Looking into picking up an E39 M5. School me.

[mcgnms]

They're good cars. I've owned 4 e39's now (99 528i Auto, '01 530, '00 540i, '01 M5).

The biggest thing I enjoyed compared to the other cars was the little things. The facelift steering wheel was a first for me, I like it a lot more. I like the shorter ratio steering box, the electric-feeling throttle response, small interior upgrades, better exhaust sound...etc.

That being said, maintaining it will be more expensive than other E39's. Its not just because parts are more expensive, but labor to replace them is more due to more complexities (specifically with the engine) and way more things can go wrong. The claims of it having a better cooling system or TCG's for example? I'm not sure I buy into it. There are many more 540i on the road hence it only makes sense that you hear more about it. I think there is sampling bias going on with that.

[Leonator134]

I went from an E34 540/6 to an E39 M5. Best move ever.

People get on the early car's case for all sorts of stuff- rod bearings, guides, oil burning etc. Mine is a 02/2000 with 123k. Bought with 112k. It does use a tiny bit of oul between changes, probably one full quart over the 5,000 mile interval. I have no inclination to change/inspect rod bearings or guides. A big part of longevity with these cars is previous owner history and maintenance. I bought mine with a stack of service records- including clutch, vanos and cooling system over haul.

Not a lick of trouble and I drive it fairly hard. You'll want a tune and exhaust naturally. I daily drive the M5 in nice weather (spring, summer, fall) and it's a great DD. Easy to drive, super comfortable and pretty decent overall on gas- I average somewhere around 19mpg for mixed city/highway driving.

Get a clean one. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Don't buy into the "early cars suck" nonsense.

L

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For OP:

https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/6051809250.html

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6095039746.html

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6080080710.html

All great options.

[Leonator134]

I'm not a photographer but this is my 2000 Avus blue. I updated the headlights to hella facelift. Car has full luxury interior, all the options for the year.





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[XAlt]

2000's are good deals because they're cheaper. People with facelifts tend to think they're selling a low mileage 993 Turbo. A quart every 5\7k and some extra vanos noise, who cares? Rod bearings are only an issue if you're the hoonmaster.


If you're looking for a non-wagon over 7k, the M5 should be the only option.

[amancuso]

Looking at another one tomorrow. Wish us luck!

[dannyzabolotny]

Easy to drive, super comfortable and pretty decent overall on gas- I average somewhere around 19mpg for mixed city/highway driving.

Man you must drive it a lot easier than me... The highest gas mileage I ever got in my 2000 M5 was 16mpg on a pretty long road trip. When I did more city driving it was like 14mpg. I redlined it pretty often and did triple digit speeds whenever I could, so that probably killed the gas mileage a bit. Heck, even in my 540it with the smaller 4.4L engine, I've never seen over 20mpg.

[Jason5driver]

LOL....
I just got passed last night by an early E39 M5 on my way home.
I guess I was driving too slow, which is ironic, since I drive mucho faster than most...
The M5 was in pretty poor shape however.

[XAlt]

LOL....
I just got passed last night by an early E39 M5 on my way home.
I guess I was driving too slow, which is ironic, since I drive mucho faster than most...
The M5 was in pretty poor shape however.

Hey, at least it's on the road.

[auaq]

LOL....
I just got passed last night by an early E39 M5 on my way home.
I guess I was driving too slow, which is ironic, since I drive mucho faster than most...
The M5 was in pretty poor shape however.

All the more reason to get one now .... and also keep yer 525i too.

[wmann]

I was all ready to buy one but then figured out that they do not have a spare tire and in VT with spotty cell signal that was simply not going to work out well. I'll buy one someday if AT&T can ever figure out how to get more than 1 or 2 bars coverage in most of the state.

I did just buy a 2003 540 M-sport 6sp with 65K miles to hold me over until they do however.

[XAlt]

i was all ready to buy one but then figured out that they do not have a spare tire and in vt with spotty cell signal that was simply not going to work out well. I'll buy one someday if at&t can ever figure out how to get more than 1 or 2 bars coverage in most of the state.

I did just buy a 2003 540 m-sport 6sp with 65k miles to hold me over until they do however.

​S62 SWAP

amirite?

[auaq]

You can get a spare tire cover/holder thingy to put in the trunk.

[Jason5driver]

All the more reason to get one now .... and also keep yer 525i too.

Do you really get 19 mpg in town with an M5?
Because I get ~21 mpg in my lowly 525i - in town, ~35 mpg on the highway.
It would be hard to get another BMW because the wife despises my car - mostly because I spend time and money (rarely) on parts and repairs.

[Leonator134]

I was all ready to buy one but then figured out that they do not have a spare tire and in VT with spotty cell signal that was simply not going to work out well. I'll buy one someday if AT&T can ever figure out how to get more than 1 or 2 bars coverage in most of the state.

I did just buy a 2003 540 M-sport 6sp with 65K miles to hold me over until they do however.

Bill!!!!

I bought bills old e34 540/6.
------

Yes I average 19mpg in my M5. Mix of highway and city.


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[auaq]

Mix of city/highway mileage I get around 17-18mpg.

[Leonator134]

Did he do it??


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[StRaNgEdAyS]

I think he did

Absinthe makes the tart grow fonder

[auaq]

No way. Did he really do it?

[amancuso]

I did it.