E39 M5 on 19" & is it a good'un...?
Discussion
Hi All,
First post on here but I've been a long time lurker. Looking to get myself a nice E39 M5 and this one local has caught my eye:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1491700.htm
What are the opinions on 19" wheels? How much does it effect the ride and handling?
Any comments on the car are also most welcome.
Steve
First post on here but I've been a long time lurker. Looking to get myself a nice E39 M5 and this one local has caught my eye:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1491700.htm
What are the opinions on 19" wheels? How much does it effect the ride and handling?
Any comments on the car are also most welcome.
Steve
Hi there,
The Car - Usual stuff applies, check and double check everything, twice over again! theres plenty of information to swot up on here on PH forums and of course the often mentioned M5board.com. All the common issues, things to look and check out are comprehensively covered.
The wheels - I agree with the last poster to the extent that the wheels aren't so good in terms of them being Replica's. E39 M5's with their original wheels are considered much better, so at some point there's a reason why the wheels were changed, and to 'only' replica's. Ask the owner, if he did the change, ask why? if it was 'just' for the looks and everything else is in good shape and matches up, then it's acceptable. Ask if by any chance he has the originals - although I'd doubt it as selling off the original wheels would probably have paid for these Replica's to be put straight on. Just ensure the wheel change isn't hiding anything more sinister.
19 inch wheels suit the E39 body shape fantastically, and I personally, would only ever put on high quality wheels from the best name manufacturers. Replica's for me are a no no, especially for an M5. Replica's do have their place however - second set, winter tyre set etc of course.
There are some E39's and M5's running around on 20 inch rims - depending on the style they can pull the look off well or be just a little too large looking. Some of the very best modified E39 M5's I've seen in the metal in Los Angeles and Las Vegas have been on ultra expensive 20 inch wheels and looks absolutley jaw droppingly fantastic!
Depending on the suspension setup - ride quality is harsher than compared to having 16 inch Turbines on 60 profile tyres - however, you'd be surprised at just how close to OEM comfy you can get with 19s. I run 19's on my E39 Touring, and using standard SE shocks with H&R springs which gives me a very very compliant and close to - 85% ride of original. Crash over a small pothole or undulation, yes it will 'crash' harder and 'thump' more but not overly so to spoil things.
M5's will at least usually have their standard setup still in place or will have been changed to one of the higher end suspension kits or coilover's setups to maintain as much ride quality whilst also giving that excellent lowering and increased road handling and cornering abilities.
If the car checks out nicely, and is a good one, there's no reason to reject it becuase of the wheels or suspension - sell off these replica's and then either source 4 rear wheel original M5 wheels (so you can run the wider tyres at the front as well) a normal set of M5 wheels or go for a high quality after market or OEM quality tuner wheels and you can't go wrong really!
One of the most wanted sets is the BBS LM wheels for the M5, they look sublime and awesome (I personally favour more different designs) but will cost you around £4000 for the wheels! - others include genuine AC Schnitzer, Hartge, cheaper BBS wheels etc, and or things like the 360 forged or iforged wheels. These offer strength and lightweight to the equation as well as the looks!
Lastly, I'm almost as enthusiastic as you for buying an M5! - good luck and get it if it's a good one!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
The Car - Usual stuff applies, check and double check everything, twice over again! theres plenty of information to swot up on here on PH forums and of course the often mentioned M5board.com. All the common issues, things to look and check out are comprehensively covered.
The wheels - I agree with the last poster to the extent that the wheels aren't so good in terms of them being Replica's. E39 M5's with their original wheels are considered much better, so at some point there's a reason why the wheels were changed, and to 'only' replica's. Ask the owner, if he did the change, ask why? if it was 'just' for the looks and everything else is in good shape and matches up, then it's acceptable. Ask if by any chance he has the originals - although I'd doubt it as selling off the original wheels would probably have paid for these Replica's to be put straight on. Just ensure the wheel change isn't hiding anything more sinister.
19 inch wheels suit the E39 body shape fantastically, and I personally, would only ever put on high quality wheels from the best name manufacturers. Replica's for me are a no no, especially for an M5. Replica's do have their place however - second set, winter tyre set etc of course.
There are some E39's and M5's running around on 20 inch rims - depending on the style they can pull the look off well or be just a little too large looking. Some of the very best modified E39 M5's I've seen in the metal in Los Angeles and Las Vegas have been on ultra expensive 20 inch wheels and looks absolutley jaw droppingly fantastic!
Depending on the suspension setup - ride quality is harsher than compared to having 16 inch Turbines on 60 profile tyres - however, you'd be surprised at just how close to OEM comfy you can get with 19s. I run 19's on my E39 Touring, and using standard SE shocks with H&R springs which gives me a very very compliant and close to - 85% ride of original. Crash over a small pothole or undulation, yes it will 'crash' harder and 'thump' more but not overly so to spoil things.
M5's will at least usually have their standard setup still in place or will have been changed to one of the higher end suspension kits or coilover's setups to maintain as much ride quality whilst also giving that excellent lowering and increased road handling and cornering abilities.
If the car checks out nicely, and is a good one, there's no reason to reject it becuase of the wheels or suspension - sell off these replica's and then either source 4 rear wheel original M5 wheels (so you can run the wider tyres at the front as well) a normal set of M5 wheels or go for a high quality after market or OEM quality tuner wheels and you can't go wrong really!
One of the most wanted sets is the BBS LM wheels for the M5, they look sublime and awesome (I personally favour more different designs) but will cost you around £4000 for the wheels! - others include genuine AC Schnitzer, Hartge, cheaper BBS wheels etc, and or things like the 360 forged or iforged wheels. These offer strength and lightweight to the equation as well as the looks!
Lastly, I'm almost as enthusiastic as you for buying an M5! - good luck and get it if it's a good one!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
The owner of the car posts on the BMW5 forum using the name Kendo.
Looks to be a nice car
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=3...
Looks to be a nice car
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=3...
Russ, I would be interested on your thoughts on the supercharger....the M5 I'm buying has BC Coilovers and standard wheel which I don't want to change but will be taking the car to Simpsons motorsport to what they can do to her engine wise...The wheels look great by the way...
Edited by Andyt25 on Tuesday 2nd March 14:32
There is nothing wrong with the standard 18" wheels Andy. I would think that coilovers with 18" will give a better ride than on 19" but its horses for courses.
As for the supercharger, I am going for the ESS 570 kit for around £7000. My friend Kumaran (M5 London) is currently getting one fitted along with some new VM headers.
Hop over to M5board or M3torque where we all hang out.
As for the supercharger, I am going for the ESS 570 kit for around £7000. My friend Kumaran (M5 London) is currently getting one fitted along with some new VM headers.
Hop over to M5board or M3torque where we all hang out.
Russ is the M5board the US forum and id the other mtorque...can never get on mtorque these days...has if gone again...
Anyway all being well I hope to pis the car up Saturday....bc coilovers, supersprint exhaust....a good starting point..
The paint is just stunning..he details it himself..
Anyway all being well I hope to pis the car up Saturday....bc coilovers, supersprint exhaust....a good starting point..
The paint is just stunning..he details it himself..
Edited by Andyt25 on Wednesday 3rd March 08:07
It also has the bloody cracked heater control buttons, mine has that aesthetic blemish too. Budget £40 for a set. Or you could, like me, consider that too much to spend on such trivia and then let them annoy you everyday when you sit in traffic looking at them and wondering why you didnt just spend the money and get them fixed.
Little things.
Little things.
Neil.D said:
Andy, from Southampton is it?
Andyt25 said:
No it's an Anthony from Southampton....seeing it Sat. Do you know it Neil..I see you come from the same neck of the woods....Is it a good un.
Sorry, I've just seen how badly worded my question was. Yes I have met Anthony and his car once before. Seems very well cared for. He isnt shy about spending money on it from what I have seen on M5board.
Let us know what happens .
Yep seems that he has spend loads on it since he has had it...the first owner had it for 8 years then he purchased it....only 55k on the clock with every invoice for every bit of work done. BC's and Superprint not to everyones taste but spot on for me as I have plans for the car over the next few years.
Any idea what he is called on the M5 board...I've signed in so what like to see what Anthony has done etc.
Any idea what he is called on the M5 board...I've signed in so what like to see what Anthony has done etc.
Edited by Andyt25 on Thursday 4th March 08:56
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