Is the S62 reliable?
We rate the S62 72 of 100 for reliability: good. The rating is one of the inputs to every Guide Score below, and it is argued for on the method page with the others.
Why that rating
The lit mark is the S62; each grey mark is another engine on the engines page.
The E39 M5's V8 is strong at its core, and its bills come with age: timing chain guides and tensioners, VANOS units, the throttle actuator, and rod bearings on hard-driven cars. A well-kept S62 runs long; a neglected one is expensive.
Cars in this guide with the S62
| Car | Years with this engine | Reliability | Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 E39 | 2000 to 2003 | 68 | 79 (2003) |
Reliability is each car's score out of 100 for the years it had this engine: the engine rating plus that car's own known problems, service costs and age. The Guide Score is for the car's best year to buy.
Known problems on the S62
| Problem | Named in the guides for | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain guides and tensioners | M5 E39 | $4,500 |
| Rod bearing wear | M5 E39 | $3,500 |
Bills are the guides' estimates, not quotes; each car's guide says which model years a problem hits and how to check for it. The bars share one scale, up to the costliest bill here.
Other engines
Every engine we rate, from the most reliable down, is on the engines page.