Not the best start to M-ownership....
Discussion
So I picked up my 2002 E39 M5 from a main dealer on Friday and had an awesome weekend in it. Covered around 800 miles (including a run to and from Manchester to London) and loved every minute, driving around with the biggest grin on my face.
That was until I broke down just off the M4 last night as I was driving to the dealer to get them to check out something very minor on the bodywork. I left the motorway, put it into third, lifted my foot off the clutch pedal, applied some gas and... It just revved away with no power being transferred at all. The clutch just doesn't seem to engage. Engine sounds fine but something is obviously amiss, so it's still with the dealer and I'm awaiting word on what's wrong as they didn't get it into the workshop today.
Ah well.
That was until I broke down just off the M4 last night as I was driving to the dealer to get them to check out something very minor on the bodywork. I left the motorway, put it into third, lifted my foot off the clutch pedal, applied some gas and... It just revved away with no power being transferred at all. The clutch just doesn't seem to engage. Engine sounds fine but something is obviously amiss, so it's still with the dealer and I'm awaiting word on what's wrong as they didn't get it into the workshop today.
Ah well.
Welcome to the world of the E39 M5's delicate clutch... Had the same experience in the beginning of my ownership, and realised that you need to be sure the clutch has fully engaged BEFORE applying any throttle. You may have experienced just the one clutch slip, and no permanent damage, or your clutch was severely on the way out already (= new clutch + possibly flywheel = $$$$$) Hopefully the dealer will cover it.
Yeah, I'll have to wait and see what the verdict is. I test drove a few before picking this one, including one which had a clutch that was already on the way out, but this felt fine - and had done all weekend. No slippage, and I've not seriously hammered it or anything.
Whatever happened yesterday though meant it was completely immobile so something pretty drastic went wrong somewhere.
Whatever happened yesterday though meant it was completely immobile so something pretty drastic went wrong somewhere.
Welcome to the world of AUC cars, I picked up an M3 cab. 10 days ago, drove it home Fri night then straight to the dealer Mon morning as it did`nt feel right and I`ve had it back for 2 x half days since. Now on a flat bed returning to a dealer for the 3rd time.
I guess if there`s a problem with a used car the dealer has a choice pay to fix it themselves before selling it or sell it then get BMW UK to pay for the work under the AUC warranty. `Can`t beleive BMW haven`t cottoned on to it yet.
I guess if there`s a problem with a used car the dealer has a choice pay to fix it themselves before selling it or sell it then get BMW UK to pay for the work under the AUC warranty. `Can`t beleive BMW haven`t cottoned on to it yet.
Between 3rd and 4th, when driven very hard, the clutch will often slip like this. In a nutshell the clutch isnt man enough for the amount of power, does not mean its worn out. You will find that by letting the rev's settle for a split second after engaging the next gear, and lifting off the clutch pedal, then giviing it the power, it should be fine.
Very hard standing starts can have the same effect.
I hope that this is what's wrong with yours, and not something more serious.
Very hard standing starts can have the same effect.
I hope that this is what's wrong with yours, and not something more serious.
Sorry to hear about your problem. Was the car driving ok afterwards or did the problem occur and then kapoot! No more drive to the rear wheels?
I had the clutch go on a Griff 500 I bought whilst driving home having picked it up. Kinda left a sour taste that one!
I've had my E39 M5 about 5-6 weeks now and love it. Quicker than the E55 and Alpina B10 V8 that I've had. Shinks around you where as the E55 never did. Always felt big & bulky. The Alpina had the quishy seats and was auto, so never quite had that edge the M5 has.
Good luck & keep us posted.
Paul.B
I had the clutch go on a Griff 500 I bought whilst driving home having picked it up. Kinda left a sour taste that one!
I've had my E39 M5 about 5-6 weeks now and love it. Quicker than the E55 and Alpina B10 V8 that I've had. Shinks around you where as the E55 never did. Always felt big & bulky. The Alpina had the quishy seats and was auto, so never quite had that edge the M5 has.
Good luck & keep us posted.
Paul.B
An update, although the car still isn't fixed 
So I left the car with the main dealer and went to Spain for two weeks, expecting it to be sorted by the time I returned. I chased them several occassions, asking them to make sure they didn't leave it until the last minute. Which is exactly what they did, of course.
They originally believed the problem to be something to do with the driveshaft, and replaced a part this morning. I was supposed to collect it at 11am, and then they said 'about 2pm'. I received another call at 1.30pm saying that what they replaced hadn't solved the problem, and that they'd need the car a few more days - possibly until early next week.
What a joke.
So I left the car with the main dealer and went to Spain for two weeks, expecting it to be sorted by the time I returned. I chased them several occassions, asking them to make sure they didn't leave it until the last minute. Which is exactly what they did, of course.
They originally believed the problem to be something to do with the driveshaft, and replaced a part this morning. I was supposed to collect it at 11am, and then they said 'about 2pm'. I received another call at 1.30pm saying that what they replaced hadn't solved the problem, and that they'd need the car a few more days - possibly until early next week.
What a joke.
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