an absurd thing, I know, but that M5 badge on the front grill puts me off straight away!
I hope the viewing goes well none the less..
Not another E46 thread - E39 M5
- Thread starter naefeart
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an absurd thing, I know, but that M5 badge on the front grill puts me off straight away!
I hope the viewing goes well none the less..
Love mine - had it about 2.5 years now. The biggest bill I've had was to fix the leaky aircon (£1200). I'd advise finding a decent independent (I use BMWorx near Aylesbury) who know the cars and have a rather more competitive labour rate than the main dealer network.
I put about 20,000 miles on mine in the first 12 months (about 35,000 in total since i've had it) and can't think of many cars for similar money I'd rather have done them in. Granted the fuel economy isn't amazing (I average 19-20mpg) but having a decent amount of power on tap is lovely - you don't buy anything with a V8 engine expecting it to be cheap to run.
Ensure servicing all adds up, make sure the running in service was done, ideally buy one that's been enthusiast owned - odds are they'll have done stuff like changed the MAFs and refreshed all the fluids more frequently.
I put about 20,000 miles on mine in the first 12 months (about 35,000 in total since i've had it) and can't think of many cars for similar money I'd rather have done them in. Granted the fuel economy isn't amazing (I average 19-20mpg) but having a decent amount of power on tap is lovely - you don't buy anything with a V8 engine expecting it to be cheap to run.
Ensure servicing all adds up, make sure the running in service was done, ideally buy one that's been enthusiast owned - odds are they'll have done stuff like changed the MAFs and refreshed all the fluids more frequently.
Don't worry Rilot, you'll get a report either way - even it its just me venting having wasted my time.
R420LA6X2 - Indeed, first thing I promised myself was to rip the silly badge off if I bought it. Makes it look a bit silly.
Bio - I blame the sub zero temps we get up here, totally ruins the roads. Funnily enough the quality of the roads improve vastly upon leaving the city limits - handy because thats where you can enjoy the drive.
E-mailed another chap off PH who had a 2002 M5 but with 81k. Already sold, but worth a shot. Always good to drive as many examples as you can.
Oh well, back to scouring the BMW forums to pick up more tips. Its going to be me, the owner and the agent tomorrow. Going to be a bit cosy...
edit - Love the car Pete, thanks for the air con tip. I take it yours is a facelift, what was the mileage when you bought it?
R420LA6X2 - Indeed, first thing I promised myself was to rip the silly badge off if I bought it. Makes it look a bit silly.
Bio - I blame the sub zero temps we get up here, totally ruins the roads. Funnily enough the quality of the roads improve vastly upon leaving the city limits - handy because thats where you can enjoy the drive.
E-mailed another chap off PH who had a 2002 M5 but with 81k. Already sold, but worth a shot. Always good to drive as many examples as you can.
Oh well, back to scouring the BMW forums to pick up more tips. Its going to be me, the owner and the agent tomorrow. Going to be a bit cosy...
edit - Love the car Pete, thanks for the air con tip. I take it yours is a facelift, what was the mileage when you bought it?
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Love mine - had it about 2.5 years now. The biggest bill I've had was to fix the leaky aircon (£1200). I'd advise finding a decent independent (I use BMWorx near Aylesbury) who know the cars and have a rather more competitive labour rate than the main dealer network.
I put about 20,000 miles on mine in the first 12 months (about 35,000 in total since i've had it) and can't think of many cars for similar money I'd rather have done them in. Granted the fuel economy isn't amazing (I average 19-20mpg) but having a decent amount of power on tap is lovely - you don't buy anything with a V8 engine expecting it to be cheap to run.
Ensure servicing all adds up, make sure the running in service was done, ideally buy one that's been enthusiast owned - odds are they'll have done stuff like changed the MAFs and refreshed all the fluids more frequently.
Can you picture Fox sat in his hotel room Peter thinking "Hmmm"..... - I know I would be!
Yours is a lovely example, and I sincerely hope Fox decided he only lives once and is a long time dead.......
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
I would probably go for the E46 M3 over the e39 M5, the main thing that would swing it to the M5 is if you needed the extra seats, or when I bought mine, the V8 sound.
The M3 has a more up to date and nicer interior, and some of the leather combinations on the M5 aren't to my taste. Not a fan of the two tone stuff, although equally kiwi leather on the M3 is horrible!
The M3 and M5 are almost identical speed wise apart from 100+ the M5 has a slight edge. The M3 has nicer steering, where as the M5 isnt great being recirc ball and the M3 has a sportier/harder ride, again personal preference.
The M3 has a more up to date and nicer interior, and some of the leather combinations on the M5 aren't to my taste. Not a fan of the two tone stuff, although equally kiwi leather on the M3 is horrible!
The M3 and M5 are almost identical speed wise apart from 100+ the M5 has a slight edge. The M3 has nicer steering, where as the M5 isnt great being recirc ball and the M3 has a sportier/harder ride, again personal preference.
Update - Well i went to look at it yesterday and its in pretty good nick. Some minor chips to the front end and a small chip on the rear boot spoiler - thats it.
Went of for a drive and I was impressed - tried not to get overwhelmed and concentate on listening for clunks, rattles etc. Vanos wasn't making any noise, no missfires and no vague steering/braking.
Car has been sitting for most of its life with the current owner - 9k in 3.5 years. Chap works abroad. Wasn't so keen on the fact the car sits so long.
It needs a service so I've got him to agree to book it into the main dealer (Monday) for an inspection 1 and depending on the report that comes back, we may agree a price. We've also agreed it'll need two new tyres on the rear (still legal) or 500 quid off the asking price.
So there it is. Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.
TomO - I see what you're saying about the M3s and I did think that's where my path would probably end up. But I've promised myself a V8 and the extra space is a bonus. The ride also feels less harsh on the 18s compared to the 19s on the M3.
Roll on Monday.
Went of for a drive and I was impressed - tried not to get overwhelmed and concentate on listening for clunks, rattles etc. Vanos wasn't making any noise, no missfires and no vague steering/braking.
Car has been sitting for most of its life with the current owner - 9k in 3.5 years. Chap works abroad. Wasn't so keen on the fact the car sits so long.
It needs a service so I've got him to agree to book it into the main dealer (Monday) for an inspection 1 and depending on the report that comes back, we may agree a price. We've also agreed it'll need two new tyres on the rear (still legal) or 500 quid off the asking price.
So there it is. Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.
TomO - I see what you're saying about the M3s and I did think that's where my path would probably end up. But I've promised myself a V8 and the extra space is a bonus. The ride also feels less harsh on the 18s compared to the 19s on the M3.
Roll on Monday.
I agree with regards the ride and space totally, depends what compromise you are willing to make with these aspects.
I had a Miltek catback on the M5 and it was infinitely better than the angry wasp M3 sound IMO, although again some (mad?) people like the angry wasp M3 sound!
I had a Miltek catback on the M5 and it was infinitely better than the angry wasp M3 sound IMO, although again some (mad?) people like the angry wasp M3 sound!
yes very definitely mad, worst sounding exhaust note ever, prefer the ear splitting whine of a 125 in its powerband to the m3, which is a shame coz its a lovely lovely car
thats the first thing i noticed too
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Will see if I can find some pics - sure I have them somewhere
Mine is a convertible, but most are actually not. Both for the B3 and B3S, there are roughly twice as many coupes as convertible.
The maintenance is tricky - the techie bits are well beyond me, but I've read enough posts on the Alpina forum to know that you really do need someone who knows what they're doing. It's dangerously similar to the 330i, which can lead to a certain element of laziness re assuming parts and procedure are identical when they aren't.
Good B10 V8s are incredibly hard to come by, although I have to admit our "sensible" car is a RX300, which is possibly the most boring car I've ever driven (was still glad of it in the snow last winter tho'!)
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[TW]Fox;17347382 said:Sometimes you get good years, sometimes you don't. I had a year where all I paid for is 12 months tax. That was fun. Made up for by this year though
B3's are less complex and cheaper to own than the M Power cars, mind.
Yeah - the problem is the thing just eats rear tyres though, assuming that you're driving it to have fun (which I am!).
My favourite quote from my 3 year old daughter - "Daddy's car goes vroom vroom, but mummy car does not go vroom vroom!"
exactly the way it should be, you win a man medal for this!