E39 Facelift M5
Discussion
Hi guys, recently got a new job and am looking at getting an M5 for a weekend runabout for a grin.
I've seen quite a few about on Pistonheads and have tested a stonking example of one that was a 2003 version, with 80k miles but @ £20k was pricey. AUC at BMW though so probably worth it.
There are a few facelift versions on sale for between 12-15k, and I'm quite keen to find out if at this price range they will be worth investing in. I know they are expensive to run and guzzle petrol, but for that price it almost seems like it's too good to be true.
I wont point it out exactly, but for £12k there's an 80k ish miler, 2001 facelift and looks the business (excluding comms pack - which might explain the price). Is £12k in the right range for that?
I've done a search and it's probably been repeated before, but what specifically should I look out for when looking at these cars? Vanos seems to be expensive but not quite what has been made out, and facelift engines drink less oil and are generally the ones to go for.
Would be interested to hear what you guys think. Cheers.
I've seen quite a few about on Pistonheads and have tested a stonking example of one that was a 2003 version, with 80k miles but @ £20k was pricey. AUC at BMW though so probably worth it.
There are a few facelift versions on sale for between 12-15k, and I'm quite keen to find out if at this price range they will be worth investing in. I know they are expensive to run and guzzle petrol, but for that price it almost seems like it's too good to be true.
I wont point it out exactly, but for £12k there's an 80k ish miler, 2001 facelift and looks the business (excluding comms pack - which might explain the price). Is £12k in the right range for that?
I've done a search and it's probably been repeated before, but what specifically should I look out for when looking at these cars? Vanos seems to be expensive but not quite what has been made out, and facelift engines drink less oil and are generally the ones to go for.
Would be interested to hear what you guys think. Cheers.
If I was looking again. I think I would seriously consider going with out the TV/Nav. TV was never used. Tape deck was never used. TomTom is 10 times better as a sat nav, so sat nav was never used and the standard unit can have a 6-disk unit with it.
My Comms unit gave me many gremlins too. Could be I was unlucky? 1.5k could be spent else where.
Paul.B
My Comms unit gave me many gremlins too. Could be I was unlucky? 1.5k could be spent else where.
Paul.B
I bought mine 2 months ago and I absolutly love it! Its my 3rd 5 series, and the 2001 facelift model. The TV/nav is a good option to have. For comms I have installed a Parrot 3200 LS bluetooth interface kit, and it works a treat.
Only issue I have had is that a Denison ipod inteface kit (which sacrifices the boot CD changer) does not work, despite my local (and very reputable) car audio engineer trying all sorts of things to get it to work... apparently Denison do know that their units can sometimes not work, but can't figure out why.....
I'm rambbling now....
Anyway... Couldn't be happier, you won't regret it!
Only issue I have had is that a Denison ipod inteface kit (which sacrifices the boot CD changer) does not work, despite my local (and very reputable) car audio engineer trying all sorts of things to get it to work... apparently Denison do know that their units can sometimes not work, but can't figure out why.....
I'm rambbling now....
Anyway... Couldn't be happier, you won't regret it!
Paul.B said:
If I was looking again. I think I would seriously consider going with out the TV/Nav...
I agree with this. Tomtom miles better. Comms pack is nice to have, but not something to make or break a deal on.A few years ago one member of the BMW forums destroyed the value of non-satnav E39 M5's...it became the must-have option, above the warranty!
I think it depends on what you get used to. I have a 2002 model car with comms/nav/tv and love these items - ok I did upgrade them a bit. I bought a mk4 DVD based nav off ebay and swapped it with the CD based version - much faster and better graphics. Plus I modded the map disc so that it shows UK speed cameras too. I am sure the latest tom-tom probably has more functions, however, the built in one is cleaner, always there and works great. The TV is nice to have when bored, waiting for the wife to shop, or in vv slow traffic (with TV in motion cable). And finally, I installed a bluetooth retrofit kit (off bimmernav.com) which gives me full integration with the built in comms kit, address book via the TV screen, speech recognition, etc....OK, so I upgraded what was there, but was also satisfied with the original equip pre-upgrade. So in summary, I would definitely get one with these toys...
...however, those of you that either wanted to save 1.5K, or found a great example without nav/comms/tv, I am sure have got around it, are using tom-tom and are equally happy
So in conclusion, I think it is worth it, others may have different experience, each to their own...
...however, those of you that either wanted to save 1.5K, or found a great example without nav/comms/tv, I am sure have got around it, are using tom-tom and are equally happy
So in conclusion, I think it is worth it, others may have different experience, each to their own...
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