E39 M5 MAF - woe is me

[PH XKR]

The MAF's on the M5 are original, I've noticed flat spots in the power delivery and these seem like the culprit.

Having looked online I believe the part code is BOSCH F 00C2G2029

I've just had two quotes, one from Dick Lovett at full RRP of 788 and from Cotswold who did a great discount and came in at 655. The issue is, for what I consider a future failure part/consumable that's a lot of outlay, so much so that it makes the AlphaN tune look positively peachy.

I'm trying to keep the car stock, despite the obvious advantages of the AlphaN so before I resort to that route, is anyone able to recommend somewhere that I can get these for a lot less? I even asked about a 540i MAF and from BMW its coming out the same price (so no M tax this time).

I've seen people run a VW MAF but I'm unsure as to whether that is wise with the potential calibration being out.

What to do? Please help!

[rassi]

I ran VW MAFs without problems, at the time they were about 70 euro each, and BMW ones about 300 euro each. Obviously they must have gone up enormously in price.

Did you do the test (number 22 IIRC) in the unlocked OBD, that shows fuel flows? It should be above 130 litre.

The MAFs can also be cleaned with a special MAF spray, even if a temporary fix.

[PH XKR]

Thanks, had forgot about the incar flow test! The more I look at it the more I'm thinking removing them altogether!

If I do go vw maf, do you need to reuse the bmw maf body? Which vw maf do you use?

[julian64]

I used VW mafs bought on ebay the serial number on the side was exactly the same as the BMW.

When you buy from BMW though you get the whole plastic housing so you just have to reuse the original housing. Mine were plug and play. Bit naughty of BMW really

[PH XKR]

Thanks, do you know what vw cars had the maf? I can go direct and buy as don't use ebay

[julian64]

actually I took my old one out and typed the serial number on the side into ebay.

[JonJon2015]

When I swapped out the MAFs on my M5 I ended up buying the proper BMW Bosch units from Germany through buycarparts.co.uk on a recommendation from someone on the BMW5 forum. They took just shy of a week to arrive but having just looked at the invoice (albeit from 18 months ago) in my car history file they were less than £152 for the pair, delivered.

Edited post to add that this was for the whole replacement MAF housing, not just the sensor, so is precisely the same as you would be buying from BMW (just £630 less...).

Edited by JonJon2015 on Wednesday 1st March 16:12

[RichardM5]

The correct Bosch part number is 0 280 217 533. You can get these quite cheaply now, for example (not used any of these myself so buyer be ware, the first 3 sites look very similar and may be the same place!):

https://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/1150522
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/bosch-1150522.htm...
https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bosch/1150522
http://www.maf-shop.com/index.php/language/en/cat/...


Don't use the VW MAF if you can help it, the only reason is price which is now a none issue, and it's not quite right for the M5.

[julian64]

RichardM5 said:

The correct Bosch part number is 0 280 217 533. You can get these quite cheaply now, for example (not used any of these myself so buyer be ware, the first 3 sites look very similar and may be the same place!):

https://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/1150522
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/bosch-1150522.htm...
https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bosch/1150522
http://www.maf-shop.com/index.php/language/en/cat/...


Don't use the VW MAF if you can help it, the only reason is price which is now a none issue, and it's not quite right for the M5.

You really don't need the whole assembly just the sensor. And BMW don't make the sensor its bosch so VW BMW doesn't matter as long as you get the right serial number

[RichardM5]

julian64 said:

You really don't need the whole assembly just the sensor. And BMW don't make the sensor its bosch so VW BMW doesn't matter as long as you get the right serial number

Yes, you are correct, but the VW part is NOT the correct sensor!

[JonJon2015]

The VW ones are only £4 cheaper too, so the saving that they once offered as a cheap fix is no longer there.

[PH XKR]

All thanks for your help.

I wont be going the VW route as it would be in the back of my mind. I wont be going down the BMW route as it is cost prohibitive. Instead, I will chalk this up to something I had planned to do for a long time but couldn't justify the expense and look at removing them with the AlphaN tune.

[PH XKR]

Now booked in

[sim16v]

Would anyone happen to know an alternative part number for the MAF fitted to the E34 M5 3.8?

At the moment, the only one I can find is for the M5 or 928 and it is a fortune!

[PH XKR]

how much is a fortune as 800 for the pair on the e39 aint cheap

[Vixpy1]

sim16v said:

Would anyone happen to know an alternative part number for the MAF fitted to the E34 M5 3.8?

At the moment, the only one I can find is for the M5 or 928 and it is a fortune!

Rare as rocking horse st

[sim16v]

PH XKR said:

how much is a fortune as 800 for the pair on the e39 aint cheap

I haven't done a world wide search yet, but from BMW it is £1470, for one of them!

It looks like the Bosch part number is available from Amazon for £790



I only paid £2200 for my old M5!!!

Edited by sim16v on Friday 3rd March 12:18

[PH XKR]

sim16v said:

PH XKR said:

how much is a fortune as 800 for the pair on the e39 aint cheap

I haven't done a world wide search yet, but from BMW it is £1470, for one of them!

It looks like the Bosch part number is available from Amazon for £790



I only paid £2200 for my old M5!!!

Edited by sim16v on Friday 3rd March 12:18

I didn't realise E34's were so cheap! I ruled them out as I thought they would be demanding ridiculous classic figures! (Off to the classifieds!) - That is a lot of money though, I would look at removing it, Einsmann seem to do an Alpha-N tune for them so it might be worth speaking to Evolve to see if they do the same.

[sim16v]

That price was 5 or 6 years ago, and it was a rusty old nail.

The cheapest ones usually start around £4k now.

One of my mates is looking at stand alone management for his E36 EVO.

If that could be adapted for the M5, it would probably work out at a similar price to a MAF from BMW, but with some power gains....

[MDifficult]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question (or you've already tried it) but...

For those looking to replace their MAF sensors, have you tried giving them a really good clean first? I've previously brought dodgy MAFs back from the brink with a careful cleaning using the right stuff. Saved a fortune.