1999 BMW M5 review from Netherlands

One of the rear Parking Distance Control sensors has failed. Replaced.

Engine problem (still not completely sorted I think). All spark plugs were replaced and the two Lambda sensors and one of the camshaft sensors.

Right mirror sometimes did not fold out in in. Solved; contacts were dirty.

Rain sensor (automatic wiper function) failed; has been re-initialized and seems to work okay now.

On Board Computer display (below the dails) is losing pixels.

I think the 8-series is better constructed (I also own an 850i from 1992). When braking hard you can hear the doors 'settle'. The 8 doesn't have this problem (less doors of course).

The M5 is a very fast car. It will spin its wheels very easily (even in third gear). When driving above 200 km/h (in sixth gear), it will still push you back in the chair when putting down the gas pedal. It is VERY fast.

The cup holders are very breakable. The two in the back have been broken several times now.

The original gear lever was partly aluminum. This did not last very long. This type of gearlever is no longer in production. I had it replaced by a leather one (less fancy) instead.

The radio and On Board Computer have a poorly designed interface and react very slow to button presses. Changing a track on the CD or a station on the radio will take a second or so and there is no conformation beep or something. The Navigation system is also very slow. The telephone works well, but is also slow.