The quest continues...good example or potential nightmare?
So two months ago I joined the board and began my search for a nice m5 and almost pulled the trigger on one. Like a few of us on this forum it has been a dream car for a long time (although mine is more of a list).
So long story short, I have been saving up more and lurking around on the forum more checking out the DIY's and have found this example on Autotrader.
Again just wanted to get the all-knowing M5B's experience and wisdom's take on it. Does anyone think it is odd that a transmission is replaced at 85k mi? I mean I like that fact but I am concerned because from my experience Manual transmissions do not break very easily. The only thing I can think of is it was tracked.
I emailed the seller with some basic questions. But it's late and I left out a few things that I should have asked also. I also typed a much longer version of this post buy the board login timed out and I lost the post. I will post an update tommorow night.
Look forward and appreciate any and all advice. Thanks again guys and good night.
So two months ago I joined the board and began my search for a nice m5 and almost pulled the trigger on one. Like a few of us on this forum it has been a dream car for a long time (although mine is more of a list).
So long story short, I have been saving up more and lurking around on the forum more checking out the DIY's and have found this example on Autotrader.
Again just wanted to get the all-knowing M5B's experience and wisdom's take on it. Does anyone think it is odd that a transmission is replaced at 85k mi? I mean I like that fact but I am concerned because from my experience Manual transmissions do not break very easily. The only thing I can think of is it was tracked.
I emailed the seller with some basic questions. But it's late and I left out a few things that I should have asked also. I also typed a much longer version of this post buy the board login timed out and I lost the post. I will post an update tommorow night.
Look forward and appreciate any and all advice. Thanks again guys and good night.
Replacement tranny is good here.
If a problem develops, Getrag does not make replacment parts available. As a general rule, it cannot be repaired. So the only practical way of repair is a replacment. It comes directly from BMW. While the tranny is out, it makes sense to do a clutch and/or flywheel as appropriate (and I am sure the rear main seal).
The trannys are robust but have a couple of weak points. A few folks have made some repairs, but it usually requires cannibalizing another tranny.
So consider the replacment a plus, as well as relatively rare. Plus, you only have 15k miles on the "lifetime" fluid (change it every 50-60k, 30k if you are anal). Only BMW considers it "lifetime".
Rest of car seems nice, you have the advantage of having access to all the service records, so check them out.
__________________
e60 ssk, zhp knob, brake ducts, ate super gold, ate brake shoes, pagid yellow rs19, pagid blue, titanium backing plates, dinan rsb, mk4 gps, vxx ae, brushed aluminum trim swap, gp2, bell sa2010, sparco tornado, sparco speed+ racing, 3mm front spacers, turner 32mm bolts, x5 thrust arm bushings, OE 9.5" squared 275/35/18 dunlop direzza zii, OE staggered 245/40-275/35/18 direzza z1 star spec, staggered style 66 on 235-245/45/17 blizzak ws70, pentosin mtf2, liqui moly 10w60, mobil1 0w40, ground control camber plates, bilstein b8 monotube dampers, intrax of holland racing springs*tbi
**********************
dynojet 319ft-lb, 341whp, 13.51@104.3 englishtown, lime rock 1'09.9", lightning 1'23.420", thunderbolt 1'44.2", watkins glen *tbd, secret menu maf test, 138+ 2nd gear
**********************
Favorite Quote: "Understeer is when you hit the wall with your front end. Oversteer is when you hit the wall with your back end. Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall. Torque is how far you move the wall when you hit it. "
Oh, and don't forget...the owner is a service advisor. In all likelihood the tranny was fine and he just wanted a factory fresh one at no cost. Just fudged it about 'notchy shifting' or some such on the warratny form and nobody said boo
I'd be unconcerned about the tranny.
Remember, 1-2k in price should NOT be your sole criteria...
Thanks for the advice guys. I also got an email from the seller and he answered all my questions accordingly. So I will look more into this. Hopefully by the end of the month I will finally own an M5!
So I talked to the owner today, seem pretty solid. The transmission was replaced under the previous owner under insurance. Funny story I will share later.
In the mean time I'll be meeting him halfway to test drive it in two weeks if somebody doesn't snag it up yet. We'll see how it goes.
So I talked to the owner today, seem pretty solid. The transmission was replaced under the previous owner under insurance. Funny story I will share later.
In the mean time I'll be meeting him halfway to test drive it in two weeks if somebody doesn't snag it up yet. We'll see how it goes.
Truthfully, I wouldn't wait 2 weeks if you are serious. The car shows nice, bit of a gamble on your part.
Before you buy one make sure you go on youtube or the board and search for rod bearings and timing chain guides and vanos noise videos. Make sure you know all the sounds the engine will make normally so that you know what an issue will sound like. I myself have posted a couple videos with my engine noises that were from my timing chain guides failing. Even with these components failing the car will still run and drive, almost as if nothing was wrong. If the transmission has been replaced, is there a warranty on that work? Also run the test on the MAFS. There's a DIY on it. It's quick and easy.
$21k for an 02 with 100k miles? That's very high IMO. I paid $12k for an 03 with 129k with "new" transmission/clutch/flywheel/rotors/pads/mafs/02's/and CPS's. I'm sure someone else has more knowledge on this than me but, is that a "good" price 21k?
If you're serious, you need to ask if the seller is willing to accept a deposit (a portion of which is non-refundable). Otherwise, I think it unlikely that you'll wind up with this car. Before he drives nearly 5 hours round-trip for you to merely test drive the car, he will sell it locally. That ad is well-written and he comes off as quite knowledgeable. Not gonna last two weeks.
1Likes
"
Linear Mode
