E39 M5 questions..

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

Looking to pick one up pretty soon. '02+ has the newer Nav and headlights if I remember. I want to go '02 or newer, and be in the mid $30k range. What else do I need to look for option wise? I want the alcantera headliner, etc. As well as the M sound system, I'll probably just leave this one stock for the most part. Full exhaust, wheels, and a hood by spring time possibly. I'm actually a BMW tech, but it's hard to keep up with all the different models and options, when my interests are in fixing them LOL.

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on 6SpeedOnline!

[Jeremy]

Hey buddy, welcome to 6Speed.

As you know , the E39 M5 had very few options. To my knowledge the only other available options were:

- Sport Interior Package (Sport Seats and Aluminum Trim) I think this was a no charge option that replaced the standard "executive interior" which had wood grain trim and different seats that were slightly wider and less bolstered.

- Park Distance Control
- Split-Folding seats with skibag/pass-through
- Spoiler / Badge Delete

I think the Split-fold seats are a convenient option for the one or few times you may need to stick something big in the car. I also prefer the sport seats.

Hope that helps,
J

[speedoflight]

yeah not much option as just about everything were standard. add to the options listed above are rear sunshade and m-audio.

the 03's have the DVD-nav. prior years are CD-nav.

[X50DAN]

Originally Posted by BAD ASS TA WS6

Looking to pick one up pretty soon. '02+ has the newer Nav and headlights if I remember.

I want to go '02 or newer, and be in the mid $30k range. What else do I need to look for option wise?

I want the alcantera headliner, etc. As well as the M sound system, I'll probably just leave this one stock for the most part.

Full exhaust, wheels, and a hood by spring time possibly.


I'm actually a BMW tech, but it's hard to keep up with all the different models and options, when my interests are in fixing them LOL.

You should join (or just research) www.m5board.com. Anything and everything you'll ever want to know can be found there from owners/experts. There are also "for sale" cars listed there.

FWIW, E39 M5's were MY 2000 to 2003 in U.S. 'Last production date was 6/2003. From one model year to the next, there's very little difference (only minor cosmetic things, a few exterior color adds/deletes, and DVD nav in '03's vs CD in '00 thru '02. The most differences occured from '00 to '01).

They're relatively rare; with <10,000 total cars exported to North America from '00 to '03. 'Ton's of performance/suspension/wheel/cosmetic mods are available in after market; but generally expensive 'cause of low volume production = low demand = high $$$ R+D costs (This is for power enhancement products, in particular).

Anyway, good luck with your search. I've owned mine (see sig) since new and 'can attest it's one hellava 4-door sedan; even by today's standards.

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

So '03+ is bluetooth ready correct?

I found an '02, Imola Red w/ black+red interior with 37k for $36K. I would like to be around $32K ideally.

I've got a few free airline tickets I need to use before Decemeber 31. So I can fly down to whatever I find within the next few weeks.

I normally buy 3 series cars for pennies on the dollar. But we really don't get a lot of these cars in that I can scoop up on the cheap.

All the '03s I found are still pulling too much dough for what they are really worth IMO.

But again my view is skewed.

I'd make a post in the FS/Wanted section but I don't have enough posts yet

[bsg1980]

Originally Posted by BAD ASS TA WS6

So '03+ is bluetooth ready correct?

I found an '02, Imola Red w/ black+red interior with 37k for $36K. I would like to be around $32K ideally.

Does this M5 happen to be located in Bucks County, PA? If so i'm right around the corner from there.

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

Yes I believe so. Looks very clean in the pictures. About an hour north of Philly airport correct?

[bsg1980]

Yep, Eimports4less. If your interested i could go look at it. Let me know.

[speedoflight]

the 03s are prewired for BT. you still need a BT module ~$500-600 but since you're an employee, you should be able to get a good discount no? not sure if the 02s are prewired.

Originally Posted by BAD ASS TA WS6

So '03+ is bluetooth ready correct?

I found an '02, Imola Red w/ black+red interior with 37k for $36K. I would like to be around $32K ideally.

I've got a few free airline tickets I need to use before Decemeber 31. So I can fly down to whatever I find within the next few weeks.

I normally buy 3 series cars for pennies on the dollar. But we really don't get a lot of these cars in that I can scoop up on the cheap.

All the '03s I found are still pulling too much dough for what they are really worth IMO.

But again my view is skewed.

I'd make a post in the FS/Wanted section but I don't have enough posts yet

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

Originally Posted by bsg1980

Yep, Eimports4less. If your interested i could go look at it. Let me know.

Any info on the place good/bad? If it's not too far out of your way I'd definately appreciate it!

[bsg1980]

I bought my first Z3 coupe from them. They are complete professionals and they don't sell junk. I won't be able to get there until Wednesday or Thursday, so if your still undecided by then i'll take a look for you.

[InfamousD]

the only other option not mentioend was the full leather dash, it comes with half dash standard. if i am not mistaken, the alcantara roof was standard.

i had an 03 and loved it. you can definitely find a reasonably miled 03 in the $30k's. just make sure it is a clean well taken care of example. i heard that engines are $20k to replace on that car.

as far as the sport seats, i forget how you get those vs. the non sport but esentially the shape is the same i think but the leather was a bit different. mine had everything. i would personally recommend the PDC and split fold seats. I would not be worried about the M speakers. you can probably pick a used pair off s.o. who upgraded for next to nothing or better yet get an aftermarket sub from like bsw or someone similar.

oh, and i recommend joining m5board. lots of nice folks there too. or if you dont join, go read.

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

I talked to the guy down at eimports for less. He doesn't want to move on the advertised price of 36,900. Car has 37,700 miles, but I can do better than that deal.

I found the exact same car (imola with black/red interior) out in Colorado with 23k on it. Possibly at or around $38k. This one has every option I believe.

[M5Kid]

Some good information in this thread, some of it is not correct however. Here is my attempt at clearing things up:

- Options on the car throughout its life were M-Audio, sunshades (power rear, manual sides), split-fold seats, and PDC.
- 2003 was the only year for DVD Nav, all other years were CD based.
- Full leather on the dash was part of the Heritage Leather also known as "Luxury Seating". The stitching pattern and leather texture on the seats was different (vertical). The shape of the seat was the same! Heritage package was only available with wood trim.
- The sport seats gave you the ability to select either wood or aluminum trim, along with colored seat inserts (Silverstone, Imola Red, or LeMans blue) or full black.
- The sunshade option was not available with Heritage leather package.

As others mentioned, join M5board.com and use the search feature and archives to your advantage. There is an incredible amount of information and expertise over there.

[BAD ASS TA WS6]

Originally Posted by M5Kid

Some good information in this thread, some of it is not correct however. Here is my attempt at clearing things up:

- Options on the car throughout its life were M-Audio, sunshades (power rear, manual sides), split-fold seats, and PDC.
- 2003 was the only year for DVD Nav, all other years were CD based.
- Full leather on the dash was part of the Heritage Leather also known as "Luxury Seating". The stitching pattern and leather texture on the seats was different (vertical). The shape of the seat was the same! Heritage package was only available with wood trim.
- The sport seats gave you the ability to select either wood or aluminum trim, along with colored seat inserts (Silverstone, Imola Red, or LeMans blue) or full black.
- The sunshade option was not available with Heritage leather package.

That was what I had found.

Can you buy that module or coding data to allow use of the DVD Nav unit as a normal DVD player? I've never done what at work, but I'm fairly certain this can be done.