going to look at m5 need some ugent suggestions - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

jonny_5 · 2nd August 2008, 02:53

ive come accross a nice clean example,2001 e39 m5 carbon black with black and grey interior, but one thing is putting me off the thing is it has had both vanos replaced and has had a engine rebuild under warranty by bmw main dealer and recently had all its maff sensors replaced now is that a bad thing or is it good would it put people off??? or is it just me should i just leave it and keep looking?, thanks in advance

ssomed · 2nd August 2008, 05:51

how many miles?

If regular service, perhaps you have been spared the agony of replacing the vanos yourself later.

MAF's are a regular replacement item.

any carfax available?

just a couple thoughts,

ssomed

chowdah · 2nd August 2008, 05:55

I would want to know the specific circumstances surrounding the engine rebuild. No trustworthy/clear answer -- no buy.

gavinbailey · 2nd August 2008, 09:42

Personally I'd always buy an original car that's not been pulled apart hpwever as others have said the mafs are service items and some cars have had vanos repairs/replacements under warranty - especially some of the earlier ones however this is a 2001 model you're looking at. In terms of engine I would seek to establish exactly what's happened here. I'd speak to the dealers service department that's done the work - of x-check with BMW in the UK through the registration and chassis number. Before I bought mine I validated the sevrice history all the way through by talking to each of the service departments at each dealer to verify the stamps and eny repair work done. You should also do an HPI check - essential on a car like this. I don't suppose it has remaining BMW warranty - if it has that's a real bonus as it can't be extended once lapsed and depending on the level of cover it will literally cover everything expect wear and tear items. I've claimed for £££'s in the last year on my warranty!

ard · 2nd August 2008, 18:43

The vanos or MAFs don't concern me.

HOWEVER, the 'engine rebuild' is a huge red flag.

Is this in addition to the vanos work?

I'd want to see the ACTUAL work order for the rebuild activties- every line item, every part. If a BMW dealer got into the engine internals- cylinder scoring, rehoning, rings, etc, etc, I'd personally never consider a purchase.

GL

A

jonny_5 · 3rd August 2008, 00:14

first of all i would like to say thanks for all the replys,
as you all know buying a ///M car can be stress full

,
the engine has been rebuilt at 68k and the now miliege and is at 74k with full documented main dealer history yet to be comfirmed and viewed,
the seller had explaned why the work was carried out,
"the vanos had failed and broken off a piece and had fallen into to chain and snaped it",
he said both vanos had failed.
now i will be HPI checking it and ringing bmw to see if there is any truth to hes story, it is the week end here in the uk and my contact at bmw had a day off i could of called another dealer but i wanted a proper report to what has been done and need to wait till monday i just dont want to be stuck with a car that is hard to sell if and when the time comes i really cant afford to hit and miss as you all know if something goes wrong it wont be a cheap fix and i would need to remortgage LoL

LFC09 · 3rd August 2008, 07:45

+ 1 on getting the full detail of the rebuild, what was found what was replaced etc as ARD said.
The sellers version of events sounds horrific.