What's the diff? 02 vs 03 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ard · 22nd August 2004, 21:10

I'd like to know the differences between the 02 and 03 E39 M5...

I know the Nav went to a DVD based system. From what I've read the '02 can be upgraded... (ball park costs?)

Any other differences? If so, can they be 'upgraded'? should they be upgraded (ie is it worthwhile)?

Thanks much

Ard

PS In the market for a Sterling/Caramel 03... hard to find... thinking of considering the 02s, hence my query.

m5guru · 23rd August 2004, 03:25

My impression was that the only functional difference out of the box was the DVD navigation. But there may be some more subtle changes. Somewhere along the way, they included a cable between the CD changer and the tuner pack that was not present in earlier cars. I know this because I was following instructions for upgrading and earlier model year M5 and they said that I needed to order a cable from BMW. But when I got the system apart and looked for where to put this cable, it was already present in the '03 version I had. There might be some changes re: bluetooth as well.

Digi · 23rd August 2004, 03:49

Standard Free Maintenance went from 3yr/36K to 4yr/50K miles.

doug · 23rd August 2004, 04:21

The 03's had some updated radio features-- esp the later ones. Also, all 03's are BlueTooth ready.

- dvd nav
- 4 yr/50k mi full maintainance
- blue-tooth ready
- aux input capable radio (has to do w/ the vintage of the radio)
- sirius sat radio capable-- sort of (with 4/03 later radios, i think)

greer · 23rd August 2004, 08:04

These are all godd updates, I'll be getting an "03.

CSBM5 · 23rd August 2004, 15:19

One additional thing: from the best that I can tell, all the '03 models came standard with rear airbags just like the '01. In '02 it was a "no-cost option" that had to be selected on the build order for the car, and I have hardly ever seen an '02 with the rear air bags.

ard · 23rd August 2004, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSBM5

One additional thing: from the best that I can tell, all the '03 models came standard with rear airbags just like the '01. In '02 it was a "no-cost option" that had to be selected on the build order for the car, and I have hardly ever seen an '02 with the rear air bags.

Whoa. That looks like one item that cannot be added...and would be desireable. Bummer.

The other items look like they can all be readily added if wanted.

Thanks all for the posts

Ard

Beepcake · 23rd August 2004, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSBM5

One additional thing: from the best that I can tell, all the '03 models came standard with rear airbags just like the '01. In '02 it was a "no-cost option" that had to be selected on the build order for the car, and I have hardly ever seen an '02 with the rear air bags.

The UK spec is different, but I thought they were installed but deactivated unless requested to be activated?

rost12 · 24th August 2004, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beepcake

The UK spec is different, but I thought they were installed but deactivated unless requested to be activated?

Same in US/Canada, I believe. Have them on my 03 but need to get them activated and my dealership wants $400 for that.

CSBM5 · 24th August 2004, 03:49

In the US delivered cars, the 2001 and 2003 models came with rear bags standard. The 2002 is listed as coming with them standard in the brochure, but in fact they were a no-cost option that needed to be checked on the order. They all come deactivated in just the door bags. The rear head airbags (the main reason I wanted to have the rear bags in my car) come activated from the factory.