Decision Input: M5 or 530i ?

[lufetarg]

Hello. Due to a change in company car policy, I need to purchase a "4 Door Sedan." I drive less than 10k miles a year and want to purchase a Manual transmission. I am partial to the 2001-2003 E39 models. I am having trouble locating a clean 530i but located a M5 locally in the exact color combo I am seeking. It has 95k and they are asking $18k. If the PPI checks out, any reason I should not purchase the M5 over the 530i? Welcome your opinion and expertise. Thank you.

[dewolf]

The biggest question is...do you have to maintain it? Do a bit of reading on S62 chain guides for example.

[BReif61]

The M5 will be a hoot to drive. The 530i will get you from A to B uneventfully.

Have you considered a 540i? They exist with manual transmissions, and would be a nice balance of M5 performance without ridiculous repair bills.

[Nostril Cheese]

528i or 540i.

If you want the fun of an M5, service will be spendy.

[RANDY P]

that M5 will be a toilet to maintain compared to a 530I. If you are seriously looking to drive this thing everywhere, I would do the 530I. Just make sure the 530 is a sport.

M5 has a myriad of problems you basically have to LOVE the M5 to justify dealing with past 100K- It won't be cheap. 530I is a typical car to maintain.

[greglepore]

All of the above. Had an e39 M5- a great car, but was almost afraid of stuff breaking. Guys have them, diy them, and love them, but its a serious time/energy commitment. And that said, I didn't think the car was entertaining, just wicked.

[asphaltgambler]

Hi, I have decided to sell my mint 2000 E39 540I/sport, M optioned, 6-speed. It needs nothing and my selling price is a lot less than the M5 you're looking at. If interested, PM me and we can discuss further. Thanks!

[asphaltgambler]

A few samples:

[lufetarg]

PM Sent. Thank you!

[asphaltgambler]

Hi-jacking a little here but will be short with description

2000 540I Sport / 6-speed / complete full "M" body kit from BMW. Has Dinan large runner intake manifold and throttle body, DME custom tuned from ESS, Remus cat-back stainless exhaust with resonator eliminator, Full H&R springs / strut setup. Period correct Beyern wheels that I just had refinished. Factory HID headlamp system installed as well as all other bulbs are LED's

Large NAV screen / head with Mark IV DVD unit. Also has latest radio module installed to support Sirius add-on module if needed. Z-3 short shifter and matching "M" 3 spoke steering wheel with "M" stitching, dual stage drivers air bag, full stainless interior "M" trim.

Recently had a few minor imperfections in the paint addressed, then had the entire car wet sanded and buffed. It shows virtually new. New factory windshield last year. Just had recent Level 2 service complete as well as new Bosch alternator replaced.

This car was special ordered when new as an alternate car for the first owner / enthusiast and has been garage kept and maintained immaculately its entire life. 122K currently showing. I promise; you will not find a better E39 anywhere.

$12.5K

[TheSt|G]

530i has the best steering feel of the platform. True rack and pinion setup as opposed to the craptastic recirculating ball setup the 540i/M5 have. The car is also some 600lbs lighter or so than the M5, so it feels considerably more nimble on its feet. The M54 engine is fairly indestructible with a few choice upgrades.

That being said, not sure why the E39 M5 is getting slammed here for reliability issues. I've had one, my brother currently owns a different one, and a good friend of mine is coming up on 9 years of ownership with his. All of them have been fairly uneventful aside from normal preventative maintenance like fluids/bushings. If you let things run away from you and break, the cost to fix could be fairly high, but in my experience that only happens to people that were too cheap/lazy to keep up on it to begin with.

[widebody911]

How about a 540it?

[RANDY P]

carbon clogging and rod knock is no joke on that S62 is no joke... Rotors, MAF's and all that crap is expensive. Even the 540 has some issues but my 540 has been pretty good- no guide rail issues or anything like that at 160K....

From a cost standpoint the 530 and M5 are in different leagues...

[Paul LeFevre]

I just recently purchased a 2002 540i and love it. 145,000 miles, sport package, 6spd. Driven sanely its gets 26mpg highway, about 22 on a 35 round trip mile rural commute. Was able to confirm good maintenance. Not afflicted with chain rail wear that I can detect. Will replace radiator, water pump, and thermostat as preventive measure. Mine was exclusively highway driven and had good oil changes.
We'll see how it works out over the next 5 years, but it is a hoot to drive.

[june82000]

Only considering BMW? Why not consider a W210 or W211 E55 AMG?

[atcjorg]

e39 530i is fairly uncommon with a manual, they are a little sluggish might as well get an auto, m5 is a totally different animal, avoid 2000 model year get an 03 if you can. don't get me wrong our 530 sport handles well and drives superb with little cost above regular maint, they are easily half the price of an m5 and e55's are a nice compromise a little roomier in the back than an e39 good power all are auto's

[911_Dude]

I love E39's and had a 2000 M5 and have had a 528 for over 10 years. All work has been DIY. The 6 cyl are rock solid. I have over 200k on the 528 and it shows no sign of going down. I only had the M5 for about 2 years, but didint have any problems. I think I got about 18 mpg in mixed driving, but got around 26 on the highway. I think on average, the 8 cyl engines have a few more problems than the 6's.

If your company is paying for gas or mileage I would go for the M.

[L8Brakr]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

530i has the best steering feel of the platform. True rack and pinion setup as opposed to the craptastic recirculating ball setup the 540i/M5 have. The car is also some 600lbs lighter or so than the M5, so it feels considerably more nimble on its feet. The M54 engine is fairly indestructible with a few choice upgrades.

That being said, not sure why the E39 M5 is getting slammed here for reliability issues. I've had one, my brother currently owns a different one, and a good friend of mine is coming up on 9 years of ownership with his. All of them have been fairly uneventful aside from normal preventative maintenance like fluids/bushings. If you let things run away from you and break, the cost to fix could be fairly high, but in my experience that only happens to people that were too cheap/lazy to keep up on it to begin with.

Agree with the above. I also don’t understand the negative brush used to paint the M5, whenever it is mentioned here. Perhaps a couple of posters got burned on a bad example (lemon)……Porsche and BMW both have those.

I am three years and 20,000 miles into my M5 ownership and it has been a wonderful car. Timeless style, great performance, plenty of luxury. I enjoy it every bit as much as my 84 3.2, perhaps because the driving experiences are so different. There are numerous reasons why automotive journalist with exposure to all types of cars label the E39 M5 has one of the all time great sedans.

My repairs have been limited to a faulty wheel speed sensor, replacing the fuel vapor purge valve, and swapping in a new FSU blower controller……all are known for early failure, but easily DIY repairable. The purge valve did require removing the Plenum, but that gave me a reason to replace the plugs as well. I have also done the routine maintenance to replace the fuel filter, belts, and air filters. Buy a Peake Code Reader and it's easy to diagnose any CEL's or poor running issues. M5Board has DIY assistance / step-by-step guides to rival Pelican Technical Articles.

The “rod bearing failure” warnings are very similar to the coolant pipe failures in GT3s and Turbos. In each case the failures are closely tied to owners who spend abnormal amounts of time on track. Coolant pipes fail due to the excessive temperatures and pressures of track work. M5 bearings fail if exposed to excessive amounts of running to the 7000 RPM redline. With M5s, it’s usually owners that enjoy regular trips to the drag strip. It can also be a problem if the oil change schedule was ignored, so records are good here. There are plenty of examples of 150,000 - 200,000 M5s running original rod bearings (search @ M5Board).

At 95k, the cooling system should have been preventively serviced with a new water pump, rad, hoses, and coolant. It has a plastic impeller pump (like most modern cars) and failure can cause other problems. Can be DIY’ed for $600 - $800 depending upon choice of radiator……closer to $2,000 if you are dealer dependant.
That being said, you did not identify the model year you are considering. I would not recommend a 2000MY. They did have significant problems from substandard oil control rings leading to carbon buildup. The ring design was changed for 2001 and the problem was drastically reduced.

Like our air-cooled lovers, it’s best to have a backup vehicle if you absolutely have to be somewhere every day (or be prepared to rent). When necessary, parking for a week and ordering parts from our host can save you 50 to 75% compared to running to the dealer.

Any older car can be a can of worms if you buy a poor example. 993’s can be an expensive money pit if you get one with clogged SAI passages or bad valve guides and need a top-end overhaul. We all know 996s, and early boxsters and caymen can have catastrophic engine failure when an IMS bearing fails, yet we have numerous posts by members thoroughly enjoying their cars. In the end, due your diligence and buy what appeals to you. An well-maintained M5 is an amazing amount of car for less than $20k.....$18k in your case.

[TheSt|G]

^^^^

Well put.

And it should be noted the fuel economy is terrible. Not E60 M5 bad, but I still got 16mpg average. My brother gets 13mpg.

As a frame of reference, my E60 M5 buddy got 10mpg with his.

[L8Brakr]

^^^^^^

Ah yeah.......thought the fuel economy situation was self-evident, but you are correct.

I've got a Dinan 3.45 dif, so 17mpg is about it around town. 21 mpg is my limit running at 80mph given the shorter gearing. It's worth it for the blast from 30 to 125 however!!