Any bad years for the E39 M5? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

firebird400 · 19th December 2007, 23:24

Hey, I have recently began to search for E39 M5's as I may be in the market for one soon. Right now I am just doing research.
I have obviously noticed that the 2000 model year goes for the least money. I realize this is largely due to the fact that they have the most miles (usually), and also because of the minor visual differences (ie LED tails, angel eyes, GPS difference) but is there anything else different about the 2000 M5? Do they generally experience more problems than, say a 2001? What I am asking is do the 2000 M5s have any mechanical issues that the later ones do not have?
I know a lot of cars have problems their first year and as the line goes on the factory tends to fix those problems for the next years' cars. I figured it was worth asking.
Thanks.

REKIII · 19th December 2007, 23:28

They changed the piston ring design near the end of the 2000 model year. This design change causes less oil useage than the early 2000's plus you don't HAVE to use 10W60 motor oil.

Others will surely pipe in, but this is how I understand it.

Bob

mottati · 19th December 2007, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by REKIII

They changed the piston ring design near the end of the 2000 model year. .

Bob

it was actually pretty early in the 00 model year, cars produced 2/00 and earlier have the old design rings, 3/00 and later have the new design rings.

Oil consumption still varies quite a bit, regardless of ring design. Later cars that tend to use oil will use a lot less with 10/60.

Couple of vanos updates thru the years, from what i've heard, 9/01 and beyond have the latest version, many earlier cars will have already had updates. Can't remember for sure, but you can tell if you have the newer style vanos by either the number or type of bolts on the front of it.

Bugeater · 19th December 2007, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebird400

Hey, I have recently began to search for E39 M5's as I may be in the market for one soon. Right now I am just doing research.
I have obviously noticed that the 2000 model year goes for the least money. I realize this is largely due to the fact that they have the most miles (usually), and also because of the minor visual differences (ie LED tails, angel eyes, GPS difference) but is there anything else different about the 2000 M5? Do they generally experience more problems than, say a 2001? What I am asking is do the 2000 M5s have any mechanical issues that the later ones do not have?
I know a lot of cars have problems their first year and as the line goes on the factory tends to fix those problems for the next years' cars. I figured it was worth asking.
Thanks.

Not sure, as mine has 115,000 miles on it.

It has had the "normal" problems:
1. bad crank position sensor (CPS) @ 80K
2. MAF sensors @ 80K
3. A/C condensor unit @ 90K
4. bad mark II NAV GPS @ 110K
5. bad cats started @ 80K (replaced at 110k)
6. Thrust arm bushings @ 80K

It has not had these problems:
1. VANOS solenoids
2. Oil burning (my car doesnt burn 1 drop).

rhouse181 · 19th December 2007, 23:44

I also have an MY2000 Beast, 96,xxx on the odometer and still takes rubber in the first three gears. Build date 05/00 with zero oil consumption.

Was wondering, I know the previous owner had the Vanos units fixed under warranty. How can I tell the difference from the old Vanos and new units by the type of bolts on the outside? Can someone chime in to explain the differences? Thanks!

- Randall

tranck · 20th December 2007, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebird400

Hey, I have recently began to search for E39 M5's as I may be in the market for one soon. Right now I am just doing research.
I have obviously noticed that the 2000 model year goes for the least money. I realize this is largely due to the fact that they have the most miles (usually), and also because of the minor visual differences (ie LED tails, angel eyes, GPS difference) but is there anything else different about the 2000 M5? Do they generally experience more problems than, say a 2001? What I am asking is do the 2000 M5s have any mechanical issues that the later ones do not have?
I know a lot of cars have problems their first year and as the line goes on the factory tends to fix those problems for the next years' cars. I figured it was worth asking.
Thanks.

There was a piston ring design change on the 2000MY starting with the 3/00 build date.

The reason that this is important is that "supposedly" the previous design used more oil than post 3/00 makes.

My build date was 11/99 and although I have had my share of problems, using oil has never been one of them - now at 153,000 miles and have owned it since new.

Need4Spd · 20th December 2007, 08:25

This site will tell you a lot about the differences from year to year. Basically there are no "bad" years, but MY'00 is probably the least desireable mainly for the cosmetic differences and tendency to use more oil than later models. As some noted, it's not every MY'00 that consumes a lot of oil and later ones can, too. Mainly it seems to be how they were broken in. Keep in mind the M5 was sold in Europe for nearly a year before coming to the U.S., so MY'00, the first available here, is actually the second year of e39 M5 production.

gherardini · 20th December 2007, 10:07

*any* year can be a bad year if a previous owner has thrashed the vehicle. just do your homework on it, talk to the previous owner, check maintenance records, call a dealer to get them, run a carfax, have a ppi done [not by a $tealer]. and continue to ask questions here. good luck!

TopEnd · 20th December 2007, 15:30

No bad years. With the E39 M5 it is just the drivers that make these machines go bad. Maintenance is the key to longevity. Obtain all records on the car before purchase. The Clutch and Vanos replacement should always be at the top of the questions. Along with Intervals of service.

CSBM5 · 20th December 2007, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopEnd

No bad years. With the E39 M5 it is just the drivers that make these machines go bad. Maintenance is the key to longevity. Obtain all records on the car before purchase. The Clutch and Vanos replacement should always be at the top of the questions. Along with Intervals of service.

+1

I'll add that the E39 M5 is now old enough that 2nd and 3rd or more owners who do not really have the resources to maintain the car properly but are attracted to the purchase price for something they've always wanted have acquired them. Hence there are starting to be numerous examples of very poorly maintained cars, poorly modified (witness that eBay car with the crazy hoses recently), etc, on the market. The used market for the M5 has changed dramatically in the past 3 years. Be careful, and preferrably buy a car with extensive provenance.