BMW M5 problem (E39 2001)....

[dbrook007]

Hi.

Does anyone know what this might be....

Got a problem with my BMW M5 E39...

Whilst accelerating and changing gear from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th, there's a problem with the engine revs.

In 2nd, chaning up a gear at 5,500-6,000rpm, when 3rd gear is engaged, the rev counter still shows the engine revving at around 6,000 for 2-3 seconds before it drops down to around 4,000 rpm. During this time, the car does not accelerate.

This happens too in going from 3rd to 4th. It happens with the Sport button on or off.

Could this be a clutch problem? .....or an engine ECU problem??? ....something else???

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Darren

e-mail: [e-mail]
Mobile/SMS: 07971 678 007

[RUSS540]

Hello Darren

The M5 has a clutch delay valve that BMW installed to stop 400 horse power destroying the drive train if you sidestep the clutch by accident (or on purpose!!)....Could be this..Or it could be the clutch..I'd get it looked at before you cook it!

Russ BMW 540i

[futie]

RUSS540 said:

The M5 has a clutch delay valve that BMW installed to stop 400 horse power destroying the drive train if you sidestep the clutch by accident

Russ, are you sure about this? I heard the M5 didn't have the CDV, but it would certainly explain the hard time I have making smooth progress in mine.


I've read that it's fairly simple to disconnect too ..

[superlightr]

hey futie - how you getting on?

[kamal996]

The control for the VANOS systems can play up on these cars. Get it checked by BMW

[mobilecentre]

Clutch slip I would say, make sure the clutch is FULLY engaged before appyling power

[futie]

superlightr said:

hey futie - how you getting on?

Fine thanks, James. Don't do many miles in the M5 at the moment - the occasional blast, but that's all. It's always got one or two faults, but (touch wood) they are always sorted by the dealer and aren't major.

At the moment we've got:

• Clicking from suspension/wheels on sharp turns

• Over sensitive throttle

• Rear cupholders broken (again)

• Rear light bulbs keep blowing

• Handbrake crap

• Clutch squeaks loudly

But the other day I drove on the same back roads that i'd been on hours earlier in a Westfield XTR2. And I know they aren't the perfect roads for a track car, but to say the M5 was impressive is a large understatement. When you compare a car you've helped to actually build with one with years of development and sheer expertise in every area you can't help but be humbled.

And to cap it all, I keep saying this, but it's an absolute BARGAIN at the moment. Cheapest one in AT is £17K!! Find me something else with 400BHP and a chassis like the E39 and i'll show you another M5!

[abarber]

Could well be clutch. My friends M5 E39 clutch just went at 59k miles. Luckily managed to get the dealer to fix it under warranty, as it was only bought 2 weeks ago..

Al.

[ColinM]

My car had a bad clutch when I bought it. I took to a BMW dealer and asked them to test it. A mechanic came out and put it into neutral then let the clutch out with about 3000rpm on the clock and his foot on the brake. He said it should have enough bite to stall the engine but it came all the way up. Then billows of smoke appeared and he stopped.
His conclusion was I need a new clutch

Fortunately I had just bought it from a BMW dealer and they paid for a new one.

P.S. My handbrake is crap too.

[MrSBC]

Hi Darren,

Almost certainly the clutch has had it. Time for a new one!

Oh and Futie, sounds like one (or both) of the rear sway-bar brackets has broken. If you get under the car and look at the rear suspension assembly you should be able to see if they are cracked. Quite a common problem as they are particually flimsy. Common symptom is clicking/creaking/clunking when going round corners. If its not that it could be more serious?

MrSBC

[futie]

MrSBC said:

Oh and Futie, sounds like one (or both) of the rear sway-bar brackets has broken. If you get under the car and look at the rear suspension assembly you should be able to see if they are cracked. Quite a common problem as they are particually flimsy. Common symptom is clicking/creaking/clunking when going round corners. If its not that it could be more serious?

Hi - yes, i've already changed one of them about 6 months ago and am aware that they are a weak point! But I think I checked these a few weeks ago and they were fine. Must get my finger out and book it into the dealer I think!

[arcbeer]

So handbrake doesn't work, the odd niggle persist, reasonably expensive repairs, some use 1 litre of oil per 1000 miles, the odd clutch problem crops up.....

Perhaps changing from the Cerbera to an M5 won't be so different after all

[gixerlix]

[quote=futie]
At the moment we've got:

• Over sensitive throttle

• Rear cupholders broken (again)

• Handbrake crap

• Clutch squeaks loudly

quote]

All fitted as standard on mine too!

[stuh]

futie said:

Over sensitive throttle

They all do this