Interesting M5 running cost history
I found the notes of another BMW E39 M5 enthusiast on Pistonheads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory.asp?carId=22784
Notes from his clutch change:
New clutch, flywheel & Oil Seal. Fitted by my local independent.
(Previous owner changed the clutch and flywheel for the first time at 27k miles. Car now on 87k, so has done 60k on this clutch.)
Vast improvement.
Of the Bill only ยฃ290 + Vat was labour. The rest was parts.
ยฃ1,320
We can only speculate as to what the independent’s labour rate was (17 months ago)!
Also on the summary page (http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=22784), interesting that his total running costs (including tax, insurance, depreciation etc) comes to a pound a mile. 10,000 miles in a year suddenly sounds like a lot!
Hi Neil
That does sound a lot!
If you just take one example, i.e. the clutch, you saved lots by doing the job yourself, which would effect the running costs, another was the thermostat.
If some work is completed by yourself, lots of labour charges can be saved.
I have completed most of the repairs / upgrades to my car (i.e. brakes!) and put it into the garage for all servicing – keeps a good history. I feel I have saved a fair amount of money (but lost knuckles!)
Cheers
David
If he hadnt left it so long it wouldnt have needed a new flywheel and would have been half of that.
He has let it slip for too long therefore chewing the it up. The clutch on these cars has been described as too soft. Its the same one as in the 540i if legend it accurate.