I'm referring to the reliability factor here.

Is there anything about owning an e39 M5 that is more problematic than say a 540i? I'm looking at 2000 M5 with 60k miles and I would most likely keep it until it hit around 150k miles. Anything in particular about the M5 that may cause you to go dig deep into your wallet?

Also I do all my own maintenance and repairs on my cars, even engine and tranny replacements etc...

I asked around about 540i's last year and people agreed that it was fairly reliable except for a CEL from a certain faulty sensor(forgot which one) that may get pricey to replace and the auto trans that can lose reverse in high miles car.


Also! Is the engine that is found inside the M5 also found in any other car?

an M5 is pretty reliable when you keep up with the maintance, even the stock clutch is pretty strong even though a lot of people dont agree, Im still on original clutch with many track days and no problems yet

The M5 engine (S62) is shared with the Z8

Thanks !

What does MIL-470 and MIL-490 mean on the guage cluster? That's a code for a check engine light right?

Keep up on maintenance and you won't have any issues... only problem is that shops and the dealer think the ///M stands for MONEY not motorsport

Keep up on maintenance and you won't have any issues... only problem is that shops and the dealer think the ///M stands for MONEY not motorsport

The M does stand for money. Although, the reliability may be the same, the repair cost will be much higher. This is true if you use a dealer, an indie shop, or DIY. Brake pads and rotors for M5 = $1,000 vs, 540i = $399. That's the parts only. Similar price difference for other parts. You have to pay to play.

Can you guys tell me what the -470 or -490 on the guage cluster mean ?

anybody can tell m,e what those codes mean ?

Try starting a new thread or posting in the M5 forum.

where is the m5 specific forum ?

Go to M5board.com
Jason

If you have or get the defect codes you can look them up here, http://www.tmk.com/defect-form It is a great resource.

I read so much on the carbon build up issue on www.M5board.com that I'm not sure if that would be my next vehicle purchase. Hopefully there will be some sort of fix in the near future.

I was not aware of the 540 being particularly problematic, come to think of it.

The M carbon buildup can be avoided with a good intake cleaner like Redline synthetic intake cleaner. I ren it in my 540 and the increase in power and MPG was more then noticeable and that's after trying many other product over time.

The redline cleaner really worked in all my previous cars too. It's good stuff.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

I read so much on the carbon build up issue on www.M5board.com that I'm not sure if that would be my next vehicle purchase. Hopefully there will be some sort of fix in the near future.

doesn't affect performance at all... and if it happens, there's a fix for the SES light

If you wanna know everything about your ride, get one of these. troublecodes.net/articles/Carcoderview.shtml (add www to the beginning of this link)

If you're worried about getting laid too often, blowing away just about everything else that challenges you on the road, turning heads everywhere you go, causing chicks to lean past their boyfriends to look at you at stoplights, or causing grown men to be insanely jealous, stick with the 540.

good one rocketwagon....m5 attracts quite a bit of attention, from guys....the 540 attracts attention from women due to you looking more "mature"

Looked at the car and I kinda like it but it needs a few things fixed on it. The AC doesnt work, the front pass bearing needs to be replaced and just minutes before I showed up to test drive it the owner had done an engine bay shampoo and the engine was sputtering a little. I dont know if this is the car for me... I didnt fall in love with it but I think that $500 and a couple days of thinkering and I would have me a pretty sweet ride.




I'm going to look at an E36 M3 tomorrow.

If you're worried about getting laid too often, blowing away just about everything else that challenges you on the road, turning heads everywhere you go, causing chicks to lean past their boyfriends to look at you at stoplights, or causing grown men to be insanely jealous, stick with the 540.
very well put!!!