M5 Longevity and reliability?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Fang · 1st November 2001, 00:01

How long do you guys plan on keeping your M5? And for those of you who want to keep it 4-ever (sorry, old high school thing), have you purchased extended warrantees? And how is 5-series reliability in general? (esp. electrical, engine, etc)-

Sorry for all the ??? -

James A · 1st November 2001, 01:58

I'm keeping mine until a better one comes out. I bought my M3 new in 1988 and still have it and enjoy it.

AJ · 1st November 2001, 02:15

mechanically they are very good. body integrity is good. electrically they are a nightmare. every german car i;ve seen has some kind of electrical problem once the car is 2-3 years old. parts (once the car is out of waranty) are expensive and so is labor if you are not doing it yourself.

hope this helps

alex
00 m5

chunpng · 1st November 2001, 03:04

I plan on keeping mine forever. I simply cannot think of another car I'd rather drive. I have 3 more cars in my garage not getting much use now.

I got a 7 years (from date of purchase) 100k miles, $0 deductible, extended warrenty from Warrenty Gold, for $2,350. Imagine, worryfree M5 motoring till 2008

CP

HotRod · 1st November 2001, 04:15

i have 3.5 year lease...which puts me right in line for the v-10 2004 m5, which i will also lease......

HotRod

M5XTRM · 1st November 2001, 04:46

I plan on keeping mine. Beside the M5, I have 3 other BMWs, just sold my 535I - EML 1991.

I have been very fortunate to not have had any major problem with any of them. The electronics might be a problem, but they tend to be with any car. I love driving them, each one has a particular personality. I have purchased them all new, usually 1 to 2 years after initial production so most of the kinks have been worked out by the manufacturer, tend to be more reliable and there is usually a lot of information about them from other consumers. I buy them in a 24 month plan and usually get the extended warranty, based on other consumers experiences on possible future problems.

325I 1987, Z3 1998, 528I 1999 the M5 is a 2001. I have deposits on the next 7 and the next M5 whenever it is produced.

Tenney · 1st November 2001, 06:57

I have one of the early 10W60 guzzlers. In 12K miles it has seen a new computer, new vanos and new tranny. I like the car but I'll replace it before the warranty expires.

Fang · 1st November 2001, 15:29

Would the extended warrantee cover things like the transmission, VANOS, electrical gremlins? Is it pretty much bumper to bumper? Are these aftermarket companies reputable?

THanks=

DrRob · 1st November 2001, 15:58

Fang,

I bought an extended warranty on my daughters 1992 325 from the dealer through GE Capital, which was a complete bumper to bumper coverage for $1200 at the time. They also offered less expensive plans with more limited coverage They were reputable, covering 100% of the a few repairs (one was a $2200 valve lifter and cam repair). 100% cost coverage (parts and labor) from the dealer selling the plan, $100 deductible for repairs made by other BMW dealerships.

Fernando · 1st November 2001, 16:52

I will purchase mine only when the new M-5 2004 model change.

Bart Carter · 2nd November 2001, 05:25

The GE warranty is great. I was bummed to find out it is not offered on the M5.

There must be an alternative.

chunpng · 2nd November 2001, 07:17

Hi Feng,

The warrenty is pretty much bumper to bumper. The only parts NOT covered are the normal wear and tear stuff like brake pads, clutch, wipers, tires etc. I'm sure stuff like transmission, VANOS, and other electrical parts are covered. They call this plan the New Diamond Plan, which is their most delux plan.

I found Warrenty Gold from Autoweb.com. They are backed by a very reputable reinsurance company and had been in business the longest amongst these car warrenty firms (since 1984).

I have never made an warrenty claim before (had 3 extended warrenty policies on different cars before) so I can't say that I had good experience first hand. However, for the amount of coverage (time and mileage) and zero deductible, I can't find another one with a better rate.

By the way, the quote they gave me was $3,150 originally for $50 deductible. I told them Warrenty by Net would do $0 deductible at $2,250, and they basically matched it.

Good luck.

CP