JayPSC

A friend is looking at buying one of these, anyone owned one? What are they like to run, costs etc? Any buying advice?

Cheers
Jay

Steve V8

Not owned an M5 but have a V8 E34. Running costs aren't too bad really, although I know the 3.6 & 3.8 straight six M5 needs a timing chain overhaul at around 100k which can be big money.

JayPSC

The one he is looking at has done 150kmiles how long do these engines actually last lol

Lewegie

The timing chain on the 3.6 & 3.8 M5 is a duplex chain which doesn't need changing until 180,000 miles although that would depend on type of life the car had. Sold mine a while back with 125000 miles on clock and engine was very sound.
Reliable but expensive when they do go wrong. Steve is right about the cost of timing chain replacement being expensive, its an engine out job.

Loved driving it, had a very predictable rear end when sliding.

Would guess that running costs were about the same as my WRX

Mark Miwurdz

See if you can hold of a copy of last month's BMW Car Magazine. There was a very detailed write up in there by a chap who had one for 4-5 years. When all was added up (I mean everything) the whole experience had cost him about £25K He didn't infer he had been particularly unlucky but had tried to cut a couple of corners when having repairs done which then cost him significantly more subsequently.

I had no idea these were over £50K new in 1994. That makes the new E60 M5 and its predecessor look cheap in comparison by today's prices.

Cheers
Kav

JayPSC

This one is only £4k because apparently the active rear suspension needs replacing. How much are these to replace with standard shocks?

Steve V8

I don't think you can. The suspension is electrically adjustable, and I would guess you'll have a constant displayed error message if you remove the rear end and replace with conventional kit. Also the car will never drive like an M5, so there would be little point.
Replacing the complete set at the back with the proper stuff I reckon could easily put you up to about £1500+ in parts alone. (The standard self levelling kit for my 540i Touring comes in at around £1000.)

If you are going for an M5 don't compromise. Find the best you can at your budget then raise your budget. To quote an Autocar second hand test from some years ago, "There are few more troublesome and expensive cars than a tired M5".

StevieG

Interesting thread so far; by coincidence I'm collecting an E39 M5 today. It is still under extended BMW warranty & judging by what been done on the car & the cost, I wouldn't even consider one without. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a 2nd mortgage type of car.......

Tractor

IIRC, many people replace the adaptive suspension with a Hartge kit - costs less, is very good, and won't go wrong in the same way.