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Buying an E39 M5

20K views 152 replies 31 participants last post by  sterlinggrau530i 
#1 ·
Let's get started by saying that I have been around German cars ever since I was born. Back, in Bangladesh my grandfather has owned Mercedes Benz: W114,W123 and a lot more. In fact I learned how to drive a manual W123 when I was 13. But, my family moved to the US. Where taxes in cars are really low. Back in Bangladesh an F10 M5 wouldn't be less than $ 2 Million Dollars. Absurd right? The import duties/Tax on those cars are really high.

Anyways, we moved to the US in 2013. My dad bought an E39 530i. His second one. He had a 99 528i sport back home that he did a full mtech conversion to. Since, he missed the one back home, it was sensible to buy another one. I was looking at E39source to fix some common E39 issues. And then I started watching more and more videos about the E39 M5. And ever since then I wanted an E39 M5.

After a couple of years I got my driver's license. The E39 530i was passed down to me. I spent a lot of money making it run like it should have and I finally started to handle cosmetics. Since, I was putting so much money into the car it wasn't sensible DD driving. So, I bought another 530iA. This time being a Sport. With a lot of miles 215k mile. It's a lot but the car is mechanically solid. I don't beat my cars up. I enjoy them and keep them tame. So, it's going to last a while. Infact I was about to purchase another 530i. It was a two owner car and really well optioned. Seller and I agreed on a fair price. I was going to 5spd swap that car.

However, a week prior that happened my dad went to Bangladesh. He was enjoying all the Benz back home. I told him about getting another E39 he was aboard. But all of a sudden, he texted me one morning saying, "look for an E39 M5, it will be ours" I asked him what about the 530i. He said that the choice was mine and the ball was on my court. I wanted the 530i badly but the want for the M5 was worse. I told the seller of the 530i what happened and its sorted.

I told my friends the news and they started helping me for a car. I wanted an 00 car, A full leather car. I wanted a special car. I looked at a couple but then I got a call. 1 owner Anthracite Grey M5 00, 99 built with Full Leather 06SS is for sale. 1 of 7 cars and I already know where 2 of those 7 cars are.

The car has issues
Leaking VCG
Salesman claimed could be Head Gasket but said that the car had a V10 (so it could not be true)
Thermostat stuck open
E36 M3 rims

Did I mention it has a Brittleman exhaust? I really want the car but I'm going to take it in for a PPI soon!
 
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#2 ·
Make sure you get a thorough PPI. It sounds like you can't believe a word that salesman says if he thinks it has a V10...

How many miles are on it? Any service history? Sounds like the car needs work. A lot of the time if it needs a t-stat and valvecover gaskets then the previous owner didn't spend much money on it for maintenance or preventative maintenance. These are relatively easy fixes. What else might need work or maintenance that might not show on the surface... lots!
 
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#6 ·
I left a down payement for the car and it is 100% refundable. I was supposed to bring it home to do a PPI from my local specialist. I did the paperwork and started the car. It was left where I parked it the other day and wasn't moved. I started it and it sounded rough. My buddy had his snap on diagnosis tool. We plugged it in and Cam Shaft Position sensor code. The car is well under my budget and we've agreed on a price of 14k for it. Also, the dealer has agreed they will do the work if I buy the VCG/Head Gasket and thermostat if I buy it for them . Now, it's a 1 owner car. I even have a build sheet for it. Possibly the owner was tired of putting more and more money on it.
 
#3 ·
Not saying this just because I have mine listed for sale here, but you may want to consider buying from someone selling on this forum. Most of us selling have already gone through and sorted the issues that you will more than likely encounter when purchasing from a dealer (not all dealers).

If this dealer is saying what you have written above, this is NOT a dealer you want to purchase an M5 from.
 
#4 ·
I wholeheartedly agree. This is a really great forum and the members here are serious about how they maintain their cars. With how many little things that regularly need tending to I would never buy one from a dealer. OP, do not get overly excited about one car. There will always be another, better example. Wait and buy the right car and you won't regret it.
 
#11 ·
Hell at 14k you might as well stretch 2k and buy my 03 carbon black extended leather with 146k miles and receipts since brand new (though it'll be a little bit for me since my e60 deal just fell through). :/. Or find any other example for sale around here from an enthusiast with no deferred maintenance and good records. I don't even know what a brittleman exhaust is but no exhaust is, but no accessory is worth a poorly maintained car. 2000's lack a lot of little things that made the late 01+ cars nice (not saying 00s aren't nice... just saying). :)
 
#14 ·
Don't get me wrong. THe 03 are nice. Updated piston rings,pdc,etc. All nice options. BUt I want full leather. So, does my father. Not looking for anything black. The black paint are hard to keep clean. I do want a mechanically sorted car. I understand that. I'm waiting for the PPI report. I should have everything with the Cam Shaft Position Sensor done by Wednesday, I believe.
 
#12 · (Edited)
As you're 16 years old, congratulations on thinking big! I also think you're placing value in wrong places (leather dash, aftermarket exhaust). See what PPI shows but it may not be worth the $14K you mention. Do you have tools and space to work on one of these, or will you be paying for repairs? These cars are truly unique but bringing one back up from neglect is daunting. I think you'd be much better off buying one that's been sorted properly. Don't forget one other small item - the bump in insurance premium.
 
#15 ·
Haha, thanks! I just want to snag one of these machines before they are out of reach. I might be but honestly my biggest priority is the full leather dash. The exhaust is just an extra. I'm waiting for the PPI. If it's the small issues I mentioned above are what the PPI shows, I will bring it home. I have the tools to work on these cars. I've been working on both of my E39s. I'm somewhat familiar with things. THe car however will be shared between me and my father. So, we're going to split on everything. That's true, I don't want a car with too many issues. Some are fine. Yes, I know inurance is going to be pricey. But I will only be driving the car during summer. It'll be hibernating during Winter. I don't want the car exposed to any snow or salt. It will rarely see the HS parking lot. Half the people here can't drive. The ones that can drive have E90's with Jb4 tune floor their cars way too much and drive recklessly.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Love that...drives well except when it doesn't. Priceless (literally). One good thing for you is that there's plenty of knowledge on this forum. If you get your full leather dash (with car attached) I recommend starting with the basics - fluids, filters, spark plugs. Get a Peake reader or scan tool that'll read BMW codes; you'll definitely need one.
 
#23 ·
All my friends now have E39 M5s. I was about to buy my 3rd E39 530i. Then they were saying you don't need a third 530. You need an M5. And then popped my car. I will do all those basic stuff. I have INPA and I am well aware what to do and what not to do. So, I'm good on that part haha.
 
#19 ·
Your enthusiasm is refreshing and I dont want to burst your bubble but a car with >150k miles for $14k seems very high leather dash or not. Also if thats an OH car where you reside and only seen OH I would strongly check for rust as well and expect to pick up cases of PB Blaster.

Also what makes it 1of 7 car? The color and full leather dash?
 
#25 ·
In ohio cars only beat up cars are for 14k. And all of them are BASE model 00. Those cars are really bad. My car has no rust. It was a california car before.

The color and the interior configuration makes it 1/7 car.
 
#20 · (Edited)
This car would be 1 of 9 I believe. I still haven't figured out how to properly link, but if you search for a post by hcaleman about production numbers - North America, you'll find the graph showing how many of your specific color/interior were produced for NA. Also without wanting to start yet another leather interior thread, he wants complete leather, not extended. Simply put, complete has more leather then extended.

Edit: let's see if I can link this properly...
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...roduction-numbers-north-american-spec-m5.html
 
#22 ·
If this is the car you want, then why are you asking the forums? You may want to try and negotiate a better price. Walk away, see what they will do. Certainly get them to get it detailed, fluids changed, filters changed, etc.
 
#28 ·
I wanted to get opinions of other people. The dealer has located the OEM 65s and said they are in brand new condition they are willing to throw it for the asking price. TIres are Supersports with 80% thread left. I make money by detailing cars, I know what to do. I'd rather do it myself. That way I know how the old fluid was.
 
#31 ·
They are all pretty rare now. In recent years a bunch have been bought by people who could easily afford the buy price, but not the maintenance cost. One estimate I read says there are fewer than 6000 left on the road world wide. It is your money you can do what you want, but a little patience would go a long way here. Jumping at the first car is a little impetuous.
 
#32 ·
Not the first M5. I've looked at a 00 Silverstone car prior before getting my license. Well, I didn't my father did. The plan was for me to drive the M5 and my dad sell the 530i E39. I was strictly against it. The car was a 00 Silverstone M5 Full leather 06SS with 70k miles. My dad drove the car and had no issues. Only cosmetic. I could have it but the sentimental values with my 530 is the reason Why i didn't purchase an M5 a year ago.
 
#33 ·
Enjoy your car young man! You seem to have your mind made up. 1of 7,9, 50, or 100, like Sailor said, they're all rare. You've got the backing of your father and all your friends with M5's, so you'll have help. I'm happy to know the new generation likes these e39's as well. Keep us updated, and post some real pictures when you get a chance.
 
#40 ·
Thanks a lot, Sir! Means a lot. Talking about sailor, my father's a sailor lol! Back in the early 00's he was working in a Car carrier and he had a 2000 M5 in his ship. He loved that car. And the color was blue. I told him it was Avus Blue. A rare color! That car has left a good impression for my father. I've loved my E39 530i because of the driving dynamics. The E90,F30 are nice but I prefer the E39 and E46. They are so much easier to work on compared to the new ones. The E39 M5 was my dream car. I remember first seeing it in Need for Speed. And now getting one is quite Astonishing!
 
#37 · (Edited)
This takes me back. You definitely sound like an excited kid, and that's great, but don't let your excitement make this deal. You mentioned something earlier about the dealer saying they'd do a head gasket if you bought the parts? Does the car show any signs of needed the headgasket replaced? If not, there's no way I would consider doing that, especially having the dealer perform the work, these aren't Land Rovers and don't need head gaskets changed as preventative maintenance. Will you be doing the work on the car? The e39 m5 is definitely going to be a significant step up in maintenance costs per year, but it's honestly not too bad if you're performing the work on your own... If you aren't, things can get ugly quickly. Any record of rod bearings, VANOS service, or timing chain guides in the binder?

As far as the price goes, I think it sounds pretty reasonable assuming the car doesn't have any major issues or obvious previous paintwork. When I was shopping in this price range most of the 13-15k cars had been repaired at some point, not necessarily poorly, but noticeable if you were looking for it. If this one is all original paint, I think it warrants the extra cost.
 
#39 ·
I really didn't see any leaking/ oil sweeps from the HeadGasket area. Only place I saw was the VCG.THe salesman said it could be the Head-Gasket. But just to be safe, I'd rather have it all checked during PPI. I am going to do all the work myself. There's one shops that I'd trust doing work on the car. But that specialist is 200 miles away from me. The specialist that is close to me is a "D***" he has an attitude problem. Not to mention he marks up prices for parts. He charges his customers an additional 50% for the parts listed on Ecstuning. I still don't know how he's still in the business. The car has none of those proof about those. However the vanos wasn't bad. It didn't sound like a diesel like my friends 00 with 100k. It sounded a lot better!

I've been looking for one for a long time now. I even found one for 6k 200k miles but owner decided to keep it at the last moment. It was the same car but Luxury Leather, Extended. For that price, I wouldn't even complain.
 
#42 ·
I just bought a 2000 M5 last summer, with 100K, mint body/paint for $8300. The car drove perfectly, no codes, no issues, has not been winter driven since 2008.
I've since put in probably $4K in parts (battery, clutch, tires, and other typical maintenance bits, and some upgrades).
IMHO $14K for that car is way too high given the issues it has. Keep in mind those are the obvious problems, once you start driving, you'll find other things that need attention.

From my perspective, if I were to do it again, I'd find a more expensive example with most of the maintenance done (suspension, clutch).
 
#43 ·
I just bought a 2000 M5 last summer, with 100K, mint body/paint for $8300. The car drove perfectly, no codes, no issues, has not been winter driven since 2008.
I've since put in probably $4K in parts (battery, clutch, tires, and other typical maintenance bits, and some upgrades).
IMHO $14K for that car is way too high given the issues it has. Keep in mind those are the obvious problems, once you start driving, you'll find other things that need attention.

From my perspective, if I were to do it again, I'd find a more expensive example with most of the maintenance done (suspension, clutch).[/QUOTE

The value of these cars have risen since then. I've been looking and looking. The decision of finding one came in the wrong time. I would have picked an 03. I can pick one up easily in my budget. But, the Full Leather bug has bit me and my father quite badly.
 
#49 ·
I know you want this car but please listen to the very sound advice you are being given by people who have been through the trials and tribulations that the ownership of these cars bring.

Buy a sound car from an enthusiast with no faults and lower mileage, then take it to an experienced trimmer and get them to cover the dash etc with leather.

Save yourself and your father a great deal of grief and money and get the car you really want rather than the car you think you want.

This is not meant to be a stab at you, many of us (myself included) have been seduced by a particular car and paid the heavy price for it. We are just trying to save you the pain.
 
#51 ·
I totally understand your POV. I'm worried about the car when it was involved in an Accident. The front hood and passenger side door is not original. If the car has any damage beyond that, I will certainly pass that.
 
#57 ·
Here in the UK asking prices are up. Same in US? So what!

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> On Saturday, I looked at a 102,000 mile pale blue with black leather.

So here is the sorry list. 1 Missing engine under tray. 2. No xenons 3. Lower eyelids broken hanging out. 4 Wanli on rear Pirelli on the front 5. All four wheels had been resprayed silver and were peeling. 6. Leather on steering wheel worn and sticky. 7 Dash pixels 50% gone. 8. MID pixels 50% 9 I had to jump it off my E61 M5 in their yard because they had let it go flat!
10. I drove it in the wet and survived through my caution although it pulled to the left. The brakes (shiny and new but probably not OEM) were grabby. Fella said they had replaced them. So what else had the idiots got wrong?!
They wanted £14,995 for a 2000 car (and said they wouldn't accept offers) that had been run into the ground for them to boost it !!!

So I looked at another 92,000 2002 LeMans Blue again black leather. One owner since 2007 and specialist serviced since then. Only faults 1. some rust bubbles on body between boot lip and bumper 2. a few pixels gone on the MID and 3. driver door mirror needing new motor. I made an offer of £11,000 but he said he had a prior offer of £11,000 and I thought that I was on the high side. So I walked.

The advert has been withdrawn so, maybe, £11k is the going (March 2017) for a really good one at 2002 and 90,000.

Another, Dealer '2' has a 2002 with 83,000 miles for £16,995. Again, I say so what! If you buy at that price you are putting £5,000 straight into their pocket and you need to wash your hands afterwards.
I enquired about another car they had to get me in the door and overnight they raised the asking price on that one by £1,000.

All this has made me realise that my 2007 e61 in Monaco blue with black leather with its SMG box just needs caressing through traffic and that I should live in the US where petrol sorry GAS is cheaper!
As an earlier poster said buy off someone who clearly loves their car enough to spend time here.:grin
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#61 ·
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> On Saturday, I looked at a 102,000 mile pale blue with black leather.

So here is the sorry list. 1 Missing engine under tray. 2. No xenons 3. Lower eyelids broken hanging out. 4 Wanli on rear Pirelli on the front 5. All four wheels had been resprayed silver and were peeling. 6. Leather on steering wheel worn and sticky. 7 Dash pixels 50% gone. 8. MID pixels 50% 9 I had to jump it off my E61 M5 in their yard because they had let it go flat!
10. I drove it in the wet and survived through my caution although it pulled to the left. The brakes (shiny and new but probably not OEM) were grabby. Fella said they had replaced them. So what else had the idiots got wrong?!
They wanted £14,995 for a 2000 car (and said they wouldn't accept offers) that had been run into the ground for them to boost it !!!

So I looked at another 92,000 2002 LeMans Blue again black leather. One owner since 2007 and specialist serviced since then. Only faults 1. some rust bubbles on body between boot lip and bumper 2. a few pixels gone on the MID and 3. driver door mirror needing new motor. I made an offer of £11,000 but he said he had a prior offer of £11,000 and I thought that I was on the high side. So I walked.

The advert has been withdrawn so, maybe, £11k is the going (March 2017) for a really good one at 2002 and 90,000.

Another, Dealer '2' has a 2002 with 83,000 miles for £16,995. Again, I say so what! If you buy at that price you are putting £5,000 straight into their pocket and you need to wash your hands afterwards.
I enquired about another car they had to get me in the door and overnight they raised the asking price on that one by £1,000.

All this has made me realise that my 2007 e61 in Monaco blue with black leather with its SMG box just needs caressing through traffic and that I should live in the US where petrol sorry GAS is cheaper!
As an earlier poster said buy off someone who clearly loves their car enough to spend time here.:grin
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The place where I live barely has any M cars. One E39 M5, E60 M5 and two F10 M5's. Barely any M cars. Finding one close to me that too a full leather car we shall see.
 
#59 ·
Ok, so it's been crashed. Now you need to stop and walk away from this car. This is a bad buy, don't do it.

Seriously, find a better car, there are plenty out there. This car will bring you nothing but expense and disappointment.

As a young man I listened to no one, regardless of how much more experience they had and it has cost me dear. Please don't make the same mistake, swallow your pride and do the right thing by yourself.
 
#67 ·
When the e39 M5 bug hits you, you lose all sight of common sense!
Have an honest convo with your father. The two of you are ultimately they ones who know how much risk you are willing to take.
It seems like this car has won your heart and money already.
 
#69 ·
My father has seen this car in person a while back. It was this very car. When we were shopping for his new DD. We stumbled across the M5 and we were talking how clean it was. I never thought I'd own it. I have been facetiming him everytime I went to the shop.

My dad said, as long as the frame is untouched and all the damaged parts are replaced it should be solid. I do agree, I have lost everything. I'm a really picky buyer. When I was looking at a bunch of X5's and X6's for my father. I pointed out all the issues and tell him the disadvantages. But, on the M5 I have absolutely fallen in love with that car.
 
#70 ·
The car has been in an accident. That right there should tell you to move on and forget about it. From reading through the thread it's clear IMO that you're very invested in this car. There are some serious gurus in here advising you to move on.

I was 17 when I got my E36 M3, and I remember the feeling. To this day I don't think I have ever been more rabidly excited about anything in my life than I was when I got that car. However, I learned the lesson everyone in here is imploring you to hear, that I wound up spending way more to get that car up to snuff than I ever imagined-- unfortunately becoming familiar with the feeling you get when people make their intro threads and they got a great car for the same or less money.

This forum is a great place, possibly the best forum I've ever frequented. We want you to get an M5. We all love these cars, and we'll be more than happy to help you when you get there. But you're asking us to help you determine whether or not this car is the right one I think the consensus is clear here.

Remember, the ultimate preventative maintenance is buying the right car, and you only get one shot. We'll all be here no matter what you decide but, again, there are plenty of well maintained cars for sale on this forum every day.

Good Luck
 
#73 ·
Thanks a lot for the kind words

You are right. This forum is however the best forum, I've been to. But the BMW community is the best. Some of my car friends are like get something other then a BMW. And I wish I could tell them to his face, "Only, if you had the resources the BMW community has unlike your leased 2016 Camry."

I've spent over $10,000 on my E39 530iA. I blew my whole bank balance on that car. Do I regret it? Maybe, just a bit. I would've gotten a little bit of my money back on an E39 M5. The 530i still puts a huge smile on my face. That car was sitting inside for two months. I fired it up yesterday. Did, some pulls and it left a huge smile on my face. I've been through the spending phase. I

I just want a rare car now.
 
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