New guy needs help

1165 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by DavidS, May 5, 2005

z8cr

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2005

I am new to the M5 board. It comes highly recommended by a good friend who knows about such things.

I have decided it's time to buy my first 4 door car. The M5 is the only thing that interests me and, since they aren't selling new ones, I am looking for as new and as low mileage a car as I can find. Any help in locating one would be greatly appreciated.

I have a couple questions which I suspect someone here can answer and hopefully will (if they are already answered on this volumous site, please just point me in the right direction).

- How do I decode the VIN to determine production date?

- Are there any options that are "must haves"?

- Is there a website with color selections and optional equipment information?

- Are there any particular flaws or problem areas to look out for on the 2003s?

Thanks in advance.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

mottati

· #2 · May 3, 2005

i do not think the vin will give you production date. That is stamped in a lable in the drivers door jamb.
The m5 is pretty well equiped as is. M audio is a nice addition, as are sunshades, but i wouldn't pass by the 'right car' if it didn't have those. Problem areas are similar to any year, weak clutches, potential vanos and mafs problems. You'll have a warranty, which could be extended to 6/100k so no worries there, other than the clutch, which will eventually wear out.

Look in the gallery here for different colors and trims. I think there is also a bmw m registerey website with info like that.
Mike

JP 99300

· #3 · May 3, 2005

This link should be of great help to you. Best of luck in finding the right one.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=18

z8cr

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 3, 2005

Thanks for the responses. The registry looks like a huge help.

btw - does the M5 have the same clutch delay valve as the z8?

I assumed the vanos issues were fixed in new production by the 2002/2003 years as the fixes were out by then, is that true?

SLOMeander

· #5 · May 3, 2005

Regarding the VIN and production date: If you go to http://www.realoem.com/bmw/, enter the site and put in the last 7 digits it will ID your car for the parts catalog. Part of the info it comes back with is the build date.

Rich

KevinM

· #6 · May 3, 2005

z8cr said:
Thanks for the responses. The registry looks like a huge help.

btw - does the M5 have the same clutch delay valve as the z8?

No.

z8cr said:
I assumed the vanos issues were fixed in new production by the 2002/2003 years as the fixes were out by then, is that true?

Yes. There are reports of a few 2001s with the VANOS issue (diesel like sound at idle, etc), but most with the issue were early 2000s.

Good luck on finding your perfect M5!

M Macht

· #7 · May 3, 2005

z8cr said:
btw - does the M5 have the same clutch delay valve as the z8?

To my knowledge, the M5 does not have a clutch delay valve unlike other lesser 5 series cars. I do not know about the Z8. You might do a search for the clutch delay valve issue which provides for some interesting reading. Good luck with your search.

BmwNut

· #8 · May 3, 2005

E52 Z8's have the dreaded CDV, but the E39 M5 doesnt.
Make sure to have the car inspected, and if you need to find a good dealer in the area the car will be in ask around the board. Many times board memebers are willing to go out and look at the car, which can be a great help to determine the cars condition. Best of luck finding the right one.
:cheers:

z8cr

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 3, 2005

Thanks for all the responses. It's nice to communicate with people who actually know what they are talking about (unlike so much of my daily communication).

BmwNut

· #10 · May 4, 2005

Government job then? hiha hiha This board is great for things like this. A lot of other webboards I am a part of go like this:
Question: "Does anyone know if E39 M5's have a CDV?"
Answers: "You idiot, check Google"
"Moron, you dont deserve it"
"would you like to set your homepage to moveon.org?"
All of that is so needless, untrue, and really annoying. This is really a standup place to post and spend time.
:cheers:

Mrs_Struth

· #11 · May 4, 2005

BmwNut said:
. . .
A lot of other webboards I am a part of go like this:
Question: "Does anyone know if E39 M5's have a CDV?"
Answers: "You idiot, check Google"
"Moron, you dont deserve it"

Spot on! Except "idiot" and "moron" are usually replaced by much more incendiary and/or juvenile variations. ouich Back when we were first beginning to look into the possibility of acquiring a Beast, this was the one board that provided truly useful information. And it continues to be.

Motor on.

DrewT

· #12 · May 4, 2005

I think the fold down seats are a mandatory option, would pass on a car that didn't have them. I also think (not sure if it is still an "option" that the ulta suede head liner is too pimp to pass up. That being said if I didn't know any better I wouldn't care.

SCORPIO

· #13 · May 4, 2005

DrewT said:
I think the fold down seats are a mandatory option, would pass on a car that didn't have them. I also think (not sure if it is still an "option" that the ulta suede head liner is too pimp to pass up. That being said if I didn't know any better I wouldn't care.

Mandatory option...I like that one! :1: I'll have to use that one on the wife and see what happens...:nono:

------------------------------------------
SCORPIO

2006 BMW E60 M5 - Active Autowerke's ECU upgrade; Charcoal Filters removed

-Silver Gray with Black perf. interior
-Rear side impact airbags
-comfort access
-front multi-function seats with active width adjustment
-wood trim, walnut
-power rear sunshade with rear manual side window shades
-front ventilated seats
-heads-up display
-3M Ultrashield clearbra

2008 Black BMW 135i Convertible
2008 Black Yukon Denali
2007 Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones Limited Edition 1 of 500 - Sold
2006 Sterling Grey/Grey BMW X5 4.4i w/all available options - Sold
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (red) - Sold
2004 Quicksilver Cadillac Escalade ESV - Sold
2003 White Porsche GT3 Cup Race Car - HELL YES! - Pirelli Drivers Cup 2nd/3rd - 2010 Miller Motorsports Park
2003 Cold Stone Creamery #00 Mini Cooper S Challenge Series Race Car - NASA AZ Champion; NASA National Runner-up 2009/2010
2003 Sterling Grey/Black M5 - Sold
2000 White Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 4x4 SB Pick 'em up truck - Sold
1994 Yellow Land Rover Defender 90 - Sold
1980 Nissan 2WD pickup - Sold
1971 Fiat Spider - Sold

z8cr

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 5, 2005

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.

ray540inyc

· #15 · May 5, 2005

theres a couple of real lo mileage m5's on the roadfly.org classifieds , if you cant find them pm me and i'll shoot you a link.

ray

z8cr

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 5, 2005

Thanks. I checked it out and there is one good possibility. Does everyone get pickier the more they look or is it just me?

BmwNut

· #17 · May 5, 2005

Thats really common. Once you know more and have seen more your standards go up. Happy hunting.
:cheers:

DavidS

· #18 · May 5, 2005

z8cr,

Apart from the info above, I´d like to advice you to go testdrive as many M5s as you possibly can, in order to find out what they should be like.

David

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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