Here is a taste of what a thorough E39Source quality restoration does to a 2001 BMW E39 M5! E39Source website: www.e39source.com Help support E39Source by donating: www.e39source.com/donate
Watching this video, I was struck by how far you've come in a few short years. It was not that long ago that your videos were simple BMW DIYs from a driveway with a buddy. Now, you've got a full scale shop filled to the gills with M5s. That is the American success story. You have a passion, a mechanical skill, and an uncanny way from behind the camera. And you turn it into a thriving business. Life was probably simpler back then, but now you can afford to make a good living from your passion. Congrats. I think that is great.
Owner here. Thanks so much Ryan and all the folks at e39Source for the great work and wonderful video! I know where I'll be going if the car needs more work in the future, and can't believe how fortunate I am that you decided to move your shop to my city :) FYI, this batch of work was intended to focus on functional issues, and many of the repairs that could seem cosmetic (like headlights and wheel-restoration for example) were actually for functional reasons (like being able to see clearly at night, and removing small bends in the wheel) -- there are (clearly) tons of cosmetic things that could still be improved. Even so, I have a much bigger smile walking up to this car now than I did before. Very happy with the work.
Hi Dan, thanks for the commend! I should have made it more clear that this round did focus on mechanicals more than anything else. I look forward to working with your and your M5 in the future!
Take care of it man, it seems like a good future investment to restore it to nearly mint, even with the high-ish mileage. Should go up in price in a few years..
Thank you so much for this. I just bought an '01 M5 about 2 weeks ago. I've known this exact car personally for 4 years because I know the PO. I have service history records back to 2012. I am owner #9, hahaha. So at least 4 owners kept good records. These cars are so intricate compared to what I am normally used to working on, so seeing videos like these really help me to know what people are talking about. You speak about things with exactly the right amount of detail so that it's not boring for experts but also not overwhelming for the novice. THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for this comment! I work hard to try to provide the right amount of detail. I remember being overwhelmed with the complexity as I first started to attempt DIYs 12 years ago, and I do believe there is a way to do this without making it unnecessarily difficult.
Had a 98 e39 and this channel was a huge help in solving the common issues that the car had, I’m now drinking an M-Sport F10 , even though I don’t have the e39 anymore I still tune into this channel, kudos to you Ryan.
amazing! I would absolutely need fresh fog light housings, seeing as one is cracked as well as the fresh headlights - it just makes sense. However, I actually do respect the clients decision to keep the M5 badge with the patina, looks awesome and classic.
It's been a while I have not have a chance to come across your clips. You used to use your garage to do DIYs on ur car and friends on east side of States. Now wow. Congrats.
Such a satisfying restoration. Mind me asking how much all of this cost? 15-20k? I really would love to find a neglected one and have you all bring it back to life.
Pricing on stuff like this is highly variable based on pricing of OEM BMW parts, which are not getting cheaper as these cars get older. A quote today would likely not be correct in 1 month
From experience, budget 2500 for start unexpected expenses. Then 2500 per 10000 miles. Keep a slush fund of 2000 for stuff. If you can do that you will be rewarded with by owning histories finest driving sedan.
It's great to find you posting another video Ryan. As time allows, please include the "how to" technical teaching as well, especially for previously unrecorded teaching content. You erased years of neglect and delayed repairs on this vehicle; I hope your work will incentivize the owner to give it the care and attention it needs to keep it that way going forward. I own this car's little brother; a 2003 540i M Sport 6 speed. It's in very fine shape (I think). If I didn't live in Asheville NC I'd hire you to look it over.
Car looks good, nice job. I had to laugh when you mentioned the water pump and those f'ing o rings. Those f'ers gave me fits when I did mine! Just wanted to say, I feel yo pain brutha, I feel yo pain.
Id love your treatment to my Audi A4 B7, can you move your shop to England please? Personally Id have that horrible orange expansion tank replaced too. A new one of those will make a big difference. Probably do the screen wash tank too. Damn great job! 👍👍
I lived in San Diego for 30 years till 2010. In 06 to 07, I had an 03 530i. I love the E39. I think they are one of the best cars ever built. Do you sell cars?
@e39source I was recently looking at 2 different e39 m5s with 2 different interiors. Could you explain to me please what the difference between nappa heritage leather and embossed leather strauss and which is better. Many thanks
BMW offered two types of interiors for the E39 M5: Luxury and Sport. Luxury interiors use Nappa Heritage leather in either black or caramel (beige). From 1999-2000, you could have the black or caramel luxury interior in either extended leather (vinyl dashboard, lower b-pillars, door panels, plastic steering column trim) or full leather (leather dashboard, lower b-pillars, steering column trim, and door panels). For 2001+, all luxury interiors were full leather. Sport interiors use the textured leather on the seat inserts and door panels in either silver (Silverstone), red (Imola), blue (LeMans), or black. For 1999-2000, you could have the sport interior in either extended leather (vinyl dashboard, lower b-pillars, door panels, plastic steering column trim) or full leather (leather dashboard, lower b-pillars, steering column trim, and door panels). For 2001+, all sport interiors were extended leather. I personally prefer the Sport interiors, as the leather traditionally holds up much better over time. The seats themselves were the same between the two, only the leather coverings differ. Extended leather is NOT the complete leather interior, it is called 'extended' because compared to the standard E39s (525i, 528i, 530i, 540i) they offered leather wrapped door panel arm rests, center console arm rests, and center consoles.
@@E39Source Thank You so much for your reply, you're such a legend. Edit: if a car has the extended leather, is there a way to convert it to the full leather package?
I have a 03 that’s just needs headlights and it has a torque converter code in the refurbish you did here but it’s automatic but I don’t got that money that that guy has and I got this car from a kid from California I’m in New York he was a rich kid
@@E39Source yeah I can imagine! Even if it's just major points which can be covered I think it could be really helpful to those who may be looking for an m5 from someone experienced like yourself
The customer declined repairs of the rear quarter shades if I recall. A repair is only possible during the early stages of failure before all of the plastic cracks away completely.
The headlights can be restored, though only to about 1/2 the quality of a new set. I have found that it is not worth my time and effort to attempt repairs or restorations.
I have a 2006 bmw M5. In the morning when I pull out of my driveway and make a right turn onto the street, I hear a high pitched whining noise coming from the rear differential on the right side of the car. The car has almost 150k miles. Do you know what the problem is and how to fix it, thanks?
Here is the note from the previous owner of my '01 M5: groan while repeated turns at low speeds / diff oil change done with Mobil 1 75w140 / Might need top off of LSD additive / The sound is clutch packs loading/unloading Please take my information with a grain of salt. We have different model M5s and I haven't been able to repeat this issue since I purchased the car two weeks ago.
@@hannahudson7570 I'm wondering if the fluid they used was not the LSD specific. This is crucial. I would change the fluid to Royal Purple 75w140 WITH LSD additive, and see how it responds.
@@E39Source you could restore them by changing the lens, adjusters and headlight cover. In Europe, Romania at least this is a pretty popular thing. The cover usually come off by cutting it, as not all the headlights were sealed using the glue that gets soft once you heating it up.
@@tofandao Quality lenses are no longer available, at least that I have seen. For this much effort, and the relative loss of quality compared to new, I think it makes more sense to replace them and renew all of the materials and components. Having said that, I am preparing for a day where the lights are NLA new, at which point I'll have lots of 'rebuildable' units to pick parts from!
There are no two E39 restoration projects alike. I have completed $3,000 'restorations', all the way up to to ~$60k. Each BMW we see has different service history, a different past, and different needs in the present time.
I now specialize in E39 M5 service and restoration work, and labor can be about anything. Each vehicle has different needs, and each customer has different expectations for their BMW.
@@RPDBY No two jobs are the same, but most moderate scale restorations are a $15,000-$25,000 investment. I have had E39 restorations go as high as $65,000.
Each car's needs are unique! I'd be happy to inspect yours and quote a mechanical and/or cosmetic restoration if you'd like! You can submit a work request at E39Source.com
@@E39Source Thanks for the reply. I have a 2001 540i stick shift. It has 190k miles but is in decent shape, like the inside does not need much at all. I'm just curious as to the range, low and high cost. I still drive the car and I'm in Florida, not sure where you are.
@@paulazzar8936 We are located in San Diego, CA. I've done $100 of service on some cars, and $25,000 on others cars. A driveline and (select) suspension and brake refresh including fluids and filters is usually around the $10k mark.
@@paulazzar8936 Every single car is different, I've never done two that are the same. Some need more suspension attention, some need engine, some need both. I recommended starting with the MPI so we can build a plan suited to you and your vehicles needs.
