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Would you buy your M5 again?

12K views 44 replies 32 participants last post by  specialized2010 
#1 ·
The simple question is with the experience you've had, would you start over and buy your car again?

My story - two years ago I researched e60 M5s extensively (including several years backwards on this forum) after chancing upon the fact that they had become very purchase friendly priced. At the time I was commuting to work 30-45 minutes each way and knew in the not too distant future I would look to move across the country and drive whatever I owned on that trip. I subsequently decided against the purchase because of the potential problems (bearings, vanos, etc.). But the test drive where I took two of my kids with me and they still bring it up to this day never went away.

I'm in a different position now working from home with zero commute and still love the look of the e60 M5 and of course the V10 sound. Have started reading the board again and there are of course still several threads on a regular basis about just bought the car and red cog of death etc. It looks like the BE bearings with ARP rod bolts are the way to go with preventative solution to rod bearing failure, any advances in SMG/VANOS issues?

So again would you buy your car again today if you were starting over? There seem to be a lot of threads about things breaking but there have to be an equal ore greater number of M5s that do not get the RCOD or see the back of a flat bed - right?
 
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#30 ·
Heck YES! This is the last M raw generation before BMW sell their soul to the Devil who entices all manufacturers with Turbo, AWD, and more digital driving aids.

The S85 V10 engine is the pinnacle BMW M design. No manufacturer will be able to produce similar engine for mass production, given the high cost of design and production.

All S85 successors will be eclipsed by Electric Vehicles performance cars; however, its soul will linger on, because the F1 wailing scream will resurrect the dead from the grave.

I truly realize now that it is a privilege to be a steward of the last M soul.
 
#31 ·
^This x1000. I've put a ton of blood, sweat and cash into my three BMW's because they represent the pinnacles of design era.

The E60 M5's engine is in the best N/A S series engine I think we'll ever see again.

I can't take away from the S63's acceleration, I debate getting one quite often, but that's all that I can get excited over in that car.

Beauty:


Not so much:

 
#32 ·

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#36 ·
A true motoring enthusiast will do three things in their lifetime:-

1. Buy a new car. [done]
2. Buy their dream car. [done]
3. Own an Alfa. [highly unlikely]

I'd like to substitute 3 for own a project car. (I'm looking at a Lotus 11 replica).

The E60 is/was my dream car. Without question my last hurrah in an ICE and what an engine. True, it takes some care. Parts will fail, but when you think about what they have to do and contend with its no surprise. Just know you're going to drop a few grand on it each year and you'll be ok. Preventative maintenance seems to be the way to go. Catastrophic failures come with catastrophic prices. If servicing costs where you are are anything like Australia, find an indie. New, the 60 cost +AU$240,000 here. BMW AU still charge for services like its worth that much (well over a grand for a basic service done by a 1st year apprentice no less).
 
#41 · (Edited)
Oof... Looking back upon the past year, probably not. My car was a CarMax find and in great shape, overall; so I've had the CarMax warranty for most of it. Plus CarMax fixed a good number of things before I even really took delivery.
As I type this, I'm up late after spending a few hours having just replaced the oil cooler. So let's see, the list of things replaced this past year...


  • Sunroof seal
  • Both driver seat bolster adjuster motors
  • One passenger seat bolster adjuster motor
  • Differential input seal seeping
  • Front thrust arm bushings shot (being fair, an age-related thing)
  • Engine coolant thermostat failed open
  • Two coil packs
  • New battery (old was wrong size and type!)
  • Audio amplifier was whistling at all times. Replaced under warranty.
  • Passenger side headlight shorted out, melted lens, due to wire insulation failure. Replaced under warranty.
  • One intake bank VANOS adjuster. Replaced under warranty.
  • Driver xenon bulb (being fair, an age-related thing). Replaced by me.
  • Passenger rear window regulator. Replaced by me.
  • Oil cooler leaking. Replaced by me.

The warranty has lessened the impact on my wallet substantially, but said warranty does have a $500 deductible. So it still takes a chunk out of my wallet.
That said, the rod bearings are still original. New parts are on order with JColley. I'll have a shop put them in. That's a few grand, right there.

I actually looked into getting rid of it in late summer, after about 8 months of ownership, because the repair list kept lengthening at regular intervals with no end in sight. Sadly, with the CarMax added margin and warranty, I was upside-down on the loan as soon as I rolled off the lot (the trade-off for using CarMax), so I would have had to pay to let go of it. So, I still have it.

Now, all that said, it is an utter thrill to pilot around a corner and wring out to redline. I love the little features, like the adaptive headlights. As others have noted, the driving experience is still pleasantly analog, with no driver aids. And I've got the manual, so no worries about the SMG failures. Oh, and it still looks darn good. So I also absolutely love it, at times.

But man, has it cost me. My only complaint ever since the purchase was that it wasn't an M6. I love the lines of that model. But no way I would buy one without a warranty attached, and this was what CarMax had.

So... I dunno. Probably not? But maybe so. I've got a bit of Stockholm Syndrome with this car. For example, I bought and installed some Dinan suspension components, and I still plan to put an exhaust on it. So since I'm keeping it, I'm still putting money into the car that I don't really need to.

Agh!
 
#42 ·
I saw this thread and know it's old but i couldn't resist chiming in.

It's the fastest car I've owned but I do think the cost of ownership is a bit high. If i had to redo it - i would go with a m3 or c63.
That being said - when the car is running great.. it's a dream
So far i've had to:
Replace TPM module
Replace TPMS sensors
Replace Valve Gaskets
Change Ignition Coils and Sparks
Replace Front sway bar ( My RDsports just failed on me )

I also have a front control arm that i need to change out due to previous owner telling me the bushing is gone. Also little things like replacing worn emblems, window seals... maint never stops with this car lol
Also the car is leaking a little oil so i know this is going to be a bigger issue that i have to tackle. I'll probably have to take a look at vanos as well.
 
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