m5 a money pit?

[blindswelledrat]

I was considering buying an older (2001) m5 as family car as they represent excellent value at the moment.
How reliable are they and what are upkeep costs like?
thanks

[dcb]

blindswelledrat said:

I was considering buying an older (2001) m5 as family car as they represent excellent value at the moment. How reliable are they and what are upkeep costs like? thanks

2001 isn't that old - should be very reliable.

Expcet them to be a deep money pit when they need servicing or something goes wrong.

Top Gear magazine has some made up numbers which indicate 107 p a mile running costs. For comparision, a 520 has 52 p a mile.

They are full of high performance components that aren't used on the rest of the 5 series range.

A BMW dealer will be very keen to service it.

Expect 20 or less mpg in town, and not much more out of town. Group 20 insurance.

[chippy17]

yes but oh so worth it!

[hereward]

Make sure you buy one with the renewable BMW Warranty and FBMWSH. That'll cover the vast majority of any potential problems.

These things are actually pretty bomb-proof. If insurance and fuel aren't a problem for you then there are no reasons you shouldn't go for it.

I bought mine last July. No problems whatsoever in the last 11 months and 6,000 miles.

[gibo993]

I drive a 2001, buy with a Warranty and this covers nearly the whole car, bar brakes etc.

Servicing intervals are very long so for 12-15k miles a year will mean one big service every 2 years (£800 ish) 1 small oil service in between ( £170 )

Other cost's warranty renewal each year £1000
Tyres 1 set a year £650 - £700

then fuel at 14.4 mpg driving in town
19 mpg on faster roads and 23 on motorways.

Fantastic car