E39 M5, barge motoring perfection? Or money pit?
Discussion
So, I've been hankering for a V8 recently and with my current car needing a bit of work to put right, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to chop it in for a bit of M5 barge-ness.
I am no longer in need if a diesel since my commute has reduced considerably. I'm well aware I'll be on first name terms with the staff at my local petrol stations. But how reliable is the E39? Will I regret it?
I am no longer in need if a diesel since my commute has reduced considerably. I'm well aware I'll be on first name terms with the staff at my local petrol stations. But how reliable is the E39? Will I regret it?
Fascinated by the responses to this.
There was a flaming hot topic on this many moons ago, where owners debated the lost funds through acquisition of this beast.
I think there was one chap who found the experience not so detrimental to his wallet. Lucky?
It's a tasty proposition. Such a lot of car for very little outlay.
There was a flaming hot topic on this many moons ago, where owners debated the lost funds through acquisition of this beast.
I think there was one chap who found the experience not so detrimental to his wallet. Lucky?
It's a tasty proposition. Such a lot of car for very little outlay.
Mate has one and sold his Focus RS mk2 for it. Weird change personally, but he likes it. As to how long he keeps it, depends on how long he stomachs the mpg. Average he is getting 18 mpg and on a bit of a hasty run he is down to 8mpg. Had his checked over after he bought it. All seems fine other than weepy diff gasket. He had new double glazed windows fitted before he picked it up, so thats something to look out for. He said it doesnt handle too bad for a dining room. Did a track day at Silverstone recently and thanked the lord for traction control. Other than that, he seems happy.
Justin S said:
Mate has one and sold his Focus RS mk2 for it. Weird change personally, but he likes it.
I'm not surprised he likes it more. It's a much nicer place to sit, it sounds better when you are getting your foot down and you don't stick out like a sore thumb driving it. Without a shadow of a doubt, despite being a good few years older than a Focus RS mk2, it's so much more of a "premium" product, though I suspect the running costs are not dissimilar. Well not had any problems yet other than the MAFs/CPS on mine - which seem to be reported as consumables, ie replace and you're fine. MPG 23-27 and it goes like an exocet missile. Tyres are expensive, compared to the Lotus, Porsche route I've travelled before I got the M5. Love mine it's great for the family transport.
2000X facelift car bought with 108K on,now done 120K, owned about 18 months.
Its had:
Set of tyres Vredsteins £750
Brakes all round discs and pads £350
4 wheel aligned (was scrubbibg tyres)£80
Suspension bits £200
Brake pipes for MOT £100
Service £200
Could do with gearchange short shift fitting IMO, it uses about a litre of oil per 800 miles,which is expensive stuff. The TV has gone off due to it been analogue, and its saying the boot is open when it isnt on the dash (will be a broken wire in the boot I think, easy fix).
The above had a FBMWSH at main dealer when I bought it. For 5 or 6 grand they are a bargain, but you need a decent budget to run them. Will do 26 mpg on a run, not great around town.
No rust at all on our car, but I have heard of cars needing sills.
400 BHP V8, will outrun a Ferrari with 5 people and a bootfull of luggage, whats not to like.
Had mine 2 years - done around 14k miles in it. Apart from the usual servicing I've only spent around £300 for a pair of MAF's and recently treated it to a new set of tyres (£740). Thinking about moving it on but can't think of anything decent to replace it with so I'll probably end up keeping it.
My uncle has had his 2001 M5 for about 6 years now and in that time averaged 10k a year. The interior is a bit gaudy (brown) but it goes like s
t off a shovel and sounds awesome. Everyday driving 18mpg if using the performance, 20 if driving Miss Daisy, 27mpg on a gentle run. Looks awesome when properly detailed and gets lots of envious admiration at petrol garages. Very little has gone wrong really but it is (and was) a cherished car. You need to be very careful when buying one because they are cheap enough now that many have been bought by people who can't afford to maintain them so there are some awful sheds around with knackered transmissions/suspension etc which will turn into total money pits, but if you get a good example it'd be an awesome car. Just a bit "Dad" for me to take the plunge though!
t off a shovel and sounds awesome. Everyday driving 18mpg if using the performance, 20 if driving Miss Daisy, 27mpg on a gentle run. Looks awesome when properly detailed and gets lots of envious admiration at petrol garages. Very little has gone wrong really but it is (and was) a cherished car. You need to be very careful when buying one because they are cheap enough now that many have been bought by people who can't afford to maintain them so there are some awful sheds around with knackered transmissions/suspension etc which will turn into total money pits, but if you get a good example it'd be an awesome car. Just a bit "Dad" for me to take the plunge though!Brother in law bought an 02 @ 6 years ago & has covered over 60k in it taking it over 100k it's been mega reliable in that time, I'm the only one who has worked on it in his ownership & it's had a set of diff seals (will need doing again next service but covered 50k) a viscous fan coupling, reostat & a steering linkage, a set of front arms 1 set of discs & pads (car does lots of motorway work) & lots of tyres it's been driven as its supposed to & is an epic long distance car lowest mpg I've seen is 7mpg highest 25mpg.
I was once told that many BMW people consider this their finest ever car & from my experience I would agree.
Watch out for rusty jacking points if they are gone it can right the car off!
This applies to all e39 models
I was once told that many BMW people consider this their finest ever car & from my experience I would agree.
Watch out for rusty jacking points if they are gone it can right the car off!
This applies to all e39 models
Terminator X said:
Hanker after one myself, so amazingly cheap at the moment ... 400hp for 6 grand or so is nuts!
TX.
Pfff, a Jag XJR for a quarter of that will give you 400bhp!TX.
Power per pound isn't what's impressive. As a package, the M5 looks incredible at this money, and it really is what I'm planning on next. I've had an E46 328i for seven months now, it's brilliant and I'll keep it for a couple of years at least, but I'm getting serious lust for an M5 now.
The noise, the looks, the cabin quality, the sheer V8ness - I hear this is a hard-pulling engine from low down, despite loving revs too? - all add up into something seriously desirable.
Oh, and if you ever did get bored one day, you could do this to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edHHnMVj9cM
Watching with interest to see how it pans out. I would particularly like to hear detail about the fuel economy - just saying "it'll only give 18mpg" or "26mpg on a run" isn't too helpful, if anyone can share some more exact details about the sort of driving they do, or economy at given motorway speeds, with the results.. That'll be really interesting, because so long as it doesn't look like my particular usage would be crippling, my desire will be cemented, despite only being 21 I would love it
POORCARDEALER said:
Ritchie335is said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Brakes all round discs and pads £350
Pardon? How did you manage that?I fitted a pair of discs and EBC pads on the front of mine and I'm sure I was around £400 just for those.
How much discount do you get on OE discs? £350, discs and pads all round?
Maybe, but he's only 22. M5 is a bit strange in my view at that age. Insurance wasnt bad, think he pays £900 ish off of Meerkhat thingy. He said the M5 would pull quicker in the straight, but would fall well behind in the bends over the RS. He changes cars quite regulary. only time will tell with this one.
Mastodon2 said:
I'm not surprised he likes it more. It's a much nicer place to sit, it sounds better when you are getting your foot down and you don't stick out like a sore thumb driving it. Without a shadow of a doubt, despite being a good few years older than a Focus RS mk2, it's so much more of a "premium" product, though I suspect the running costs are not dissimilar.
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