Just put a deposit down on an M5......I'm excited!
Discussion
I paid over the odds for a 1999 M5 in Moonstone Blue, its a minter with 54k on the clock, stunning condition outside and in, 1 owner car FBMWSH etc etc........have only put the deposit down and can re-claim that if unsure after the test drive tommorrow (I know i'm not going to be unsure!).
Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model and as long as you get a good one things should be fine.
As always Pistonheads provides good feedback/advice, so opinions on 99 model to facelift would be appreciated........and what other questions do I need to raise tommorrow?
Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model and as long as you get a good one things should be fine.
As always Pistonheads provides good feedback/advice, so opinions on 99 model to facelift would be appreciated........and what other questions do I need to raise tommorrow?
There's little saving on tax between pre-facelift and facelift cars as that change was scrapped by the govt. Think it's about £30 a year if it's anything. Silverstone blue is a lovely colour, but if it's the same 54k mile car that's been for sale at Autowerks, remember that Quinten bought a virtually identical car for a couple of bags less. It'll need to be mint for it to be worth it. If you don't like it, you can buy my 2002 car for the same price 
Matt

Matt
Facelift/pre-facelift... apples vs pears (imho). I wasn't fussed about the changes, and yes, the road tax difference seems only a drop in the ocean, but we all have our own little quirks 
As long as you've walked out the deal with the biggest grin, then surely it doesn't matter how much you've paid? There's always someone who will get/has had a better deal than you. It's Murphy's law
Just enjoy it!

As long as you've walked out the deal with the biggest grin, then surely it doesn't matter how much you've paid? There's always someone who will get/has had a better deal than you. It's Murphy's law

Just enjoy it!
well done - facelift just i suppose is the later car, paying over the odds is a bit risky at the moment.....second hand prices are firm and we could be looking at a large leap in VAT - which will affect us m5 owners.......like the last 24 hours filled up twice - £180 total, full tank now but ive only done 270 miles...but again filling up thursday - good job mileage will be paid for this week by work..
Hello Guys,
Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!
Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Edited by steve_r on Wednesday 2nd June 00:07
Sounds a nice car, as long as you are happy thats the main thing. Get a decent stock of oil in though. I havent had mine for 2 months yet and already topped it up twice 
I did Manchester and back last week and its the best car I have ever driven for motorway work. The hardest part if sticking to a sensible speed.

I did Manchester and back last week and its the best car I have ever driven for motorway work. The hardest part if sticking to a sensible speed.
steve_r said:
Hello Guys,
Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!
Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Steve how much was/is a vanos and can the car through life without a new one or is a case of it will happen at some point?? Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Edited by steve_r on Wednesday 2nd June 00:07
996 sps said:
I paid over the odds for a 1999 M5 in Moonstone Blue, its a minter with 54k on the clock, stunning condition outside and in, 1 owner car FBMWSH etc etc........have only put the deposit down and can re-claim that if unsure after the test drive tommorrow (I know i'm not going to be unsure!).
Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model and as long as you get a good one things should be fine.
As always Pistonheads provides good feedback/advice, so opinions on 99 model to facelift would be appreciated........and what other questions do I need to raise tommorrow?
i think you mean silverstone blue, the excitement takes over!!! post some pictures when you pick it up Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model and as long as you get a good one things should be fine.
As always Pistonheads provides good feedback/advice, so opinions on 99 model to facelift would be appreciated........and what other questions do I need to raise tommorrow?

996 sps said:
steve_r said:
Hello Guys,
Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!
Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Steve how much was/is a vanos and can the car through life without a new one or is a case of it will happen at some point?? Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Edited by steve_r on Wednesday 2nd June 00:07
My car ('01 facelift with FBMWSH and 111k), after 3000 miles of trouble free motoring, just developed a misfire and threw the timing. After diagnosis at a BMW Indy, I was quoted £2500 to supply and fit ONE unit and adjust the timing. Obviously, we have two. Luckily, I was recommended to a chap who is probably the most knowledgable guy in the country when it comes to E39 M5's. He stripped and rebuilt BOTH units, re-adjusted the timing, checked the slipper rail and a few other bits for just over half the previous quote.

996 sps said:
steve_r said:
Hello Guys,
Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!
Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Steve how much was/is a vanos and can the car through life without a new one or is a case of it will happen at some point?? Sorry to thread hijack 996 but I've just put down a deposit on a pre facelift silverstone too
. In the end i just bought on condition, and the way it drove. It felt like an honest one owner car. Recent clutch and Vanos so keep fingers crossed!Can't wait to pick her up.
Thanks for all the advice given out on this forum, it helped a lot in persuading me to make the move.
Steve
Edited by steve_r on Wednesday 2nd June 00:07
Re the VANOS, there is a lot of misinformation around. There is a long thread on the M5 board which makes things a lot clearer. Basically, there is seldom any need to replace the whole unit - if it is noisy then either live with it or, depending on year, various internal parts can be replaced.
Having said that, if the previous owners has paid BMW to fit a new complete unit then happy days.
Later models seem less affected.
Having said that, if the previous owners has paid BMW to fit a new complete unit then happy days.
Later models seem less affected.
Well update on M5 front, pick it up next week, can't wait.
As always advice on here helped and hopefully will not suffer the dreaded vanos curse, if I do then will have to man up! However been assured the warranty will cover it......
Will post pics etc when I pick the car up....
Does anyone do the Ace Cafe in their M5 or is there other meets etc?
As always advice on here helped and hopefully will not suffer the dreaded vanos curse, if I do then will have to man up! However been assured the warranty will cover it......
Will post pics etc when I pick the car up....
Does anyone do the Ace Cafe in their M5 or is there other meets etc?
996 sps said:
Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model
The saving is £40 a year. A pre March 2001 M5 is £205 a year to tax, a post 2001 M5 is £245 a year to tax.I am not sure that a saving of £40 a year road on an M5 counts as a 'good' saving.
Fox- said:
996 sps said:
Now I know there had been a few threads reference the face-lift models etc but I believe there is a good saving on tax on an 1999 model
The saving is £40 a year. A pre March 2001 M5 is £205 a year to tax, a post 2001 M5 is £245 a year to tax.I am not sure that a saving of £40 a year road on an M5 counts as a 'good' saving.
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