OT - BMW M5s
07-22-2018, 11:26 AM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
OT - BMW M5s
Hi all,
Quick question, looking at used M5s for the wife - any years (or motors) to avoid?
Thanks much for any advice.
David
Quick question, looking at used M5s for the wife - any years (or motors) to avoid?
Thanks much for any advice.
David
07-22-2018, 12:24 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
either an E39 or something newer than a 2014.
07-22-2018, 03:15 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
gracias!
07-22-2018, 06:22 PM
#4
E39 M5s are great cruisers (had 2 of them) but come with manual only, so hope your wife likes shifting herself. V10s are said to have reliability issues and can be costly to repair. F10 series twin turbos are ridiculously fast for such a big and heavy sedan.
07-22-2018, 07:29 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
No experience with older M5s, but I've put a lot of miles on my bro's '17 M5 Competition Package and all I can say is that while it is indeed rocketship fast, it is a bloated pig and horribly boring to drive. With that said, their value proposition is quite strong at $50k or whatever the non-Competition Package cars are selling for now.
07-23-2018, 02:02 PM
#7
As the owner of an e60 M5 (2006 w/ less than 40k miles, Dinan mods) and other iterations in the past, this will certainly sound defensive…
These are great cars. I think they are the sweet spot of the M5 linage…not as nimble as the original e28 (though light years faster and more capable), but not bloated like the current range. It’s why I’ve held on to mine.
That said, the e60 M5/e63 M6 and early e90 M3s have had occurrences of rod bearing failures. There is no shortage of discussion and opinion on the BMW sites.
Cause of the failure is believed to be the close tolerances (as in, too close) on the rod bearings. Regular service, correct oil, proper warm up are all said to help prevent the issue.
There are plenty of examples of both low and high-mile cars that have not had a problem.
I liken it somewhat to the 911 IMS issue. Lots of debate. Failures for sure, but plenty of examples that are fine. If you find the right car and are still concerned, budget apx $2k to R&R with BE Bearing kit (made by Clevite with proper clearance and Tri-Metal coating).
Good luck!
These are great cars. I think they are the sweet spot of the M5 linage…not as nimble as the original e28 (though light years faster and more capable), but not bloated like the current range. It’s why I’ve held on to mine.
That said, the e60 M5/e63 M6 and early e90 M3s have had occurrences of rod bearing failures. There is no shortage of discussion and opinion on the BMW sites.
Cause of the failure is believed to be the close tolerances (as in, too close) on the rod bearings. Regular service, correct oil, proper warm up are all said to help prevent the issue.
There are plenty of examples of both low and high-mile cars that have not had a problem.
I liken it somewhat to the 911 IMS issue. Lots of debate. Failures for sure, but plenty of examples that are fine. If you find the right car and are still concerned, budget apx $2k to R&R with BE Bearing kit (made by Clevite with proper clearance and Tri-Metal coating).
Good luck!
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07-23-2018, 02:35 PM
#8
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As the owner of an e60 M5 (2006 w/ less than 40k miles, Dinan mods) and other iterations in the past, this will certainly sound defensive…
These are great cars. I think they are the sweet spot of the M5 linage…not as nimble as the original e28 (though light years faster and more capable), but not bloated like the current range. It’s why I’ve held on to mine.
That said, the e60 M5/e63 M6 and early e90 M3s have had occurrences of rod bearing failures. There is no shortage of discussion and opinion on the BMW sites.
Cause of the failure is believed to be the close tolerances (as in, too close) on the rod bearings. Regular service, correct oil, proper warm up are all said to help prevent the issue.
There are plenty of examples of both low and high-mile cars that have not had a problem.
I liken it somewhat to the 911 IMS issue. Lots of debate. Failures for sure, but plenty of examples that are fine. If you find the right car and are still concerned, budget apx $2k to R&R with BE Bearing kit (made by Clevite with proper clearance and Tri-Metal coating).
Good luck!
These are great cars. I think they are the sweet spot of the M5 linage…not as nimble as the original e28 (though light years faster and more capable), but not bloated like the current range. It’s why I’ve held on to mine.
That said, the e60 M5/e63 M6 and early e90 M3s have had occurrences of rod bearing failures. There is no shortage of discussion and opinion on the BMW sites.
Cause of the failure is believed to be the close tolerances (as in, too close) on the rod bearings. Regular service, correct oil, proper warm up are all said to help prevent the issue.
There are plenty of examples of both low and high-mile cars that have not had a problem.
I liken it somewhat to the 911 IMS issue. Lots of debate. Failures for sure, but plenty of examples that are fine. If you find the right car and are still concerned, budget apx $2k to R&R with BE Bearing kit (made by Clevite with proper clearance and Tri-Metal coating).
Good luck!
07-23-2018, 02:44 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
I had an ‘06 M5 and would not recommend it because:
I didn’t like the SMG
13 mpg
It cost twice as much as my 911 to maintain and fix
It’s really complex (see above)
It’s a great car, but it’s more of a supercar than a regular car, so depends on what you are after.
The E39 M5 is a hidden gem and great to drive. It’s more of a classic at this point though.
I didn’t like the SMG
13 mpg
It cost twice as much as my 911 to maintain and fix
It’s really complex (see above)
It’s a great car, but it’s more of a supercar than a regular car, so depends on what you are after.
The E39 M5 is a hidden gem and great to drive. It’s more of a classic at this point though.
07-23-2018, 04:47 PM
#12
Worst thing about the E60 V10 is the combination of lousy mileage and a ridiculous small gas tank. This car would not pass a gas station without stopping, but it was entertaining with a stick shift.
07-23-2018, 06:04 PM
#13
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
thanks a lot guys/gals - appreciate the advice
was looking at a MY06 E60 V10, low miles tho
may look for newer MY
was looking at a MY06 E60 V10, low miles tho
may look for newer MY
07-24-2018, 05:31 PM
#14
Recommend spending quite a bit of time driving an SMG car before purchase. I had an m6 SMG - the engine / interior / sound was great. The trans was god awful. Be careful
07-24-2018, 06:49 PM
#15
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Avoid the v10 unless its already been rebuilt. I had one and unloaded it early on and avoided the huge hit most owners took. I used to joke that the only thing it could not pass on the road was a gas station! I never saw 13, more like 8-9MPG. I had a buddy that was a BMW tech and he convinced me to sell before the proverbial XXX hit the fan on these. I bought two more BMW's after this one, a 2008 M3 and a 2012 M6. Both proved to be a bad experience and ended a string of 6 M products for me. Fuel pumps and injectors... all the time. Don't buy one of these things without some sort of warranty, which I don't think you can find on the V10 from what I understood a few years ago.