Go big or go home! 507hp

[acspecialists]

Well yesterday I picked up an E60 M5. I have been looking for over a year for M5's and recently Alpina B7's. It has 107 on the clock with receipts for rod bearings, clutch and alternator 8k ago. The guy was asking 12.9k and I got it off of him for 11k. He traded his E30 for it and I guess he didn't like it. He had only had it for a week. It's black on black with satin trim. So far I can see the exhaust, brakes and wheels are not stock. It may also have the springs done because it sits pretty low. In sport mode at 507hp it is scary fast I can't wait to get it on the track!

I'm in the middle of my chain guide/ vanos/ springs/ 3.15 diff job on my E38. When it's all done I'm going to sell my wifes E39 525i wagon and see can drive the e38 when she needs wheels. The quote at the bottom of my signature feels pretty real right now. When the sun comes out and I get it washed I will post some pics.

[racer2086]

Congrats! That's a wicked deal 11k for an E60 M5. How did you find that?

[acspecialists]

I have been looking for over a year. All of the cars in that price range have branded titles and haven't had the major stuff done. I had the cash ready to go. He only had the car a week and didn't know or care about what he had. He just wanted his E30 back.

I have a question for the readers? The car has Beyern Spartan wheels in Matte black, light curb rub on the fronts. I was thinking about selling them. Any idea what they might be worth? They are $400 new.

[samsonevickis]

He had it for a week?

Maybe he knows something you don't.

The rod bearings going bad can detonate those engines.

The SMG transmission and pump can cost $5K+ easy for a low mileage used one that will just go out in the near future anyway, I've never even priced NOS/Rebuilt.

Those cars are complete trash. Fast, but constant issues.

You didn't mention if it was SMG or 6spd, but for the price it's SMG.

And if the rod bearings haven't been done, you need to add that to your list of TO DO's for the car, you can send the oil off for testing, but for that price, surely he found out something bad.

There are numerous videos on YouTube detailing all the issues on the car. I love the E60 550i, but hate all the issues it has and the leaks, but even as a mechanic I wouldn't want to wade into the nightmare that is E60 M5 ownership.

[Aitch]

Rod bearing service mentioned in the very first post.

[purplecty]

What year? Hopefully updated version without the high pressure vanos pump issues... Sounds like a nice pickup though. 1 week and selling is a little sketchy in my book but you never know...

[victoriabmw27]

Congrats on the pick up, hopefully the pessimism of some of the other posts are not the case. That v10 is great...when it’s right. Enjoy it and congrats again, welcome to the M5 world.

[racer2086]

Hey any BMW with 500+ hp is awesome, but I looked into getting an E60 550i because I didn't want to spend M5 money, but man if you think the E38 is work, those things have issues. Between the alternator bracket seal, the valve stem seals, the coolant pipe, etc etc just a ticking time bomb. I can imagine the M5 is even more.

And from what I've read all the SMG transmissions suck. Constant problems. Can't beat the simplicity of a manual.

[acspecialists]

Well gentlemen you are all correct. I expect to have problems will all of the above listed systems. For a V10 with 507hp no body rides for free. I have had my E38 for over two years and have done plenty of work on it. I'm in the middle of chain guides and vanos rebuild.

As far as the service the Rod bearings, alternator and transmission have about 8k on them. That only leaves the throttle actuators. As intelligent BMW owners you can't tell me that you have never heard of an owner getting there pants pulled down at a shop so many times that they just want the car gone? The guy I bought the car from knew nothing about the car he just wanted his E30 back.

As for my first impressions it is a beast. You go from speeding in the E38 to ridiculous speeding in the E60. It sounds so sweet and before you know it you are in the triple digits. When you are just lollygagging around behind some old lady it sucks. The only time the SMG really shines is shifting at 7500rpm, you would not want to daily drive a car like this. I have resorted to shifting myself and it is much better. The idrive is pretty lame as well but everyone knows that. I will be headed to the track in a couple of weeks and we'll see how it goes. If I don't like it on the track its gone and maybe I'll make a buck or two?

[setconstr]

I see them quite often in that price range in So Cal. My indie mechanic buys them up and does the rod bearings and checks them all out then sells them for the 15k to 18k range depending on the condition and options. I've test driven a few and they are Awesome ! but I'll just stick with the old sport for now ........

[acspecialists]

Found out some more good news. One of the PO's installed an Audioson system. I guess it's a dsp that cost about $3500. It does not seem to have power or maybe just the remote. I have to take it in and they will dig around and tell me what I have. I know it had RPI air intakes and I wonder if it also has a tune? It's a local car maybe I could find the PO and talk to him?

[acspecialists]

KIMG0050.jpgKIMG0051.jpg
A couple of pics when I was dropping off my valve covers and strut brace to get powder coated.

[purplecty]

Sits perfect! You think its too low?

[acspecialists]

The wheels look tight but you would be surprised by how much room is under the car. It clears curbs with room to spare. The Spartan wheels are growing on me. I guess the blackout thing is in?

[purplecty]

The wheels look tight but you would be surprised by how much room is under the car. It clears curbs with room to spare. The Spartan wheels are growing on me. I guess the blackout thing is in?

I was never a fan of black wheels...

[Aitch]

I don't get black wheels. I mean, I get that some people like a totally blacked out car, but it's really not for me. Anything but black.

[acspecialists]

00U0U_gHUimBSEjz_600x450.jpg
I found these and some style 32's that I think I like. They are 20x9 and 20x10. These have tires for $1500 and the style 32's are just wheels for $1000. I would post on the M5 section but its pretty dead.

[Aitch]

Do the dubs (20s).

[purplecty]

00U0U_gHUimBSEjz_600x450.jpg
I found these and some style 32's that I think I like. They are 20x9 and 20x10. These have tires for $1500 and the style 32's are just wheels for $1000. I would post on the M5 section but its pretty dead.

Damn are those real Dinan wheels? Are the style 32s also staggered 20s?

[acspecialists]

The style 32's are staggered 20's and there are five of them. I'm leaning toward the Dinan wheels because well they are Dinan and have tires on them.

[acspecialists]

IMG_20190315_114052_042.jpg
Went and had a look at the Dinan wheels. They were almost spotless and beautiful. The owner said he paid 5k for them The TPS sensors were removed and they had cheap tires with good tread. I would need spacers and studs to mount them on my car. In the end all of my friends voted for the black wheels that are on the car already. I guess I'll just spend my money on tires. If anyone wants them they are $1500. They are 20x9 ET34

[Aitch]

Went and had a look at the Dinan wheels. They were almost spotless and beautiful. The owner said he paid 5k for them The TPS sensors were removed and they had cheap tires with good tread. I would need spacers and studs to mount them on my car. In the end all of my friends voted for the black wheels that are on the car already. I guess I'll just spend my money on tires. If anyone wants them they are $1500. They are 20x9 ET34

You need new friends :P

[purplecty]

Those tires look super skinny...

[Trasportador]

I finishing up the partout on a 2006 E60 M5 that had rod bearing failure on #9 journal. The motor is stout, and won't grenade lest being abused after the failure has begun. The SMG is a pain for sure, but replacement used parts are not that expensive anymore(ebay). The car that I killed had the transmission, and ALL trans peripherals(clutch and flywheel included) changed by a BMW dealer in FL(all brand new) 15k miles before I slaughtered it. There are deals out there.

[racer2086]

I'm just curious how that failure presents itself? Rod knock?