Mmm . . . M5: 2000–03 E39 BMW M5 Buyer's Guide [Econo-Exotics] - Car and Driver (blog)
When it was unleashed upon the world, the $73,874 V-8–powered 2000 BMW M5 was immediately and universally hailed as the apex of the 1997–2003 E39 BMW 5-series. This M5 instantly won our hearts and endures as a Car and Driver favorite, even after a V-10–equipped M5 replaced it. Depreciation has put this spectacular car within reach of anyone who can afford a Toyota Camry or even a Corolla, and careful... The joy of this 394-hp V-8 can turn to suffering if seals fail inside the engine’s two double-VANOS variable-valve-timing units—which use oil pressure to change intake and exhaust cam timing. BMW’s solution is to swap the entire unit at more than $4500. It is cheaper to replace the seals instead of the entire VANOS unit, but you’ll have to use an independent shop because it’s not a BMW-approved procedure. Be wary of carbon buildup in the M5’s combustion chambers, exhaust ports, and secondary air ports. Fixing the secondary-air-system blockage can be the most expensive repair of all, with the costs even higher than VANOS replacements. Additionally, there was an engine-cooling-fan recall that may have affected inaugural-year E39s. The only problems for the first five years were a couple of oil leaks. One involved a replacement of the front engine seals that totaled $4000 at the dealer, but I got a local shop to redo it for $500. The other was a leaking cam cover that cost about $500 to fix. Source: blog.caranddriver.com
