[TimW21]

Hi all, first post on here! So, I went to view a facelift '01 M5 yesterday. It has lovely history, 65k, new clutch, calipers, brakes, alternator and inspII 5k ago etc. However, I do have a few questions that I'd like clearing up before I purchase!

1. The car is Carbon Black but looks almost blue, I think this is because it needs a proper good polish. The owner doesnt clean it often.
2. Below the rear numberplate is a spot of rust about 10p size, this is a common problem, how expensive is it to fix?
3. I turn the steering wheel fully and as It gets to full lock the powersteering makes a high pitch squeel/ noise? Is this normal?
4. The door pillars seem to have some tiny corrosion under the black pillar?? How would I fix this?

Thanks for your time! hope you could help!


Tim - UK.

 

[feeblebob]

I turn the steering wheel fully and as It gets to full lock the powersteering makes a high pitch squeel/ noise? Is this normal?

Possible PS pump (squealing has usually been a sign of a struggling pump on my previous cars), or might just need fluid topped up? However, if it's been run low on fluid, I wouldn't be counting on it lasting too long.

The door pillars seem to have some tiny corrosion under the black pillar?? How would I fix this?

Probably new panels, I don't think these parts are repairable. However, bear in mind these cars are of a certain age now, the odd bit of trim corrosion etc. is to be expected and shouldn't be a difficult fix. Don't let this put you off necessarily.

According to RichardP, who's just had his car resparyed, the bodyshop mentioned that they see a lot of E39 bootlids, mine has some bubbling behind the number plate. Unsure on cost personally, as I haven't requested a quote for mine yet.

 

[TimW21]

Thanks! What is a good price for a facelift with 65k on? It's not full bmw history but it's Chelsea bmw till 40k and specialist thereafter. Should I phone BMW and check what warranty work has been carried out in his history?

 

[feeblebob]

I'm sure one of the guys who knows this off pat will step in but I think they pull back their history on the car with the VIN, definitely worth checking.

Price - Unsure, would depend how good it was, how many of the little niggles need doing. There's quite a few threads on the forum for pre-purchase checks of various parts of the car, so worth some of your time to have a look at those. 65k is low mileage, but these cars are good for many miles and it's a an ongoing discussion on here about whether to go for miles only or general condition and history.

Edit - Good one to start with : http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...n/56642-m5-common-problems-running-costs.html

 

[TimW21]

Thanks again, it's in sound mechanical condition, the owner doesnt really know how to clean properly though, it needs a proper good going over, but thats probably just me being ocd about it! It has the pixel problem on the obc display. but apart from that its mint inside. Its got blinds, F/R PDC, TV, Satnav, Phone(credit card simcard!! lol )

 

[feeblebob]

Sounds good. Pixel problem is definitely fixable, though there are different ways of doing it, again, search for pixel and you'll get the idea.

Blinds were an option I kind of wish mine had, but make sure they work properly as various internal plastic parts can break I believe. F & R PDC standard on Euro facelifts. Check reverse gear to make sure you don't get a flashing button and a constant tone (like mine, faulty in some way...). Is it the 16:9 screen? Not that it makes a huge amount of difference, edit to self, '01 facelift should have it. Worth checking if it has the Mk4 nav unit in the boot, open the boot and look at the CD unit in the left-hand side of the boot, if it says DVD on it, it's the MkIV, something owners who have the MkIII usually end up upgrading to. You'll likely never use the phone and it's a possible cause of current drain leading to endless flat batteries. Most owners now are either disconnecting or removing the phone unit, I think.

Nothing that's a showstopper, if the one you buy doesn't have it, you can usually retrofit it, with the amount of great help on here, nothings out of reach.

And giving it a belter of a valet is just something you would do for such a superb car anyway, wouldn't you?

 

[TimW21]

Nothing that's a showstopper, if the one you buy doesn't have it, you can usually retrofit it, with the amount of great help on here, nothings out of reach.

And giving it a belter of a valet is just something you would do for such a superb car anyway, wouldn't you?

Retrofit what sorry?? And ofcourse! I have had a 330ci, E36 M3 and Civic Type R previous and they have all been kept proper clean every weekend!

 

[feeblebob]

Generic term, if there's a feature available on the M5 that the one you buy doesn't have, it can usually be added afterwards. Somebody will have done a DIY on it. You can bet.

 

[chowdah]

Carbon black will look blue sometimes. That's part of the allure.