E39 M5 buying questions
Discussion
I am thinking of replacing my 156 V6 with an M5 or possibly a GTA (or possibly keeping it).
I looked at a 1999 V reg today, 67000 miles, 15000GBP inc 1 year dealer warranty (he said it covers all mechanical).
Firstly, should I be worried about it being an early example (Vanos, piston rings etc)?
Last service included new MAFs, new front discs, inspection II, and some other front suspension bits - 2100 GBP in all.
I drove it for about 30 mins on A and B roads, and was slightly underwhelmed, much to my surprise. Here's what I found.
The clutch bite was almost immediate (I stalled twice moving off), long throw, unsensitive accelerator (a la TVR), quieter engine note than expected. Brakes super, steering slightly worse than the Alfa in terms of feel and response.
I found the engine needed a hefty prod of pedal and then spun up rather reluncantly. Although the power was appreciable, with a huge wave of torque, it did not seem like twice the BHP of the Alfa. The experience was also quite isolated: heave down on pedal, wait, revs build, firm but gentle thrust in back, and, oh, look, the countryside is now moving past much faster. True, 80 mph came round quickly, but almost unnoticed.
Am I missing something? Is the car a lemon?
Driving off in the Alfa I thought I would be really disappointed, with its much softer set up, half power and front wheel drive. However, the steering was pin sharp, the engine spun-up like a turbine, sounded like a banshee and we reached 80 mph in an altogether more exciting manner.
What's wrong....do I need help?
Dr C
I looked at a 1999 V reg today, 67000 miles, 15000GBP inc 1 year dealer warranty (he said it covers all mechanical).
Firstly, should I be worried about it being an early example (Vanos, piston rings etc)?
Last service included new MAFs, new front discs, inspection II, and some other front suspension bits - 2100 GBP in all.
I drove it for about 30 mins on A and B roads, and was slightly underwhelmed, much to my surprise. Here's what I found.
The clutch bite was almost immediate (I stalled twice moving off), long throw, unsensitive accelerator (a la TVR), quieter engine note than expected. Brakes super, steering slightly worse than the Alfa in terms of feel and response.
I found the engine needed a hefty prod of pedal and then spun up rather reluncantly. Although the power was appreciable, with a huge wave of torque, it did not seem like twice the BHP of the Alfa. The experience was also quite isolated: heave down on pedal, wait, revs build, firm but gentle thrust in back, and, oh, look, the countryside is now moving past much faster. True, 80 mph came round quickly, but almost unnoticed.
Am I missing something? Is the car a lemon?
Driving off in the Alfa I thought I would be really disappointed, with its much softer set up, half power and front wheel drive. However, the steering was pin sharp, the engine spun-up like a turbine, sounded like a banshee and we reached 80 mph in an altogether more exciting manner.
What's wrong....do I need help?
Dr C
Only piece of advice is to drive as many M5 as possible to get a feel for what makes a "good" one - I saw about 7 before finally finding mine, so knew what the benchmark was. The one you drove doesn't sound right. If you step out of a 156 2.5 V6 and into an M5, it should feel very significantly gruntier.
The M5 certainly shifted, but it was a much more remote sensation. I couldn't leave the back windows open due to wind noise. Perhaps the Alfa's screaming V6 made it sound faster?
It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
Dr Chuff said:
The M5 certainly shifted, but it was a much more remote sensation. I couldn't leave the back windows open due to wind noise. Perhaps the Alfa's screaming V6 made it sound faster?
It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
You need more time with an M5!It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
The throttle response in sport is about as good as it gets and for record would out accelerate the Alfa using no more than 4000 rpm.
You can drive the M5 over its limits and the feedback and response get better.
They are also very fast,0-100 in 11.5 sec is big league.
The thing about the M5 is it's a deceptive little bugger. Without killing the clutch it will not willingly do the 5 second 0 - 60 time and it does feel slow to accelerate at the lower rev range. however, on song and in its power band it absolutely flies and can be made to do stupid things. It's great on fast A roads but is's a bit too heavy and insensitive for the cross country stuff. It really is an all-rounder - just make VERY sure you can afford the bills if/when it goes wrong, beacuse it will, in both frustratingly niggly ways and bloody annoying major ways as well...
Dr Chuff said:
The M5 certainly shifted, but it was a much more remote sensation. I couldn't leave the back windows open due to wind noise. Perhaps the Alfa's screaming V6 made it sound faster?
It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
I went from a TVR to an M5 and I certainly got the 'wow' factor when I drove the M5. I tested 4 and certainly could tell the difference between the good and the bad. Sounds like you probably drove one in need of attention. Running right, these things really do deliver!!It is also 400kg lighter. But 0-60 mph 7.5s against 4.9 must be noticable?
Anyone willing to offer a passenger ride to show how it should feel?
Dr C
As for feeling remote - yes its a big 4 door lump of a car, but the harder you push them the better they get and the more feedback they give you. Its why they were so rated in their day - in the right hands they can be driven like a much lighter 'sportier' car, safely and quickly.
If you didn't get a buzz from it - try another. If you still don't then don't buy one!
Echoing the above, take your time and go look for a few so that you can draw your own comparisons. I went looking at five before I found one that I was happy with, and that included test driving one from a main dealer which had a utterly destroyed clutch - much to the embarassment of the salesman.... "Wait till I speak to the head technician, heads are going to roll! etc."
I parted with my money after test driving the first one.
Have only had since the begining of May and havnt stopped grinning
Had a few problems but the dealer sorted most of them and the others sorted with help from peeps on the forums.
So far has been great but who knows what is around the corner.
Couldnt resist planting a pic of my beast
Cheers
Dave
Have only had since the begining of May and havnt stopped grinning
Had a few problems but the dealer sorted most of them and the others sorted with help from peeps on the forums.
So far has been great but who knows what is around the corner.
Couldnt resist planting a pic of my beast
Cheers
Dave
Edited by M5 Muttley on Monday 13th August 09:54
Dr Chuff said:
Thanks to all so far for your comments.
I'm going to pick up a 2000 model tomorrow from James Paul in Sussex.
16k GBP for a 79k miler in mint condition, FBMWSH, and a 'good' history, including new clutch.
If I'm still impressed after the test drive, I'll part with the cash.
Cheers
Dr C
Facelift model? If not, the price is a bit steep though it could of course be a genuine minter. Good luckI'm going to pick up a 2000 model tomorrow from James Paul in Sussex.
16k GBP for a 79k miler in mint condition, FBMWSH, and a 'good' history, including new clutch.
If I'm still impressed after the test drive, I'll part with the cash.
Cheers
Dr C
Rassi, the car is spotless inside and out. It does however have a rectangular rear view mirror, not oval, which I guess is no concern. Gives a wider view.
I am still slightly uneasy about paying 16k for a car with 80k on the clock. The car I am selling only has 52k. But it's not an M5.
Dr C
I am still slightly uneasy about paying 16k for a car with 80k on the clock. The car I am selling only has 52k. But it's not an M5.
Dr C
As a sometime pilot of a very healthy e39 M5, I do agree that
it can feel a little flat at the low end of the rev range. I think this is BMW making it an easy drive around town.
Now if you look just ahead of the base of the gear lever a little button lurks "SPORT MODE" press this and it turns from a pussycat into a raging tiger!!!!!!
It just changes everything throttle response is sharpened up massively, steering weighting becomes more noticeable and more accurate and the car just shrinks around you if you havent used this you wont believe the difference. it feels like a two tonne 400bhp go cart and you will think you're in a different car
Regards Rob..
it can feel a little flat at the low end of the rev range. I think this is BMW making it an easy drive around town.
Now if you look just ahead of the base of the gear lever a little button lurks "SPORT MODE" press this and it turns from a pussycat into a raging tiger!!!!!!
It just changes everything throttle response is sharpened up massively, steering weighting becomes more noticeable and more accurate and the car just shrinks around you if you havent used this you wont believe the difference. it feels like a two tonne 400bhp go cart and you will think you're in a different car
Regards Rob..
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