Next question: how reliable is the M5? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bauhaus · 2nd June 2004, 23:32

First of all, thanks to all for all the comments on my last question (M5 vs Audi S4 purchase) - I think that I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on an M5.

This leads me to my next question:

How is the reliability on the 2001-2 M5's?

I have had both E36 and E46 M3's and had virtually no problems. I track the cars a couple time a year, drive them moderately hard on the street and maintain them very well.

Besides normal wear (clutch, brakes, etc.) how is the overall reliability on the car?

Will the general upkeep be any more expensive than my E46 M3?

If I pull the trigger on an 2001-2 M5 (hopefully 25,000 or so miles), I would hope to keep it for 10 years as a daily driver and put on an additional 150,000 miles over that time. Is this feasible?

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Brother Methias · 3rd June 2004, 00:44

I'm thinking it will be more reliable than an m3, as so far the S62 engine has proven itself more reliable than m3 engines, and based on my observations comparing my brother's 330ci and my m5 the build quality on alot of interior/ body stuff seems a step higher. Actually, i think you can look at alot of the e39 reliability figures (which have been great) and apply them to the M5's electrical system, etc.

Another important point to consider is there probably is no other automobile on the road that has a website with as much useful information as this one. We will all age with our cars (i'm hoping for at least 150000 miles) and as problems come up will share them here. I would not be driving this car had i not learned so much about it on this website.

FAST 5 · 3rd June 2004, 09:47

cool!!!
Great songs.....

CEC · 3rd June 2004, 19:23

I too owned an E36 and E46 M3. I am now on my second E39 M5 and in 4 years of ownership I can report zero problems. While I don't have the statistics to back it up but from all I have heard the M5 is very reliable.

As for cost, the M5 cosumes some oil of the expensive synthetic variety. Other than that I would expect the maintainance costs to be on par with your M3's. Do get the clutch checked out to be sure it wasn't abused by the previous owner. The clutch is the weakest link in the M5 drivetrain.