E39 M5 options - which ones worth getting

[W1TAK]

I know the Comms pack is well worth having, as its very costly to retro fit, but what about DSP hifi, is it really worth having, only a few cars Ive seen for sale have this option but apparently it was around £2000 at purchase. Also, were the leather interiors all the same or where there additional options? What about Alacantara headlining, again nice but would you wait for a car that had this option.

Im looking for a very nice late ( 2002/2003 ) M5 with as many options as possible in excellent condition mileage under 70k miles but proving extremely difficult to find

Any M5 owners out there who can comment on the options above and whether they are actually any good please let me know.

Many thanks

[rassi]

The options I wish mine had are:

Leather dash and alcantara ceiling
DSP (I have the Hifi upgrade and it's not great)

Options that it does have, that I think are worth looking for:

Double glazing
Front and rear PDC (some only have rear)
Electric sunblind
Comms package (but a TomTom is probably a better navigator!) if only for the integrated look and feel

Standard equipment is pretty generous.

[broster]

rassi said:

The options I wish mine had are:

Leather dash and alcantara ceiling
DSP (I have the Hifi upgrade and it's not great)

Options that it does have, that I think are worth looking for:

Double glazing
Front and rear PDC (some only have rear)
Electric sunblind
Comms package (but a TomTom is probably a better navigator!) if only for the integrated look and feel

Standard equipment is pretty generous.

all facelifted cars had the front and rear pdc.

when i was looking my main concerns were:
DSP
widescreen satnav
black with grey inserts in the seats
aluminium trim on the dash

anything else was a bonus! mine does have the built in in car kit needs a motorola V70 for it but not to fussed with it to be fair. satnav is a nice touch but a tom tom is better unless you upgrade to a mk4 dvd based satnnav with postcode search enabledm has to be aftermarket software, wouldnt be to concerned with the milage, my 2001 car has 60k on it but had ot have some body work done, they do big milage without problems, making sure it has genuine wheel and a decent service history is better, also look at the condition of the brakes, thats a costly replacement!

[968CSReading]

Just picked mine up today but when I was looking the options didnt bother me, I just wanted a nice car.

As it happends mine is fully loaded so Im lucky. The headlining is very nice though.

[PeterNem]

broster said:

mine does have the built in in car kit needs a motorola V70 for it but not to fussed with it to be fair.

If you're inclined you can do away with the phone and add the bluetooth gubbins. Luckilly the previous owner retrofitted it to mine so I didn't have to mess about.

[DennisCooper]

Hi there,

I'm definitley one to recommend ensuring the car's mechanicals are spot on over wanting the toys. That's not to say it's the absolutle be all and end all though!

The 'comms' pack will soon be pretty useless anyway as the Analogue switchoff goes through, so the TV function will go. Unless you can find one or are ready to purchase the Hybrid Analogue/Digital OEM box at around £600 second hand on ebay if and when they rarely pop up. If the mooted FM switch off occurs say by 2015, then the only thing the OEM comms pack will be able to do is GPS. Seeing as the last Mk4 DVD GPS based systems can be upgraded to current maps and include 3D view it'll still not perform as good nor have the latest and upcoming features of GPS systems such as TomTom and Garmin handheld units. You could perhaps do some surgery like cut out the cassette deck and wire in a slimline DVD player I guess. Otherwise I'd suggest not wanting to have the 'comms' pack/widescreen OEM system.

Options like Alcantara headlining can be done by a specialist re-trimmer within a day for around £450 - I know this as I've had a quote to do my E39 Touring headliner! so a saloon will probably be propertionally cheaper.

Heritage leather would be good to look out for as it includes the leather covered dash and centre console along with the different style leather stitching/seat leather design. A good colour combination would be nice to look out for as well, although there's not really very many 'bad' combinations out there.

With the forthcoming Hi-fi replacements on their way from Chinese manufacturers for the E39, when it's released in 2-3 months time, you'll be able to remove the 'comms' pack or upgrade an E39 without that setup to have built in DVD player, GPS, DVB-T Telly, an amplifier, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, iPod control, MID display. Cost is expected to be around £650.

I'd also put forward that a low mile E39 M5 is going to be very very rare indeed. There's a 'handful' of enthusiasts on specialist forums who've shown their 15K and 40K mile E39 M5s! however they're also the guys who'll never sell them! That said, you never know for the future right?! if any sub 70K miler M5's come up and are good pristine examples, I'd say they're currently £12-13K upwards with the real mint ones £15K+. There's quite a few in the £8-11K bracket and these cars will be 'good' with potentially some major expense work required to make them pristine in terms of mechanical peace of mind. Anything sub £8K then you'll either be a very competent mechanic or have the deep pockets required to bring the car back up to the correct standards.

Good luck in your search!
Cheers, Dennis.

Edited by DennisCooper on Wednesday 14th April 23:44

[drivin_me_nuts]

Go with the Heritage Leather - thought Caramel seems very soft and the d/s outer bolsters get a good beating.

Other than that the most desirable extra by a long chalk is a tubi exhaust... Now that is an extra worth it's price.

[DennisCooper]

Hi there,

The Tubi exhaust systems I've spoken to those who have had them done are very very pricey indeed. A guy I know has recently picked up an E60 M5 and promptly dropped around £3500 on a Tubi exhaust! whilst totally awesome, that is mega money to spend and not very many will justify that on the E39 M5. Those with deep enough pockets will usually go for the SuperSprint X pipe and a choice of Eisenmann or Hayward & Scott back boxes. If the M5 the OP goes for does already have an exhaust system upgrade fitted - bonus!! if not, then over time that could also be added.

So overall, yes there's a few really nice options that 'could' be on the M5 the OP looks at, but I go back to what many potential owners should be thinking and that's to ensure the mechanicals are all good before looking at the toys list.

I think E60 onwards, the sheer amount of electronic gadgetry will cause some headaches and wallet busting skimping on repairs in say the next 7-10 years. I've heard of the iDrive controller unit packing up a couple of times and that's like £1900 from the dealers! without it, you get nothing on the displays, radio, AC etc etc. The poster who reported that, eventually found a second hand one for £1100 or so!

So the E39, with it's less totally integrated systems over the next few years will exhibit more issues - pixel problems, 16:9 oem system becoming useless etc, but the main thing is alot of it can be replaced much more cost effectively. Take the engine and mechanicals to a well reputed specialist and long term ownership becomes a much better bet.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Crusoe]

Had the double glazing on mine, makes it very quiet inside with less wind noise but you then have to lower the windows to hear the v8. I wouldn't look for it if I was getting another one unless you use it for high speed commuting and want it to be quieter.

[ukwill]

W1TAK said:

I know the Comms pack is well worth having, as its very costly to retro fit, but what about DSP hifi, is it really worth having, only a few cars Ive seen for sale have this option but apparently it was around £2000 at purchase. Also, were the leather interiors all the same or where there additional options? What about Alacantara headlining, again nice but would you wait for a car that had this option.

Im looking for a very nice late ( 2002/2003 ) M5 with as many options as possible in excellent condition mileage under 70k miles but proving extremely difficult to find

Any M5 owners out there who can comment on the options above and whether they are actually any good please let me know.

Many thanks

DSP is not worth it as if you wish to upgrade (which you will if you like a decent sound system in your car) it's more involved with DSP fitted. I prefer Nappa to Heritage - to me Heritage looks too "7 series" and just not sporty enough for the M5's image.

As has been said, comms pack apart (get one with this, resale is far easier), I think you are wasting your time waiting around for a sub 70k car. It has been said time and time again (because it is a valid point), buy on condition. If looked after, these cars will just go on for ever. I can't see any reason in spending north of 14k to buy an post-facelift M5 simply because it has say less miles on the clock. There are plenty of cracking buys out there in the 10-13k bracket. Just not worth spending any more (imho).

[Lord Pikey]

DennisCooper said:

With the forthcoming Hi-fi replacements on their way from Chinese manufacturers for the E39, when it's released in 2-3 months time, you'll be able to remove the 'comms' pack or upgrade an E39 without that setup to have built in DVD player, GPS, DVB-T Telly, an amplifier, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, iPod control, MID display. Cost is expected to be around £650.

Id be very interested in this for my B10. Do you have any links?

Edited by Lord Pikey on Thursday 15th April 14:46

[smack]

DennisCooper said:

I'd also put forward that a low mile E39 M5 is going to be very very rare indeed. There's a 'handful' of enthusiasts on specialist forums who've shown their 15K and 40K mile E39 M5s! however they're also the guys who'll never sell them! That said, you never know for the future right?!

Mine has 43K miles, and not for sale

[W1TAK]

Thanks for all the replies, it seems that options are down to personal preference. I have actually secured my dream car, it was one I went to see on Sunday and finally the owner has accepted my offer, I wont mention how much I paid but it was possibly one of the most expensive E39s out there, its a 58k mile 2003 model with most options, it has DSP, Comms, Alacantara, folding mirrors, nappa two tone leather, no wood in sight and its immaculate with one month of AUC warranty left and full BM history. Its going to be a few sleepless nights until I can pick her up !!!!

[DennisCooper]

Hi all!

Witak - Congratulations firstly! I along with other's are happy for you and insanely jealous at the same time!! As you aren't going to mention how much you splashed for it, I'll assume it'll have been north of £13K !

I'm fairly active on a number of forums and know a good amount of M5 owners and one tip I did get from a guy with a pre facelift is to join the BMW car club who offer a warranty which does cover some of the big ticket price items on an M5. He mentioned he bought the warranty for extra peace of mind after searching out a very very nice example. he mentioned it worked out at around £65-75/month. I've mentioned it before a few times so apologies if I sound like a cracked record there!

Lord Pikey - Yes, I do have links, and I've been following the progress of their item over the last 8+ months or so. They've released one for the E46 and the E39 solution is slated for May/June 2010 release. I've been considering becoming the UK distributor, but then canned that idea. Instead, I'll most likely be a re-seller of the guys who are doing the large volume importing of the unit. I'm waiting to see if the unit turns out to be a good performer in the long term. It is a Chinese made unit, unbranded and unknown as far as the UK market goes, but to compensate, has a features list which is bang up to date 2010 technology all contained within one device which will go into the dashboard. On a more 5 series focussed UK centric forum (I'm not sure If I'm allowed to mention it!) I've put up more about it as well.

Manufacturer is called Dynavin - http://www.dynavin.com/index.php

UK official importers will be Ttints - http://www.ttints.co.uk/store/index.php?app=cms&am...

Have a look, see what you think! drop me a mail if you wish to discuss further

Cheers, Dennis!

[ukwill]

Lord Pikey said:

DennisCooper said:

With the forthcoming Hi-fi replacements on their way from Chinese manufacturers for the E39, when it's released in 2-3 months time, you'll be able to remove the 'comms' pack or upgrade an E39 without that setup to have built in DVD player, GPS, DVB-T Telly, an amplifier, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, iPod control, MID display. Cost is expected to be around £650.

Id be very interested in this for my B10. Do you have any links?

Edited by Lord Pikey on Thursday 15th April 14:46

Here's where it came from:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...

[ukwill]

W1TAK said:

Thanks for all the replies, it seems that options are down to personal preference. I have actually secured my dream car, it was one I went to see on Sunday and finally the owner has accepted my offer, I wont mention how much I paid but it was possibly one of the most expensive E39s out there, its a 58k mile 2003 model with most options, it has DSP, Comms, Alacantara, folding mirrors, nappa two tone leather, no wood in sight and its immaculate with one month of AUC warranty left and full BM history. Its going to be a few sleepless nights until I can pick her up !!!!

Err, congratulations?

[W1TAK]

I didnt mind paying top money for a top car, rather than take a risk on an older/higher mileage/less optioned version. I hope I dont live to regret it!!!!
Im one of those people that if the car isnt perfect I quickly get bored and end up selling, I hope Ive learned my lesson this time by waiting it out until the perfect one came along.

[ukwill]

W1TAK said:

I didnt mind paying top money for a top car, rather than take a risk on an older/higher mileage/less optioned version. I hope I dont live to regret it!!!!
Im one of those people that if the car isnt perfect I quickly get bored and end up selling, I hope Ive learned my lesson this time by waiting it out until the perfect one came along.

If you paid over £13k for an E39 M5 then please let me know what car you're after next so that I can sell you it.

[968CSReading]

You can forget your ipod connectors, USB ports and the like......I now have a cassette player in my car again which means I can go back to my youth and play my old tapes

[E38]

Crusoe said:

Had the double glazing on mine, makes it very quiet inside with less wind noise but you then have to lower the windows to hear the v8. I wouldn't look for it if I was getting another one unless you use it for high speed commuting and want it to be quieter.

+1 Stay about from double glazing. Its good for a 7series, but this is a practical muscle car, not a mile-muncher. Your paying to feed that V8, may as well hear your money being burnt!