2007 BMW M5 Touring (E61)
Discussion
Looking to replace one that was stolen I requested a viewing.
Seller replied "...bid to drive." Then I was called by the consigner "Pistonheads and the owner do not want random people coming for viewings" "are you prepared to bid more than 25k".... "All viewings are static the owner won't be taking you for a drive."
Do Pistonheads/consigners/sellers take everyone for feckless timewasters?
As a 7-year owner I know what to look for. So what are they hiding?
Not the tyres dated 2014/15 or the fact this has not been driven much and resulting maintenance deficit.
Even ten years ago some of these Tourings were harsh so are the dampers still supple?
Is the diff moaning?
Is the engine good or is it an unloved garage maiden?
Will it drive straight and stop straight or try to put you in a hedge like one I saw.
Only one TA done but not the ICVs
Active bolsters?
The roof?
The dash?
Hydro-motor?
Clutch?
I was fussy about the one I bought yet it still needed regular attention and 5k per year. So, the recent low mileage and gaps in SH weigh large in my mind.
Seller replied "...bid to drive." Then I was called by the consigner "Pistonheads and the owner do not want random people coming for viewings" "are you prepared to bid more than 25k".... "All viewings are static the owner won't be taking you for a drive."
Do Pistonheads/consigners/sellers take everyone for feckless timewasters?
As a 7-year owner I know what to look for. So what are they hiding?
Not the tyres dated 2014/15 or the fact this has not been driven much and resulting maintenance deficit.
Even ten years ago some of these Tourings were harsh so are the dampers still supple?
Is the diff moaning?
Is the engine good or is it an unloved garage maiden?
Will it drive straight and stop straight or try to put you in a hedge like one I saw.
Only one TA done but not the ICVs
Active bolsters?
The roof?
The dash?
Hydro-motor?
Clutch?
I was fussy about the one I bought yet it still needed regular attention and 5k per year. So, the recent low mileage and gaps in SH weigh large in my mind.
No test runs is a bit short-sighted on the part of the seller given that there is zero warranty expressed or implied. There is a lot that can go wrong with one of these that can be quite dear to put right. I speak as an 8 year E61 M5 owner…
Hammer price may be significantly reduced unless there are enough brave pills amongst a couple of bidders.
Hammer price may be significantly reduced unless there are enough brave pills amongst a couple of bidders.
robi4387 said:
Looking to replace one that was stolen I requested a viewing.
Seller replied "...bid to drive." Then I was called by the consigner "Pistonheads and the owner do not want random people coming for viewings" "are you prepared to bid more than 25k".... "All viewings are static the owner won't be taking you for a drive."
Do Pistonheads/consigners/sellers take everyone for feckless timewasters?
As a 7-year owner I know what to look for. So what are they hiding?
Not the tyres dated 2014/15 or the fact this has not been driven much and resulting maintenance deficit.
Even ten years ago some of these Tourings were harsh so are the dampers still supple?
Is the diff moaning?
Is the engine good or is it an unloved garage maiden?
Will it drive straight and stop straight or try to put you in a hedge like one I saw.
Only one TA done but not the ICVs
Active bolsters?
The roof?
The dash?
Hydro-motor?
Clutch?
I was fussy about the one I bought yet it still needed regular attention and 5k per year. So, the recent low mileage and gaps in SH weigh large in my mind.
Thank you for your comment. I am the consignment Manager here at PH Auctions. It appears there maybe a slight misunderstanding. The car is of course open to viewings and yes the car is open for test drives, so long as adequate insurance is provided and it is suitable for logistics with the seller.Seller replied "...bid to drive." Then I was called by the consigner "Pistonheads and the owner do not want random people coming for viewings" "are you prepared to bid more than 25k".... "All viewings are static the owner won't be taking you for a drive."
Do Pistonheads/consigners/sellers take everyone for feckless timewasters?
As a 7-year owner I know what to look for. So what are they hiding?
Not the tyres dated 2014/15 or the fact this has not been driven much and resulting maintenance deficit.
Even ten years ago some of these Tourings were harsh so are the dampers still supple?
Is the diff moaning?
Is the engine good or is it an unloved garage maiden?
Will it drive straight and stop straight or try to put you in a hedge like one I saw.
Only one TA done but not the ICVs
Active bolsters?
The roof?
The dash?
Hydro-motor?
Clutch?
I was fussy about the one I bought yet it still needed regular attention and 5k per year. So, the recent low mileage and gaps in SH weigh large in my mind.
This is one of the best M5's you can buy and one of best examples we have seen,
Anyone purchasing a v10 engined performance car will be aware of its potential costs ... but you can limit that by buying one that has been well looked after such as this one.
Once again we apologise if there has been a misunderstanding .. but rest assured all listings are available for viewing and test drives under conditions.
Good luck with your bidding
There s a lot of runners and riders jostling for position here.
I ll give you my spin on it. I was the previous owner. I owned the car just over 2 years from 2014 to late 2016 and took the car from 35 to 55k miles in my time with it.
I ran the car as my daily driver (every day, school run, tip, shopping, business trips the lot and in all weathers) and it was great fun and fit my needs perfectly. Only downside was its unquenchable thirst, it drank like Oliver Reed out on a bender with George Best. Best I saw was 24-25mpg on a gentle motorway run. In traffic, 11-12 was the norm.
During the time I had it, I warranted the car with BMW, which paid for itself multiple times over, and was serviced on the button, and had the pan roof serviced (who knew there was such a thing) by the local dealer Lloyd BMW.at the time, the senior tech there, ran an e60 M5 and was mad keen on them - so did all the work on this one. It had around 10k spent on it under warranty and servicing in the 2 years I had it. The car is relatively lightly Spec’d, doesn’t have the full leather dash, and doesn’t have active seats. Which to honest didn’t bother me at the time - I bought the car on condition (and the colour)
the bonnet and front bumper were painted - as it had a few chips in it that made my teeth itch by a guy I ve used and trusted for years.
And the money spent paid off when I decided to sell as it was bought by Sytner BMW, at 9 years old and good enough to put into and sold as an approved used car.
It seems to have had only extremely light use since, and serviced to that use. Prior to this it the service history because of use was unfaulted.
You also need to remember it was a 65-70k car when new 20 years ago, and as such maintenance cost were and still are high.
It s the only car I ve had - that I m thinking of buying back .. and that says something.
Good luck with the sale, and good luck to all those who are bidding.
I ll give you my spin on it. I was the previous owner. I owned the car just over 2 years from 2014 to late 2016 and took the car from 35 to 55k miles in my time with it.
I ran the car as my daily driver (every day, school run, tip, shopping, business trips the lot and in all weathers) and it was great fun and fit my needs perfectly. Only downside was its unquenchable thirst, it drank like Oliver Reed out on a bender with George Best. Best I saw was 24-25mpg on a gentle motorway run. In traffic, 11-12 was the norm.
During the time I had it, I warranted the car with BMW, which paid for itself multiple times over, and was serviced on the button, and had the pan roof serviced (who knew there was such a thing) by the local dealer Lloyd BMW.at the time, the senior tech there, ran an e60 M5 and was mad keen on them - so did all the work on this one. It had around 10k spent on it under warranty and servicing in the 2 years I had it. The car is relatively lightly Spec’d, doesn’t have the full leather dash, and doesn’t have active seats. Which to honest didn’t bother me at the time - I bought the car on condition (and the colour)
the bonnet and front bumper were painted - as it had a few chips in it that made my teeth itch by a guy I ve used and trusted for years.
And the money spent paid off when I decided to sell as it was bought by Sytner BMW, at 9 years old and good enough to put into and sold as an approved used car.
It seems to have had only extremely light use since, and serviced to that use. Prior to this it the service history because of use was unfaulted.
You also need to remember it was a 65-70k car when new 20 years ago, and as such maintenance cost were and still are high.
It s the only car I ve had - that I m thinking of buying back .. and that says something.
Good luck with the sale, and good luck to all those who are bidding.
Edited by killysprint on Sunday 17th May 08:22
Edited by killysprint on Sunday 17th May 08:25
Hi there - thanks for this listing, and beautiful car. Some questions that will help to inform my ultimate bidding range:
1) I do not see any clutch replacement or SMG III work (pump, accumulator, etc.) in the history file - is the car exhibiting any hesitation on shifting, failure to select gears, or has it thrown any trans warnings (e.g., cog warning, yellow/orange/red) in your ownership period?
2) Can you confirm damper and suspension condition - I assume the EDC dampers original, and likewise don't see any replacement or work on thrust bearings or suspension bushes. Does the rear air suspension sag after sitting overnight? Any harshness or crashing in the ride generally?
3) While I understand limitations on test drives - in a viewing will you allow a cold start, diagnostic scan and a short ride-along to assess SMG, suspension and diff condition?
Thanks in advance
1) I do not see any clutch replacement or SMG III work (pump, accumulator, etc.) in the history file - is the car exhibiting any hesitation on shifting, failure to select gears, or has it thrown any trans warnings (e.g., cog warning, yellow/orange/red) in your ownership period?
2) Can you confirm damper and suspension condition - I assume the EDC dampers original, and likewise don't see any replacement or work on thrust bearings or suspension bushes. Does the rear air suspension sag after sitting overnight? Any harshness or crashing in the ride generally?
3) While I understand limitations on test drives - in a viewing will you allow a cold start, diagnostic scan and a short ride-along to assess SMG, suspension and diff condition?
Thanks in advance
Thanks for your questions
The car has always driven well. Have not experienced any transmission issues. I’ve have benefited from having bought a well maintained car. I bought it from BMW with a warranty.
There has been no signs of any issues with suspension
Would welcome any inspection to witness a cold start and a diagnostic check. One viewing has already done a diagnostic check and all passed.
Will be available for viewing from tomorrow afternoon and anytime on Tuesday.
Look forward to hearing from you.
The car has always driven well. Have not experienced any transmission issues. I’ve have benefited from having bought a well maintained car. I bought it from BMW with a warranty.
There has been no signs of any issues with suspension
Would welcome any inspection to witness a cold start and a diagnostic check. One viewing has already done a diagnostic check and all passed.
Will be available for viewing from tomorrow afternoon and anytime on Tuesday.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks to killysprint for the background or rather clarification that:
There was work done on the pan roof - They can be temperamental because e61 pano lifts both panes (or should) some disable the rear to save £4k
Also that the dash is not covered in leather - some are, some aren't - I miss mine that was and not seen a later M car with that - it made e6x special
Also I didn't realise any of these came without active bolsters (must be coincidence that all 8 I've driven had active bolsters) - another quirk/feature that made (some) of these more special.
To anyone who thinks buying this as a parts car is a good idea - WHY!
The engine gearbox and most M items are available from a saloon or coupe and those go for half the price.
Oh I get it that's a wind up - a bit like the seller's obtuse email and then the consigner's comments over the phone about no test drives.
I'm not deaf. I heard very clearly. There was no mis-understanding. I was told static viewing.... The owner wouldn't take me for a test drive.
If I had got a sensible response from the seller to my inquiry last week I would have moved H&E to get there at a mutually convenient time Thurs Fri before going into hospital to have my shoulder cut open and bolted back together, but instead the seller and Pistonheads poked me.
If someone else had a different inquiry experience good luck to them. Each car has pros and cons - if it is right for them they'll pay to drive it every day.
There was work done on the pan roof - They can be temperamental because e61 pano lifts both panes (or should) some disable the rear to save £4k
Also that the dash is not covered in leather - some are, some aren't - I miss mine that was and not seen a later M car with that - it made e6x special
Also I didn't realise any of these came without active bolsters (must be coincidence that all 8 I've driven had active bolsters) - another quirk/feature that made (some) of these more special.
To anyone who thinks buying this as a parts car is a good idea - WHY!
The engine gearbox and most M items are available from a saloon or coupe and those go for half the price.
Oh I get it that's a wind up - a bit like the seller's obtuse email and then the consigner's comments over the phone about no test drives.
I'm not deaf. I heard very clearly. There was no mis-understanding. I was told static viewing.... The owner wouldn't take me for a test drive.
If I had got a sensible response from the seller to my inquiry last week I would have moved H&E to get there at a mutually convenient time Thurs Fri before going into hospital to have my shoulder cut open and bolted back together, but instead the seller and Pistonheads poked me.
If someone else had a different inquiry experience good luck to them. Each car has pros and cons - if it is right for them they'll pay to drive it every day.
Hoya10CS said:
Hi there - thanks for this listing, and beautiful car. Some questions that will help to inform my ultimate bidding range:
1) I do not see any clutch replacement or SMG III work (pump, accumulator, etc.) in the history file - is the car exhibiting any hesitation on shifting, failure to select gears, or has it thrown any trans warnings (e.g., cog warning, yellow/orange/red) in your ownership period?
2) Can you confirm damper and suspension condition - I assume the EDC dampers original, and likewise don't see any replacement or work on thrust bearings or suspension bushes. Does the rear air suspension sag after sitting overnight? Any harshness or crashing in the ride generally?
3) While I understand limitations on test drives - in a viewing will you allow a cold start, diagnostic scan and a short ride-along to assess SMG, suspension and diff condition?
Thanks in advance
M5/ M5 E61 do not have air suspension on any axle. 1) I do not see any clutch replacement or SMG III work (pump, accumulator, etc.) in the history file - is the car exhibiting any hesitation on shifting, failure to select gears, or has it thrown any trans warnings (e.g., cog warning, yellow/orange/red) in your ownership period?
2) Can you confirm damper and suspension condition - I assume the EDC dampers original, and likewise don't see any replacement or work on thrust bearings or suspension bushes. Does the rear air suspension sag after sitting overnight? Any harshness or crashing in the ride generally?
3) While I understand limitations on test drives - in a viewing will you allow a cold start, diagnostic scan and a short ride-along to assess SMG, suspension and diff condition?
Thanks in advance
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