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jaseb 
Senior Member II
Joined: 11-November-2002
Status: Offline
Points: 237
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 Topic: M5 3.8 general
Posted: 05-December-2002 at 09:05 |
Hmmm, the SE eh? Not sure, which is why I ended up going to Telford (which as it turns out was a good thing!).
I'm sure ML will be fine, especially if you're local and it's easier to take the car back with any problems - just be vigilant and don't take any sh1t or flannel from Barney or speak to Tony (his Dad!). My problem was being 100 or so miles away I couldn't give them proper grief for my gearbox! For which I've had endless grief from herself for not giving them hell. Can't win...
Also posting on here for second opinions on service you've had will help I guess. If you think you've been done I'm sure someone on here can confirm or deny.
Another 2p worth!
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 05-December-2002 at 00:59 |
Mixed reviews for MN then.
Jaseb who would you recommend in the SE?
Derek M5 - M5 bug bit me in `97 but they were too expensive then. Had mine since March its a wonderful machine. At least one ambition fulfilled in life. Now a fully paid up BMW M anorak - hence reading/posting endless trivia on this site!
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IamSpartacus
Moderator Group
Joined: 21-November-2002
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 3625
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Posted: 04-December-2002 at 12:44 |
That's what these forums are about, somewhere for like minded loons to express their two penneth worth.
Without being able to gain the benefit of others experience - be it with suppliers, modifications or just things that go bump inflight - a lot of us wouldn't get the full benefit of our Bavarian beasties, and others wouldn't buy for fear of the unknown.
I've always liked BMW's, from my first sighting of the original M5 I was hooked. As is often the case, circumstances conspired against me and all I could do was admire from afar. Recently after many months browsing this and other forums, buying every BMW related magazine I could find, I found that although not necessarily the most practical or economical choice, a 3.8 M5 is still a viable & reliable daily driver.
What a fool I should have bought one years ago!
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The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
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jaseb
Senior Member II
Joined: 11-November-2002
Status: Offline
Points: 237
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Posted: 04-December-2002 at 11:18 |
I have to admit I've had a couple of dubious experiences with ML (there's always one!) especially as they promised a couple of things which never materialised - an e-mail with details on a trip to the Nurburgring being the most important thing and some photocopied excerpts from an manual being the minor stuff.
Also they rebuilt my gearbox (E30 M3) which promptly jumped out of 2nd gear for a good 6 months afterwards (doesn't any more thank god) but they were singularly unhlpful with that one, I gave up after half a dozen or so phone calls, which is I guess what they were hoping for.
Maybe these were odd coincidences but they certainly are one of the higher priced specialists and I expected better. Also maybe the sales team are differently/better organised to the service team?!
Just my 2p worth you understand.
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IamSpartacus
Moderator Group
Joined: 21-November-2002
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 3625
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Posted: 04-December-2002 at 09:43 |
I bought my 3.8 through (not from) Munich Legends in September and found them to be very knowledgeable and helpful, especially as I'm based in Dublin and flew over on the basis of their opinion on the state of the car - apparently I'm not the first to do so either. The car has much of it's service history through them and I intend to keep it that way.
They even called me up the week after I got back to Dublin to ensure I was happy with the car and wasn't having any problems, not too many 'main' dealers would bother.
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The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 03-December-2002 at 22:27 |
Last inspection was done at 56000m - 2 years ago. When light turn yellow will have an inspection I done. Probably let Munich Legends do it they seem to know these cars best.
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 03-December-2002 at 13:05 |
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My Service Book states that the Microfilter should be changed at every Inspection Service (I and II as II is a superset of I) when did you have the last Inspection Service? Mine had an Inspection I at 73k miles
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 02-December-2002 at 21:42 |
Link worked ok thanks. V interesting website.
Did try to fit the micro filter but couldnt even find the old one! To fiddly for my neanderthal fingers so leaving it to local main dealer.
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IamSpartacus
Moderator Group
Joined: 21-November-2002
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 3625
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Posted: 02-December-2002 at 13:02 |
I'm normally based in the Forest of Dean, but spend most of my time in Dublin at the moment...... nothing but lookalikes over here. Toyed with having it debadged but figured that those who know, know and those who don't are probably joyriders.
I'll have a look at recent service bills because I had the filters changed out then. No joy with warranty as mines running very smoothly at 112,000 miles, but had just had close to �4,000 worth of work done by Munich Legends when I bought it so I'm not too concerned.
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The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 02-December-2002 at 12:16 |
Not sure if this helps. The folks on this board do alot of work on their M5's themselves. You may need to join the link back together.
http://bmwe34m5.com/faqs/?theme=1&level=4&question_id_select=159&chapitre_id_select=26&document_id_select=3
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 02-December-2002 at 11:13 |
Just gone over 70k according to the odometer.
According to BMW takes 55 technician minutes to replace the micro filter. I guess they are going to take the engine out to fit it.
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 01-December-2002 at 22:34 |
I am probably lucky as the car still qualifies for the BMW warranty. Just approaching 90,000miles so only 10k to go. Still FBMWSH. How many miles does yours have?
No problem with debadging it just gives them a even bigger surprise. Enjoy.
I haven't had the "no air out of the vent" problem
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 01-December-2002 at 17:50 |
Kevin
Im based in SE London and as I only bought the M5 in March this year havent had a further service - still got one green light.
Sounds as though you had a decent warranty, my engine wiring loom fried itself within six weeks of purchase and it took over a month and threats of wwIII to get the money out of the ********.
Have only seen one other E34 M5 since I bought mine but a few wannabes with the right badge but wrong alloys, no diffuser and a pea shooter exhaust! Mines debadged (want to hang on to it a bit longer!) and probably means less grief from Vectra drivers.
As you say phantom gong when there is plenty of oil is a strange coincidence.
Just got another problem - no air coming out of vent system assume it is the microfilter.
Ah well its only money...
Frank
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 01-December-2002 at 14:46 |
Frank
I had a similar experience with the Oil level gong crying wolf. I never did get to the bottom of it. I have now got into the habit of checking the oil level regularly, particularly before going for a long "sensible"  drive. I also keep a litre of oil in the boot (just in case).
Sorry I can't help on the cost of an engine overhaul as mine was carried out under warranty. All I do know is that the whole engine came out and it was at the dealer for around one week.
I don't know where in the country you are but around here (Surrey) I see 4 or 5 different E34 M5's plus considerably more "lookalikes" but as they say "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
Regards
Kevin
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 30-November-2002 at 19:24 |
PPS
Good to know there are some other E34 M5s out there!
Trust your driving them sensibly like me 
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 30-November-2002 at 19:05 |
PS
(anticipating the worst)
How much should I budget for the new seals etc. engine overhaul and who would you recommend?
Cheers
Frank
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frank
Senior Member I
Joined: 13-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 105
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Posted: 30-November-2002 at 19:00 |
Hmmm,
Sounds as though I may need a check up, gong going off every 250 miles (although oil level on dipstick is still indicated between the markers) at which point I put in 1/4 litre which keeps it quiet for a while.
Have noticed in mirror at night that hard acceleration results in some sign of oil burn behind me.
Oh well...
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IamSpartacus
Moderator Group
Joined: 21-November-2002
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 3625
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Posted: 29-November-2002 at 12:14 |
Frank,
I've recently bought a '94 3.8 M5 and was told that the oil should be checked & topped up at least every 1,000 miles. I'd done 987 when the low oil light came on and it took 3/4 of a litre to get back to full on the dipstick.
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The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 29-November-2002 at 12:14 |
Frank
Sorry missed out how much oil. It is 1 litre from low mark to top mark.
Kevin
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 29-November-2002
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 3189
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Posted: 29-November-2002 at 12:11 |
Frank
Oil usage
In my experience (nearly 4 years and 30,000 wonderful miles of ownership) I get the Oil Low gong after around 750-1000 miles, this is very normal. My engine was stripped and had all new seals, under warranty, just over 10,000 miles ago but the oil usage remained the same. I use Mobil Super 10W40
Tyres
I have used Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position, you can get non Pole Position but I was recommended PPs and love them they just grip and grip even in the wet. In my experience they do wear quickly, on average the back pair last around 11,000 miles. The fronts last, for me anyway, a lot longer. The current ones have been on for 22,000 and still loads of tread left.
Interested to read that they have stopped making them, does anybody know what Bridgestone replaced them with??
Sorry can't comment on suspension or chip as mine is as per factory.
Hope this helps
Kevin
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M5 3.8 general