i wish you would review more bmws. you leave nothing to the imagination or speculation. a speculative buyer would find no better source of information than right here. thank you so much!
I drive a 530i 01' man I love that car if I can I want to keep it in a locker and just drive it whenever it's such a classic you can do so much stuff to it
DUDE!!!!!!!! Youre a lifesaver! Just got a '03 M5 in great condition. Majority of those little things you mentioned is what I want to replace. So, with the being said....I will be subscribing. Please post more videos!
Hi Ryan. I bought myself recently a 1999 E38 5 series 528i with a manual gearbox. Now it's undergoing a repair-some air inlet needs fixing. It's by far, the BEST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED!!!! FINALLY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS MY DREAM CAME TRUE!!!
So fucking informative without much biased. I truly wish all performance cars had a channel like this. Ty for your dedication and enthusiasm for what you drive and your willingness to educated others on the knowledge youve aquired.
Very informative, thanks. Going to look at a 2001 M5 tomorrow, 109,000 miles, full history.. Had an E39 525 a few years ago, only problem I had with that was the cooling system..leaking rad, cracked expansion bottle. Fingers crossed for tomorrow, the M5 is an itch I need to scratch!
Awesome video! I usually don't like to comment on how other people drive but, doing 35mph on 6th gear kinda hurts me inside. About the temperature, it should be ~90º (celsius) so make sure the first dot is 90º otherwise your thermostat could be permanently open and not letting the engine warm up to the optimal temperature.
BMW (and other German companies like Audi) actually make their cars overall very reliable and tough. Especially the drivetrain with BMW, I've never heard a BMW owner complain about a drivetrain component. HOWEVER, BMW (and Audi, especially) use cheap composites or plastics for many parts like gaskets, water pumps, hoses, manifolds, etc. So bullshit that shouldn't fail does in the cars. Luckily, they are minor things, but the costs can add up especially if you don't fix them yourself. It's even worse if you have an Audi because then the whole front end of the car has to come off to do anything.
Okay, I've only gone a bought one...M5 E39 Le Mans Blue, Reampped sports mode, Bilsteins at about 20mm lower than OE and now a muffler delete as of yesterday, which is amazing. Thanks for the video! Amazing car.
Great vid! Just a note though from a prior owner of a new M3, back in the 90's. The e-brake is actually an emergency brake with a completely separate mechanism. If it's not stopping the car then it's probably way out of adjustment, you're not pulling it hard enough, or inferior parts were used. That is, unless they've really slacked in that area after 2000. Also as a note to buyers, a sure fire way to get a great used BMW is to look for one with all the DEALER service records.
The oil temp may not go up but the water temp not going up is a sign of a bad thermostat. Great car and great video none the less! Used to be an owner myself and I am about to hop back into another one. Boy how I have missed that car!
Yes. This is a device which can be started like 30 min. before you actually go to start the car. It warms up the coolant and start the fan inside the car so when you get in it is warm and the engine does not get a "cold" start and it is more like a "warm" start. Very useful in the winter. We have these on most of the diesel BMWs over here in Europe. Some of the gasoline ones are equipped with one too.
very thorough, much appreciated. i feel like this video could either support the stigma of high cost of ///M ownership or bust the myth that they're a maintenance nightmare, depending on your perspective. (and when i say "perspective," i really mean "salary")
As a fellow car enthusiast I subscribed to your channel even though I don't own a BMW. Your videos are very informative with honest reviews. Well done. BTW I drive the poor man's BMW - 2002 Nissan Maxima 6 speed lol. It's in excellent shape like yours and still pulls strong. Definitely well built. Preventative maintenance helps too.
I own a M5 and a 530 . Both are 2001 models . My 530 has 140.000 miles I have owned from 3 years old . And have had none of the issues you pointed out in your video . My M5 needed a key which was a dealer only costing me £150. And a head light as the self adjusting motor broke . But that's it . No vanos issues . Or any other sensors . But in England these cars do come straight from Munich . Where as USA there made under licence . Which means the components used are not as high quality as the on
I know this is old video but if someone is still wondering about this car. Main maintenance difference to a normal e39 is rod bearings that you have to replace like every 100k. Then there is double vanos when other e39 only have 1 so there is added cost. Other than that if you do take care of it it its not that expensive. It shares a lot of parts with 535 and 540 so no extra cost there. Plus these don't depreciate so if you ever sell your m5 it is actually cheaper to maintain this than any other 5 series because you get most of your money back. Also pixel fix on e39 costs you like 5€ as in new ribbon cable and about 2 hours to diasassemble, fix and put back together when doing it first time.
Rod bearings in these cars can easily do 150k, often times 200k+. It's really an over-rated issue. I changed mine at 192,000 miles and they were just starting to show signs of wear.
great vid. I was wondering how you learned about maintaining a car? I'm soon going to be a regular first driver and was wondering if you could give me tips on a stick car.
You should look at it. Mine started making that noise or similar, thru time it got lauder and louder till the car broke on me. I didn't know what the problem was so I decided to change the whole cooling system except the fan clutch cause I didn't have enough at the time for all those parts so I decided to lubricate it. Days later it broke again. Took it to the dealer & turned out to be the part I didn't change. Got it replaced and 40K later has not given me any problems with the cooling system
I've got an E30 and I love it and it's quite cheap to maintain. If you had to do it again, knowing what you know now, would you buy an E39 M5? I've spotted one 100k miles, 12k $ tax in. Thanks!
Great info video! From the date if your first purchase to present, where there any major repairs needed on your car? Ive read that the vanos and chain guides are a pain to fix in these cars. How about your drivetrain?
Nothing really 'major'. Mostly normal maintenance items. Springs, struts, spark plugs, oxygen sensors, tires, brake pads, brake rotors, camshaft sensors, the normal stuff like that. Never touched VANOS or chain guides or anything with the drivetrain. I gave the guibo a visual, and it looks fairly new, so I should be good on that for a while.
Would you recommend a 2001 BMW 740i for a first car? I really want a BMW but want to avoid the high maintenance fees. Would the service be any less with the 740i than the M5?
I am torn between B5.5 Passat and e39/e46. You seem to be a knowledgable person in cars. Which one would be a more pragmatic choice in terms of reliability/maintenance ?
great video . learned a lot in the first 3 minutes. Just bought an 2003 M5 and I know very little about the mechanics . Now at least I know where the filters and fluids reservoirs are located so I could change some of those myself.
Thank you! Welcome to the E39 M5 club. E39Source has changed a lot since I made this video. We have a shop in Escondido, CA now and part out wrecked M5s in addition to making DIY content, providing technical resources, literature, support etc. If you ever need any parts or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out! ryan@e39source.com
Good video, one thing I'd point out is that the single biggest worry for that engine isn't the vanos, the biggest worry is a rod bearing failure, not very common but if it happens the engine is done for
Alright thanks, I will go test drive a few but I've heard the m5 has much more of a power feel to it and is faster than the m3. Is that true would you say? Which is not the only thing I'm looking for but plays a big part in what I will buy because a e39 and a e46 are about the same prices used.
Good to hear that. My E34 530i V8 never reached the dead center either, but it was ok (milimeters were needed). Mostly typed here because of your oil temp level, I think that is more important, just also mentioned coolant temp if I were already commenting. Im almost sure you did this before buying the car, but I would definetly advise you to get on m5board dot com, and ask if its needed, even with minor (or look alike) problems. Have a lot of fun kms/miles with her.
The E46 is almost as fast, but it doesn't feel like it. It doesn't make nearly as much torque and it has to rev a lot higher to keep up... but that is expected with a 6 cylinder engine. I would always take the M5, but I do love the E46 M3 (and E36 M3 for that matter) as well!
Ya, it often takes a long time to get to temp (pretty much my entire commute), but it does get there and stay there for me. Unless it always stays at 1/4 like i thought you meant, its probably not a big deal. Especially considering you drive at low rpm's (6th at 40), probably won't get up to temp. It takes 20 - 30 mins for me, and I try to keep it up near 2.5k when cruising.
Strange question I'm not sure you'd be able to answer, but I was wondering if you knew how the driving experience compares to the earlier E34 5-series? I have a '95 540i 6-speed(same transmission as used in the E39 M5 if I'm not mistaken) and have been considering moving onto one of these beasts later on.
Hi there! Very nice video and explanation with two clarifications if I may. The container below the passenger's cabin filter is a sealed box containing electronics like engine ECU, relays and so on unlike the brake fluid container on the driver's side. The other thing is the REST button which seems not to do anything. Try that in, this winter weather now, with engine fully warmed up , take the ignition key out of the lock and then you press this "useless" button ;)
gre8 videos ....so my question is what u can say about timing belt ....? need to be replaced like in normal cars if yes what u think about cost ? or maybe its a chain or any other think ?
Great car. I'm glad you enjoy what it is you have instead of comparing apples to oranges. That said, what you have replaced isn't all that heartbreaking for a car that makes nearly 400bhp from an OEM design. I think there exists a big discrepancy between seeing an e39 M5 as an immediate problem child versus taking care of it's peculiarities before any issues really set in.
Hey, great video. I'm looking at a 2000 bmw m5 with 138k for $10,750 but i'm a bit skeptical because i'm afraid it's going to need a lot of maintenance. What do you think? also I'm looking at a 2001 bmw 530i sport with just over 100k and a 2003 bmw 540i m sport with a little less than 100k. What do you think about the 530i sport and the 540i m sport?
@E39Source There are a few things that would stop me from buying and e39 m5, but what concerns me most is the mpg. What is the best you have pulled from the engine?
At 11:00 mark, you are talking about burned out pixels. You can get it repaired for under $200 thru BBA-Reman and also taking the cluster out takes 5 minutes at most. No need to take the whole dash out
thanks a bunch on the info, getting a E39 M5 soon, still want my #1 Fav vehicle of all time, the infamous E60 M5, but price & maintenance on those are almost 3x more than the E39, & i am currently going to school full time, & working also, subscribed & will often visit for any questions for help on repairing the E39!
Ryan... Thinking about pulling the trigger this summer but am debating an E39 M5 or a 540 i Touring. Millage and Year wise any comments? I still think part wise this is a better route than a comparable S6/Rs6 Audi...
An E39 M5 has been on my shopping list for several years, though I always end up buying something else. This year I was considering the new M5 (2013 model) but I'm still drawn to the E39. Considering price differences, I'd thought with the extra cash doing maintenance and some fun go-fast/handling parts. Anyway, still up in the air. Out of curiosity, when you mentioned your engine temp, did you replace the thermostat? They get stuck open after 100k in miles quite often (any car).
hey man im watching all ur videos and i have couple questions .... i just got 2003 bmw 530i sport ... 1st of all the engine doesnt have the M letter on it and i dont have it on the trunk so what is the diffrence between 530i sport and the actual m5 2nd of all my steering wheel is alittel heavy is it should be like that or i just need to change power streering oil 3rd : if i have any question do u have ur own website or how can i ask u thank u so much for all ur videos
Yeah you are right atf only, however that is the supply to power steering not the trans. the trans is a sealed unit, with a drain and a fill plug. Sorry first post was mean for that I am sorry, but you should know that, what you pointed out was the power steering reservoir, which uses ATF.
I'm from Norway, and I sometimes eat in my E39 :P And I quite often get a bottle of soda or something on long drives. Although the cup holders break all the time, they do at least kinda work. Definitively better than nothing
FYI, It is not normal for your temps to remain at the 1/4 mark. This is often a symptom of a faulty thermostat (which regulates coolant flow). If the thermostat is stuck in the fully open position, the cooling system is always running at max performance, rather than varying to maintain ~210F. The oil is is at the ideal viscosity at 210F Mine ussually lets the coolant temp get near red when the oil temp low, and the opposite if the oil temp starts to go over 210.
Ahhh, I remember test driving a 2000 back in 2003. About 115 mph in 3rd gear, it was my only experience with a car that powerful, felt like a jet taking off
do 2003 e46 3 series bmws have the same headlights where they adapt cause if so my xenons dont point that far out and i wind up using my fogs most of the time :/
Hey, Im thinking about investing in a e39 M5 or 540i with the M5 body kit, but i was wondering if the expenses are really that bad. I am a DIY kinda guy until it comes to serious engine work or suspension. But i have a 1994 Mercedes with 252k running strong with slight maintenance. But do you think i should invest in either the M5, 540i, or e60 545i w/ M5 body. I dont want to spend too much on maintanace. but want a nice car.
You'd be surprised my friend at how many American's and Canadian's (mainly youth) are embracing the manual transmission. I mean there is a reason why the new M6 and M5 came with a stick option for the American market ONLY !! Tells you we still got a few people with passion and BMW especially acknowledges that.
I can second the cupholder remark. EURO-cars generally don't have cupholders. It's not common to consume beverages/coffee in the car. EU car designers don't foresee space for cupholders until the marketing department points out that cupholders are vital for the US market. And then they have to find some way to insert cupholders afterwards hence they are very compact and a bit flimsy.
Totally depends on how it's driven. If you just drive it like a Cadillac around town you'll go 1,000 miles or more before it asks for a little bit of oil. If you drive it like you stole it all of the time don't expect to get more than 250 miles or so before it wants a liter.
Yeah i did abit more research after i posted on your youtube video. Theres a few common fixes that can be done to help reduce the oil usage but not eliminate it completely. Im sorely tempted to get one of these beasts but obviously here in australia, economies of scale with less numbers of these babies running around, they still sell for a premium price. eg theres one im looking at thats done around 124,000 miles for around 27k US.
My father bought a 2003 BMW E46 M3 back in the day and he always serviced it at a BMW Dealer and recently he gave it to my brother as he bought a new 528i. The E46 M3 today has NOTHING wrong with it, Except maybe once there was an engine failure as the fuel was not pure and had dirt particles in it. But, BMW fixed the hell out of it. If the car was always in trusted, official BMW Dealer hands, there will be nothing wrong with it. FYI : We live in Cairo, Egypt
i have the same depo headlights on my e39 and dont really like how the angel eyes look, have you tried doing anything about them like changing to CCFL ones?
Hope this helps: I am really happy with it. I was trying to give you a link for cup holders problem but it doesnt let me post it. I dont know how else to send it to you.
hey dude great video in the middle of securing a deal on my facelift e39 m5 i was looking at turnermotorsport for all my maintenance needs would there parts be ok i think there oem
Going to test drive a 5 series e39, It has high mileage of 154, 000 I hope its a great car an if so i'll definitely purchase it what are some things to look for or concerns before purchasing?
That would take a leather bound book to include it all. Service lights on the dash can be very expensive. I'll say that first. Check out all the normal stuff. Tires, brakes, etc. You can just gauge what the previous owner knows and how they took care of it.
i´m gonna buy one in next month.great car and outstanding engine!!i´ve had several beemers in my past life and this has always been a dream to me and now i am able to get one :)
I love your interior, it is a perfect mix with the black and silver leather alongside with the aluminum on the door and dash. I am loving your car more and more as I watch these videos to the point were the only thing I would change would have to be the colour of the vehicle and I mean sure that's a nice blue and all but I would much prefer a gun metal grey. What about you, is there a certain colour you would of liked the car to be?
I've been looking at E39's for the longest time but an M5 seems to much to run. Are any E39's reliable at all or relative cheap to run with preventive maintenance (not thousands of dollars)? Even from a I6 to V8 model, any of them I am down for if they are somewhat reliable.
Ah !! Mine's the same colour as this and is a December '99 model... right hand drive though! It seems to like a bit of oil. It's called Castrol Edge 10w60 now.
Hey E39Source, i want to buy an e39, its doesn't have to be an m5, i really like the 540i, can you tell me the differences between the 540i and the m5, and what are my chances of getting a good one from the early 2000s for under $6,000.
i wish you would review more bmws. you leave nothing to the imagination or speculation. a speculative buyer would find no better source of information than right here. thank you so much!
In my opinion the E39 M5 is far and away the best modern BMW ever made. BMW has been regressing backwards ever since.
+di foo!! E39 is the best series BMW made man its sad they're ass now
+di foo!! Agreed, but I do like the F10 better than the E60.
I drive a 530i 01' man I love that car if I can I want to keep it in a locker and just drive it whenever it's such a classic you can do so much stuff to it
since the E34.
all cars has been regressing backwards in my opinion. it gets worse and worse, more ugly etc.
DUDE!!!!!!!! Youre a lifesaver! Just got a '03 M5 in great condition. Majority of those little things you mentioned is what I want to replace. So, with the being said....I will be subscribing. Please post more videos!
Hi Ryan. I bought myself recently a 1999 E38 5 series 528i with a manual gearbox. Now it's undergoing a repair-some air inlet needs fixing.
It's by far, the BEST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED!!!!
FINALLY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS MY DREAM CAME TRUE!!!
So fucking informative without much biased. I truly wish all performance cars had a channel like this. Ty for your dedication and enthusiasm for what you drive and your willingness to educated others on the knowledge youve aquired.
Out of all the M cars this is the one to have! Such classic lines!
Very informative, thanks. Going to look at a 2001 M5 tomorrow, 109,000 miles, full history..
Had an E39 525 a few years ago, only problem I had with that was the cooling system..leaking rad, cracked expansion bottle.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow, the M5 is an itch I need to scratch!
+waynester71 Good luck! :)
Taking delivery of mine in two weeks! 115k miles....incredible value! Can't wait to start some DIY work
I just bought a beast today. An 02 with 53k miles. Thanks for this video. It's great!
That "ATF" reservoir is for the power steering system not the transmission. Bmw uses ATF for power steering fluid.
Yooo what if he's running trans fluid in there
Awesome video!
I usually don't like to comment on how other people drive but, doing 35mph on 6th gear kinda hurts me inside.
About the temperature, it should be ~90º (celsius) so make sure the first dot is 90º otherwise your thermostat could be permanently open and not letting the engine warm up to the optimal temperature.
the atf you fill up underneath the hood is no transmission fluid. it's power steering fluid
Well, most of the stuff is minor things, not like mechanical stuff. This is a beast. I have a BMW and I'm very pleased with the reliability.
BMW (and other German companies like Audi) actually make their cars overall very reliable and tough. Especially the drivetrain with BMW, I've never heard a BMW owner complain about a drivetrain component.
HOWEVER, BMW (and Audi, especially) use cheap composites or plastics for many parts like gaskets, water pumps, hoses, manifolds, etc. So bullshit that shouldn't fail does in the cars. Luckily, they are minor things, but the costs can add up especially if you don't fix them yourself. It's even worse if you have an Audi because then the whole front end of the car has to come off to do anything.
Darkmatter28031 some bmw have electronic water pumps or i think most of the newer models do haha
Freude am Fahren! E39 M5 is glad to have an owner like OP and the owner is deserve the sheer pleasure driving his M5.
Nice done and keep driving!
Okay, I've only gone a bought one...M5 E39 Le Mans Blue, Reampped sports mode, Bilsteins at about 20mm lower than OE and now a muffler delete as of yesterday, which is amazing. Thanks for the video! Amazing car.
Great vid! Just a note though from a prior owner of a new M3, back in the 90's. The e-brake is actually an emergency brake with a completely separate mechanism. If it's not stopping the car then it's probably way out of adjustment, you're not pulling it hard enough, or inferior parts were used. That is, unless they've really slacked in that area after 2000. Also as a note to buyers, a sure fire way to get a great used BMW is to look for one with all the DEALER service records.
The oil temp may not go up but the water temp not going up is a sign of a bad thermostat.
Great car and great video none the less! Used to be an owner myself and I am about to hop back into another one. Boy how I have missed that car!
Yes. This is a device which can be started like 30 min. before you actually go to start the car. It warms up the coolant and start the fan inside the car so when you get in it is warm and the engine does not get a "cold" start and it is more like a "warm" start. Very useful in the winter. We have these on most of the diesel BMWs over here in Europe. Some of the gasoline ones are equipped with one too.
Pretty much the best video for people who are considering buying a e39 m5. Well done, Subscribed!
very thorough, much appreciated. i feel like this video could either support the stigma of high cost of ///M ownership or bust the myth that they're a maintenance nightmare, depending on your perspective. (and when i say "perspective," i really mean "salary")
As a fellow car enthusiast I subscribed to your channel even though I don't own a BMW. Your videos are very informative with honest reviews. Well done. BTW I drive the poor man's BMW - 2002 Nissan Maxima 6 speed lol. It's in excellent shape like yours and still pulls strong. Definitely well built. Preventative maintenance helps too.
I own a M5 and a 530 . Both are 2001 models . My 530 has 140.000 miles I have owned from 3 years old . And have had none of the issues you pointed out in your video . My M5 needed a key which was a dealer only costing me £150. And a head light as the self adjusting motor broke . But that's it . No vanos issues . Or any other sensors . But in England these cars do come straight from Munich . Where as USA there made under licence . Which means the components used are not as high quality as the on
I know this is old video but if someone is still wondering about this car. Main maintenance difference to a normal e39 is rod bearings that you have to replace like every 100k. Then there is double vanos when other e39 only have 1 so there is added cost. Other than that if you do take care of it it its not that expensive. It shares a lot of parts with 535 and 540 so no extra cost there. Plus these don't depreciate so if you ever sell your m5 it is actually cheaper to maintain this than any other 5 series because you get most of your money back.
Also pixel fix on e39 costs you like 5€ as in new ribbon cable and about 2 hours to diasassemble, fix and put back together when doing it first time.
Rod bearings in these cars can easily do 150k, often times 200k+. It's really an over-rated issue. I changed mine at 192,000 miles and they were just starting to show signs of wear.
great vid. I was wondering how you learned about maintaining a car? I'm soon going to be a regular first driver and was wondering if you could give me tips on a stick car.
did you say you have a sensor problem or EVAP system leak.
meaning a cracked hose under the gas tank.
can you pass obd2 emissions ?
Very nice car.......How many miles were on it when you bought it and how much was it?
You should look at it. Mine started making that noise or similar, thru time it got lauder and louder till the car broke on me. I didn't know what the problem was so I decided to change the whole cooling system except the fan clutch cause I didn't have enough at the time for all those parts so I decided to lubricate it. Days later it broke again. Took it to the dealer & turned out to be the part I didn't change. Got it replaced and 40K later has not given me any problems with the cooling system
I've got an E30 and I love it and it's quite cheap to maintain. If you had to do it again, knowing what you know now, would you buy an E39 M5? I've spotted one 100k miles, 12k $ tax in.
Thanks!
Very informative, but did you have to make a seperate website just to post these vids about your car?
Great info video! From the date if your first purchase to present, where there any major repairs needed on your car? Ive read that the vanos and chain guides are a pain to fix in these cars. How about your drivetrain?
Nothing really 'major'. Mostly normal maintenance items. Springs, struts, spark plugs, oxygen sensors, tires, brake pads, brake rotors, camshaft sensors, the normal stuff like that. Never touched VANOS or chain guides or anything with the drivetrain. I gave the guibo a visual, and it looks fairly new, so I should be good on that for a while.
Would you recommend a 2001 BMW 740i for a first car? I really want a BMW but want to avoid the high maintenance fees. Would the service be any less with the 740i than the M5?
I don't have an M5 and as much as I am a big fan I won't be buying one but I really enjoyed watching that, thanks for sharing!
Sounds good. I most definitely will. I'm def the hands-on DIY kind of guy so expect videos to come as the car requires routine maintenance.
I am torn between B5.5 Passat and e39/e46. You seem to be a knowledgable person in cars. Which one would be a more pragmatic choice in terms of reliability/maintenance ?
Can you put up a video about how to put the front license plate on?
great video . learned a lot in the first 3 minutes. Just bought an 2003 M5 and I know very little about the mechanics . Now at least I know where the filters and fluids reservoirs are located so I could change some of those myself.
Thank you! Welcome to the E39 M5 club. E39Source has changed a lot since I made this video. We have a shop in Escondido, CA now and part out wrecked M5s in addition to making DIY content, providing technical resources, literature, support etc. If you ever need any parts or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out! ryan@e39source.com
Thanks so much for your vids! The E39 is such a fabulous car. I am owning a 98 523i which has never let me down so far. Best wishes from Spain, AM
Good video, one thing I'd point out is that the single biggest worry for that engine isn't the vanos, the biggest worry is a rod bearing failure, not very common but if it happens the engine is done for
Are there any regular maintenance items that should have been taken care of up to this point? I know the serpentine belt was recently replaced.
Alright thanks, I will go test drive a few but I've heard the m5 has much more of a power feel to it and is faster than the m3. Is that true would you say? Which is not the only thing I'm looking for but plays a big part in what I will buy because a e39 and a e46 are about the same prices used.
Good to hear that. My E34 530i V8 never reached the dead center either, but it was ok (milimeters were needed). Mostly typed here because of your oil temp level, I think that is more important, just also mentioned coolant temp if I were already commenting. Im almost sure you did this before buying the car, but I would definetly advise you to get on m5board dot com, and ask if its needed, even with minor (or look alike) problems.
Have a lot of fun kms/miles with her.
Nice video brother very cool...have a question e46 m3 or m5 what is a better buy or what is the difference in Perfomance
The E46 is almost as fast, but it doesn't feel like it. It doesn't make nearly as much torque and it has to rev a lot higher to keep up... but that is expected with a 6 cylinder engine. I would always take the M5, but I do love the E46 M3 (and E36 M3 for that matter) as well!
why dont you show the rain sensor and how to change the wiper blades and how the wiper controls work please make a video on that plz
cheers
Ya, it often takes a long time to get to temp (pretty much my entire commute), but it does get there and stay there for me. Unless it always stays at 1/4 like i thought you meant, its probably not a big deal. Especially considering you drive at low rpm's (6th at 40), probably won't get up to temp. It takes 20 - 30 mins for me, and I try to keep it up near 2.5k when cruising.
Ryan, have you heard about the rod bearings needing replacement after 100k?
Strange question I'm not sure you'd be able to answer, but I was wondering if you knew how the driving experience compares to the earlier E34 5-series? I have a '95 540i 6-speed(same transmission as used in the E39 M5 if I'm not mistaken) and have been considering moving onto one of these beasts later on.
Hi there! Very nice video and explanation with two clarifications if I may. The container below the passenger's cabin filter is a sealed box containing electronics like engine ECU, relays and so on unlike the brake fluid container on the driver's side. The other thing is the REST button which seems not to do anything. Try that in, this winter weather now, with engine fully warmed up , take the ignition key out of the lock and then you press this "useless" button ;)
gre8 videos ....so my question is what u can say about timing belt ....? need to be replaced like in normal cars if yes what u think about cost ? or maybe its a chain or any other think ?
I love this car and hope to get one but what I am afraid of is not finding parts for it here in libya
Great car. I'm glad you enjoy what it is you have instead of comparing apples to oranges. That said, what you have replaced isn't all that heartbreaking for a car that makes nearly 400bhp from an OEM design. I think there exists a big discrepancy between seeing an e39 M5 as an immediate problem child versus taking care of it's peculiarities before any issues really set in.
can i recommend pelican parts for BMW's they are very good priced and you can choose if you want OEM parts or aftermarket
Hey, great video. I'm looking at a 2000 bmw m5 with 138k for $10,750 but i'm a bit skeptical because i'm afraid it's going to need a lot of maintenance. What do you think? also I'm looking at a 2001 bmw 530i sport with just over 100k and a 2003 bmw 540i m sport with a little less than 100k. What do you think about the 530i sport and the 540i m sport?
I've had a 2003 M5 for 3 years and 70,000 miles (I drive a lot) and I have spent about $1,500 a year on average. Well worth it!
@E39Source There are a few things that would stop me from buying and e39 m5, but what concerns me most is the mpg. What is the best you have pulled from the engine?
also, with the halos, should go Umnitzas, orions, pretty sweet looking with the 4 led halos at night & during the day!
At 11:00 mark, you are talking about burned out pixels. You can get it repaired for under $200 thru BBA-Reman and also taking the cluster out takes 5 minutes at most. No need to take the whole dash out
thanks a bunch on the info, getting a E39 M5 soon, still want my #1 Fav vehicle of all time, the infamous E60 M5, but price & maintenance on those are almost 3x more than the E39, & i am currently going to school full time, & working also, subscribed & will often visit for any questions for help on repairing the E39!
Ryan...
Thinking about pulling the trigger this summer but am debating an E39 M5 or a 540 i Touring. Millage and Year wise any comments? I still think part wise this is a better route than a comparable S6/Rs6 Audi...
An E39 M5 has been on my shopping list for several years, though I always end up buying something else. This year I was considering the new M5 (2013 model) but I'm still drawn to the E39. Considering price differences, I'd thought with the extra cash doing maintenance and some fun go-fast/handling parts. Anyway, still up in the air.
Out of curiosity, when you mentioned your engine temp, did you replace the thermostat? They get stuck open after 100k in miles quite often (any car).
hey man im watching all ur videos and i have couple questions ....
i just got 2003 bmw 530i sport ...
1st of all the engine doesnt have the M letter on it and i dont have it on the trunk so what is the diffrence between 530i sport and the actual m5
2nd of all my steering wheel is alittel heavy is it should be like that or i just need to change power streering oil
3rd : if i have any question do u have ur own website or how can i ask u
thank u so much for all ur videos
Thanks for the fast reply and i'm going to check out all of them this weekend, they're at the same dealer so it's really convenient
Was most of this little things fixing here and there or things you HAVE to fix and maintain? Also pretty cool channel, I love what your doing with it.
I have a 97' 528i with 74,000 miles and I believe by the time this car has well over 100,000 miles it'll still run smooth
This can be activated either from the navigation menu or a remote control unit.
Yeah you are right atf only, however that is the supply to power steering not the trans. the trans is a sealed unit, with a drain and a fill plug. Sorry first post was mean for that I am sorry, but you should know that, what you pointed out was the power steering reservoir, which uses ATF.
I'm from Norway, and I sometimes eat in my E39 :P And I quite often get a bottle of soda or something on long drives. Although the cup holders break all the time, they do at least kinda work. Definitively better than nothing
You have to use ATF in all E39s I think? I believe it says ATF on my fluid container as well, but I'm not gonna say that for sure
Coming from an E46 owner, there's nothing I hate more than BMW plastics haha
FYI, It is not normal for your temps to remain at the 1/4 mark. This is often a symptom of a faulty thermostat (which regulates coolant flow). If the thermostat is stuck in the fully open position, the cooling system is always running at max performance, rather than varying to maintain ~210F.
The oil is is at the ideal viscosity at 210F
Mine ussually lets the coolant temp get near red when the oil temp low, and the opposite if the oil temp starts to go over 210.
What did you end up doing with the headlights? I don't want to replace my Hellas but they wont level out. My adjusters may be broken as well though.
Ahhh, I remember test driving a 2000 back in 2003. About 115 mph in 3rd gear, it was my only experience with a car that powerful, felt like a jet taking off
do 2003 e46 3 series bmws have the same headlights where they adapt cause if so my xenons dont point that far out and i wind up using my fogs most of the time :/
I've always wanted one of these. Still holds up 16 years later, but the dreaded maintenance.... I'm thinking of getting an E46 330ci
This video made me love the e39 m5 even more. Thanks man!
Hey, Im thinking about investing in a e39 M5 or 540i with the M5 body kit, but i was wondering if the expenses are really that bad. I am a DIY kinda guy until it comes to serious engine work or suspension. But i have a 1994 Mercedes with 252k running strong with slight maintenance. But do you think i should invest in either the M5, 540i, or e60 545i w/ M5 body. I dont want to spend too much on maintanace. but want a nice car.
You'd be surprised my friend at how many American's and Canadian's (mainly youth) are embracing the manual transmission. I mean there is a reason why the new M6 and M5 came with a stick option for the American market ONLY !! Tells you we still got a few people with passion and BMW especially acknowledges that.
do you guys have a video replacing the solenoid gaskets?
This video covers replacing the VANOS solenoid O Rings: BMW E39 M5 S62 VANOS Solenoids Repair & Removal
Thanks
is their anyway to put the license plate on with out having to put holes into the bumper
@E39Source Yeah maybe but main reason why I want the 2003 model is because it's a V8. Do you know any other V8 models?
Does your M5 use a lot of oil between oil changes? I have heard of some M5's using 1 liter every 1000 miles.
I can second the cupholder remark. EURO-cars generally don't have cupholders. It's not common to consume beverages/coffee in the car. EU car designers don't foresee space for cupholders until the marketing department points out that cupholders are vital for the US market. And then they have to find some way to insert cupholders afterwards hence they are very compact and a bit flimsy.
Hows the oil usage on the engine? apparently pre 01's were known to use/burn up some oil during day to day use?
Totally depends on how it's driven. If you just drive it like a Cadillac around town you'll go 1,000 miles or more before it asks for a little bit of oil. If you drive it like you stole it all of the time don't expect to get more than 250 miles or so before it wants a liter.
Yeah i did abit more research after i posted on your youtube video. Theres a few common fixes that can be done to help reduce the oil usage but not eliminate it completely.
Im sorely tempted to get one of these beasts but obviously here in australia, economies of scale with less numbers of these babies running around, they still sell for a premium price. eg theres one im looking at thats done around 124,000 miles for around 27k US.
@e39Source I have a 2003 525 I, Oxford green with tan leather interior. These really are great cars.
My father bought a 2003 BMW E46 M3 back in the day and he always serviced it at a BMW Dealer and recently he gave it to my brother as he bought a new 528i. The E46 M3 today has NOTHING wrong with it, Except maybe once there was an engine failure as the fuel was not pure and had dirt particles in it. But, BMW fixed the hell out of it. If the car was always in trusted, official BMW Dealer hands, there will be nothing wrong with it.
FYI : We live in Cairo, Egypt
i have the same depo headlights on my e39 and dont really like how the angel eyes look, have you tried doing anything about them like changing to CCFL ones?
Hope this helps:
I am really happy with it.
I was trying to give you a link for cup holders problem but it doesnt let me post it. I dont know how else to send it to you.
@E39Source The problem is though I live in Canada so it's even harder to find the 2003 M5 :?
Whats the difference with 5 series 20, 28, 30, 40? Is it the size or length or is it internal upgrades like horsepower and engine?
hey dude great video in the middle of securing a deal on my facelift e39 m5 i was looking at turnermotorsport for all my maintenance needs would there parts be ok i think there oem
How long did it take to repair your mirror ? I am having the same problem with my e46 M3. Thanks
Going to test drive a 5 series e39, It has high mileage of 154, 000 I hope its a great car an if so i'll definitely purchase it what are some things to look for or concerns before purchasing?
That would take a leather bound book to include it all. Service lights on the dash can be very expensive. I'll say that first. Check out all the normal stuff. Tires, brakes, etc. You can just gauge what the previous owner knows and how they took care of it.
i´m gonna buy one in next month.great car and outstanding engine!!i´ve had several beemers in my past life and this has always been a dream to me and now i am able to get one :)
Both are badass and that song is sick..... What's the name of it...
i'm thinking of owning one myself as the first car is it a good idea?
i'm a huge fan of the E39 my favorite car
the *Inline 6* E39
I'm thinking about getting a 2011 3 series and I'm stuck too
I love your interior, it is a perfect mix with the black and silver leather alongside with the aluminum on the door and dash. I am loving your car more and more as I watch these videos to the point were the only thing I would change would have to be the colour of the vehicle and I mean sure that's a nice blue and all but I would much prefer a gun metal grey. What about you, is there a certain colour you would of liked the car to be?
I've been looking at E39's for the longest time but an M5 seems to much to run.
Are any E39's reliable at all or relative cheap to run with preventive maintenance (not thousands of dollars)? Even from a I6 to V8 model, any of them I am down for if they are somewhat reliable.
Ah !! Mine's the same colour as this and is a December '99 model... right hand drive though!
It seems to like a bit of oil. It's called Castrol Edge 10w60 now.
I saw another video from you changing the stereo and adding the sirius radio. Did you change your steering wheel? i love how the new one looks :)
Thank you! Yes, this video is quite old, I have done a lot with this car since.
Thats the power steering resi not the trans, how much addys u pop b4 deciding to make this video?
Hey E39Source, i want to buy an e39, its doesn't have to be an m5, i really like the 540i, can you tell me the differences between the 540i and the m5, and what are my chances of getting a good one from the early 2000s for under $6,000.