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Thought it may be of interest to some on some things that have cropped up at 66k miles on my 2000 M5.
Instrument cluster - pixels gone out. No surprise here. BMWNA was kind enough to pickup 50% of the cost. I'm pleased that they are willing on this still on an 8 year old car. I'm in "cool" mode atm as the new cluster is gray instead of black. So far I think I like the look. I certainly went "woah am I in the right car!?" when I picked my car up.
Front wheel bearings - clicking noise is what I had checked. Same clicking noise that was described in the September 2007 issue of BMW car. The author there had the same problem with his 1999 E39 M5. Which ironically is so much like mine it's scary. Same color, same upgrades, millage etc. Only difference was I like my interior better and mine is 1 year newer. We even have the same keychain... odd...
On the subject of wheel bearings. My rear ones have been replaced... twice. what's up with that?
Exhaust valve timing sensors. 2 of them this time. Just 2k miles ago I had 1 go bad too. So 3 total this year. Why don't they just replace all of them together? *humpf*
As far as the other E39 M5 articles in the Sept issue of BMW Car. They are great! So much of what is said about the car is so very true.
However, of note. Mine does not burn oil. I go from oil change to oil change and the oil level never goes down. On the subject of Vanos, while I've this year been replacing cam shaft sensors for the exhaust cams I've not had any Vanos issues. However, I keep asking around what I should be worried about as my 2000 M5 is right in the range of cars that people have said always have issues. I'm still under warranty so if I'm going to have an issue I hope to have it soon!
Another thing brought up in the BMW Car on the E39 was his playful time following a new Alpina B2 Bi-Turbo. While I don't have one of those to "play" with I did come across a new 335 that wanted to play the other day. I most assuredly handed him his butt. Or rather the only thing he saw was my fading butt as I pulled away from him like a Ferrari vs a Yugo. :-) It is truly wonderful driving an 8 year old car and totally stomping a brand new addition.
And I must say.... Driving a car that is 8 years old but still commands an article in a current magazines is truly a joy :-) Seeing my car plastered all over a new magazine first had my wondering if the newsstand just had some wicked old stuff on the shelf. That said, the writer of the article wanted people to contact him on our maintenance information for our E39 M5's but neglected to give contact info, such as email address... if anybody knows it please let me know!
Other things I've upgraded recently:
iPod setup. new Dension link
BM53 Radio - Split screen radio
Bluetooth
Already had things such as widescreen nav and MKIV. I'm having fun having all the options of "new" BMW's in my "old" E39.
Trevize, do you think the 2001-2003 have less maintenance issues? problems?
I just can't believe the wheel bearing failure at 66k. If I'm not mistaken Eric replaced his prior to selling the car to M3UOND and it had 120k miles on it (540i).
Trevize, do you think the 2001-2003 have less maintenance issues? problems?
I just can't believe the wheel bearing failure at 66k. If I'm not mistaken Eric replaced his prior to selling the car to M3UOND and it had 120k miles on it (540i).
Wheel Bearing: All I noticed was a faint clicking type noise. I thought little of it other then being annoyed until I read BMWCar and the author there mentioned the same noise and had replaced the front bearing and that took car of it. So when I went in for service I had them check into it. Who knows if I wasn't so picky and attuned to the car it easily could have gone another 100k miles before actually having a failure.
All in all this last bill was $1400, of which $1100 was covered under warranty. So I'm not complaining. I can't comment on 2001-2003 E39 M5's as I don't have one. I can only comment that I've had some of the same issues as described in BMW Car at about the same millage. So all things being equal a 2001-2003 will have similar repairs at that millage as well.
Thing is tho I tend to be overly anal about keeping things tip top shape on my car. I also keep it garaged all winter and it doesn't see much rain either. I do however go to BMWCCA meets and drive fairly hard at those. My car is not a daily driver either, so other driving habits will certainly effect results.
Thank you for your detailed explanation. These are fast, fun and beautiful cars but they sure cost money for the upkeep even when driven on weekends only. Having said that, the warranty comes in handy!
I think you did the right thing by keeping the car. Holy crap, I just noticed you have the tone interior! Sweet!! ...
Trevize...As much as i love the looks of the ///M series, judging from your posts here i do not think i will ever own one based solely on the fact that i am in the wrong tax bracket to pay for repairs...(since if i do get one it would be out of warranty by that time anyway.)
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