Trying a 2001 M5 - What do you reckon?
Discussion
Hi,
I am taking out a 2001 M5 this weekend with a view to possibly purchasing it - I have had a quick look at it but please offer an opinion on the following.
It is October 2001 with 16k miles. Bodywork, wheels & Interior are good. It has sat nav, TV & phone prep from what I can see ... dunno about options yet but what options should I look out for?
It has been serviced yearly by the local BMW dealer to last service which was done at 14K miles and was last done in late 2005 - apparently the previous owner has a number of prestiege cars (could be sales patter but the dealer has a good rep)! The asking price is £22,999.
I used to have a hotted up scooby STI & currently drive a BMW 320 M Sport soft top in an attempt to slow down .... (that did not last long!) ... and now maybe tis time to get rid of the ZX-10R (too dangerous), 7-seater (too mundane) & convertible (too posey!) methinks so that family trips to the supermarket etc can be done in comfort & style with the odd weekend blast thrown in for my indulgance
) Insurance OK and finance sorted .... just waiting for the drive! Will the M5 take 3 kid's seats in the rear - the kind suitable for 4 & 3 year olds?
The scooby did aroung 17mpg on a good day (with a bottle of octane booster per tank of juice) and I had to replace the gearbox after I broke it and then upgrade the brakes and suspension just to get the best out of it. How does the M5 fare in relation to this? Will I have to go through the same or similar to enjoy this car at its best?
If I have this car as my only car it will be used for school run/shopping, a couple of long trips a year (circa 2k miles each) and for me to have some fun in so for this type of use would it be wise to keep a more conventional family vehicle also (such as the MPV) - or should I not be bothered about that?
Cheers
Paul
I am taking out a 2001 M5 this weekend with a view to possibly purchasing it - I have had a quick look at it but please offer an opinion on the following.
It is October 2001 with 16k miles. Bodywork, wheels & Interior are good. It has sat nav, TV & phone prep from what I can see ... dunno about options yet but what options should I look out for?
It has been serviced yearly by the local BMW dealer to last service which was done at 14K miles and was last done in late 2005 - apparently the previous owner has a number of prestiege cars (could be sales patter but the dealer has a good rep)! The asking price is £22,999.
I used to have a hotted up scooby STI & currently drive a BMW 320 M Sport soft top in an attempt to slow down .... (that did not last long!) ... and now maybe tis time to get rid of the ZX-10R (too dangerous), 7-seater (too mundane) & convertible (too posey!) methinks so that family trips to the supermarket etc can be done in comfort & style with the odd weekend blast thrown in for my indulgance
) Insurance OK and finance sorted .... just waiting for the drive! Will the M5 take 3 kid's seats in the rear - the kind suitable for 4 & 3 year olds? The scooby did aroung 17mpg on a good day (with a bottle of octane booster per tank of juice
) and I had to replace the gearbox after I broke it and then upgrade the brakes and suspension just to get the best out of it. How does the M5 fare in relation to this? Will I have to go through the same or similar to enjoy this car at its best? If I have this car as my only car it will be used for school run/shopping, a couple of long trips a year (circa 2k miles each) and for me to have some fun in so for this type of use would it be wise to keep a more conventional family vehicle also (such as the MPV) - or should I not be bothered about that?
Cheers
Paul
Edited by zangzub on Friday 13th April 02:43
An M5 will do all of the above without effort! - it IS a superb all round car that can do the mundane monday to friday in comfort and then give massive grin factor on a weekend blast.
If you drive it like a lunatic you might need to upgrade the brakes (which are prone to overheating) but if you change fluid regularly and remember the car is heavy so try to avoid frying them, you'll probably be fine.
If you're spending £22k on a low mileage (minter? it should be with those miles!) do you really want to use it as a 'chuck the kids in the back shopping trolley'??
I'd be spending £13k-15k on a really good higher mileage (70kish?) example thats had the VANOS done.
If you drive it like a lunatic you might need to upgrade the brakes (which are prone to overheating) but if you change fluid regularly and remember the car is heavy so try to avoid frying them, you'll probably be fine.
If you're spending £22k on a low mileage (minter? it should be with those miles!) do you really want to use it as a 'chuck the kids in the back shopping trolley'??
I'd be spending £13k-15k on a really good higher mileage (70kish?) example thats had the VANOS done.
POORCARDEALER said:
too expensive buy a 52/03 for similar money with a touch more miles, it will hold its money better
Agreed, the problem with these very low mileage cars is, you pay a fortune for them, and as soon as you start putting any mileage on them, the value just falls out them.
That aside, they really are great cars, and a superb all round package. It will easily accomodate your family, trundle around town performing all the usual mundane tasks with ease, then when the mood takes you, just press the sport button on the dash, and it transforms itself into a road racer.
yes, I bought a 03/03 with 22k and big spec for £25,500 from a main dealer. The mileage on the car you have found does make it pretty unique, but not worth miles more than any other 2001 car.
If you are going to be putting on some miles, you would be better off, starting with a car that has already got a few, and getting better value for money.
Spec wise, Commms pack does make quite a bit of difference to value, and if you get a late 2003 car it will come with bluetooth telephone, instead of a fiixed phone that you have to put your sim card into.
If you are going to be putting on some miles, you would be better off, starting with a car that has already got a few, and getting better value for money.
Spec wise, Commms pack does make quite a bit of difference to value, and if you get a late 2003 car it will come with bluetooth telephone, instead of a fiixed phone that you have to put your sim card into.
Thanks All.
As I suspected mileage should not make the car attract a significant premium such as this one has .... I will probably look to find something more appropriate or I might try to get this one at less than 20k as it does appear to be mint but warranty etc will play a major role.
I'll still have a go in it though I also have a test drive in a 2004 RS6 saloon arranged during the weekend mainly as a comparison.
As I suspected mileage should not make the car attract a significant premium such as this one has .... I will probably look to find something more appropriate or I might try to get this one at less than 20k as it does appear to be mint but warranty etc will play a major role.
I'll still have a go in it though
I also have a test drive in a 2004 RS6 saloon arranged during the weekend mainly as a comparison. I've seen a few ads for E39 M5s and I'm amazed at the prices - £14k for a '99 with 68k on the clock. Got to give one of these serious thought now...
Can someone give me an idea of running costs and servicing costs/common problems (VANOS aside) or post a link to a previous thread?
Cheers, Animal
Can someone give me an idea of running costs and servicing costs/common problems (VANOS aside) or post a link to a previous thread?
Cheers, Animal
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