Someone tell me...
Discussion
Honestly, running costs are frightening.
A £3k bill come service time is not by any means rare and economy is frighteningly bad. It is an extremely expensive car to run and you have to be totally aware and comfortable with this to really enjoy the thing. It's an M5, cutting corners is a totally false economy and will only end badly.
If, however, you can square the costs with yourself then there's absolutely no reason not to but be very aware of how much it's going to bum you.
A £3k bill come service time is not by any means rare and economy is frighteningly bad. It is an extremely expensive car to run and you have to be totally aware and comfortable with this to really enjoy the thing. It's an M5, cutting corners is a totally false economy and will only end badly.
If, however, you can square the costs with yourself then there's absolutely no reason not to but be very aware of how much it's going to bum you.
It's a BMW, not something from another planet. Yes some parts can be eye-wateringly expensive but if you shop around using the many websites that exist to help save owners some money they aren't that bad.
Find a good indy & replace consumables such as discs & pads yourself, there'll always be things that might need a more expert pair of hands but you can do it.
I know on mine, textar make the pads for BMW but I can replace the whole lot front & rear for around 130 inc wear sensors by shopping around.
Same with rear springs (that are a known Z4M weak spot). 170 each from BMW + fitting but 34+vat each from unipart, takes around 20 mins to do each side on your drive.
You're a long time dead y'know
Find a good indy & replace consumables such as discs & pads yourself, there'll always be things that might need a more expert pair of hands but you can do it.
I know on mine, textar make the pads for BMW but I can replace the whole lot front & rear for around 130 inc wear sensors by shopping around.
Same with rear springs (that are a known Z4M weak spot). 170 each from BMW + fitting but 34+vat each from unipart, takes around 20 mins to do each side on your drive.
You're a long time dead y'know
LaurasOtherHalf said:
It's a BMW, not something from another planet. Yes some parts can be eye-wateringly expensive but if you shop around using the many websites that exist to help save owners some money they aren't that bad.
Find a good indy & replace consumables such as discs & pads yourself, there'll always be things that might need a more expert pair of hands but you can do it.
I know on mine, textar make the pads for BMW but I can replace the whole lot front & rear for around 130 inc wear sensors by shopping around.
Same with rear springs (that are a known Z4M weak spot). 170 each from BMW + fitting but 34+vat each from unipart, takes around 20 mins to do each side on your drive.
You're a long time dead y'know
The thing is, it's an expensive car and history is vital. Servicing at a specialist will save (not much as it turns out, my main agent is undercutting my local specialist) however you'll lose on re-sale, especially if keeping for 6 months. Find a good indy & replace consumables such as discs & pads yourself, there'll always be things that might need a more expert pair of hands but you can do it.
I know on mine, textar make the pads for BMW but I can replace the whole lot front & rear for around 130 inc wear sensors by shopping around.
Same with rear springs (that are a known Z4M weak spot). 170 each from BMW + fitting but 34+vat each from unipart, takes around 20 mins to do each side on your drive.
You're a long time dead y'know
It will be a very expensive thing, probably double in cost to a Z4M Coupe in all areas (getting it to read single figures over a decent distance is not, in any way, tricky) but they are awesome, awesome cars.
Looks OK to me...I have no idea if that is a good price, or not, but it's an M5!
In general, BMW parts are cheap enough, but anything specific to the "M" cars carries the "M-tax" and is (or can be) very expensive.
Also these are not really DIY unless you have acccess to diagnostic tools, so be prepared to pay for, at the very least, a diagnostic report at regular intervals.
Personally, I'd go for an E34 M5 and preferably a 3.8 version without EDC...they are mostly DIY (if you want it to be) and you are almost guaranteed to not loose any money on it...
The E34 is the last of the hand-built M cars, too...
In general, BMW parts are cheap enough, but anything specific to the "M" cars carries the "M-tax" and is (or can be) very expensive.
Also these are not really DIY unless you have acccess to diagnostic tools, so be prepared to pay for, at the very least, a diagnostic report at regular intervals.
Personally, I'd go for an E34 M5 and preferably a 3.8 version without EDC...they are mostly DIY (if you want it to be) and you are almost guaranteed to not loose any money on it...
The E34 is the last of the hand-built M cars, too...
CampDavid said:
The thing is, it's an expensive car and history is vital. Servicing at a specialist will save (not much as it turns out, my main agent is undercutting my local specialist) however you'll lose on re-sale, especially if keeping for 6 months.
Depends on the car. If I'm buying a relatively unusual car I'd pay more for a service history from a well respected specialist than from a main dealer because, in my experience, main dealers are utterly rubbish with anything remotely unusual. kambites said:
CampDavid said:
The thing is, it's an expensive car and history is vital. Servicing at a specialist will save (not much as it turns out, my main agent is undercutting my local specialist) however you'll lose on re-sale, especially if keeping for 6 months.
Depends on the car. If I'm buying a relatively unusual car I'd pay more for a service history from a well respected specialist than from a main dealer because, in my experience, main dealers are utterly rubbish with anything remotely unusual. kambites said:
CampDavid said:
The thing is, it's an expensive car and history is vital. Servicing at a specialist will save (not much as it turns out, my main agent is undercutting my local specialist) however you'll lose on re-sale, especially if keeping for 6 months.
Depends on the car. If I'm buying a relatively unusual car I'd pay more for a service history from a well respected specialist than from a main dealer because, in my experience, main dealers are utterly rubbish with anything remotely unusual. Some Gump said:
Coming next week:
"look guys, i just bought a new m5 for peanuts on ebay!" by camp david...
Not at the moment, happy with the 7er"look guys, i just bought a new m5 for peanuts on ebay!" by camp david...
Krikkit said:
That one in the OP's link looks good to me - lots of history and had the clutch/flywheel/guide bush sorted out already.
With a full BMW history can't you buy a warranty anyway?
OP: If you think you might be able to afford it, do it. That V10 is just magical.
You can. A warranty is £1648.84 per year for driveline through to £2956.92 per year for a comprehensive warranty. Comprensive doesn't cover:With a full BMW history can't you buy a warranty anyway?
OP: If you think you might be able to afford it, do it. That V10 is just magical.
All exhaust components (except catalytic converter)
All service items which will require periodic replacement
Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect
Auxiliary drive belts
Batteries
Brake and clutch facings
Bulbs and fuses
Channels and guides
Cleaning or adjustment of any component
Coolant and fuel hoses
Discs and drums
Glass
Handles, hinges and check straps
Trim, upholstery and cosmetic finishes
Wheels and tyres
Wiper blades and arms
Weather strips and seals
So the potential for bills is still quite substantial
EDIT: prices based on a 70k mile 06 car. BMW's website said no to me quoting on the car in the OP. Which may or may not be concerning
CampDavid said:
You can. A warranty is £1648.84 per year for driveline through to £2956.92 per year for a comprehensive warranty. Comprensive doesn't cover:
All exhaust components (except catalytic converter)
All service items which will require periodic replacement
Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect
Auxiliary drive belts
Batteries
Brake and clutch facings
Bulbs and fuses
Channels and guides
Cleaning or adjustment of any component
Coolant and fuel hoses
Discs and drums
Glass
Handles, hinges and check straps
Trim, upholstery and cosmetic finishes
Wheels and tyres
Wiper blades and arms
Weather strips and seals
I imagine the list of items/circumstances the warranty doescover is probably much shorter. I literally don't see the point.All exhaust components (except catalytic converter)
All service items which will require periodic replacement
Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect
Auxiliary drive belts
Batteries
Brake and clutch facings
Bulbs and fuses
Channels and guides
Cleaning or adjustment of any component
Coolant and fuel hoses
Discs and drums
Glass
Handles, hinges and check straps
Trim, upholstery and cosmetic finishes
Wheels and tyres
Wiper blades and arms
Weather strips and seals
CampDavid said:
Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect
lol...Marty : "the engine has exploded"
BMW: "yes its worn out"
Marty: "no its not, its shattered into pieces"
BMW: "Yes sir, due to wear"
Marty : "Oh come off it"
BMW : "That'll be £120 for the diagnostic tests"
That line alone makes the warranty almost worthless IMO
Marty Funkhouser said:
CampDavid said:
Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect
lol...Marty : "the engine has exploded"
BMW: "yes its worn out"
Marty: "no its not, its shattered into pieces"
BMW: "Yes sir, due to wear"
Marty : "Oh come off it"
BMW : "That'll be £120 for the diagnostic tests"
That line alone makes the warranty almost worthless IMO
I've also found that BMW will knock 30% off big ticket prices of stuff if you haggle
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