E39 M5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

kees · 20th November 2005, 19:57

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General
The Very Best BMW Dealers and Indy Shops
Buying a car out of state tips?
Service Bulletins
Book recommendations
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ALL BMW technical documentation ONLINE!
MP3 disc creation guide
Aftermaket Warranty Information Database
List of Abbreviation/Terms

General E39 M5
Download E39 M5 Owner's Manuals
Owners Manuals in English for the 2000, 2002 and 2003 models are attached at the bottom of this post.
M5 E39 Body Style S62 engine FACTS
Write-up (E39 M5 extensive production statistics)
M5 Common Problems and Running Costs
M5board featured in TotalBMW Buyer's Guide
Places to look for rust when buying an E39 M5
Videos: Learning to Launch and Shift the M5
Greg's M5 driving school
Recall Campaign 01V-206: Engine Auxiliary/Cooling Fan

Parts diagrams
Part groups BMW 5' E39, M5 (S62)
RealOEM.com * Diagram Selection
http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsM...2&rnd=03192010

Audio
E39 M5, M-Audio speaker configuration.
The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com) - Adding Amps to DSP WITHOUT Cleansweeps
My Experience UpgradingThe E39 M5 Sound System
My Stereo Installation--Alpine, Illusion Audio, Hybrid Audio, Audio Control, Dynaudio, Knukonceptz and Advice From Doug
Timmay77's stereo build (complete aftermarket system)
Aftermarket stereo and subwoofers (pics)
Now this is what I call M Audio! (audio upgrade info **long**)
M-Audio Subwoofer question
how much power can the M audio subs handle?

Battery
Battery Replacement Options: BMW, OE, etc..
Got Battery Drain Problems? Check Here

Brakes
Changing to EBC Red Brake Pads. Any gotchas on the install?
excellent brake article
Why aren't the OEM rotors cross-drilled?
Which Big Brake Kit (BBK)?
E39 M5 Brake Duct Modification

Code Reader
Peake Research tool for reading ODB2 & BMW fault codes
Which model Peake reader to get
Knowledge base on Peake codes for E39 M5

Drivetrain
Speeds, gears, torque, acceleration, rear-ends, etc.
Differential Leak
Jammed Transmission Selector Fix
Clean up shifter slop

Engine Oil
What BMW has to say on the subject of OIL!
Intersting read on oil consumption
An oil thread with actual data! (194 UOAs from S62s)
Oil FAQ

Engine
TPS & CPS sensors: camshaft position, crankshaft position, throttle position
FAQ - that fearful tapping sound that's much ado about nothing (ticking, not rod bearings)
Banks Cylinders numbering
Who had rod bearing issues?Please post details
How much space opposite hood?
How to test the MAFs yourself and How MAFs work
Cleaning MAFS
MAF sensor removal tool?
Carbon Buildup FAQ (summary) Peake AA code
Carbon Buildup FAQ (long)
Software fix for Carbon Build-Up issue
PICS: Carbon Cleaning- secondary air passages
Oil Filter Housing Mount
How VANOS work
Vanos Issues
VANOS Solenoid Replacement DIY
VANOS Warranty in California
Long and technical: thoughts on cold air intakes and temp sensor relocation
Steve Dinan's White Paper on the Dinan S2-M5 and Dyno Testing
Zionsville Super Duty Radiator Installation
Rod Bearing Replacement- In Car- Pictures and costs
Timing Chain Replacement, VANOS replacement and setting timing
Rod Bearings Thread Compilation
Time to get up Close and Personal with the VANOS Board and Solenoids

Exhaust
Official Straight Pipe/Muffler Delete Fact Thread.
Info: When installing Supersprint Headers
Muffler Delete- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fuel
Suddenly stranded? Testing your fuel tank levels, fuel pump relay, and fuel pump in 10 minutes with a piece of copper wire
Fuel Gauge showed 1/3 tank, car ran out of gas
Changed your FUEL FILTER Lately? (filter cut open pic)
Another Fuel Tank Breather DIY (Peake E8 code)

Instrumentation
Secret menu
Tech: How to reset your service indicator
NAV Hardware and Software Version
NAV Status Screen providing gyro data
4:3 to 16:9 navigation upgrade
Changing the viewing angle of the 16/9 navi screen
Oil Pressure Gauge Install
Missing Pixels on dashboard display
Repair guide for missing pixels in odometer display
Alternate Repair guide for missing pixels in odometer display - Ribbon Cable Replacement
Vent Fan Failure--Final Stage Unit replacement?
Troubleshooting non-working central locking system (key is not dead)
Troubleshooting remote trunk (boot) release
Rear Deck Rattle - DIY Fix
DIY guide for Bluetooth retrofit kit
Stealth One Software
Stealth One Manual

Suspension
What you need to know about your suspension
Suspension alignment specifications
Rear Swaybar Brackets
Fixed steering wheel vibration!
X5 Thrust arm bushings
Installing X5 bushings
Possible front control arm bushing failure?
Installing Ground Control suspension
Rear Suspension Overhaul - Observations
Couple vids on steering linkage play/balljoints

Bodywork & Lights
Fasteners for undertrays?
Wipers?
Insight into BMW's failed auto dimming mirrors
Angel Eyes - Stock vs PIAA vs ICE [PICS]
Installing Celis Tail Lights
Step-by-step paint scratch removal guide
Failing Electrochromic Mirror- Warranty Info
Adventures with Headlight Adjusters
Passenger side mirror replacement
00 --> 01 Front Headlight Conversion Instructions
Steering wheel / airbag upgrade

Wheels & Tires
Original Manufacturer of Chrome Shadow paint
3mm spacers for rear wheels on front or for BBK

Special Project Cars
Jed's official E39 M5 Touring Build Thread
My Successful S62 Engine Rebuild and Thank-you!
CROSS BREED: 2jz M5 Video and Pictures
Diary of an E39 M5 restoration(or how a random collection of parts becomes a car)
3200lb Supercharged Widebody build thread
The life of my E39 M5 show car (my journey)
*Official* My S62 Z3 M COUPE Build Thread
E39 LS1 Swap Completed
M5 UTE conversion
My thoughts on living with a Area 51 Supercharged M5
On acquiring “El Diablo”, Black M5/Discovery Automotive über-beast!
Buildstory of DINAN supercharged 540i Touring
540i 4.9 Kompressor buildstory
Nowack N-500
S3 #17 Is Back From Dinan
First Impressions with my Dinan S3 #18. Test Drive today......
Dinan S3 project has started......
Report on Delivery of Dinan S3 #22 (pics) [Very comprehensive write-up]
Dinan S3 #23 is back
Build of NYC S3 #24 (Pictures)
NOS on e39 M5?

bluebmw · 20th November 2005, 20:05

I think thats a very good idea.

wilsodh · 21st November 2005, 01:14

I agree... good concept. The challenge may be getting someone to write it. Perhaps it could be parsed out. For example individuals well-informed about certain topics might contribute a section.

Cheers,

DavidS · 21st November 2005, 01:18

This is a very good idea, Kees!

I would suggest we get the FAQ off to a flying start by performing some board searches on each of the subjects suggested, and list links to some of the interesting threads.

Then we can add summary / consensus / conclusion text in the FAQ itself until it becomes a useful document in its own right.

I strongly suggest you make the FAQ thread "moderator post only" and that we keep all discussion about the FAQ content as such in separeate threads, and then as knowledge and consensus evolves the moderators move the most relevant parts of the texts into the FAQ.

Cheers!

David

greg · 21st November 2005, 03:18

For all the DIYers, a list of

1) bolt/nut sizes needed for common services (oil drain, tranny drain, diff drain, brake caliper, underbody panel, etc.)

2) Proper torque for lug nuts, spark plugs, etc.

3) An index with URLs to all known DIY procedures

kees · 21st November 2005, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidS

This is a very good idea, Kees!

I would suggest we get the FAQ off to a flying start by performing some board searches on each of the subjects suggested, and list links to some of the interesting threads.

Then we can add summary / consensus / conclusion text in the FAQ itself until it becomes a useful document in its own right.

Agreed - if people provide links to posts with clear information about particulair subjects, the information about each subject can be compiled into the dedicated FAQ thread.

Let's use this thread to compile usefull information, I will then copy/paste the finished text into the FAQ thread.

Quote:

I strongly suggest you make the FAQ thread "moderator post only" and that we keep all discussion about the FAQ content as such in separeate threads, and then as knowledge and consensus evolves the moderators move the most relevant parts of the texts into the FAQ.

Created FAQ thread here:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=62487

Richard in NC · 22nd November 2005, 02:27

How about a link to this E39 M5 Facts thread to start?
M5 E39 Body Style S62 engine FACTS...Long

Hamann09 · 29th November 2005, 14:31

I think it would be very useful,

consider that we already have all the required info!

KRM · 5th December 2005, 12:14

As a 'late-joiner' to M5 ownership, I had the benefit of this board to help answer many questions and concerns prior to my purchase since September. Having joined this board since '00, I got to learn a whole lot about the beast. The following are just some of the helpful bookmarks I collected regarding specific issues with the car.

Differential Leak
Vanos Issues
MAFs
NAV Hardware and Software Version
Oil Filter Housing Mount
NAV Status Screen providing gyro data
M5 Common Problems and Running Costs
Carbon Buildup FAQ

These are just bookmarks I thought were helpful at the time of my 'study' and there maybe better threads around. I have not posted threads relating to brakes, suspension, clutch, and many more subjects as I only bookmarked the ones with more relevance to me for the time being. So if I do find more good ones out there, I'd be sure to post them up.

All in all, it's great reading and learning about this special car from this board. Thanks to those such as DavidS who have contributed a lot of helpful info within many of those threads.

Regards,
Karman

swisschard · 8th December 2005, 04:53

I would be interested and even though I only know a little, I'll try to help.

swisschard