[Fundguy1]

I posted this in a different section but I wasn't sure where it belongs. I'm looking at a 2007 M5 with 76,000 miles on it for a daily driver and keeping the 335 for silly speed fun on the weekends. The one I'm looking at has a clean carfax, SMG trans, black sapphire, blacked out exterior trim, black rims. What should I look for? Common problems? Available options I should try to get or avoid? etc. It's selling for $22,000.

As far as potential problems/issues what I've heard is rod? bearings need to be upgraded as the stock ones go and you can throw a rod. The improved version solves this. Also the smg may be a problematic. Apart from being clunky they may need repairs.
As far as improvements, free up the headers, maybe by removing the cats with turner pipes to gain torque and a 3.91 gear set. Also a euro or alpina tune for the smg for smoother and improved shifting. If I do this with programming what kind of 0-60 and quarter would I be looking at?

Thx.

[FC4]

Why not a brand new M5 or M6? Sure the V10 of the E60 is sweet, but it would be significantly less expensive to own a brand new one.

To daily-drive an almost 9 year old M5 with 76K miles is pretty baller, though.

[Sephiroth]

Im not sure i would daily an E60 M5. If you have to drive with a lot of traffic im not sure you will enjoy the performance benefits of the M5. Might as well get something with better gas mileage.

[SunnyD]

Beware of SMG issues (research red cog of death), VANOS issues, and bearing issues. Also be prepared for gas mileage around 11.5 mpg just driving normally, which leads to a range of about 160-170 miles. Other than that, it's a blast!

[Billup]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Beware of SMG issues (research red cog of death), VANOS issues, and bearing issues. Also be prepared for gas mileage around 11.5 mpg just driving normally, which leads to a range of about 160-170 miles. Other than that, it's a blast!

I was just going to second the SMG horror stories I've heard. My buddy just got rid of his '09 M6 with SMG, had the car for maybe 4 months before the trans took a complete shit, the repair cost was not desirable.

[Fundguy1]

Thx guys. New not an option atm. Any ways to see if trans problems may be immanent?

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Thx guys. New not an option atm. Any ways to see if trans problems may be immanent?

Not that I'm aware of, which is why so many people had problems with it. It could show up at any moment, or never show up at all, it's a toss up.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Beware of SMG issues (research red cog of death), VANOS issues, and bearing issues.

More outstanding BMW quality.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by FC4

Why not a brand new M5 or M6? Sure the V10 of the E60 is sweet, but it would be significantly less expensive to own a brand new one.

To daily-drive an almost 9 year old M5 with 76K miles is pretty baller, though.

significantly less to own a brand new one? he's buying the car for $22k...

a new m5 base is $96k....

and please don't say "don't forget about all the costs of the e60" because even with that factored in it still will not fill a $70k+ gap lol

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by rjd598

significantly less to own a brand new one? he's buying the car for $22k...

a new m5 base is $96k....

and please don't say "don't forget about all the costs of the e60" because even with that factored in it still will not fill a $70k+ gap lol

Oh that's FC4, he's the resident forum A-hole. I'm surprised he even comes here to bless us lowlifes with his presence.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Oh that's FC4, he's the resident forum A-hole. I'm surprised he even comes here to bless us lowlifes with his presence.

hope he can tussle

[FC4]

Originally Posted by rjd598

significantly less to own a brand new one? he's buying the car for $22k...

a new m5 base is $96k....

and please don't say "don't forget about all the costs of the e60" because even with that factored in it still will not fill a $70k+ gap lol

Let's let's put that that "$70K+ gap" into perspective. First off, the average person who is shopping for an old, used-and-abused, 2nd/3rd/4th owner high-end European car does not have the ability to pay cash for it. Have you seen the people who buy old M5s, AMGs, or Range Rovers? Likewise, relatively very few people who drive brand new ~$100K cars paid cash for them because having the skills and abilities to get to that point financially means you have some financial savvy and know better than to do so. The outright price is now moot.

$20K financed over 5 years at the typical interest rate these buyers would get makes for a payment of at least $400/mo. Factor in the upfront repairs a $20K E60 M5 would need at $2000-2500 right off the bat in order to turn all the warning lights off in the dash, plus another $1200/yr for routine service/maintenance, and you're already at a net of $700/mo...and that's with praying every night the car starts the next morning. When (not if) any major VANOS, transmission, differential, electrical work needs to get done, you're out a bare minimum of $6K...and that's if you can convince your boy Tito at Fast Eddie's Muffler & Lube to do the work for free, minus a case of beer. You just took the cost of a cool 70K-mile E60 M5 to $1200/mo. Any idea what new M5s lease for?

If sarcasm isn't your strong suit and you're completely missing my point...buying a used high-end car (especially an M6/M6) is an awful decision. Anyone who truly believes you can enjoy an out-of-warranty car like that for years to come without major repair is delusional. Shit, take a look at how many problems original owners had. Bought new. With a warranty. There is a reason why the market can only command $22K for a car with 72K miles which was $100K brand new.

But hey...most just want to be seen driving a "sick" car to impress the other 22 year-olds when in reality it cost as much as a new Jetta.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by FC4

Let's let's put that that "$70K+ gap" into perspective. First off, the average person who is shopping for an old, used-and-abused, 2nd/3rd/4th owner high-end European car does not have the ability to pay cash for it. Have you seen the people who buy old M5s, AMGs, or Range Rovers? Likewise, relatively very few people who drive brand new ~$100K cars paid cash for them because having the skills and abilities to get to that point financially means you have some financial savvy and know better than to do so. The outright price is now moot.

$20K financed over 5 years at the typical interest rate these buyers would get makes for a payment of at least $400/mo. Factor in the upfront repairs a $20K E60 M5 would need at $2000-2500 right off the bat in order to turn all the warning lights off in the dash, plus another $1200/yr for routine service/maintenance, and you're already at a net of $700/mo...and that's with praying every night the car starts the next morning. When (not if) any major VANOS, transmission, differential, electrical work needs to get done, you're out a bare minimum of $6K...and that's if you can convince your boy Tito at Fast Eddie's Muffler & Lube to do the work for free, minus a case of beer. You just took the cost of a cool 70K-mile E60 M5 to $1200/mo. Any idea what new M5s lease for?

If sarcasm isn't your strong suit and you're completely missing my point...buying a used high-end car (especially an M6/M6) is an awful decision. Anyone who truly believes you can enjoy an out-of-warranty car like that for years to come without major repair is delusional. Shit, take a look at how many problems original owners had. Bought new. With a warranty. There is a reason why the market can only command $22K for a car with 72K miles which was $100K brand new.

But hey...most just want to be seen driving a "sick" car to impress the other 22 year-olds when in reality it cost as much as a new Jetta.

i agree with all your points but let's be real. we all know op will NEVER dump THAT much money into it. that's why i thought your suggestion was out of line. he's buying a $22k car and not realizing it has maintenance of a $100k car. nothing against you.

whenever people tell me "oh bmw's are such a waste of money they cost so much to maintain blah blah blah" i tell them no that's not true. the value of the car depreciates just like any car because most are depreciating assets. once they lose their value and become more "affordable" people like the op go and pick up a v10 M car for $22k, but when they realize what the bill is they decide to just "stick it out" until the car stops running. at that point they sell the car and the cycle just continues until the car will no longer give life for anyone.

sorry to call you out op, but let's be real you aren't going to give nearly enough attention to this car as you should. if you are willing to shell out the money to maintain it properly then fc4 actually has a good point and you should just get yourself a new f10 m5..but wait you said it's not in your budget get a new m5. uh oh

[jt1k]

I just sold my M5. Honestly I loved the car on long cruises and the power is amazing. As far as commuting the SMG is not great in stop and go traffic. As others have said they are truly expensive to fix and maintain. Every time the warning chime came on I would cringe...it comes on a lot for gas alone. I would check out the m5board. Great info there and read about the problems they have. Just be warned it might scare you away. Good Luck

[yousefnjr]

The unintended irony in here is delicious. Can you tell us more about "these buyers?"