Has anyone sold an E39 M5 recently?

[akirk]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Wow, really surprised to hear the lukewarm comments on the e39 M5 - not too many years back it was the definitive supersaloon. I can remember DeRestrictor waxing lyrical (as only he could!) about his... (Schnell!) Even today 400bhp is not to be sniffed at, especially in a n/a V8. Is it because they are not so usable now? (big bills looming, rust traps, etc.)?

I think there are two sets of these cars forming - there are a few around which are in very good condition - and then a larger number which have been driven hard and perhaps not all maintained as well as possible - and a big price difference between the two sets... (there are then a few enthusiast cars with the condition of the first lot, but the price of the second!)

If the predominant experience is of sub-optimal versions, then that clouds perception - but get into a good one and it will hold its own against most modern cars - mine connects by bluetooth to my iphone 7 / has an intravee for streamed music, has air con / heated seats / auto wipers / auto lights and dimming mirrors - not sure there are any other toys I would want from a more modern car... and it doesn't have computers interfering with every decision you make - a true analogue feel to the car... so get a good one and they are very applicable, but get an bad one and it will feel old...

[nick1275]

TheAngryDog said:

They're useable, I just think the game has moved on now. Great for the guys who have the time to maintain them properly, but I no longer do.

One of the reasons I sold mine, I made a small amount of money from my original purchase price. I think mine cost me about £800 quid a year in maintenance over 3 1/2 years, that's with a set of boots, clutch and front discs. I think I dodged a huge bullet, it's never had vanos work, major suspension work in 96k and Tin worm was setting in at an alarming rate of knots. That car has got to be for some serious bills in the next couple of years

[eztiger328]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Wow, really surprised to hear the lukewarm comments on the e39 M5 - not too many years back it was the definitive supersaloon. I can remember DeRestrictor waxing lyrical (as only he could!) about his... (Schnell!) Even today 400bhp is not to be sniffed at, especially in a n/a V8. Is it because they are not so usable now? (big bills looming, rust traps, etc.)?

Its a great car but for me its just too much age related maintenance + rust, Ive been through it all over the last decade with my 93 e36 320 and then my 99 328 and personally cba anymore.

Also its pricey enough putting a new VANOS on a std S6 let alone doing 2 on the V8.

[TheAngryDog]

eztiger328 said:

Its a great car but for me its just too much age related maintenance + rust, Ive been through it all over the last decade with my 93 e36 320 and then my 99 328 and personally cba anymore.

Also its pricey enough putting a new VANOS on a std S6 let alone doing 2 on the V8.

That's my biggest issue. Mine is starting to go rusty. I could spend a few grand on it to make it worth 8 or 9k at best, or sell it as it is for around 7k, which is less than I paid for it. Run something cheap for a year and then buy an f10 m5.

[Fezzaman]

andymc said:

which county?

Here's another one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-M5-/332181264179...

Reappearing in the same area: http://www.themotoringteam.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-m5-...

Not clocked in this instance but MOT history check shows multiple fail points none of which have been addressed during prep by the dealer - aside from a nice wash and better pictures, but marked up from £4.5k to £12.5k. Someone with a bit of spannering ability would probably have taken a punt if they bought from the previous owner and saved it, but at 12.5k? How much would this need spending on?

[Patrick Bateman]

sparks_E39 said:

For £10k what's better than an E39 M5?

While covering as many bases as possible, feck all.

Great to drive, engaging, comfy, practical, totally belies its size on all but the smallest B-roads. Just a shame constant maintenance and rust niggles are a ball ache but I'll have another when I win the lottery.

Sold mine for £6850 last August on 158k miles. Reckon I could have gotten more if I was more patient but the impending Boxster purchase made me hurry.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Thursday 4th May 00:21

[Depthhoar]

TheAngryDog said:

Small demographic I know, but has anyone sold an E39 M5 in the UK recently? Did you achieve your asking price? If not, was there a marked difference?

I see there are several for sale currently, some have been for sale for a while, so there must be a reason why they aren't selling. Either they're over priced or over described (combination of the two).

Thanks.

Summer seems to be the best time to sell, Mike. Would seem that the warmer weather brings out the buyers and therefore better prices for vendors.

Trust yours won't be burdened with the negative baggage that seems to go with E39 M5s marketed by traders (included traders posing as private sellers) that seems to be the rule in Bucks! (You're moving though..but maybe not out of Bucks?) High Wycombe seems to be Ground Zero for the worst offenders!

Even a good one is not a cheap car to run. Feel genuinely sorry for those who bought one - even a good one - not realising the yearly ££££ commitment required keep them running properly. Was never a cheap ownership proposition so it's not surprising that so many appear on the market sans proper maintenance.

There's a lot of other cars that can 'best' the E39 M5 in out and out performance. But there are few that are the complete super-saloon driving package: n/a high revving V8, manual gearbox, just enough (but no more) driver aids & a refreshingly simple 'command and control' system. That mature, restrained & svelte shape, too. Recent iterations of the 5 Series M cars are just too bloody massive. Also, just how bloody many M badges are there on the E60 and the F10? Sorry, but exhaust sounds piped in to the stereo system is just not on either. Not ever.

[Fezzaman]

OT But given there's a few chronic E39 M5 owners here - how many of you have spent on rust work thus far? Did you take a sledgehammer approach to full on rust proofing of the whole thing with complete piece of mind (is there such a thing?) or go for incremental work? Dare I ask how much it would cost? Maintenance costs for brakes/suspension/cooling even minor engine rebuild/refurb work etc are a known quantity now with plenty of choice for alternatives but this must be the big killer for the ones still on the road where even the very last '03 cars must be starting to rust?

[TheAngryDog]

Fezzaman said:

OT But given there's a few chronic E39 M5 owners here - how many of you have spent on rust work thus far? Did you take a sledgehammer approach to full on rust proofing of the whole thing with complete piece of mind (is there such a thing?) or go for incremental work? Dare I ask how much it would cost? Maintenance costs for brakes/suspension/cooling even minor engine rebuild/refurb work etc are a known quantity now with plenty of choice for alternatives but this must be the big killer for the ones still on the road where even the very last '03 cars must be starting to rust?

I've not spent anything on rust. My original plan was having the rust cut out and new metal work put in. But as I am 100% going to sell up now there seems to be little point. The money I would spend on that would get me a 5th of the way to an F10 I reckon as I would want the job doing properly.

Depthhoar said:

Summer seems to be the best time to sell, Mike. Would seem that the warmer weather brings out the buyers and therefore better prices for vendors.

We are approaching Summer so hopefully that will lay true for me.

Depthhoar said:

Trust yours won't be burdened with the negative baggage that seems to go with E39 M5s marketed by traders (included traders posing as private sellers) that seems to be the rule in Bucks! (You're moving though..but maybe not out of Bucks?) High Wycombe seems to be Ground Zero for the worst offenders!

I live in Aylesbury, which is close to High Wycombe, but far enough away to not be an issue. Plus I am a private seller and not trade so that should hopefully help.

Depthhoar said:

Even a good one is not a cheap car to run. Feel genuinely sorry for those who bought one - even a good one - not realising the yearly ££££ commitment required keep them running properly. Was never a cheap ownership proposition so it's not surprising that so many appear on the market sans proper maintenance.

I certainly knew at the second attempt lol. I have no doubt that there is no such thing as a cheap to run M5, but at least an M5 in warranty is an easier thing to run.

Depthhoar said:

There's a lot of other cars that can 'best' the E39 M5 in out and out performance. But there are few that are the complete super-saloon driving package: n/a high revving V8, manual gearbox, just enough (but no more) driver aids & a refreshingly simple 'command and control' system. That mature, restrained & svelte shape, too. Recent iterations of the 5 Series M cars are just too bloody massive. Also, just how bloody many M badges are there on the E60 and the F10? Sorry, but exhaust sounds piped in to the stereo system is just not on either. Not ever.

You can disable the exhaust sounds. I agree that the F10 is more in your face than the E39. The E39 is the best looking one after the E28 IMO, but the fact I can buy an F10 with a BMW AUC warranty is a big swing for me. I simply no longer have the time nor the energy to work on cars on a weekend anymore. My (new) wife does like my E39, and I am hoping that she will like the F10 when I go for a test drive in one.

[JDMJonty]

Fezzaman said:

OT But given there's a few chronic E39 M5 owners here - how many of you have spent on rust work thus far?...

I spent a couple of grand last year on my M5 getting the whole rear end/sills welded and rust-proofed due to rust underneath the fuel tank and repairing (one collapsed) rear jacking points. While it was in also clutch and flywheel change with other small related bits.

As mentioned they're all getting older now so you'd have to justify whether it's a keeper to spend the money. Mine's on 150k and is a 1999 so won't necessarily shoot up in value having had this done. It's more a case of doing the work improving it for myself and enjoying the car. It'll never be absolutely perfect without shelling out many thousands, it's also a daily so bound to pick up the occasional battle scar. Rust really is the demise of many of these cars.

[andymc]

Refusal Notices
Front headlamp levelling device inoperative (1.7.2)
Offside front brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Nearside rear brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded n/s/r outer sill within 30cm (5.2.6)
Offside rear brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.c.1b)
Advisory Notices
Offside rear brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Front brake discs in poor condition
N/s outer sill heavily corroded
Nearside front brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Rear coil springs corroded
Nearside rear shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
Fuel pipe heavily corroded




last month

[akirk]

the difference between a very good one and a so-so one is more than the purchase cost difference...

e.g. buy a good one for between £15k - £20k
or buy an 'okay' one for £8k - £12k

the cost of getting the okay one to the same as the good one will be more than the difference of £7k - £8k
I think it is a car where it is easier to buy at the top end and keep it there than to buy further down the scale and try and it bring it back to needing little work doing...

I bought one recently and it is in really very good condition - it seems to drink no oil, there are no vanos issues, it is c. 72k miles and feels like new - the car has been pampered, it has paintwork protection right down to the brake calipers having been protected - it even has the right rubber on it / the front brake upgrades / etc. - yes, it was a higher price, but having seen the condition of some lower down the price scale, this one should be cheaper to own and run... The last 6 MOTs have 0 advisories (other than loose wheel nuts having failed one because someone had forgotten to tighten them before doing the MOT!) It will be looked after, not driven huge miles and I don't expect it to cost huge amounts of money each year. Certainly less than my RRC that we are gradually restoring (bought at the lower end of the price scale and now spending money on it - 2 different philosophies!)

I would hope over the next 5-10 years that it will be a fairly cost-neutral car, value should stay the same or increase, annual costs should be rubber / oil / petrol (ouch!) / clutch when needed and occasional other bill... For the power and capability of the car it is far far cheaper to own and run than many equivalents - compare it to a 911 where every washer carries a porsche tax - with the e39 M5 a large part of the car is identical to any e39 meaning that you can buy entire replacement cars for a couple of thousand - yes, the engine / suspension / etc. is different, but it is pretty solid and reliable with far fewer issues than a 911

so, buy well, pay the cost premium up front, and look after it and it shouldn't be horrendous...

[Fezzaman]

I can't help but feel with the pricier ones you're buying low mileage and will end up spending on the same stuff as the cheaper cars with higher mileage. Only difference being with the lower mileage one you will have the privilege of being the first to spend on a suspension refresh and vanos refurbs etc to your standard/preference rather than questioning what has (not) been done already and to what extent. E39 M5 has always been a bucket list car for me, but while I would happily spend a grand or 2 maintaining/restoring it every year, I won't tolerate paying insurance companies as much every year because their computer says I'll bin it as I drive off a forecourt. Are they old enough now to be on limited mileage classic car policies?

[Patrick Bateman]

Tend to agree with that. They're all going to cost a lot to run (and I'm not talking fuel or consumables here) if you actually plan on doing 10/12k a year.

[TheAngryDog]

Fezzaman said:

I can't help but feel with the pricier ones you're buying low mileage and will end up spending on the same stuff as the cheaper cars with higher mileage. Only difference being with the lower mileage one you will have the privilege of being the first to spend on a suspension refresh and vanos refurbs etc to your standard/preference rather than questioning what has (not) been done already and to what extent. E39 M5 has always been a bucket list car for me, but while I would happily spend a grand or 2 maintaining/restoring it every year, I won't tolerate paying insurance companies as much every year because their computer says I'll bin it as I drive off a forecourt. Are they old enough now to be on limited mileage classic car policies?

Yes they do qualify with some companies. Footman James are one of them.

[timster]

I bought one coming up for 2 years ago and have spent money on some bodywork and suspension refresh including o.e shocks. It's just ticked over to 137k and drives and feels as tight as a drum, always has comments on how nice it is. I'd not let it go for less than 11k as it wants for nothing

[POORCARDEALER]

Had our 6 or 7 years now and done 30K miles in it taking it up to 141K (2000X facelift).....no rust at all, little bit of peeling laquer, wheels need a refurb and thats it really, been an epic car but not getting used now so will be selling soon, got to ay will be sad to see it go, particularly if its only £7/8K.

[cosworth330]

POORCARDEALER said:

Had our 6 or 7 years now and done 30K miles in it taking it up to 141K (2000X facelift).....no rust at all, little bit of peeling laquer, wheels need a refurb and thats it really, been an epic car but not getting used now so will be selling soon, got to ay will be sad to see it go, particularly if its only £7/8K.

That's the thing I found with mine, in the last year before I sold it I think it did about a 1000 miles. That's when I know I'm getting bored of a car as I just don't drive it much and leave it sitting in my garage. I normally start getting bored after 3 years and umm and ahh that I can't part with it and then when I do sell a car I don't really miss it as I enjoy the new one much more and the cycle starts all over again!

[danielw]

akirk said:

the difference between a very good one and a so-so one is more than the purchase cost difference...

e.g. buy a good one for between £15k - £20k
or buy an 'okay' one for £8k - £12k

the cost of getting the okay one to the same as the good one will be more than the difference of £7k - £8k
I think it is a car where it is easier to buy at the top end and keep it there than to buy further down the scale and try and it bring it back to needing little work doing...

I bought one recently and it is in really very good condition - it seems to drink no oil, there are no vanos issues, it is c. 72k miles and feels like new - the car has been pampered, it has paintwork protection right down to the brake calipers having been protected - it even has the right rubber on it / the front brake upgrades / etc. - yes, it was a higher price, but having seen the condition of some lower down the price scale, this one should be cheaper to own and run... The last 6 MOTs have 0 advisories (other than loose wheel nuts having failed one because someone had forgotten to tighten them before doing the MOT!) It will be looked after, not driven huge miles and I don't expect it to cost huge amounts of money each year. Certainly less than my RRC that we are gradually restoring (bought at the lower end of the price scale and now spending money on it - 2 different philosophies!)

I would hope over the next 5-10 years that it will be a fairly cost-neutral car, value should stay the same or increase, annual costs should be rubber / oil / petrol (ouch!) / clutch when needed and occasional other bill... For the power and capability of the car it is far far cheaper to own and run than many equivalents - compare it to a 911 where every washer carries a porsche tax - with the e39 M5 a large part of the car is identical to any e39 meaning that you can buy entire replacement cars for a couple of thousand - yes, the engine / suspension / etc. is different, but it is pretty solid and reliable with far fewer issues than a 911

so, buy well, pay the cost premium up front, and look after it and it shouldn't be horrendous...

Just an observation as I have a Porsche 996 and an E39 M5 (my sensible family car) and i've had similar jobs carried out on both. Taking discs & pads or control arms (m5) / track control arms (996) the parts cost for the M5 have been around double that of the 911 each time.

[akirk]

danielw said:

Just an observation as I have a Porsche 996 and an E39 M5 (my sensible family car) and i've had similar jobs carried out on both. Taking discs & pads or control arms (m5) / track control arms (996) the parts cost for the M5 have been around double that of the 911 each time.

Fair point, but I would say that the M5 has some 'M5 parts (such as the ones you mention), but others such as a body part such as a wing, or some internal trim etc. you could buy a complete car of non-M variety for less than some panel prices on porsches / ferraris / etc.