How good/bad idea is this E39 M5?

[puntograle]

Hi - It appears that the prices of this car are heading kinda south....or atleast there is a wide range of prices available in the press. It could also be that this close to xmas many sellers are dropping prices to get buyers to come out....


...anyway, I am currently interested in a car of the following description and wondered whether it was an ok price, bad price, or absolutely horrendous price

The car is a Silverstone blue, 02 plate with 52K miles on the clock. Internal is black leather, has all the options such as comms pack, Sat Nav/TV, traffic master, etc. FBMWSH, has already been through the BMW used car check (which shows up clean), is now being sold by a local independent with his own 3 month warranty only (which does cover wear and tear items)
Physically the car is totally SPOTLESS....it looks like it could have done 15K miles (inside and out)

After a test drive I pointed out to the dealer that the clutch appeared dodgy to me - upon testing they have confirmed this and decided to put a new clutch on the car. The car itself felt very tight and well balanced

We've agreed a price of £21K (down from £22K) - which puts is firmly at the top end of non-BM dealer prices.

Does this sound ok?
Also, should I take out a non-BM warranty (motor plan) which is being suggested at £750 for 2 years?

Thanks for any second opinions...

[blackspider]

Sounds good..The M5 is generally rock solid.The ones I have worked on since launch have been general maintainance(service,brakes,bushes,joints etc).As with the E39 they have very little problems.

The only faults i've come across are clutches going heavy and several vanos units-only ever on the early ones-and this was a start up problem where they rattle thier tits off-The fault was over come by fitting a one way valve to the oil line to stop all the oil draining away from the vanos(2 units one for each bank).
Never seen engine or gearbox failure.

Worth getting the last 7 of the chassis number and checking with a dealer the back history of the vehicle-should be able to find the warranty and the retail history of it.

[puntograle]

Thanks for the response.

Yes - I am hoping this is not going to end in tears, but in automotive bliss!

I have spoken to the previous BMW dealerships where it was serviced and so far they have said that they will give the back history only once I can prove I am in ownership of the car (data protection issues)...

...though from an informal discussion with one dealer I have learnt that the clutch was previously replaced under warranty at about £26K and that the Vanos units have not been replaced.....yet...

Is the clutch known to go that early? That is two clutches only lasting 26K miles....the car looks in very good condition as opposed to a thrashed example...

[M5Dave]

Looking on the BM5W website, the problems with the E39 M5 seem to be very few. As mentioned above the Vanos units on early cars can give trouble, and these cars can also suffer heavy oil consumption, however a modification to the engine for 2001 cars solved both these problems. Failing airflow meters and dashboard pixels also seem to be a common problems.

The car your looking at seems like an OK price, it's not the cheapest out there, but IMO it's always worth paying a bit more to get a nice, properly maintained and cared for car.

The BMW car club recommend Warranty Direct, they now have a warranty designed in conjunction with the club specifically for the BMW M cars, this has a £5,000 claim limit and covers most potential problem areas including wear and tear. Cost is about £800 pa

If the first clutch was replaced under warranty, then this would indicate a defective part, rather than hard driving having worn it out. If the car has a detailed history see how often the brakes and tyres have been replaced, this will give an indication as to how it's been driven.

I have had my M5 for three months now, and put my opinions of it (all positive) on another thread on this forum titled "Time For a Change" you can see them there.

Hope all that helps, and good luck with the purchase. David.

[puntograle]

Thanks.

In terms of warranty, I am being offered a motor plan product which is approx £500pa or £750 for two years. The claim limit appears to be up to the market value of the car. The warranty seems to cover all mechanical and electrical parts, cat converter, air con, belts, and casings.

I'm not sure if there is excess or how much it is...

I'll be confirming the warranty costs tomorrow - but seem like a good deal to me esp for two years - works out at £375pa. Of course, this warranty will probably not offer BMW Maindealer repairs, but probably Harry Farnbarns Inc.....

[puntograle]

Ooops - just re-read the earlier post. Warrenty Direct also cover wear and tear? Wow. That is different....

[mondeoman]

M5 is a solid piece of kit. Bought mine last September with 50k miles, and like yours, the clutch was best its best to say the least. As I got it from a BM dealer, they replaced it foc and hte car is now at 93k miles (and climbing) without a sniff of clutch slip.

The brakes and front bushes could really do with replacing regularly (50-60k miles or so), other than that if you've got an 02 model you "should" be ok with oil consumption and vanos.

Enjoy it and get ready for some real automotive pleasure

[puntograle]

Thanks. I'm hoping the 02 models are more robust - i suppose my main concerns will be vanos and anythings else (expensive) to do with the engine...

wow - so you've driven 43K miles in 15 months!
I take it you must be the other Nurburgring Taxi then....!

[rassi]

Also have a look at the classifieds here. I saw this very nice one which looks a winner to me, and for a great deal less than the one you're looking at: www.pistonheads.com/sales/120318.htm

I have had mine for 6 months, and can only say that it is the best car I have ever had, and so far 0 problems (apart from having to readjust the exhaust) and have covered 16.000 km, every single one of them a pleasure.

Just look out for MAF (which should be treated as consumables) and Vanos.

[stain]

Mine had new vanos and gear sets at 43k miles. Its an 02 car, but all done under extended warranty saving me north of 3 grand.

[puntograle]

Just called up warranty direct. They are offering their wear & tear policy for £1200 - apparently £800 was the M3 rate....


Seems a little steep to me. Any experience of this cover?

[M5Dave]

That does seem a bit steep the BMW one is £1050 but unfortunately once that has expired it can't be renewed.

[dazren]

M5 classifieds on PH. Should give you an idea of what people are looking for for cars. Mix of trade and private sales:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=572&p=&d=0&min=&max=&y1=&y2=&txt=&px=&xsl=list&pagesize=15&filter=TP&o=p&pc=

[_deano]

slightly off topic, but is there a list of features that were chaneged from the pre 2001 cars and the facelifted post 2001 cars?