M5 2002

I am currently looking to purchase an M5 2002-2003 model.. I was just wondering how expensive it is for maintenaince/service. Also, what do I need to check on the car before making an offer.

Thanks.

Maintenance is very expensive. The parts for these cars are very expensive. I just had the front brakes and rotors replaced, and it cost $900.00 (not at the stealership, and at a dealership discount for the parts) Luckily the dealership I bought the car from was willing to split the cost with me. But the joy of driving the car is worth it. After this experience though, I realized that it would be too expensive to drive this car as a daliy driver so I found a cheap audi a4 to drive during the winter. Good Luck to you on your M5 search. I must say that everytime I drive my M5 it puts a smile on my face.

Definitely get a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) done before seriously considering any used M5. I really miss mine, in 1.5 years of ownership and nearly 15k miles I only had to pay for a coolant temp sensor ($25) and oil changes. I consider myself fortunate.

I have a 2000, other then the oil changes i have had no issues with expensive maintenance so far. Due for tires soon ;-)

Originally Posted by Gigabyte71

I have a 2000, other then the oil changes i have had no issues with expensive maintenance so far. Due for tires soon ;-)

Consider yourself extremely lucky. Either that or you aren't running your M the way it was made to be driven. Most M's require periodic service as most or almost all BMW's do. The difference is most M's are run harder putting more strain on the car requiring the replacement of more parts. Speed and fun aren't cheap but are worth the price of admission!

Originally Posted by oliviercollin69

I am currently looking to purchase an M5 2002-2003 model.. I was just wondering how expensive it is for maintenaince/service. Also, what do I need to check on the car before making an offer.

Thanks.

They aren't expensive at all unless you want them to be. 30K miles later I've done routine maintenance only + thrust arm bushings. If you know what to look for ahead of time you can avoid some pitfalls, but for the most part, M owners make these vehicles much more expensive than they need to be by replacing parts (MAF's, CPS, etc) well before they fail.

If making 380hp instead of 400 is going to bother you, then yes, the vehicle will be expensive to maintain. If it won't, then you'll be fine..

d-

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

If making 380hp instead of 400 is going to bother you, then yes, the vehicle will be expensive to maintain. If it won't, then you'll be fine..

d-

No disrespect intended, but what does this mean? I thought the E39 M5 was 400 HP.

Originally Posted by Chipster

No disrespect intended, but what does this mean? I thought the E39 M5 was 400 HP.

None inferred

Here is the short version:
The M is a very complex engine with many moving parts that may wear over time (no conclusive evidence of what "over time" means specifically). For example, it is not a stretch to think the a cam position sensor (used to provide feedback to the DME about the actual vs. requested position of one of the 4 camshafts) might become less accurate over time. As parts like this wear and become less accurate, hp will suffer. If the DME plans air/fuel/spark for a 5 degree timing advance but the inaccuracies result in 4.5 degrees (or even 4.95 degrees) then the vehicle will make less hp.

So, simply put, you have a choice:
1. Replace these parts before failure, after some indiscriminate period of time and with no specific knowledge of wear, in an attempt to maintain 400hp, OR
2. Wait for these parts to fail (i.e. raise a code in the DME) and accept that you probably have something less than 400hp until they do.

d-

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

None inferred
d-

Ahhh that makes perfect sense!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Chipster

Ahhh that makes perfect sense!

Thanks!

No problem - my pleasure

I've heard overall.....3k/yr.
But it also depends on how much wrenching you do yourself....how you go through tires....and how anal you are.

Originally Posted by EasyE

I've heard overall.....3k/yr.
But it also depends on how much wrenching you do yourself....how you go through tires....and how anal you are.

thats about what mine costs per year in mait

$3K per year? Good lord, what do you people do to your cars?! I've had mine for about 3 years and I've spent less than $2K total including a new set of tires AND a new stereo system.

As I said before, I think the single biggest factor is what you expect from the car. If you are using it as a daily driver your performance expectations should be considerably lower than someone who is racing the vehicle, and your costs will be lower as well. MAF's, CPS's, etc - I've changed none of them because they don't need it. If you change parts at a single code you'll have higher costs. If you wait for codes to repeat then you'll have lower ones.

d-

Excluding tires my running cost is about $1,500/yr (over the last 4 1/2 years). Granted, I only put about 8K miles a year on the car, and it is my DD (short drive to work, and the M Coupe gets worked out on weekends). In 78K miles, I haven't had to replace MAF, O2 or CPS yet, (but I'm now getting a code for O2), and have recently had to replace all the bushings, guibo (completely destroyed), leaking read diff and shafts, vacuum leak, window regulator, rear brakes and driver seat motor. I just put aside money each month, so when it's time the hit for repairs doesn't hurt sooooo much. It's a great car, and it still puts a smile on my face.

Start here to compare a few examples. I've already done a lot of the heavy lifting. I built a spreadsheet that has every E39 M5 (currently 100) for sale across the country under $20k. It includes prices, miles, ownership records and more. Definitely join up at M5 Board too. Tons of information.