater)? If the latter is what appeals then I think spareparts is on the right track. If you are a BMW fan then a CSL must definitely appeal. I've never driven one but they are very highly regarded. A GT3 is also a great stablemate. It is definitely a higher level in dynamic ability over even the mighty M5 - very special to drive! But if I could only have the one car then I think it is the M5 that I'd have to keep - says it all really?
If you are talking about adding something to the fleet then with the bases so well covered already by the M5 you can perhaps go for something less broad in its abilities? An estate car for more practicality, an off roader for mud plugging and winter duties, or something less practical but more sporty (e.g. a 2 seater)? If the latter is what appeals then I think spareparts is on the right track. If you are a BMW fan then a CSL must definitely appeal. I've never driven one but they are very highly regarded. A GT3 is also a great stablemate. It is definitely a higher level in dynamic ability over even the mighty M5 - very special to drive! But if I could only have the one car then I think it is the M5 that I'd have to keep - says it all really?
Hi
I 'wish' I had an E39 M5 right now! one IS in my future for sure - just don't tell Patrick Bateman!! I think he'll want to come round and strangle me with the plans I have for it .. Patrick.. I err.. live in um, papua new guinea!
I'd love to have just an M5 engine and drivetrain and transplant it into my E39 touring, so for the moment it's saving up time!
There's plenty of discussion on E39 M5 Supercharging on M5board and two were in attendance at last weekends Sevenoaks meet, along with perhaps 30 or so other E39 M5's so a good place to start researching what you'd like and costings as well as where to get it done on that forum
Drop me a PM if you'd like a set of those wheels I've shown above
Cheers, Dennis!
I 'wish' I had an E39 M5 right now! one IS in my future for sure - just don't tell Patrick Bateman!! I think he'll want to come round and strangle me with the plans I have for it
.. Patrick.. I err.. live in um, papua new guinea! I'd love to have just an M5 engine and drivetrain and transplant it into my E39 touring, so for the moment it's saving up time!
There's plenty of discussion on E39 M5 Supercharging on M5board and two were in attendance at last weekends Sevenoaks meet, along with perhaps 30 or so other E39 M5's
so a good place to start researching what you'd like and costings as well as where to get it done on that forum Drop me a PM if you'd like a set of those wheels I've shown above
Cheers, Dennis!
If anyone is interested, pic of my Virginal old girl, cosmetically she will stay the same but an underneath refresh, ESS chaps do seem very helpful so may go that route I do like lazy power and more than enough will be plenty I am sure 507hp at the wheels for £6k, but you can see the proximity of my 82 yr old neighbour so Exhausts are a concern when starting up.
Would there be an option to replace just the middle two end cans with straight through pipes for a kind of Half and Half effect? Poor old Val next door will get upset if its too loud!
I'm sure you could replace the manifolds and get race cats whilst leaving standard backboxes for a quieter idle. Check out Evolve for more info : http://www.evolveautomotive.com/engine-ecu_663/tun...
Also if you're thinking of refreshing the bodywork here's an example of proper paint correction and I believe refurbed wheels : http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/bmw_m5_1.phtml
The beauty of the M5 is it's understated looks coupled with epic performance, please don't ruin it with ride-ruining huge wheels and tacky splitters etc!!
Also if you're thinking of refreshing the bodywork here's an example of proper paint correction and I believe refurbed wheels : http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/bmw_m5_1.phtml
The beauty of the M5 is it's understated looks coupled with epic performance, please don't ruin it with ride-ruining huge wheels and tacky splitters etc!!
maddernj said:
Love it! Nothing says get out of my PLEB like that front grill And Thanks Duff, that looks like brilliant work, my paintwork needs a few blemishes sorted prior to that sort of detailing but wow there is some detail in that detailing.
Edited by humpbackmaniac on Thursday 3rd November 16:46
I often go through exactly the same thought process as you OP. I honestly don't think there is anything within 30k that I would change it for. For a big old girl she can truly lift her skirt when she wants to. I'm not usually into big cars but had to own the E39 M5 to see what it was all about. I get it (I think). So far, all I've done is uprate the audio (tastefully). There isn't much else I think I'm going to do, except perhaps the rear box delete that another chap posted about a week ago.
Think I might keep this one for a while yet.
duff said:
here's an example of proper paint correction and I believe refurbed wheels : http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/bmw_m5_1.phtml
Thanks for the link - well worth a view.Just clocked up one year with my LMB and I feel I'm just getting to know it.
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