[jeddo45]

Hi all.

So a couple of weeks ago I shared a post about me being interested in an F10 M5. I decided in all I was gonna hold on to my 335i a little longer.

Well, I made the mistake of test driving an E60 M5. And my oh my... that car is something else.

Needless to say it made me want it. Here's what's keeping me from pulling the trigger. How expensive is this thing really to maintain.

People say it's one of the most unreliable BMWs ever. They said the same thing about the N54 platform, and honestly I haven't had half the issues people rant about. I know rod bearings are one of the biggest. I think that issue might be slightly overblown because I've seen people that have 120k on their original rod bearings. I know the throttle body actuators is another, though I don't know exactly how common it is.

I've seen mixed videos on the internet.

The M5 I'm looking at has been pretty well maintained at BMW dealers, it's got just under 60k, and it's all stock. Current oil is 20w 50 racing grade which According to my research is a pretty common thing to do on this car.

Advice? anyone of you know anyone personally with the car? I appreciate the help.

[Leucosticte]

Neighbor had an e60 m5 and had gotten it towed like 5 times from what I've seen... He got rid of it last month.

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by kakapo

Neighbor had an e60 m5 and had gotten it towed like 5 times from what I've seen... He got rid of it last month.

well were off to a great start

what was the issue?

[Leucosticte]

Originally Posted by jeddo45

well were off to a great start

what was the issue?

Never really talked to him about it but I think it was some sort of electrical problem.

[Nardoninety]

There's a reason e60post is so quiet hehe

[tlow98]

Yeah they don’t all suck, but there are several major things that can cost $5k-15k; vanos, bearing causes motor to lunch and the SMG. Then there are the $1-5k camp; throttle actuators, and really almost anything on a bmw.

In the end, how good are you with a wrench and whats your tolerance for a disaster?

It might be none of those things, but you should go into it with eyes wide open.

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by Nardoninety

There's a reason e60post is so quiet hehe

You're probably not wrong

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah they don’t all suck, but there are several major things that can cost $5k-15k; vanos, bearing causes motor to lunch and the SMG. Then there are the $1-5k camp; throttle actuators, and really almost anything on a bmw.

In the end, how good are you with a wrench and whats your tolerance for a disaster?

It might be none of those things, but you should go into it with eyes wide open.

How good am I with a wrench? Not good but definitely a DIYer. Usually handle what I could on my own but 9 times out of 10, these German cars require all the special tools.

[neilvan]

I own an N54 E90 and an E60(N52). The E60 has more issues. Its all the electronics and just abundance of systems in it; The more tech you get the more issues.

Drivetrain and straight mechanical parts are very similar and don't cause the issues.

As well with being an M car when there is issues; They are much more $$ for parts and to fix. I hope you can do the work yourself.

funny enough around here E90 6 spd/rwd 335s usually go for as much or more than most E60 M5s

[Wolf 335]

Aside from it being a complete gas guzzler, let's not forget that it is the ugliest BMW ever produced. You can thank Bangle for that.

Thankfully 5 series somewhat recovered with the F10 model, and finally fully recovered with the latest G30.

[CTinline-six]

Unless you are an expert with wrenching on BMWs both from a mechanical standpoint and a software standpoint (INPA, ISTA+) I would not buy an E60 M5, and I'm saying that as someone who wants to eventually own one.

The E60 chassis also seems to have more electrical failures and ECU issues compared to the E90 chassis due to it's complexity.

[MPOWER5266]

As others have said, unless you are a very competent mechanic or have a lot of cash you should find something else. I am scared of them and I am in the middle of restoring an E9.

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Aside from it being a complete gas guzzler, let's not forget that it is the ugliest BMW ever produced. You can thank Bangle for that.

Thankfully 5 series somewhat recovered with the F10 model, and finally fully recovered with the latest G30.

Brother,

I love the E60 M5 look. It's one of my favorite looking BMWs.

Alright I have my flame proof suit on. Let me have it

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by jeddo45

How good am I with a wrench? Not good but definitely a DIYer. Usually handle what I could on my own but 9 times out of 10, these German cars require all the special tools.

Well, if it were me, I'd want to be comfortable with changing the clutch parts, actuators and vanos parts myself.

I'd likely pay a shop $2500-3k for the rod bearings right off the bat and consider a cost of ownership. This avoids the motor cost of $10k (self-installed used motor) - $25k (dealer-installed rebuilt/new unit) and you can enjoy the car mostly worry-free. At the end of the day, spending 10-20% of the purchase price of the car seems most wise here. You'll get the money back in resale, too.

If you aren't comfortable removing transmissions and upper-end motor work (timing, etc.) then you leave yourself open to a potentially big bill.

[ctuna]

https://www.nathansbmwworkshop.com/b...or-dean-videos

This guy has a lot of 5 stuff on his website.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Well, if it were me, I'd want to be comfortable with changing the clutch parts, actuators and vanos parts myself.

I'd likely pay a shop $2500-3k for the rod bearings right off the bat and consider a cost of ownership. This avoids the motor cost of $10k (self-installed used motor) - $25k (dealer-installed rebuilt/new unit) and you can enjoy the car mostly worry-free. At the end of the day, spending 10-20% of the purchase price of the car seems most wise here. You'll get the money back in resale, too.

If you aren't comfortable removing transmissions and upper-end motor work (timing, etc.) then you leave yourself open to a potentially big bill.

this.

they're known to suck 50% of the time at 80K miles.

it's a big risk, and a pretty big bill for PM if you pay someone to do it.

personally I'd rather m sport 535.
my brother had one, it had active sways, the suspension, all the M style things, but with an n54.