What to look for during an M5 test drive? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bimmernut1 · 9th March 2006, 06:01

My first post, but I've done lots of reading and searches on this board. I've owned three BMW's since 1986 and currently own a 93 740iL. It's going to be hard to part with this car but with 188k miles, the maintenance issues are starting to come up more often than I want to deal with. So, after extended negotiations, I'm scheduled to pick up a 2003 M5 on Monday, pending successful PPI and test drive on my part. I'm sending the deposit tomorrow but have it in writing that the deposit is refundable if the car is not as advertised and if I'm not satisfied with the independent PPI report. The car is a CPO'd dealer vehicle that is still under the original factory maintenance warranty until February 2007. Needless to say, I plan to extend the maintenance warranty before the 4year/50k mile point (although I still don't understand whey the NAV is not covered under warranty). The car does have maintenance records and only about 37k miles on it. I must say that reviewing the difference between a full maintenance 100k mile warranty and the CPO 100k mile warranty was an eye opener. I initially did not realize how much the CPO did not cover.

My local dealer said the maintenance warranty would cover clutch failure unless it has been abused. One question I have is whether there is a way to tell if the clutch has been abused without actually looking at it? I don't want to have a warranty claim rejected in the future because of something that occured before I bought the car.

Also, what else should I verify during my test drive other than lane change stability, straight line braking, etc?

Does the M5 have a fairly good security system or are you adding anything aftermarket? I'm familiar with the Porsches' immobilizer system and hope the M5 has something similar.

Not that it's a major deal, but does the '03 M5 radio have the built in Weather Band feature?

Sorry for the number of questions but I'd like to go as prepared as possible.

KBK · 9th March 2006, 06:44

Never heard of a nav failing so cross that off the list of worries.

The clutch abusers will have to chime in with all their self-learned anwsers on how they don't treat a clutch- and how to tell the differences in feel. Don't let them kid you

, they had to break a few to know the ins and outs of clutches on these cars.

DavidS · 9th March 2006, 12:33

First of all: definitely drive a few M5s to get the feel for a proper M5.

Some info you might find useful:

How to test the MAFs yourself and How MAFs work
How to test the MAFs yourself and How MAFs work

Vanos noise and What to do about it Vanos noise and What to do about it

Pre purchase inspection for 03 M5 - what to look for?
Pre purchase inspection for 03 M5 - what to look for?

Don´t settle for anything less than perfect. There are superb M5s available at very little extra cost over an ordinary one. Just keep looking until you find the right one.

Don´t focus too much on milage. An M5 can be abused and worn down at low miles, and an M5 can be in super condition with high milage.

(Besides, milage indicated can be manipulated without a trace. Always trust the condition of the car over its indicated milage. If it looks worn it is worn.)

Get the longest extended warranty you can.

Trust your instincts. If any fiber in your body is hesitant you are not yet looking at the right M5.

Good Hunting!

David

Beamer_usa · 9th March 2006, 16:19

Driving a few different M5's is great advise, gives you a feel for the car. Get a third party independent inspection, pop the hood check for oil in nooks and crannies, make sure clutch is strong with no slippage. Most importantly have fun

jclyman · 9th March 2006, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

... (although I still don't understand whey the NAV is not covered under warranty).... .

Don't worry too much about that ... I had learned the same thing while shopping for an extended warranty, and, I guess, it goes with the territory ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

My local dealer said the maintenance warranty would cover clutch failure unless it has been abused. One question I have is whether there is a way to tell if the clutch has been abused without actually looking at it? I don't want to have a warranty claim rejected in the future because of something that occured before I bought the car..

Someone here may correct me, but there aren't many ways to prove a clutch has been abused ... other than the obvious ... burned lining or exploded (not likely, in your case) !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

Also, what else should I verify during my test drive other than lane change stability, straight line braking, etc?.

Roll DOWN the windows and LISTEN! Roll UP the windows and LISTEN!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

Does the M5 have a fairly good security system or are you adding anything aftermarket? I'm familiar with the Porsches' immobilizer system and hope the M5 has something similar..

Again, I may be wrong, but it was my impression that the Porsche system you mention is required on ALL cars in Germany, by law.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

Not that it's a major deal, but does the '03 M5 radio have the built in Weather Band feature?.

Nope (not the 2003).

Good luck, hope you find it is as you say it is ... clean and ready to be driven ...

(Only, one, as I will be driving, thank you.)

ase2dais · 9th March 2006, 18:12

seems like yur doing your homework right, to include the refundable deposit. Nice!

pls explain this statement "My local dealer said the maintenance warranty would cover clutch failure unless it has been abused."

Seems like this warranty is written in water, I havent heard clutch being covered. Always been a wear/tear item from what I know. hmm sound like a come on! and reason to believe that the clutch is worn alright, thats a $1800 dealer repair. Just make sure the PPI check it, alongside rear-main bearing seal and valve covers oil leaks, w/c I had during my PPI.

Aside from that good luck and driving!

bimmernut1 · 9th March 2006, 20:43

I really appreciate all the information and advice and taking the time to answer each of my questions. I'll go through the attached links tonight.

Unfortunately, I've only had a chance to drive 2 M5's previously. However, one definitlely gave me an idea of what one in good condition should NOT feel like. Very rough idling, pulled to one side, etc. The other was in good condition. I just received the 4 page CPO report for this car and it appears to be in excellent condition; Inspection I has been done and the brake fluid and oil changed within the last 2000 miles. Brake pads and rotor thickness are well above the minimum levels. It has Toyo Proxes T1-S tires now which I know nothing about. I may consider something different at the first opportunity along with a separate set of snow tires next winter.

I just wired the deposit so assuming everything goes right, I'll pick it up Monday or Tuesday.

As far as the clutch, I was told by my local dealer that it is covered under the 4/50k maintenance warranty along with brakes and a couple other items I thought were considered wear items but I'll take their word for it as I've dealt with the same dealer for about 15 years.

I'm really going to miss the weather band that's in the 740. I tend to push that button daily to get weather updates; but I'll take the additional 100 HP in exchange.

thanks again.

DavidS · 9th March 2006, 21:19

Sorry to say this, but from a number of posts on the board it seems that taken as proof of a car being ok a CPO is next to worthless.

Look at it as an insurance policy (with many pitfalls), not as a clean bill of health.

First you have driven a bad M5 and then you have driven a good M5. Now extrapolate what the next M5, your M5, will be like! ;-)

David

wilsodh · 9th March 2006, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

I just wired the deposit so assuming everything goes right, I'll pick it up Monday or Tuesday.

I'm really going to miss the weather band that's in the 740. I tend to push that button daily to get weather updates; but I'll take the additional 100 HP in exchange.

Looks like congrats may soon be in order. Don't forget pictures please. Yeah, I miss that weather band too, especially here in Chicagoland.

Good luck getting it all done!

Cheers,
Dave

KBK · 10th March 2006, 04:01

I find out what the weather is like when the dog comes back in, in the morning. I honestly don't understand the fasination with weather. I go outside, then I know.

It might be the northern thing. And the ex cab driver. The weather doesn't matter to me. I drive on closed freeways in blizzards and get angry that they have closed own perfectly drivable freeways. Seriously. I've never been snowed in. Never. It's ALL driveable.

I really don't get it. Call me weird or the outside example, if you wish.