2000 M5 History

[jefftheskier]

Bought a 2000 (E39) M5 w/ 38000 miles. Is there a place to find a list of common problems, things to watch for, recalls, factory upgrades,..... all listed in one place? I checked the archives.... too much surfing to do.

Thanks

[M5_ZZT]

No one spot to go that I am aware of but here is a list based on my experience (2000 M5) and reading the boards:

Known/potential problem areas:

Clutch/flywheel (not all cars)
Camshaft Sensors
Mass Airflow Sensors (MAFs)
Post Catalytic O2 sensors
Pixels in dashboard burning out (need to replace gauge cluster)
Final Staging Unit for HVAC system (controls fan speed)
VANOS system oil leaks/failures (not all cars)
Plastic firewall disintegration (from engine heat - $45 part)
Valve cover gasket oil leaks (due to high compression engine)
Oil pan gasket oil leaks (due to high compression engine)
Burns oil - anywhere from 1 quart/500 miles to 1 quart/5000 miles
Oil Level sensor not working (not all cars)
Peeling shift knob and brake handle knob (primarily 2000 & 2001 cars)
Leaking seal on outside rearview mirrors (primarily 1999 & 2000 cars)
Rear anti-rollbar support brackets (cheap aluminum part usually due to track use)
Rear engine main seal (very rare - not all cars)
Power steering hose leaks (usually at the PS fluid cooler connections)
Carbon build up in heads - (rare, most often caused by not consistently using minimum 91 octane gas coupled with not fixing "service engine soon" issues)


May have missed a few but that is the majority. Bottom line is the M5 is a car engineered to the extreme and requires diligent maintenance. If it is properly maintained, it is as reliable as any other high performance German car. If not, it will be a money pit.

[jefftheskier]

Muchas Gracias

[Radcliffe9]

Clutch/flywheel (not all cars)
Camshaft Sensors
Mass Airflow Sensors (MAFs)
Post Catalytic O2 sensors
Pixels in dashboard burning out (need to replace gauge cluster)
Final Staging Unit for HVAC system (controls fan speed)
VANOS system oil leaks/failures (not all cars)

[hallatauer]

Add replace guibo to that list.

[windwagen]

Welcome - congrats on the M5!

Here are some good e39 websites... Most are non-M5, but still have good info...

http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html
http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e39
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...and-posts.html
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

This is a cheap and fun tool...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-BM...24e156&vxp=mtr