e60 M5, how long can they sit without running?

[pscl227]

I have got to go to the arse end of nowhere in Africa with work for 5 weeks, how long are these cars ok to sit for?

I can arrange for my other half to drive it, but honestly, she is scared of it!

Cheers,

P

[illmonkey]

If you need to to be driven daily, I'll look after it for you.

Alternatively, 5 weeks should be fine as is.

[Cheburator mk2]

pscl227 said:

I have got to go to the arse end of nowhere in Africa with work for 5 weeks, how long are these cars ok to sit for?

I can arrange for my other half to drive it, but honestly, she is scared of it!

Cheers,

P

Mine spent 2 months in the garage hooked to a trickle charger while I was on holiday and gardening leave... Fired straight away...

[deanuk75]

Earlier this year mine was sat for 4 weeks whilst I was away in the arse end of the Middle East. It wasn't hooked up to a trickle charger or anything, and started up without a problem when I returned.

[JapFreak786]

I'd do the usual things when parking a car up if your able to, ideally leave petrol as low as you can, put it onto axle stands or over inflate tyres to prevent flat spots. Maybe mention to your other half to give it a hose down if you get bird droppings on it as well?

[pscl227]

Thanks guys, has put my mind at rest.

Might invest in a trickle charger for the future, any recommendations?

[t8cmf]

pscl227 said:

Might invest in a trickle charger for the future, any recommendations?

Go for the Ctek MXS 5.0 as its very popular with BMW drivers. It will cater for all types of battery as well. My E92 M3 has an AGM battery so I'm guessing yours does as well.

[Johnb850]

You can get an OEM trickle charger from the main dealer.

[belleair302]

Best trickle chargers are made by CTEK.

[t8cmf]

Johnb850 said:

You can get an OEM trickle charger from the main dealer.

I'm led to believe that BMW chargers are re-badged Cteks anyway but you pay more for them.

[BlackPorker]

I had my 2005 E60 M5 parked up unused for 2 months in storage and it started up first time with no problems. I wasn't using a trickle charger... took it for a good long run and all is well.

It will be going back into storage after the Xmas break.

Looking forward to Spring... sunny days and dry roads!

Edited by BlackPorker on Monday 31st December 12:11

[joema]

There's a thread somewhere in here about one that had stood for a few years!

[BlackPorker]

joema said:

There's a thread somewhere in here about one that had stood for a few years!

Not sure that it started first time though!

[ecain63]

BlackPorker said:

joema said:

There's a thread somewhere in here about one that had stood for a few years!

Not sure that it started first time though!

Needed a few £k spent on it before it sold at ML.

[Contigo]

They need a few K spent on them even when run ffs!

lol

[ecain63]

Contigo said:

They need a few K spent on them even when run ffs!

lol

Ha! Yeah true.

[BlackPorker]

ecain63 said:

Contigo said:

They need a few K spent on them even when run ffs!

lol

Ha! Yeah true.

Either you guys are very unlucky or I'm very lucky or somewhere in between!

In six months of ownership (but only about 1000 miles) mine has cost me £80 for a microfilter service and nothing else. Fingers crossed my fortuitousness continues into 2013.

I thought I'd spread some good reliability news about the E60 M5 to balance all the negativity on the forum!

[Contigo]

6 Months lol! I have had mine 8 momnths and I've spent nothing on it other than a new Xenon Bulb!

Now it's in for a potential new Gearbox!

[BlackPorker]

Contigo said:

6 Months lol!

Ah... so it'll all go wrong in two months time!

[ecain63]

6 months? 1000 miles? That's not even got the oil warmed through. Just wait.

To be fair, they are actually pretty bomb proof, its just that the little things, when they go wrong, cost big money. My M5 is actually my most reliable car to date.