Hey everyone! I'm looking to purchase an E39 M5 and have a few small questions. I'm VERY familiar with BMWs and drive a very tastefully modded 1999 540i-6 right now.
My questions:
1) My budget is around $40-$45k. Should I go for a 2002 with lower mileage or a 2003 with a little higher mileage? Was there a big difference between these two years? Is there a difference between a 2001 and a 2002?
1a) I read in the carbon build up thread that it doesn't affect 2002+ models. That's one of my main reasons for considering 2002s and up exclusively. Is that true?
2) How important is a CPO warranty? How much will it really cover? Can I purchase it if the car is still under warranty when I buy it?
4) Go for black or lemans blue? The gf has a black porsche and she thinks it would be cute if our cars match.....she also hates the look of the blue in general. I like both but I really like the blue. However, the gf's opinion on this matter (considering she loves cars) is important.......
having just spent a few months looking and just bought let me take a run at your questions, others will know more:
1. year is less important than the quality of the car you are getting. yes all the carbon buildup posts refer to older cars, but that might be only b/c they are older ones that have gotten to the point of having carbon build up. finding one that has been over babied might increase your odds on carbon build-up
2. CPO can only be bought by the original owner, or if you can get a dealer to broker a deal between you and a private owner to purchase CPO in the process.
3. that looks like a nice car, but devil is in the details. you could ask the owner where the car is serviced and get a service history done - should tell you about the car and how the owner drives the car.
4. go for the color you want, blues come up often, not as often as black but i seemed to run across many while i looked for a red m5.
just wondering - why dont you add some dollars to your 540 and build that into a faster car?
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'03 Imola Red M5 #2<-- daily drive, Dinan S2, 3.45 diff, full leather, CF dash trim
'67 Mustang Fastback <-- restomod, 302 high output ~390hp, coilover suspension, 4wheel disc, Tremec 5-speed
'66 Porsche 912 <-- autox, track days, mostly stock with SC brakes and suspension and it's been on a diet
'06 Volvo xc90 <-- the eat and drink in family car, some suspension and exhaust mods
Gone:
'03 Imola Red M5 #1 <-- guardrail >> car, in M-heaven now
Mt 540 is just about to hit 100,000 miles on it and it's starting to show it. It's just not the nice car I want anymore. An M5 comes with all sorts of extra stuff like more power and prestige.
research more....bargain a bit more with the seller and if you really want then buy it.
__________________ Mods: 91 octane with occasional 100 octane
"Illegitimus non carborundum"
" Despite its supercar attributes, the M5 still doubles as a soberly practical, spacious saloon - only with the ability to scare four passengers in comfort all the way to the local coronary unit". Top Gear
Hey everyone! I'm looking to purchase an E39 M5 and have a few small questions. I'm VERY familiar with BMWs and drive a very tastefully modded 1999 540i-6 right now.
My questions:
1) My budget is around $40-$45k. Should I go for a 2002 with lower mileage or a 2003 with a little higher mileage? Was there a big difference between these two years? Is there a difference between a 2001 and a 2002?
1a) I read in the carbon build up thread that it doesn't affect 2002+ models. That's one of my main reasons for considering 2002s and up exclusively. Is that true?
2) How important is a CPO warranty? How much will it really cover? Can I purchase it if the car is still under warranty when I buy it?
4) Go for black or lemans blue? The gf has a black porsche and she thinks it would be cute if our cars match.....she also hates the look of the blue in general. I like both but I really like the blue. However, the gf's opinion on this matter (considering she loves cars) is important.......
Thanks!
Car has CPO according to the ad. It says "extended", so I would expect the extended leather package. And the color isn't "blue", it is carbon black. It is a very unique color and changes from almost black to a purplish hue depending on lighting conditions. I believe it was exclusive to the M5. A lot of work to keep it clean, but most owners who have it absolutely love the color. Good luck on your choice.
Regards,
Jerry
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'01 Black/caramel
Dinan Stage 3 suspension, SS jet coated headers, ESS SC kit, open brake ducts, Hamann front splitters, TEC cupholder, U.S.(Euro style) tilt/slide armrest, 6k HID fogs, 6k super white low beams, V1/Stealth1, dual head LI, 2.65 diff w/40% lockup/2x dynamic, compact spare, Euro trailer hitch, Mocal oil cooler, ACS type rear spoiler, Rogue custom SSK and tranny mounts, ST 355 BBK (fronts), BP sway bar brackets, Bluetooth retrofit
That car has Sport Seats, so the extended leather wasn't available for it. And yes, Carbon Black is a great color (hard to keep clean) that usually looks dark blue. I believe the color was also available on some of the M3's.
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"Control, Vision, Determination" These are the three fundamental components of the new generation race car driver!! SPEED is a by-product! -Memphis Raines
If it were me, AWBoy (but it isn't), I would opt for the newer car.
Couple of reasons. 1.) It is a newer car, and I believe that newer is almost always better (rubber deteriorates over time, for example) ... and, pity that it was discontinued for a lesser pretender, in my humble opinion. 2.) You will obviously want a "clean specimen" and, again newer is most often better in that regard. 3.) There is absolutely nothing wrong with a WELL CARED for high mileage M5. Mine has 46,000 miles and has had only ONE issue (driver's side sun visor light switch quit).
Good luck in your search ...
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"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge."
That car has Sport Seats, so the extended leather wasn't available for it. And yes, Carbon Black is a great color (hard to keep clean) that usually looks dark blue. I believe the color was also available on some of the M3's.
What other seats were available? This I didn't know......
The other option (no cost) were the luxury seats which have the pleated? seats. You often see the wood trim with the luxury seats, and if you see a two tone seat black/imola it's definetly the sport seat package. My car is Carbon Black with the Caramel luxury seats and wood trim, and I love it.
__________________
"Control, Vision, Determination" These are the three fundamental components of the new generation race car driver!! SPEED is a by-product! -Memphis Raines
What other seats were available? This I didn't know......
There are the seats that are available with the Luxury interior (which I have) and Comfort seats which I have never seen, but they are described in the 2003 Owner's Manual.
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"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge."
The gf has a black porsche and she thinks it would be cute if our cars match.....she also hates the look of the blue in general. I like both but I really like the blue. However, the gf's opinion on this matter (considering she loves cars) is important.......
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