BMW M5 Review Covering 2005 To Date

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Quick Summary of the BMW M5

OVERALL

The E60 generation BMW M5 is no picnic. It’s not a low involvement decision, or rather it shouldn’t be. Take a look at a few cars, negotiate hard and make sure the previous keeper maintained it on the button, every time. Be prepared to pay to extend the three-year warranty and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most capable vehicles that ever turned a wheel. It might not be an easy car to love, but awestruck admiration will do for most of us.

PERFECT V10?

Just six years after BMW slam dunked all of its direct opposition with the 400bhp V8-engined M5, it was back, this time with a performer of an entirely different magnitude. What was a headline power output in 1999 failed to raise an eyebrow in 2005 and with a 507bhp V10 engine under its bonnet, the M5 once again lit the blue touch paper in an ever-escalating power game. But while it might have had the brute force to impress as a new car, does the E60 generation BMW M5 still cut the mustard as a used proposition?
Used BMW M5 for sale

History of the M5

The E39 generation M5 built from 1999 to 2003 was a tough act to follow. Beautifully balanced, eye-wateringly rapid and flattering to even the most ham-fisted driver, it still elicits wistful sighs from besotted petrolheads the world over. The E60 model was tougher to love. Technologically dense, intimidatingly complex and challengingly styled, the later M5 was nevertheless something that caused jaw-slackening astonishment, if not instant affection. The proposition was initially very simple; one engine, one trim level, one body style, one transmission and very little in the way of options. At over £60,000 it wasn’t cheap but compared to vehicles with equivalent performance it was a bargain.Sales were initially a little slow but as the M5’s shape began to mature nicely, orders rolled in. The promise of a manual gearbox kept many hooked but it was never launched in the UK, the Americans (of all markets) getting it instead, joined with non-switchable traction and stability control. When changes did come, in 2007, they were very subtle indeed. The seven-speed sequential gearchange was modified slightly to offer some much-needed smoothness in full automatic mode and the front spoiler was minutely restyled. The biggest news was the introduction of a rather handsome M5 Touring variant, the first M5 load lugger imported to the UK.
Used BMW M5 for sale

BMW M5 Road Test

The M5 is the sort of car that rewards an extended ‘getting to know you’ period. Jumping straight in and trying to decide which of the eleven gearbox settings and which of the damper settings, ESP settings and seat configurations best suits you just isn’t going to fly. After a while, you’ll probably settle on the softer of the damper settings, the second quickest gear shift and full ESP on but it’s a very personal preference. The M5 takes a long time to learn to drive sympathetically as well, the initial few weeks will see you constantly making a berk of yourself with rabidly flaring engine revs, herky-jerky pull aways and missed reverse selections.Then one day it will all click. You’ll find your favourite piece of road and instead of being a recalcitrant oaf, the M5 will flow. You’ll pour all 507bhp to the rear tyres, you’ll rejoice in the way the car shrinks around you and you’ll thank BMW’s chassis engineers for building a car so communicative and rapid yet so safe.
Used BMW M5 for sale

Buying a BMW M5

The seven-speed sequential gearbox isn’t the most durable item. Little goes wrong with the actual mechanicals but the software marshalling the system is apt to show spurious warning symbols (the infamous ‘red cog of death’) that will pass with a reboot but more serious shutdowns have occurred. Cars that have run out of warranty will terrify owners if they see the warnings and think a £6,000 transmission replacement is in the offing. The original fit Continental tyres many were supplied with were not universally popular and many owners have found the Pirelli P Zero a better choice. The M5 has an appetite for oil and will consume up to one litre every 800-1000miles, so ask the previous owner about his or her oil changing and topping up regime and you should get some idea of how diligent they’ve been with other aspects of the car. BMW also recommended that launch control and gearshift speeds 5 and 6 are avoided in the first thousand miles of running in. If the owner is ignorant of this (assuming they had run the vehicle from new), walk away.
Used BMW M5 for sale

BMW M5 Typical Pricing

You should be able to find a tidy M5 with full BMW main dealer history and showing around 28,000 miles on the clock from £46,500 on an 05 plate. Later 55 platers still fetch around £49,000 which shows how well this car clings onto its value. Predicted residuals for the M5 were 39 per cent after three years but the car is certainly set to beat those predictions. Insurance is, somewhat predictably, a top of the shop Group 20, hardly surprising for a car that can do 206mph if you disengage the electronic limiter.
Used BMW M5 for sale

BMW M5 Parts

(approx based on a 2006 M5 ) BMW spares have gained an enviable reputation for quality and value and consumables are distinctly affordable. An air filter is around £20, whilst you’ll pay a similar amount for a fuel filter. Oil filters are around £8, whilst spark plugs are £18. A replacement cam belt is around £32.
Used BMW M5 for sale

BMW M5 Rated

Performance Performance 4 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 3 out of 5

Insurance

Value

BMW M5 Review2005 To Date