Hi folks. I'm in Ireland and am looking at a purchase in Jan of a used M5. My preference would be for a 01 car, but am really unsure if my budget will stretch that far. Is it really worth holding out for the facelifted models?
I've been looking at a 2000 car with 43000 miles on it, no facelift, light conversion etc.
I can't find any info on what the face lift included at the time...I did a search on here, but am useless......
If anyone could offer some advice and info, It would be much appreciated....
Most obvious are the "Angel eyes" headlights. I believe they added CELIS taillights, which uses LEDs instead of bulbs. In addition, steering wheel is different, instrument panel is different color (I actually prefer the older look), navigation screen is wider, and I believe upgraded to MKIII (much better than MKII) Lights are easily upgraded (see www.bekkers.com), navigation upgrades are plug and play also, but are quite expensive, even on ebay.
Also, there were a few mechanical changes made. build date march 2000 and forward had a newer piston ring design, and at some point past 2000, they changed the VANOS solenoids to maintain oil pressure after the car has been shut off. (this reduces a rattle in the valvetrain when starting the car as oil pressure is being built up) A retrofit was available for this, and were offered under warrantee only if the owner asked for it.
Can't think of anything else right now.
Last edited by verhagke; 9th December 2005 at 18:10.
Thanks so much for the info Verhagke!!! It's much appreciated. In you experience would you discount the pre face-lifted cars so? I don't think I'd go to the trouble f retro fitting most of these things...maybe the lights....Not too bothered with sat nav either as Ireland hasn't been mapped that great yet!!!
I may have some questions from time to time. Would you mind if I pm'd you on them? I'm passionate about my cars, but I'm a mechanical buffoon!!!
Many thanks again!
Frank
Quote:
Originally Posted by verhagke
Changes made past MY 2000:
Most obvious are the "Angel eyes" headlights. I believe they added CELIS taillights, which uses LEDs instead of bulbs. In addition, steering wheel is different, instrument panel is different color (I actually prefer the older look), navigation screen is wider, and I believe upgraded to MKIII (much better than MKII) Lights are easily upgraded (see www.bekkers.com), navigation upgrades are plug and play also, but are quite expensive, even on ebay.
Also, there were a few mechanical changes made. build date march 2000 and forward had a newer piston ring design, and at some point past 2000, they changed the VANOS solenoids to maintain oil pressure after the car has been shut off. (this reduces a rattle in the valvetrain when starting the car as oil pressure is being built up) A retrofit was available for this, and were offered under warrantee only if the owner asked for it.
In you experience would you discount the pre face-lifted cars so?
I bought a very lightly used (20K miles) 6/2000 build date M5 from someone I know very well for a very good deal. This guy is a perfectionist, and the car literally looked like it just rolled of the showroom floor. I also looked at some other M5s of later vintages, but I decided that the cost differential wasn't worth it for me, even though warrantee would be nice, and also I didn't know the history of those cars. In the end, the only retrofit I made since getting the car is to upgrade it to MKIV navigation. The computer is much faster, and the maps are pretty good around where I live. I have also retrofitted the bluetooth phone system which was offered at the end of the production cycle. This is nice as it also adds voice recognition to the car (included in bluetooth module) My next mods will be performance related. Clutch/Short Shifter, etc)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank the Tank
I may have some questions from time to time. Would you mind if I pm'd you on them? I'm passionate about my cars, but I'm a mechanical buffoon!!!
The question of '00 vs. later model year has come up so many times, we should probably do a "FAQ" sticky post on it. If you scan back over just the last few days of threads, you'll see discussion of this question on at least two other threads.
My perspective on this question is this: if you find a pristine, well-maintained '00 with maintenance documentation and in a color/interior combo that you like, go for it. The price differential between a '00 and '01 is way over the meaningful differences between these two years. That means the '00s can be a great value. They drive just the same as '01-03's and look just the same as '01-03's ... the only immediately noticeable exception being the headlights. From a mechanical standpoint, if you can get the vanos solenoid update, great. If not, it is not a show-stopper. My original vanos is quiet every time I start it.. no problems for me (56k miles). As for oil consumption, 99 and 00's may consume a little more oil on average than subsequent model years, presumably due to the ring change. But '01-03's can also consume just as much oil, so this is no guarantee. In your part of the world, you don't have to worry about the carbon build up/secondary air flow issue, so if oil consumption is a factor in this, it is a non-issue for you. If you really like the way the '01 headlights look, save yourself 10-12 grand by buying an '00 and update the headlights for a small fraction of that.
Just my 0.02... Good luck, and let us know how you make out!
If i find a very good pre-facelift model in a nice colour combination, i will go for it. The only main facelift upgrades that bother me is the front and rear lights which will cost about £750 to upgrade. Im not bothered about the nav upgrades. I dont see the point paying £3-4k more for a facelift model.
one question, is 100,000 miles alot for an M5? Will i start to get problems with this mileage?
If i find a very good pre-facelift model in a nice colour combination, i will go for it. The only main facelift upgrades that bother me is the front and rear lights which will cost about £750 to upgrade. Im not bothered about the nav upgrades. I dont see the point paying £3-4k more for a facelift model.
one question, is 100,000 miles alot for an M5? Will i start to get problems with this mileage?
Blue -
There are one or two recent posts on this. You might search under "100K miles" or something similar. Generally, my impression after reading the threads is that there is nothing particuarly special about the M5 in terms of reliability vs. other BMW models after 100k miles. Bimmers just keep on going strong if you keep them maintained. If you live in the US, carbon build up in the secondary air system is a concern as the mileage piles up.
If i find a very good pre-facelift model in a nice colour combination, i will go for it. The only main facelift upgrades that bother me is the front and rear lights which will cost about £750 to upgrade. Im not bothered about the nav upgrades. I dont see the point paying £3-4k more for a facelift model.
one question, is 100,000 miles alot for an M5? Will i start to get problems with this mileage?
What's your budget? I'm selling an '02 carbon black example with 57k miles. Current offer is at £24.25k.
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