Discussion
Unfortunately my wife had a crash in our E39 540i/6 Touring a few weeks ago. In a rush I have replaced this with another car which will meet the requirements of the school run, etc. but with those requirements taken care of I plan to take the opportunity to get an E39 M5 to replace it with for myself too!
One of the requirements on my side I need to meet with the new car is to be able to tow my track car on a trailer very occasionally. I fitted a removeable Westfalia tow bar to the 540 and would like to do similar with an M5. I think a similar type of tow bar would be available for the M5 - does anyone have any experience of using one? On the 540 I bought a small plastic cover that hides the connection point when not in use - is there likely to be a similar flap you can get that will fit the rear bumper of an M5 (is the rear bumper a different shape to the other models in the E39 saloon range, for example?)
Apart from the obvious (autotrader and the classifieds section of PH) are there any forums I should be checking where enthusiasts might be advertising nice examples for sale? If anyone on here becomes aware of a nice one for sale then please point me in the direction! Thanks
One of the requirements on my side I need to meet with the new car is to be able to tow my track car on a trailer very occasionally. I fitted a removeable Westfalia tow bar to the 540 and would like to do similar with an M5. I think a similar type of tow bar would be available for the M5 - does anyone have any experience of using one? On the 540 I bought a small plastic cover that hides the connection point when not in use - is there likely to be a similar flap you can get that will fit the rear bumper of an M5 (is the rear bumper a different shape to the other models in the E39 saloon range, for example?)
Apart from the obvious (autotrader and the classifieds section of PH) are there any forums I should be checking where enthusiasts might be advertising nice examples for sale? If anyone on here becomes aware of a nice one for sale then please point me in the direction! Thanks
There are at least 2 PH members (who I am sure will be here soon 
) that I know of who have a detachable tow bar fitted to their M5's, and I will have one fitted sometime next year. Original BMW is only way to go, but very expensive at £1300 (ish). Did have a quote for a custom made tow bar which was a more manageable £600 (ish).
) that I know of who have a detachable tow bar fitted to their M5's, and I will have one fitted sometime next year. Original BMW is only way to go, but very expensive at £1300 (ish). Did have a quote for a custom made tow bar which was a more manageable £600 (ish).I do not know what the manufacturer is of the BMW one, but the rear valance needs to be replaced by one with a small lid which provides access to the bar. Am trying to find a picture for you...
There are in any case no aftermarket towbars available for the E39 M5 (but if you do prove me wrong, drop me a message, as I will be very interested).
There are in any case no aftermarket towbars available for the E39 M5 (but if you do prove me wrong, drop me a message, as I will be very interested
).Yes, thanks, that is the kind of thing I had in mind - very similar to the one I have on the 540 - you wouldn't really notice it could take a tow ball most of the time! I think I got the 540 one for a couple of hundred quid online and it was very easy to fit once the bumper was off as no holes needed to be drilled or anything! I just unbolted the bumper absorbtion damper things and bolted the tow bar in its place. I'll keep you posted if they can supply me the parts - I've got to buy the car first though!
Update - I'm now the proud owner of a 2001 M5 in Le Mans blue with blue/black interior. I looked at quite a number in the end but this was easily the best of the bunch I saw, and although this wasn't the colour combination I set out to get (wasn't too bothered to start with, although I definitely fancied a change to the wood trim I had in the 540) once I had seen a few I had decided that this would be my ideal combination.
There are only a couple of tiny things I need to do on the car. Boot light does not come on - probably just the bulb to replace. The wheels have already been recently refurbed but I am going to replace the centre caps as they are obviously the original ones and look a bit faded compared to the rest of the car, and also the M stickers on the wheel itself have gone so I will replace those too.
I've not tackled the tow bar yet, having only owned the car for a few days - my plan is to take off the rear bumper and check the mountings behind before buying anything as there is a small chance some or all of my 540i tow bar kit I fitted to that could just be transferred across.
However, I'm again after advice based on the wealth of experience on here for a couple of little things I want to add to it...
Floor mats. The car didn't come with any (although the original carpet looks very clean so I think they were probably just thrown out before sale as maybe they were looking untidy) so where is the best place to source some and which ones come recommended? They need to be proper carpet ones that meet the quality of the rest of the car, not those plain rubber ones you can get. I found some available on a well known auction site that come with an 'M5' logo stitched onto them - does anyone know if these are any good? Has anyone seen a nice carpet for the boot for sale anywhere as I'd like to put something in there too to keep the original from wearing.
I need new boots all round. What tyres do people recommend? A number of cars I viewed had Continentals on them but I was thinking of fitting something like Michelin PS2s?
There are only a couple of tiny things I need to do on the car. Boot light does not come on - probably just the bulb to replace. The wheels have already been recently refurbed but I am going to replace the centre caps as they are obviously the original ones and look a bit faded compared to the rest of the car, and also the M stickers on the wheel itself have gone so I will replace those too.
I've not tackled the tow bar yet, having only owned the car for a few days - my plan is to take off the rear bumper and check the mountings behind before buying anything as there is a small chance some or all of my 540i tow bar kit I fitted to that could just be transferred across.
However, I'm again after advice based on the wealth of experience on here for a couple of little things I want to add to it...
Floor mats. The car didn't come with any (although the original carpet looks very clean so I think they were probably just thrown out before sale as maybe they were looking untidy) so where is the best place to source some and which ones come recommended? They need to be proper carpet ones that meet the quality of the rest of the car, not those plain rubber ones you can get. I found some available on a well known auction site that come with an 'M5' logo stitched onto them - does anyone know if these are any good? Has anyone seen a nice carpet for the boot for sale anywhere as I'd like to put something in there too to keep the original from wearing.
I need new boots all round. What tyres do people recommend? A number of cars I viewed had Continentals on them but I was thinking of fitting something like Michelin PS2s?
You can't beat OEM mats, but they come at a price 
I bought a set of the //M ones on the 'bay and they are ok. Didn't come with the correct fixings though, but a bit of diy on them soon corrected that. They are mats, which inevitably going to be dirty, wear and get stuff on them that you don't want in your carpets... so I feel better for spending less
I also had to replace my tyres and went for Kumho's. Total bill was < £600, and so far they've been decent.
I bought a set of the //M ones on the 'bay and they are ok. Didn't come with the correct fixings though, but a bit of diy on them soon corrected that. They are mats, which inevitably going to be dirty, wear and get stuff on them that you don't want in your carpets... so I feel better for spending less I also had to replace my tyres and went for Kumho's. Total bill was < £600, and so far they've been decent.
cosworth330 said:
I fitted x4 Goodyear eagle F1 Assymetrics, brilliant tyres,much better than the Dunlops that were previously fitted.
i did the same, the dunlops just didnt last, eagle f1's seem to hold up much better and offer great grip. when i swap ill most likely go for pilot sport 3's thoGassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff