RE: The Brave Pill: BMW M5 (E39)
Discussion
JD2329 said:
Examples at this end of the market make more sense to me than overpriced lower mileage ones, provided the maintenance has been kept up.
There's still a lot to keep on top of - bodywork being perhaps the main one.
Rod bearings are another, some owners get them done, others don't bother but a failure - though reasonably rare - has the potential to write off the engine. What makes them go is difficult to pin down but lots of trips to the redline and not letting the oil temperature warm up before exercising the engine don't help.
Not wishing to provoke any adverse reaction but wouldn’t lots of trips to the redline and failing to allow the engine warm up before exploring the upper reaches of performance (and letting it cool with a gentle end to a spirited drive) not apply to any high(ish) revving performance engine?There's still a lot to keep on top of - bodywork being perhaps the main one.
Rod bearings are another, some owners get them done, others don't bother but a failure - though reasonably rare - has the potential to write off the engine. What makes them go is difficult to pin down but lots of trips to the redline and not letting the oil temperature warm up before exercising the engine don't help.
Just wondering if it holds true for RS6 Audi’s, or at the opposite end of the scale, Lamborghinis and Ferrari’s?
Different kettle of fish but I had 2 3dr and one RS500 Cosworth and always always let them warm up before giving them the beans, and definitely stuck by my mantra of a gentle end to any drive if possible (ok, Turbo engined cars are different, and also depends o wether the Turbo is oil or water cooled I guess...)
Always wanted one of these, unfortunately my wallet has never never agreed!
I am so risk averse I could never do the whole brave pill thing, it would have to
be one of the high priced minters for me.
Watching this every so often doesn’t help quell the want
https://youtu.be/b5eoNyWUz8I
I am so risk averse I could never do the whole brave pill thing, it would have to
be one of the high priced minters for me.
Watching this every so often doesn’t help quell the want
https://youtu.be/b5eoNyWUz8I
TimboCD1 said:
Always wanted one of these, unfortunately my wallet has never never agreed!
I am so risk averse I could never do the whole brave pill thing, it would have to
be one of the high priced minters for me.
Watching this every so often doesn’t help quell the want
https://youtu.be/b5eoNyWUz8I
They don't make them like they used to, I doubt that would be allowed today for advertising.I am so risk averse I could never do the whole brave pill thing, it would have to
be one of the high priced minters for me.
Watching this every so often doesn’t help quell the want
https://youtu.be/b5eoNyWUz8I
I would like to try a E39 M5 sometime, but I think they are just too expensive these days imo.
TurboRob said:
AClownsPocket said:
Thats my old one.
In my ownership, it had the wheels done, new wings and paint. Then I discovered a myriad of other issues underneath which would have ruined me financially.
It is a turd of a car.
How so? Do tell more pls In my ownership, it had the wheels done, new wings and paint. Then I discovered a myriad of other issues underneath which would have ruined me financially.
It is a turd of a car.
You don't need brave pills to own an e39 M5 just a few quid spare to keep it running! I had one for a year and the only issue I had was the dreaded vanos, it also had an appetite for rear tyres (nothing to do with me, honest...). A local indie did the vanos for £1250 and I spent a few hundred quid on Michelin pilots, other than that it was trouble free and bloody good motoring, 'analogue' may be a cliched way of describing an e39 M5 but that's exactly what they are, big torquey N/A engine, close ratio six speed box, LSD and two traction control settings (on or off!) I'd love another but it seems the ship has sailed for me price wise.
My old one for old times sake;
My old one for old times sake;
I bet you had a great time with it. 
Indeed, I remember the add mentioning lack of steering wheel badge, which is odd. Hard to tell if it is an honest car without checking it over. I've seen lots advertised by the trade with full BMW SH that they have 'serviced' with non-BMW parts as if that were helping. Then there's the private seller who won't let you test drive their p&j - walk is my advice on both counts.
The brave pill is in buying one at this price point - yes you can buy them at four figures but that doesn’t mean that you should... like any car, buy as good as you can afford and you will have many less issues...
I have had mine for 2 years and driven just under 30,000 miles in it - only fault in that time was a slightly loose earth wire in the boot - otherwise faultless- but it is serviced early and often, inspected for rust every 6 months (none so far), fully valeted every couple of weeks - is looked after, and I have had two serious offers of 25% more than I paid and it is insured for a guaranteed valuation of 50% more than I paid... (there might also have been a couple of sets of tyres and quite a lot of petrol in that time!)
An addictive car that gets under your skin, only ever seen two others on the road during that time... so an unusual car as well...
Worth buying, but buy the best you can, then it will cost less - definitely no brave pill needed for this car if bought properly...
I have had mine for 2 years and driven just under 30,000 miles in it - only fault in that time was a slightly loose earth wire in the boot - otherwise faultless- but it is serviced early and often, inspected for rust every 6 months (none so far), fully valeted every couple of weeks - is looked after, and I have had two serious offers of 25% more than I paid and it is insured for a guaranteed valuation of 50% more than I paid... (there might also have been a couple of sets of tyres and quite a lot of petrol in that time!)
An addictive car that gets under your skin, only ever seen two others on the road during that time... so an unusual car as well...
Worth buying, but buy the best you can, then it will cost less - definitely no brave pill needed for this car if bought properly...
This is one that got away on the list including the Twin Turbo Supra and ZX 300 TTurbo. Glad in a " don't meet you're heros" knid of way and given the choice now I'd have the the ZX. Definitlely a revolution at the time but even at 100hp a corner and I hate to say it but contemporary HHs would leave it looking confused and that's in the dry.
On the other end of the so called 'brave pill' spectrum:
I've had mine for over 12 years. It has been the most reliable car I've owned. Apart from routine servicing it has needed very little else, no surprise silly bills, etc. Have done circa 50k miles over than time. It is my only car which regularly gets expressions of interest at petrol stations etc, people submitting letters on the car in carparks or through my letter box asking if I'm interested in selling, etc.
It is so effortless and flexible with that engine - can go from wafting sedan to an angry hornet in a twist of the right ankle.
For me, they are just superb and spot on.
...and yes, the other great car of this era is the E46 M3 which is a close second favourite.
I've had mine for over 12 years. It has been the most reliable car I've owned. Apart from routine servicing it has needed very little else, no surprise silly bills, etc. Have done circa 50k miles over than time. It is my only car which regularly gets expressions of interest at petrol stations etc, people submitting letters on the car in carparks or through my letter box asking if I'm interested in selling, etc.
It is so effortless and flexible with that engine - can go from wafting sedan to an angry hornet in a twist of the right ankle.
For me, they are just superb and spot on.
...and yes, the other great car of this era is the E46 M3 which is a close second favourite.
Lovely cars, definitely one for the bucket list. I remember Wheeler Dealers buying one of these for £5K, and doing nothing more than an alternator job. I doubt they face more engine issues than any of the other cars.
Speaking of that TDS, I never understand why it sounded like that. They were a different engine too, somewhat older engine that was quickly phased out. Probably because it had SOHC rather than DOHC.
Speaking of that TDS, I never understand why it sounded like that. They were a different engine too, somewhat older engine that was quickly phased out. Probably because it had SOHC rather than DOHC.
judas said:
TheAngryDog said:
tomsugden said:
Should be fine with an aftermarket warranty.
Too old to get any decent warranty now. I couldn't get one on either of mine, or my E60. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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