Need your help guys - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

alibo70 · 22nd June 2004, 04:21

I'm sure all of you guys have read some of my posts. Anyway here it is again. I recently bought a 2000 M5 76,000 miles, original clutch. As it was mentioned on this forum that these early production M5's had a problem with carbon build up in the heads, and some lucky people have had heads or in extreme cases got new engines. I am the second owner, and have every single service record. The car has had a SES light problem since maybe around 20,000 miles or so. Has had o2 sensors replaced a number of times, everything related to the secondary air replaced, left side cat, and a long list of other things, I can go in detail if needed. To cut the long story short my dealer is not helpful at all, when I took the car to my dealer to check what triggered the light, the codes say secondary air effiecncy, and misfire. They tell me they don't want to see the car again and not to bring it again. BMW NA is not helpful at all said will not do anything on the engine, and will not change the right cat which is bad and should covered until 80,000 miles. VANOS also needs to be done. The feels powerless and jst not there power wise, I mean 400 hp is 400 hp not in my case, i guess. Please help me, do I have an arguing point or should just forget it and cry. Any help will greatly appreciated, in making my car the beast it once was.
Thanks,
Al

BmwNut · 22nd June 2004, 08:44

Take it another dealership, even if it is a drive. See what they say. Run a thread or do a search on this board to see some good dealerships in your area. There is something wrong, and it seems your stealership is living up to their name. I am sorry BMW NA cant help, but it's time to take a drive and see what another dealership tells you. Hope to hear some good news in a little bit.

atlantisvip · 1st September 2004, 20:25

Alibo, did you ever figure out the problem ?? My 2000 is problematic too.

alibo70 · 3rd September 2004, 20:13

The dealer reprogrammed the DME and it ran fine for about 2 weeks. Then guess what the SES lights on again. They think its the MAFS this time. If that doesn't fix it than I am selling this piece of *hit. Its really bad for a car of this stature to be so problematic. I have had bad luck with BMW's (740's, 745's). I am thinking about a 2000-02 Mercedes E55, then supercharging it. Hands down Mercedes is the best. Hope I could help.
Thanks,
Al

atlantisvip · 3rd September 2004, 20:41

I feel you Alibo...

alibo70 · 3rd September 2004, 23:26

Keep in touch though. I would like to see if you have any luck in fixing your M5.

Ahmed · 4th September 2004, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by alibo70

The dealer reprogrammed the DME and it ran fine for about 2 weeks. Then guess what the SES lights on again. They think its the MAFS this time. If that doesn't fix it than I am selling this piece of *hit. Its really bad for a car of this stature to be so problematic. I have had bad luck with BMW's (740's, 745's). I am thinking about a 2000-02 Mercedes E55, then supercharging it. Hands down Mercedes is the best. Hope I could help.
Thanks,
Al

AMEN !!!!

alibo70 · 4th September 2004, 02:49

Good, I see somebody agrees.

DrewKeen · 5th September 2004, 18:48

EPA requires them to make all emissions stuff work for 80k miles. They should definitly replace the cat, if not you could probably turn them in and they would face some serious trouble.

agitator · 5th September 2004, 19:05

>I am thinking about a 2000-02 Mercedes E55, then supercharging it.
>Hands down Mercedes is the best.

Before you go out and get a Merc, you should check the latest press/reviews on Merc quality. My impression, and personal experience (although not with a E55 directly), is that Mercedes quality is not what it used to be.

BMW may not be perfect, the dealerships are not as good as, say Lexus, but I'd say they are pretty darn good when compared to the rest.

Agitator

agitator · 5th September 2004, 19:15

>I am thinking about a 2000-02 Mercedes E55, then supercharging it.
>Hands down Mercedes is the best.

Before you go out and get a Merc, you should check the latest press/reviews on Merc quality. My impression, and personal experience (although not with a E55 directly), is that Mercedes quality is not what it used to be.

BMW may not be perfect, the dealerships are not as good as, say Lexus, but I'd say they are pretty darn good when compared to the rest.

Agitator

alibo70 · 5th September 2004, 23:25

I agree with you 100%. But the old (2000-02) E55 seems pretty bulletproof. I mean I really love my M5 and hope that the MAFS fixes the problem. I only occasionally drive my M5. It has a been nightmare, I hate that stupid SES light. Anyone can obviously see that Mercedes quality has gone way downhill. They are hurting their image, while making Chrysler look great! Another option, after watching that M5 and Audi chase movie on this board, was getting an S4. For about 7-8 grand, you can be pushing 600hp. That's crazy, and you can get the cars pretty cheap.