M5 last model

[gunner]

Anyone out there with much experience of the last M5 with the manual gearbox?I am thinking about buying one.I need a 4 door car,must be manual,and there seem to be a couple of nice examples about.Will test drive this w.e. but is this car very dated in comparison to say the new M5 or an RS4?THANKS.

[kentmotorcompany]

Ive just bought one, (see my other post) and I love it.

Although in answer to your qeustion, it proberbly depends how you feel about it, because, yes it is an old shape car now. To anyone who dosnt know much about cars, it will just look like an old 5 series, you will never impress most people when you show it to them. Its almost too subtle, but in many ways thats a good thing.

But on the other hand if you want a brilliant car and are not too worried about impressing people, it cant be beaten for the money.

People who know about cars, know what they are, and thats more important.

[gunner]

thank you.I should have been more specific,I should have referred to the driving experience,not the image.I agree entirely,its subtlety is one of its best features.

[kentmotorcompany]

The driving experience is arguably the best you can get for the money, and better than most for more money.

[Belleair302]

If you have some spare money having purchased the car, get some decent brakes. Otherwise its a great piece of engineering!

[stepr1]

Does anyone know if this model comes with ISOFIX or not??

[Ashok]

stepr1 said:

Does anyone know if this model comes with ISOFIX or not??

Varies by year. Most of the post 2001 cars have this. It's quite easy to check.

[RichBurley]

Belleair302 said:

If you have some spare money having purchased the car, get some decent brakes. Otherwise its a great piece of engineering!

What's wrong with the standard E39 M5 brakes for someone who wouldn't be taking their car on a Track day?

[Belleair302]

If you aractually going to drive the car hard, on the road not the track, or want to go across Europe on holiday, you will find the brake pedal does not give the best of responses. The E39 is a heavy car and BMW do not spend enough on brake technology. Many owners have gone ofr kits made by Mov'it.de, AP and Wilwood or kts supplied by CA Automotive. Best addition that you can make and will transform the car.

[gunner]

where would I find the best examples?is this still a main dealer car or would any of the specialists have stock worth checking out?

[Belleair302]

Main dealers would not have so many cars around now. Look on here in classified section, and then the BMW specialists and check these out via the mgazines, ie BMW Car and Total BMW and on the BMW UK Owners club. Independent Motor Company near Reading and Munich Legends in Surrey also worth a shot.

[kentmotorcompany]

Most will be on Autotrader.
You need to check that, PH Classifieds, and BMW website daily. When a good car comes up, you can be sure it wont last too long.