Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: looking into buying M5

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Germany/Netherlands
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2001 E39 540ia

    looking into buying M5

    Hi all,

    I'm looking to upgrade from my E39 540ia to an M5. My budget is around €30K and found an example with 122.000km (75.000miles). It looks in very well kept shape with no rust at all.
    It's a 2002 model which has been driven in Spain. The dealer where it's being sold already changed the thermostat, flywheel+clutch and the brakes.

    The downside: it doesn't have any bills for maintance records, but it does have the booklet with all the service stamps up untill now.
    Now I have driven it, and it drives very stable and good, no errors, warning lights or rattles. It does however (my opinion) have a slight hiccup in the lower rev range, it starts to really pull from 4000rpm.

    I also read into the weak spots of this enginge, being the VANOS, timing chain, rod bearings, head gaskets. Unfortunatly I can't say anything about it thats why I need someones opinion about this.
    I have one mechanic saying the VANOS and timing chain need to be replaced, although my 540i and the videos ive seen on youtube don't convince me yet.

    Here is a video after 5mins of enginge running:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO4T...ature=youtu.be

    you can hear some VANOS rattle around the 26s mark but I don't know what's normal and what's not in these engines.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Germany/Netherlands
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2001 E39 540ia
    no one able to help out?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA, USA
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    2002 M5
    Head gaskets aren't really a weak spot on the S62. I would definitely recommend doing the VANOS service based on mileage and not knowing if it's been done before. That DOESN'T mean VANOS replacement. Clean the solenoids and check the solder points, install the anti rattle kit from Besian systems. Might need chain guides and rod bearings at some point if they're originals. No need to run away if you're up to the task or can afford to pay someone to do it.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY
    Posts
    4,174
    My Cars
    00 M5, 12' Ducati SF
    I had the timing chain guides done at 80K when I purchased mine to be on the safe side. Vanos can be an issue. Rod bearings as well, but I don't think they were as prevalent an issue on the E92 M3, and E60 M5.

    I honestly spent alot on prevenative maintenance when purchasing mine since there was about a 6 year gap in service history and the car hasn't had any issues in about 2 years so far.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Indianapolis
    Posts
    16
    My Cars
    F10 M5
    Did you buy the car? It sounds perfectly normal man... it's actually quiet... the engine sounds healthy and looks clean. As long as the car drives smooth and is planted on the road with no audible weird sounds, then you're good... I bought mine with zero service records and had 160k miles on it but the car drove superbly so I knew there is nothing major to worry about. Make sure it pulls hard with no hesitation and weird sounds like knocking or whatever.


    Quote Originally Posted by jigsaw88 View Post
    Hi all,

    I'm looking to upgrade from my E39 540ia to an M5. My budget is around €30K and found an example with 122.000km (75.000miles). It looks in very well kept shape with no rust at all.
    It's a 2002 model which has been driven in Spain. The dealer where it's being sold already changed the thermostat, flywheel+clutch and the brakes.

    The downside: it doesn't have any bills for maintance records, but it does have the booklet with all the service stamps up untill now.
    Now I have driven it, and it drives very stable and good, no errors, warning lights or rattles. It does however (my opinion) have a slight hiccup in the lower rev range, it starts to really pull from 4000rpm.

    I also read into the weak spots of this enginge, being the VANOS, timing chain, rod bearings, head gaskets. Unfortunatly I can't say anything about it thats why I need someones opinion about this.
    I have one mechanic saying the VANOS and timing chain need to be replaced, although my 540i and the videos ive seen on youtube don't convince me yet.

    Here is a video after 5mins of enginge running:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO4T...ature=youtu.be

    you can hear some VANOS rattle around the 26s mark but I don't know what's normal and what's not in these engines.

Similar Threads

  1. Looking to buy M5 - Opinions
    By Anatoly in forum 2000 - 2003 M5 and Z8 (E39, E52)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-18-2012, 08:34 PM
  2. looking to buy M5 bumpers...
    By racerx0911 in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 02-02-2008, 01:21 PM
  3. Looking to buy M5 Vin help
    By Erikki in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-29-2007, 07:43 PM
  4. Looking to buy M5 2001-2003
    By Igor911 in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-15-2006, 11:34 AM
  5. Looking at buying M5 (Well friend is)
    By zeit00 in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-22-2003, 09:55 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •