2005 M5 owner advice please

[Robert Lees]

So I have wandered over from the TVR section..new job , less miles, better car. Currently have a 2007 golf gti for the daily commute and a 4.5 V8 Tvr Chimeara for the " sunny" commute. Seen 2 local E60 M5's both near identical. < 50k miles, full bmwsh and both just under £16k.. Seem pretty good value.

What should I be looking for . Horror stories are clutch, smg gearbox and VANOS system. I don't take a lot of notice of horror stories ( I would not have the tvr if I did!.. Bloody awesome car), but nice to go in with eyes open.

Other option is a 2007 650i , 68k miles. for under 10k.... I know not the same as an M5 but not bad for 10k

Thanks

[Shaoxter]

Robert Lees said:

Seen 2 local E60 M5's both near identical. < 50k miles, full bmwsh and both just under £16k.. Seem pretty good value.

That is pretty good value. As they are under 60k miles they will be eligible for the BMW/Mondial warranty so if you take that out, all you really need to worry about is the service items (brakes, tyres, plugs etc.) and the clutch.

Got links to these 2 cars?

[Robert Lees]

http://www.mikenealcarwarehouse.co.uk/used-cars/bm...

Looked at M6's too, but will need to p/x the golf.. Just spent £££ on the house!

[Robert Lees]

http://www.aaperformance.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-m5-5-...

[Shaoxter]

Without knowing the service history or clutch condition, the second one gets my vote. Interior looks in much better condition and has a few more options, although neither appear to have the full leather.

[Schermerhorn]

Robert Lees said:

http://www.mikenealcarwarehouse.co.uk/used-cars/bm...

Looked at M6's too, but will need to p/x the golf.. Just spent £££ on the house!

That looks good. Just make sure tyres, brakes, service etc are all up to date. The last thing you want to do is spend £16k on a car and then another £2-3000 making sure these other items are taken care of and THEN having to stick a warranty on it.

Shaoxter said:

Without knowing the service history or clutch condition, the second one gets my vote. Interior looks in much better condition and has a few more options, although neither appear to have the full leather.

The advert says 560PS and 'improved fuel economy' over the new model. I'm guessing it has been modified, if so, it may have a bearing on the extended warranty on the car.

Edited by Schermerhorn on Monday 13th April 12:37

[CSLchappie]

I've run two e60/1's as my daily for the last six years, I think you're most likely to have throttle body issues at that mileage, I had three go all between 50-55k. As mentioned check the service schedule in the idrive, you can reduce costs by sourcing parts yourself, oil from Opie, discs, pads, sensors and filters via ECP. If you're buying either of those cars I'd recommend getting a clutch adaptation done before coming to any conclusion as to what the supposed lifespan of the drive train will be. I'd also recommend steering well away from using Auto mode with the SMG box, its tat and makes the car feel ten years older than it actually is.

I've always kept my cars under BMW warranty just as an insurance against anything major going pop (but then the throttle bodies are 1k a go at a main dealer...) I'm happy to factor this into my overall running costs, some people aren't, just be mindful if something does go bang and you have to visit a main dealer it'll likely cost a good chunk of what the warranty would have done in the first place.

[Schermerhorn]

CSLchappie said:

I've run two e60/1's as my daily for the last six years, I think you're most likely to have throttle body issues at that mileage, I had three go all between 50-55k. As mentioned check the service schedule in the idrive, you can reduce costs by sourcing parts yourself, oil from Opie, discs, pads, sensors and filters via ECP. If you're buying either of those cars I'd recommend getting a clutch adaptation done before coming to any conclusion as to what the supposed lifespan of the drive train will be. I'd also recommend steering well away from using Auto mode with the SMG box, its tat and makes the car feel ten years older than it actually is.

I've always kept my cars under BMW warranty just as an insurance against anything major going pop (but then the throttle bodies are 1k a go at a main dealer...) I'm happy to factor this into my overall running costs, some people aren't, just be mindful if something does go bang and you have to visit a main dealer it'll likely cost a good chunk of what the warranty would have done in the first place.

Indeed. This is probably the only BMW model I wouldn't get without a solid warranty backing it up.

Other models you can sort of shrug your shoulders and say "oh well, I'm going to have to pay for it, no big deal" but with the S85 V10 models you think "Hmmm, no warranty. I wonder how much it's going to cost me???"

[Robert Lees]

This is the worry. With the Chimaera I was worried that it would be as unreliable as people believe, but still bit the bullet..it hasn't let me down in 3 years, parts are pennies. Starter motor £50, discs and pads all round £150 and so on,,, when u start talking about £1000's big difference, especially as it would be my daily.

545 or 550i a " better" choice? I know not in the same league as an M5 but still a lot of car for the money.

Appreciate all the feedback

Edited by Robert Lees on Monday 13th April 14:52

[zainster]

Buy the best one you can based on condition and history. If you're lucky enough to find one that has had recent brakes/clutch/Spark plugs/tyres done then even better! stick a bmw mondial warranty on it and enjoy the car, it's epic!

[cosworth330]

I've had mine for 18 months and it's been 100% reliable so far. I decided to go down the Mondial warranty but not had to use it yet. Mine is on 57,100 miles so I expect throttle actuators are on the horizon.

Buy an M5 go for it.

[M6Hoggers]

Buy the M5 any day ... iconic car with all the M tuning, brakes, suspension etc that you won't get on the 550i which will be far less engaging and interesting. Or you could get an M6 for the same reasons if you don't need to carry passengers often.

Edited by M6Hoggers on Monday 13th April 18:54

Edited by M6Hoggers on Monday 13th April 18:57

[zainster]

Just to add I was referring to OP to go for an M5 and not the 550i lol

[Schermerhorn]

Robert Lees said:

This is the worry. With the Chimaera I was worried that it would be as unreliable as people believe, but still bit the bullet..it hasn't let me down in 3 years, parts are pennies. Starter motor £50, discs and pads all round £150 and so on,,, when u start talking about £1000's big difference, especially as it would be my daily.

545 or 550i a " better" choice? I know not in the same league as an M5 but still a lot of car for the money.

Appreciate all the feedback

Edited by Robert Lees on Monday 13th April 14:52

The Chimera used 3.5 Rover V8 parts or British Leyland parts whereas the M5 has parts that are unique to the S85 models only.

Buy based on condition and history. Some early M5 models are now on 4th or 5th owners who cannot afford to run them properly. That is where the problems start.

[muhnkee2]

Robert Lees said:

This is the worry. With the Chimaera I was worried that it would be as unreliable as people believe, but still bit the bullet..it hasn't let me down in 3 years, parts are pennies. Starter motor £50, discs and pads all round £150 and so on,,, when u start talking about £1000's big difference, especially as it would be my daily.

545 or 550i a " better" choice? I know not in the same league as an M5 but still a lot of car for the money.

Appreciate all the feedback

Edited by Robert Lees on Monday 13th April 14:52

i went from a E60 M5 to a 535d msport, the downgrade was the single worst decision of my life, excuse the analogy but the M5 is like a custom bespoke suit and changing from that to anything less feels like an off the rack suit from Asda, (ok maybe not Asda, but Moss Brothers?!?!).
IMHO I say, dont settle for anything less than the best - and at that price, why wouldn't you?