2001 Bmw M5 problems
The BMW M5 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category. The M5 has always been produced in the sedan (saloon) body style, but in some countries the M5 has also been available as a wagon (estate) from 1992 to 1995, from 2006 to 2010, and since 2024.
The first M5 model was hand-built in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production sedan at the time. M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1985.
E28 M5 (1984–1988)
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, was manufactured from October 1984 to June 1988. It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It was based on the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes, most notably the M88/3 engine (shared with the E24 M635CSi grand tourer coupé) which was an updated version of the engine used in the M1 sports car. At its launch, the E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.
The official markets for the E28 M5 were Europe, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The European and South African cars used the M88/3 engine which has a power output of 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp).
Cars sold in the United States and Canada used a detuned version of the M88/3 called the S38B35, which was equipped with a catalytic converter and has a power output of 191 kW (256 hp). Due to an extended production run that exceeded BMW's original forecast of production volumes, a class action lawsuit was launched by owners in the United States. The results of this class action was that owners were given a voucher for US$4,000 in 1993. Production of North American specification M5 commenced in November 1986 and ended in November 1987.
Aside from 96 cars which were assembled in kit form at BMW's Plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, all cars were assembled by hand in Germany. Assembly took place at BMW Motorsport's plant in Preussenstrasse in Munich prior to the 1986 factory summer vacation. Thereafter, the M5 production was moved to Daimlerstrasse in Garching where the remainder were built. Production of the M5 continued until November 1988, almost a year after BMW had ceased production of regular E28 models. With a total production of 2,241 units, the E28 M5 remains among the rarest regular production BMW Motorsport cars – after the M1 (456 units), M5 (E34) Touring (891 units) and the 850CSi (1,510 units).
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Common 2001 Bmw M5 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the BMW M5 2001, here is a list of common problems with this car:
- Airbags Issues:
- Issue: Complaints include problems with the airbags, specifically related to the side/window airbags.
- Examples: Failures reported in various locations such as Garden City, NY, and College Park, GA.
- Details: The complaints suggest issues with the airbag system, which is a critical safety feature in any vehicle. Malfunctioning airbags can pose serious risks in the event of a collision, potentially leading to injuries.
- Tire Problems:
- Issue: Complaints regarding tires, potentially indicating issues with tire quality or performance.
- Example: A complaint from Redwood City, CA, related to tire problems.
- Details: Tire issues can affect the handling and safety of the vehicle. Poor tire quality or wear can lead to reduced traction, affecting braking distances and overall driving stability.
These common problems reported by owners of the BMW M5 2001 highlight crucial areas that may require attention to ensure the safety and performance of the vehicle. Regular maintenance and prompt resolution of these issues are essential to keep the car in optimal condition.
Is an old BMW M5 reliable?
During the first ten years of ownership, there is a 40.39% chance the BMW M5 will need a severe repair, which is around 1% worse than the industry average. It's slightly more expensive than most vehicles to maintain the BMW M5.
Why are old M5 so expensive?
The value of this example reflects its scarcity. Keller pointed out that most original E39 M5 buyers didn't treat these cars as future collectibles, and many have higher mileage as a result. BMW also only exported 9992 E39 M5s to North America, and as is the case with most cars, the first model year is the most common.
How reliable are E39 M5s?
Over the past 4 years, me and my term have serviced hundreds of E39 M5s. The E39 M5's S62 V8 can last 300,000 miles on original components. The S62 can also fail at 40,000 miles. Thankfully, there seem to be many more instances of higher miles than lower.
How long does a BMW M5 engine last?
I have 75,000 miles on my M5 and plan on keeping it well past 100,000 miles. Just keep up on regular maintenance service intervals and keep an eye on your oil consumption (if you have any) and you should be good. There are other members on here who have over 100,000 miles on their M5 and they're still going strong.
2001 Bmw M5 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw M5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Bmw M5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2001 Bmw M5 complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Bmw M5.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-02-18
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW M5. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V421000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-10-20
- VIN: WBSDE93491B
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V421000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-12-15
- VIN: WBSDE93411B
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: HI, I PURCHASED A PAIR OF MICHELIN PS2 HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES FOR $600 FROM TIRERACK.COM AND NOTICED THAT THE LATERAL TREAD / GROVES ARE BLOCKED WITH EXCESS RUBBER THROUGHOUT BOTH TIRES. THEY WERE INSTALLED ON 12/06/2008. I RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION FROM ANOTHER TIRE MANUFACTURER THAT STATES THE LATERAL GROVES PLAY AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION TO DISPERSE WATER TO MINIMIZE HYDROPLANING. CURRENTLY, TIRERACK DENIES MY CLAIM FOR AN EXCHANGE. I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO TIRERACK. HTTP://WWW.YOKOHAMATIRE.COM/CUSTOMER_SERVICE/CONSTRUCTION_TREAD.ASPX THE BLOCKAGE IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND WOULD REQUIRE ME TO USE A SHARP UTILITY KNIFE TO MY TIRES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT MICHELIN WOULD SAY IF THEY KNEW I TOOK A KNIFE TO MY TIRES. TIRERACK SO FAR HAS DENIED MY REQUEST FOR AN EXCHANGE CLAIMING THE PROBLEM IS COSMETIC AND WOULD GO AWAY. I DIFFER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM BLOCKS A FUNCTIONAL SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE AREA OF THE TIRE AND PREVENTS ITS ABILITY TO DISPERSE WATER. TIRERACK'S WRITTEN WARRANTY POLICY STATES THAT THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME AND THE MANUFACTURER TO RESOLVE A CLAIM. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED ACCORDING TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I HAVE EVEN SUBMITTED A VIDEO AND PICTURES. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE AS A CONSUMER WHO PAID A PREMIUM FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND HIGHEST PERFORMANCE TIRES AVAILABLE, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PIECE OF MIND THAT THEY WILL NOT FAIL... AND WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTEMPLATE IF, WHEN OR THE LIKELIHOOD AN ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR - EVEN IF ONE PERCEIVES THE LIKELIHOOD TO BE LOW. I'D RATHER NOT TAKE THAT CHANCE AND IT ONLY TAKES ONE EVENT TO CHANGE SOMEONE(S) LIFE FOREVER. I THEREFORE FEEL THAT TIRERACK HAS DELAYED THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A MONTH AND HAS NO REGARD FOR MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD BY MAKING A SWIFT EXCHANGE. TIRERACK HAS SO FAR ONLY SHOWN SIGNS OF ONLY WANTING TO MAKE MONEY IRREGARDLESS OF SAFETY. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON MY CONCERNS. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-05
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
2001 Bmw M5 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2001 Bmw M5.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Park It: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
- Consequence: UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE STARTER CABLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
- Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Components: TIRES:SIDEWALL
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Consequence: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Positive 2001 Bmw M5 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2001 Bmw M5 problems:
M5 common problems and running costs | BMW M5 Forum and M6 ...
Jul 21, 2005 ... M5 common problems and running costs · 1. Wide range of oil consumption across e39 model years, perhaps due in part to the hand-built nature of ...
Is a 2000 M5 a good car and reliable?
Mar 12, 2005 ... There are known vanos problems on early M5's. Even 01's have been known to fail. Oil consumption is a biggie too. Clutches and rear tires ...
What are the common problems on these M5's 3 years in | BMW M5 ...
Aug 24, 2015 ... The big issues for me were the driveline errors which were solved with a software update, valvetronic solenoids and most recently, leaking ...
Common issues in high mileage E60 M5's
Feb 9, 2016 ... No complaints. 2007 E60 M5 Silverstone/Blk 6speed 2001 E38 750il Shadowline 2002 P38 Range Rover Holland and Holland 2008 E65 Alpina B7. siado ...
E39 M5 Engine Reliability
The E39 M5's S62 V8 can last 300,000 miles on original components. The S62 can also fail at 40,000 miles. Thankfully, there seem to be many more instances of ...
Other years of Bmw M5
Are you having problems with your 2001 Bmw M5?
Louisa Conroy 2025-01-09
This car will be looked back on someday as a
Justus Trantow 2025-01-08
I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your vehicle! It sounds like you've been wanting an E-39 M-5 for a while, and I'm happy to hear that you were finally able to get one. It's definitely a special car, and I agree that it's likely to become even more valuable in the coming years. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Rodrick Nicolas 2025-01-06
I sold my E36 M3 after I bought this car. I loved the M3, but I needed a 4-door to haul my teenage daughter and her friends around. This car not only is much faster than the M3 was, but actually handles better as well, in spite of the extra weight! It's incredibly neutral and smooth. Just aim and turn, no fuss, no drama. The acceleration is not to be believed! The car is already a classic and I've been followed to my destination and complimented/quizzed several times by those in the know. I was lucky to find a one-owner with just under 31K on the clock. But then, I'd been looking for 6 months. You'd think it was right off the showroom floor by its condition. I absolutely love it!
Matteo Simonis 2024-10-05
I have driven many cars, but this one is the most balanced car on the market. It is a joy to drive even at mortal speeds and when moving into the fast lane, it's like fast acting prozac on wheels. I purchased a used 2000 model with 11,000 miles on it, but it ran like a new one. If you don't have enough for a new one, keep shopping until you find the right one for you.
Jimmy Stiedemann 2024-09-26
I absolutely love the 911, it has always been my dream car. However, when I went to buy one, I was disappointed to find out that I didn't fit. But then I discovered this amazing car that has become my new dream car and I couldn't be happier. The performance is simply amazing - it's faster than most cars out there, yet still comfortable to drive. And let's not forget about the great mileage - 23+mpg when cruising on the freeway! It's like having a 911 with 4 doors, and for the money, I don't think there's anything on the road that can beat it. Overall, it's a very refined vehicle that I would highly recommend.