E34 M5 running costs

[D_T_W]

Afternoon all

Don't usually post in this part, however i'm on the hunt for a little bit of information

Can anybody give me any ideas of what these things are like to run as an every day car, or point me in the direction of somewhere i could find out? Every day car as in, 60 mile a day commute, parked outside all the time, used over winter. Fuel costs, maintanence bills, possible problems, just a general buyers guide i'm after. Weighing up possiblities at the moment for a new car and keeping my options open for something a little interesting

Cheers

[belleair302]

I run a 3.8 LE, but not as an everyday car. For more information from my fellow enthusiasts, post an entry on www.m5board.com under the E34 section and let us help you out.

Quite simply buy a decent car £6,000 plus, budget to spend around £1400 per annum on servicing and spares, and yes you can use it every day, but watch out for water pumps, EDC suspension issues on 3.8's, tyre wear, cats and valve clearance. Warm up the car before booting it and otherwise keep it clean if keeping it outside. Beyond that they are great cars to own and fantastic to drive.

[schnell]

Knew I'd find you here!

you're thinking about it....

Tell you what. I know I said we'd meet up for a pint some time ago and it's slipped my mind. So lets go down and see the monster together. You can come in the ///M and by the time we reach the vendor, you'll have already bought it!

I'm serious by the way. I've got nowt on this weekend.

I've PM'd you my number

[D_T_W]

schnell said:

Knew I'd find you here!

you're thinking about it....

Tell you what. I know I said we'd meet up for a pint some time ago and it's slipped my mind. So lets go down and see the monster together. You can come in the ///M and by the time we reach the vendor, you'll have already bought it!

I'm serious by the way. I've got nowt on this weekend.

I've PM'd you my number

I'm just asking, honest

I'll give the bloke a phone tonight and see what he has to say, need to do a bit of research so it sounds like i actually have a rough idea what i'm talking about!! Mainly need to know if it will manage 15k a year with out serious problems and expense!!

[schnell]

D_T_W said:

schnell said:

Knew I'd find you here!

you're thinking about it....

Tell you what. I know I said we'd meet up for a pint some time ago and it's slipped my mind. So lets go down and see the monster together. You can come in the ///M and by the time we reach the vendor, you'll have already bought it!

I'm serious by the way. I've got nowt on this weekend.

I've PM'd you my number

I'm just asking, honest

I'll give the bloke a phone tonight and see what he has to say, need to do a bit of research so it sounds like i actually have a rough idea what i'm talking about!! Mainly need to know if it will manage 15k a year with out serious problems and expense!!

Yes!

Next question...

I know a fair bit about these things as I considered buying one myself.

You up for a road trip?

[D_T_W]

schnell said:

D_T_W said:

schnell said:

Knew I'd find you here!

you're thinking about it....

Tell you what. I know I said we'd meet up for a pint some time ago and it's slipped my mind. So lets go down and see the monster together. You can come in the ///M and by the time we reach the vendor, you'll have already bought it!

I'm serious by the way. I've got nowt on this weekend.

I've PM'd you my number

I'm just asking, honest

I'll give the bloke a phone tonight and see what he has to say, need to do a bit of research so it sounds like i actually have a rough idea what i'm talking about!! Mainly need to know if it will manage 15k a year with out serious problems and expense!!

Yes!

Next question...

I know a fair bit about these things as I considered buying one myself.

You up for a road trip?

You would say yes!!!!

Possibly, going to be some light research just now, find out what i need to look for, then give the guy a phone tonight and find out a bit more info on it

[Vixpy1]

They are money pits

but..


Totally worth it!

[D_T_W]

Vixpy1 said:

They are money pits

but..


Totally worth it!

I'm beginning to realise that! It seems if they are well looked after then it isn't an issue, just if they get neglected in the slightest it turns very expensive very quickly! Downside is insurance for me is a little eye watering at £3k, though i've managed to get a slightly better quote at just under £2k this morning. Shouldn't have read m5board.com, there a few horror stories in there that can put you right off!!
Still trying to find a decent buyers guide specifically for the M5 without success before i even consider going to look at one!

[Evoman]

Hi

I'm thinking of doing the same, with trepidation...

There are a couple of buyers guides around - not sure if I can attach them here? I'll try to PM them to you FYI.

Cheers

Rich

Edit: seems I can't PM as I've just joined up, so PM me and I'll send you the buyers guides.

Edited by Evoman on Friday 2nd November 12:55

[colacube]

D_T_W said:

Vixpy1 said:

They are money pits

but..


Totally worth it!

I'm beginning to realise that! It seems if they are well looked after then it isn't an issue, just if they get neglected in the slightest it turns very expensive very quickly! Downside is insurance for me is a little eye watering at £3k, though i've managed to get a slightly better quote at just under £2k this morning. Shouldn't have read m5board.com, there a few horror stories in there that can put you right off!!
Still trying to find a decent buyers guide specifically for the M5 without success before i even consider going to look at one!

Trust me they can get very expensive even if it is a good un. By the end of this year (my third owning the m5)I will have spent the purchase again in 12 months on repairs. I do think I have been particularly unlucky, however with the diff, gerabox, engine and front struts rebuilt there cant be much else to go wrong. He hopes!

One thing, however blue I get over the car when its causing me problems, it doesnt take many miles to forget the cost and hassle.

As stated above, take a look at m5board.com, where you will get plenty of info into running costs. Most of them high. Also be aware that you only hear of the bad stories (like mine), there are plenty of people who own these cars and have only had a fraction of the problems I have.

[schnell]

colacube said:

Trust me they can get very expensive even if it is a good un. By the end of this year (my third owning the m5)I will have spent the purchase again in 12 months on repairs. I do think I have been particularly unlucky, however with the diff, gerabox, engine and front struts rebuilt there cant be much else to go wrong. He hopes!

One thing, however blue I get over the car when its causing me problems, it doesnt take many miles to forget the cost and hassle.

As stated above, take a look at m5board.com, where you will get plenty of info into running costs. Most of them high. Also be aware that you only hear of the bad stories (like mine), there are plenty of people who own these cars and have only had a fraction of the problems I have.

So in other words, just the same as any other ///M.

5 minutes spend googling "Vanos" and "M3 Evo" are enough to make you wont to drive a nissan micra for all eternity. In reality however, most cars are hassle free and only seem to cause grief if abused.

Many people seem to forget that these cars are still £40/50k cars to run and maintain...