My BMW M5 is Back !!!
**Parker’s BMW E39 M5 Update: A Comprehensive Walkaround**
Hello, everyone! It's Parker, and I’m thrilled to bring you an in-depth update on my beloved 2001 BMW E39 M5. After some time away, I’ve brought the car back, and I wanted to give you a detailed walkaround, share what I've fixed, and provide an overall overview of this stunning vehicle. As someone who initially subscribed to this channel specifically for the M5 content, I realize that the car hasn’t been getting enough attention. So, if there’s anything specific you’d like to see regarding this M5, feel free to drop a comment below! The top-rated suggestions (as long as they’re reasonable) might just inspire my next video. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
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### **The Wheels: A Tale of Damage and Repair**
The first thing I want to talk about is the wheels. Unfortunately, during a recent incident where someone else drove my car while I was handling another vehicle (yes, you guessed it—the Lamborghini during a snow drift video!), they didn’t notice a curb. The result? Both passenger-side wheels took a hit.
The rear wheel suffered minor curb rash, but the front one sustained some serious damage—it was actually cracked! Now, these are style 62 wheels, and let me tell you, finding a replacement for one of them isn’t exactly straightforward. If I were to buy a brand-new wheel, it wouldn’t match the refinished rear one because of the unique three-stage shadow chrome process that BMW uses. You’d need both wheels to be refinishing at the same time, under the same conditions, with the exact same paint batch—otherwise, the finish just doesn’t line up.
But here’s the good news: after some careful work, they turned out absolutely stunning! The front wheel now perfectly matches the rear one, even though the lighting might make it seem like there’s a slight difference in color. They’re practically identical, and I’m thrilled with how everything looks now.
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### **Exhaust System Modifications**
Moving on to the exhaust system—I’ve made some changes here as well. These vibrant 1331 tips were sourced from Summit Racing, and they add a nice touch to the car’s underside. If you’re not familiar, this involves replacing the factory mufflers with straight pipes and adding these tips for a cleaner look. I decided against chopping up the original factory tips because I wanted to preserve as much of the car’s original integrity as possible.
The tips themselves are larger in diameter—3.5 inches compared to the considerably smaller ones that came from the factory. They add a bit more flair to the car’s aggressive stance, and honestly, they look fantastic. Plus, who doesn’t love the deep, thunderous排气声浪 (exhaust note) these tips produce?
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### **Interior Upgrades and Maintenance**
Let’s shift focus to the interior of the car. One of the first things you’ll notice is that the car is currently locked. That’s because the battery is dead, and we’re hoping to charge it up soon. The keys, while functional when inserted into the ignition, have a quirk: over time, they lose their charge entirely. If you don’t drive the car for an extended period, the system also forgets that it’s connected to this particular key.
If you find yourself in a situation where your key battery dies (and trust me, it will), there are a few options. You could take it to a specialist who can carefully pry open the key and solder new components onto the circuit board—a bit of a hassle but doable. Alternatively, you could replace the entire key for $200. However, given that I’ve repaired one before using some online steps I found, I’m determined to try the same process here. Worst-case scenario? The key breaks, and we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
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### **Dashboard and Interior Details**
As we take a closer look inside, you’ll notice a few other details worth mentioning. First off, the manual sun shades in the front and automatic ones in the back are still in great condition. I’ve also upgraded the factory shift knob with a ZHP version—a much more affordable alternative to the expensive OEM options. The problem with many of those original shift knobs is that they tend to fade over time due to flaking paint and chipped plastic, giving them a rather “cheap” appearance.
The two-tone interior features ostrich leather inserts, which are tougher than standard leather and hold up remarkably well despite the car’s 131,000 miles. The Alcantara headliner adds a nice sporty touch, and overall, the cabin feels as fresh as it did when the car was new.
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### **Maintenance and Mileage**
Speaking of mileage, this M5 is running surprisingly efficiently—delivering 17.1 mpg recently! That’s impressive for a car of its age and power. I’ve also hardwired my passport 9500 into the system, which eliminates the need for that cumbersome cable. It’s something I plan to do with my Mercedes as well.
One minor hiccup we’re dealing with is the check engine light, which comes on periodically due to a gas cap sensor issue. As it turns out, this isn’t an actual problem with the car—it just needs a simple reset. Clearing the code makes it go away, but it tends to reappear after about a week. Not a big deal, but something worth mentioning.
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### **The Key Repair Saga**
Now, let’s talk about the key repair saga. Earlier in the video, I attempted to follow some online instructions to fix the dead battery issue by inserting the key into the ignition and turning it to the first position where the Driver’s Info Center lights up. After holding it there for a few seconds, you’re supposed to turn it back off within five seconds. Unfortunately, my attempt didn’t work out—I tried one key without success and then realized I didn’t have the other key with me.
Thankfully, the BMW community came to the rescue! A subscriber provided some alternative instructions, which eventually got the key functioning again. It’s a relief not to have to replace it, especially since it’s just a $50 parts job or a do-it-yourself RadioShack fix if things go south.
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### **Wrapping Up**
All in all, this M5 is in fantastic shape for its age. I take great care of the car, and while there are always minor hiccups here and there, they’re nothing that can’t be overcome with a bit of ingenuity and support from the community.
As always, if you enjoyed this video—or if you have any specific requests for future content—drop a comment below! I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you all in the next video!
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### **Post-Video Update: Key Repair Success**
Oh, and one last thing—I wanted to share some good news. After posting about my key repair struggles on Instagram, an incredible subscriber reached out with a different set of instructions that worked like charm! With their guidance, I was able to get the key fully functional again. Sometimes, all it takes is a little help from the community—and now, I can enjoy driving this beautiful M5 without any issues.
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That wraps up this detailed walkaround of my 2001 BMW E39 M5. Stay tuned for more updates and tweaks as I continue to keep this classic on the road!