2003 BMW M5 E39

Overview

Engines

4.9L V8

Came as

• Sedan

On record

6 warnings, 1 recall

What changed for 2003

• DVD-based navigation, and rear head airbags become standard. Edmunds, a published reference

Compare 2003 with 2002

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Engines

• 4.9L V8 S62 Edmunds, CarGurus

  394 hp and 369 lb-ft

Transmissions

• Six-speed manual Edmunds, CarGurus

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Body styles

• Sedan Edmunds

Figures for the whole E39

• Production: 20,482 from 1999 to 2003, with nearly 10,000 sold in the US CarGurus, a published reference
• Engine: Aluminium block and heads, eight individual throttle bodies, double VANOS and a semi-dry sump A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
• Differential: Limited-slip, with up to 25 percent locking A published reference
• Steering: Recirculating ball, with a quicker ratio than other V8 5 Series cars A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Cracked rear subframe mounts All years

  One source so far

  Check: Have the rear subframe mounting points inspected for cracks, rust or bending, and listen for creaks from the rear.

  Euro Premium Parts says the mounts can crack under the engine's torque, mostly on high-mileage or hard-driven cars, and that reinforcement kits exist. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Worn VANOS seals and solenoids All years

  Check: Listen for a rough idle and feel for lost low-end pull, and ask for records of VANOS work.

  Euro Premium Parts calls it the most discussed concern on the S62, usually between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. CarGurus also names the VANOS seals and plastic timing chain guides. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Rod bearing wear All years

  One source so far

  Check: Listen for knocking under load, and ask whether the rod bearings have been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts says the bearings can wear early on engines run on old oil, as soon as 80,000 miles on neglected cars. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Plastic cooling parts All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look for coolant leaks at the expansion tank, hoses and thermostat housing.

  Euro Premium Parts says the plastic and rubber parts crack with age, and that renewing them around 80,000 to 100,000 miles is standard practice. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil leaks All years

  Check: Look for oil at the valve cover gaskets and between the cylinder banks.

  Euro Premium Parts names the valley pan gasket under the intake, a labor-heavy repair, and CarGurus the valve cover gaskets. CarGurus also warns of corrosion on cars from salted roads. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Driver's airbag recalls All years

  Check: Make sure the driver's airbag recalls were done.

  CarGurus says the Takata airbag recall applies to this M5. NHTSA lists recalls for driver's airbag inflators that can rupture on 2001 to 2003 cars. NHTSA, CarGurus

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2002–2003 Recall 15V318000

  Moisture can get into the driver's dual-stage airbag, whose inflator can then rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the airbag. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The E39 itself All years

  One source so far

  CarGurus says experts call it the best M5 to buy, for its V8, its exhaust note and the lack of the technology that came later. CarGurus

• Watch for

  A car with cracks at the rear subframe mounts All years

  Less sought after One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts calls cracking where the rear subframe mounts to the body the most serious structural concern on the E39 M5, and says to inspect it thoroughly before buying. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 miles at most, with 10W-60 synthetic A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• VANOS seals All years

  Service at 80,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says at or before 80,000 miles if it has not been done A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Rear subframe mounting points All years

  Inspect every 1 year, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Coolant All years

  Replace every 45,000 miles or 3 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 30,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 1 year, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new