RE: BMW M5 (E39): PH Heroes
Discussion
aaron_2000 said:
Seesure said:
There are certainly some odd cars kicking around and certainly Mercedes appear to be visible than BMW in the area I go to.
And this one took the biscuit last year ...
That's awful. A real Bradford jobAnd this one took the biscuit last year ...
TheAngryDog said:
Re the poster re mpg, I usually managed over 300 miles to a tank except when really pushing on. Sounds like it may have had an issue, fuel leak or you were more heavy right Footed than you remember :ROFL:
Definitely no issue with the car itself, was running perfectly - so may have just been me, or I'm misremembering 
ETA - On the splash guard referred to above, they are very commonly broken (it's easily done). The new part is very expensive and breakers don't have them, so you may need to go with a pattern part. I've been looking to replace a broken one on my 530i Sport, they were £80 ish a couple of years ago, now £220+.
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 26th October 12:03
Seesure said:
TheAngryDog said:
Seesure, as you know, the rectangular mirror was standard on pre face lift cars, so it could have been a real one.
Re the poster re mpg, I usually managed over 300 miles to a tank except when really pushing on. Sounds like it may have had an issue, fuel leak or you were more heavy right Footed than you remember :ROFL:
I'm pretty sure the rectangular mirror was only on the very early 1998/9 cars, the oval mirror was a trademark of the M5 being introduced for the M5 and was around well before the 2001 facelift. There are a few cars in the UK that had the rectangular mirror but they were early in the production run.Re the poster re mpg, I usually managed over 300 miles to a tank except when really pushing on. Sounds like it may have had an issue, fuel leak or you were more heavy right Footed than you remember :ROFL:
But I agree on the fuel consumption 320 miles is easily achieved when at healthy motorway speeds ..... in fact it was a topic I started a few years back on the 5 series forum... http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/57819-fuel-consumpti...
Re a previous post re parking sensors. Rear PDC only become standard equipment in 2000. Anything prior it was an option. Facelift cars got the front PDC as standard as well.
_Neal_ said:
TheAngryDog said:
Re the poster re mpg, I usually managed over 300 miles to a tank except when really pushing on. Sounds like it may have had an issue, fuel leak or you were more heavy right Footed than you remember :ROFL:
Definitely no issue with the car itself, was running perfectly - so may have just been me, or I'm misremembering ETA - On the splash guard referred to above, they are very commonly broken (it's easily done). The new part is very expensive and breakers don't have them, so you may need to go with a pattern part. I've been looking to replace a broken one on my 530i Sport, they were £80 ish a couple of years ago, now £220+.
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 26th October 12:03
The pattern parts dont fit very well, which seems odd as you'd think they'd be able to get a plastic part right, but go figure!
TheAngryDog said:
My old September 1999 M5 had the rectangle mirror. Sure it could have been replaced at some point I suppose, but I have seen other 1999 M5's with rectangle mirrors as well.
Re a previous post re parking sensors. Rear PDC only become standard equipment in 2000. Anything prior it was an option. Facelift cars got the front PDC as standard as well.
My february 00 has the oval mirror, and no pdc at either end of the car. But standard equipment varies depending on market. A mate had a 1999 M5 that was just a year old when he got it and I'm pretty sure it too had the oval mirror, but there was a late 1998 for sale here in the early spring that had the square one. I like the look of the oval but the visibility isn't the best to put it mildly Re a previous post re parking sensors. Rear PDC only become standard equipment in 2000. Anything prior it was an option. Facelift cars got the front PDC as standard as well.
PowerslideSWE said:
My february 00 has the oval mirror, and no pdc at either end of the car. But standard equipment varies depending on market. A mate had a 1999 M5 that was just a year old when he got it and I'm pretty sure it too had the oval mirror, but there was a late 1998 for sale here in the early spring that had the square one. I like the look of the oval but the visibility isn't the best to put it mildly
Only 7 RHD E39 M5's were made, so it's likely that was an ex press car.The oval mirror was installed from some time late 1999 on, I think it was planned for the 2000 model year starting 1st September 1999, but it slipped a little. There were probably about 275 RHD cars made which had the rectangular mirror, the rest should have the oval one.
TheAngryDog said:
_Neal_ said:
TheAngryDog said:
Re the poster re mpg, I usually managed over 300 miles to a tank except when really pushing on. Sounds like it may have had an issue, fuel leak or you were more heavy right Footed than you remember :ROFL:
Definitely no issue with the car itself, was running perfectly - so may have just been me, or I'm misremembering ETA - On the splash guard referred to above, they are very commonly broken (it's easily done). The new part is very expensive and breakers don't have them, so you may need to go with a pattern part. I've been looking to replace a broken one on my 530i Sport, they were £80 ish a couple of years ago, now £220+.
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 26th October 12:03
The pattern parts dont fit very well, which seems odd as you'd think they'd be able to get a plastic part right, but go figure!
Not tried to fit it yet, but wouldn't surprise me! Although the pattern replacement wing mirror cover I've just fitted on my 530i is an absolutely perfect fit, so suspect it's a bit of a lottery.
RichardM5 said:
Only 7 RHD E39 M5's were made, so it's likely that was an ex press car.
The oval mirror was installed from some time late 1999 on, I think it was planned for the 2000 model year starting 1st September 1999, but it slipped a little. There were probably about 275 RHD cars made which had the rectangular mirror, the rest should have the oval one.
I live in Sweden, we have the steering wheel on the correct side The oval mirror was installed from some time late 1999 on, I think it was planned for the 2000 model year starting 1st September 1999, but it slipped a little. There were probably about 275 RHD cars made which had the rectangular mirror, the rest should have the oval one.
Brilliant thread, proper PH stuff this Lots of sulky ignorant claims and plenty of informed experienced rebuts!
I don't understand how some people cannot appreciate the subtle elegant lines of this car. Its BMW M at its best as is the rest of the car. They have aged very very well and certainly one of the best of not the best performance saloon ever. They simply don't make them like that anymore.
Lots of sulky ignorant claims and plenty of informed experienced rebuts!I don't understand how some people cannot appreciate the subtle elegant lines of this car. Its BMW M at its best as is the rest of the car. They have aged very very well and certainly one of the best of not the best performance saloon ever. They simply don't make them like that anymore.
As a serious classic car lover who also like modern classics as well, the only thing that really lets the car down is it's looks.
Anything Bmw make with an M badge is always going to be a sure classic in time.
The biggest problem with this car (e39 m5) is the e46 m3 is a lot better.
Listed below are the only problems i can see if anyone wanted to buy one today.
1. Does not fit in a normal garage. (for those who like storing cars in enbloc garages, this is a problem) Where are you going to keep,store it if you live in a flat, terrace house etc or just have a normal size garage. E46 m3 fits in enbloc garage.
2 Not enough choice of good cars now. To many 140k + cars with 10k + price tags.
3. Has not aged well.looks let it down now. I really wanted one of these 5 years ago. Now i'm glad i got an m3 instead.
4. To old now. Far to expensive for what they are with to many hidden problems. Steering angle sensor. dead pixels etc. Money pit.
5. Would have to spend 20k to get a good one.
Otherwise a great car and a PH hero.
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