E39 M5 - advice on what to check / look for

[BenB91]

Hi all

I'm viewing a 2000 E39 M5 this weekend and would appreicate your advice on what to check / look for.

It has circa 101k miles with a full service history.

It has a clean MOT, with no advisories.

My only concern so far is it's only done a few hundred miles each year for the past few weeks. Only 2k miles since 2018, and only 7k miles since 2013! I prefer cars that have been used, rather than sat around for a long time.

Owner seems a nice guy, with a interesting collection of performance cars.

[TheAngryDog]

Rust!

Check the jacking points and sills, fuel filler cap, bonnet leading edges, boot lid, especially between the number plate lights, rear quarters too.

Timing chain slap when cold - could be guides or tensioners.

Brake judder.

Engine oil burning.

Usual other car stuff.

[BenB91]

TheAngryDog said:

Rust!

Check the jacking points and sills, fuel filler cap, bonnet leading edges, boot lid, especially between the number plate lights, rear quarters too.

Timing chain slap when cold - could be guides or tensioners.

Brake judder.

Engine oil burning.

Usual other car stuff.

Thank you

[helix402]

Have a look at Redish Motorsport’s YouTube channel to see the joy of E39 rust.

[BenB91]

Seller has decided to keep the car. Was fully expecting to buy the car tomorrow so quite annoyed.

The search continues.

[BenB91]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Viewed a car on the weekend that had 144k miles, so don't think I need to worry about the mileage cheat devices.

Car wasn't perfect but I could live with it. Had 250 watchers on ebay over 6 weeks, but I was the first to actually view it. Made what I feel was a fair offer for the car, but not heard back since. I guess not acceptable but a very slow market for these cars; plenty of Autotrader that haven't sold in over 6 months.

I'll keep looking.

Edited by BenB91 on Wednesday 31st July 15:22

[Secret lemonade drinker]

Slow market for over priced cars

No matter the market, cars will sell at sensible prices

[cosworth330]

I bought a facelift E39 M5 back in 2009 and I looked at 5 or 6, all but one had corrosion. A couple had rotten Jack points and one had corrosion all along the boot edge and this was 15 years ago! Definitely check for corrosion underneath.

[foxdecent]

Sorry the car sold. I just did the same journey, in Switzerland and found several nice ones, and I didn't notice any rust except on one.
You may have noticed that the standard audio system is far from brilliant. I found one with what is apparently a factory upgraded system, and the difference is fabulous. Apparently there are not may about though. With the double glazed windows (also an option) the cabin is a superbly quiet place to listen to good music!
I just posted that I am looking for an English owner's manual for the E39 M5 (2002, facelift). If anyone out there knows where to find one, or has one that I could scan, I will be most appreciative!