New E39 M5 owner with a few questions.

[anonymous-user]

Hi All,

Just picked up my new(to me)M5 on a 99 plate. It has 68k and FBMWSH. However now that I've run it for an hour I have noticed a few quirks that I'm not sure about?

1 - I haven't put my foot down properly in it yet due to the driving rain but it feels a bit recalcitrant and not like a car with 400hp should (i must stress that I have only used rpm up to about 3.5/4k) is this normal. (it had vanos and mafs replaced at 42k).

2 - Pixels on dash are unreadable, Is this an expensive fix?

3 - Power steering is fine but then goes very hard when you try to swing the car in to a parking space for example. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for any help

[DVandrews]

1974nc said:

Hi All,

Just picked up my new(to me)M5 on a 99 plate. It has 68k and FBMWSH. However now that I've run it for an hour I have noticed a few quirks that I'm not sure about?

1 - I haven't put my foot down properly in it yet due to the driving rain but it feels a bit recalcitrant and not like a car with 400hp should (i must stress that I have only used rpm up to about 3.5/4k) is this normal. (it had vanos and mafs replaced at 42k).

2 - Pixels on dash are unreadable, Is this an expensive fix?

3 - Power steering is fine but then goes very hard when you try to swing the car in to a parking space for example. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for any help

1) could be that the MAFs need replacing, there is a test you can run (detailed on M5board.com) to tell you. Have you tried the sport button?.
2) TADTS, the cluster can be repaired for around £80, or you could try a DIY fix, getting it out is a bit fiddly. Basically the ribbon cable between the main cluster and the display is not properly attached and fails over time.
3) I get this occasionally when the engine is idling, the RPM dips as load is increased on the engine via the pump.

Dave

[CarbonBlackM5]

Agree with the above, there is a chap in Southampton who will fix for pixels for around £80 while you wait. He advertises on ebay.

Check the MAFs, you can clean them but thats a temp fix. There is stacks on the M5board about them. My fuel pump went a few weeks ago and the new one has made a massive difference in performance. However, although there is plenty of torque it starts to really push at around 4K so try some runs on a nice clear road and see how it is through the rev range.

[anonymous-user]

thanks for replies, tried sport button test, it works fine. just booked it in at my indy for a check on saturday. dont suppose anyone does the pixel fix oop north? am in south yorkshire.

[DVandrews]

1974nc said:

thanks for replies, tried sport button test, it works fine. just booked it in at my indy for a check on saturday. dont suppose anyone does the pixel fix oop north? am in south yorkshire.

Southampton man ([e-mail]) does mail order, it's a 20 minute job to remove the display and his turn round time is 3-4 days. £80 + £15 P&P. Simply pack and post to him.

Dave

[ArmaghMan]

1974nc said:

Hi All,

Just picked up my new(to me)M5 on a 99 plate. It has 68k and FBMWSH. However now that I've run it for an hour I have noticed a few quirks that I'm not sure about?

1 - I haven't put my foot down properly in it yet due to the driving rain but it feels a bit recalcitrant and not like a car with 400hp should (i must stress that I have only used rpm up to about 3.5/4k) is this normal. (it had vanos and mafs replaced at 42k).

2 - Pixels on dash are unreadable, Is this an expensive fix?

3 - Power steering is fine but then goes very hard when you try to swing the car in to a parking space for example. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for any help

If you're only reving her to 3.5/4 you might as well have bought a 535d.
The whole car changes when you open her out.
Do it, if only for the noise she'll make.
the P S is just a foible, large (18) wheels with 235 section tyres are fairly hefty.

Enjoy her.

Edited by ArmaghMan on Wednesday 3rd November 16:47

[E38]

1974nc said:

Hi All,

Just picked up my new(to me)M5 on a 99 plate. It has 68k and FBMWSH. However now that I've run it for an hour I have noticed a few quirks that I'm not sure about?

1 - I haven't put my foot down properly in it yet due to the driving rain but it feels a bit recalcitrant and not like a car with 400hp should (i must stress that I have only used rpm up to about 3.5/4k) is this normal. (it had vanos and mafs replaced at 42k).

2 - Pixels on dash are unreadable, Is this an expensive fix?

3 - Power steering is fine but then goes very hard when you try to swing the car in to a parking space for example. Is this common?

Thanks in advance for any help

1. FULL throttle and some super unleaded. A feather touch will produce smooth and rapid acceleration. Give it a stab and you will get the full thrust throwing you into the seat (you may also crash/overly stress your transmission but thats life!). Old fuel, particularly 95RON will do this too. Get a full tank of super into its belly.
2. I just deal with it, very common fault on all E39s, and E38s. Can be expensive if you must have it fixed...
3. Yes, give a gentle rev or just get down the gym and beef up the forearms.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all,

OH hates the car, wants me to get rid asap lol. says it's old fashioned and looks cheap!!!

Nipped down to local asda and on the way back, down a quiet empty road floored it in second up a hill but tc light never even flickered and no wheelspin....?

TBH feels more like 270ish hp to me but that could be the weight and deceptiveness I suppose.

Will have to wait till saturday for the health check (unless the Mrs flogs it while I'm at work!!

Found a local pixel repair place that wants £175 for the fix.

Cheers

[screwloose]

1974 keep us posted. Like to hear the outcome.

[derestrictor]

In a world of automatic, 300 bhp turbo diesels, you have to be readily frothing to emphatically pummell the thrusting hordes compared to just a few years back.

I remember getting mine at the start of the millenium and it was indomitable; now, every Kevola Chavmango is up for a ruck and all too often, it's a bloody pain.

However, if you are prepared to trust in Münchenwickery, hold fast by the mainsail and simply dig in, the reward is an on-cam (i.e. post 4,000 rpm!) riot that in most cases still ensures the hegemony is restored.

[anonymous-user]

eloquently put sir! and very true..

[retreat]

Blimey- If my my missus suggested my M5 was old fashioned I'd floor the beast in second and give her something else to worry about whilst saying, "How old fashioned does that feel, my love"

Following the demonstration of power at the flex of you ankle I would open the door and allow her to admire the build quality (I'd leave the ignition off so not as to draw attention the the pixel issue)You may like to draw her attention to the lovely M5 kick plates, the puddle illuminating door lights or the feel of the steering wheel in your hand.

After all of this I would drive her down to Goodwood this Sunday and allow her to buy you breakfast while looking at a great collection of German metal!

[M5Dave]

1974nc said:

OH hates the car, wants me to get rid asap lol. says it's old fashioned and looks cheap!!!

Cheers

This proves the point that birds should never be allowed anywhere near the car buying process.

If you'd left it to your OH, you'd probably have ended up with a white Range Rover Sport, or some similar piece of tat.

Their forte is choosing household decor and furnishings, they should restrict themselves to that.

[pjv997]

M5Dave said:

1974nc said:

OH hates the car, wants me to get rid asap lol. says it's old fashioned and looks cheap!!!

Cheers

This proves the point that birds should never be allowed anywhere near the car buying process.

If you'd left it to your OH, you'd probably have ended up with a white Range Rover Sport, or some similar piece of tat.

Their forte is choosing household decor and furnishings, they should restrict themselves to that.

brave man!

[DVandrews]

OH loves the M5, why? because it has heated seats...

Dave

[humpbackmaniac]

DVandrews said:

OH loves the M5, why? because it has heated seats...

Dave

HA Ha HA !! Mine too. First thing she said! and first thing she does when getting in the car every time. Women!

Mind you, on our first date I picked her up on the 'busa, much to her mums dismay, and when we got to the pub after a heated overtake on the dual carriageway she said "Wheelies make me horny!" That sealed the deal, I can put up with her other muppetry.

[CarbonBlackM5]

1974nc said:

Thanks all,

OH hates the car, wants me to get rid asap lol. says it's old fashioned and looks cheap!!!

Nipped down to local asda and on the way back, down a quiet empty road floored it in second up a hill but tc light never even flickered and no wheelspin....?

TBH feels more like 270ish hp to me but that could be the weight and deceptiveness I suppose.

Will have to wait till saturday for the health check (unless the Mrs flogs it while I'm at work!!

Found a local pixel repair place that wants £175 for the fix.

Cheers

Cheap, LOL. I think they still look classy and are built like a tank. Even after 170K mine doesnt rattle and still feels like the £65K car it was.

Maybe your car is a little poorly. My TCS comes on all the time under hard acceleration and with it off will spin shouldnt be a problem.

[Rog B]

As above, unless you've got super slick grippy tyres it should initiate the DSC system and light up on the dash fairly easily. Also as stated i'd test the MAF's as this is a common issue, not cheap to fix, but DIY testing won't cost you anything and it's peace of mind that it's ok.

PAS can sometimes catch you out at very low rpm/speed but you get used to it, same goes for pixels, most BM's of that era suffer from it but easy to sort and not neccesary if it doesn't effect the runing of the car IMO. Have you looked under te boonet to check it has the right engine.....

[anonymous-user]

yes, all 6 cylinders are there! wait a minute.. No i have checked the engine is correct! It seems to struggle and hold back at low revs. The quickest cars i owned previously were a 380hp cosworth and a 280hp mr2, i know that being turbo'd the delivery is very different but it feels slower than both.

[u13rr1]

1974nc said:

yes, all 6 cylinders are there! wait a minute.. No i have checked the engine is correct! It seems to struggle and hold back at low revs. The quickest cars i owned previously were a 380hp cosworth and a 280hp mr2, i know that being turbo'd the delivery is very different but it feels slower than both.

I spent a few weeks reading everything I could, mainly on M5board prior to purchase. I suggest you do the same now as someone sometime has asked the same question as you - guaranteed.

Do the DIY MAF test!

and perhaps test drive a car properly next time before buying it.