RE: BMW M5 (E39): Spotted
Thursday 23rd April 2015
This year marks 30 years of the BMW M5. Three decades of sports car performance with saloon practicality and BMW engineering, the original supersaloon. BMW has done its own rather reserved celebration (well, it's as reserved as 600hp can be) and so what better time to plunder the classifieds for a nice M5 to mark the occasion?
Discs, pads and tyres recently done - win!John's section in PHTV perfectly encapsulated the M5's appeal; often there are many excellent alternatives but the BMW's combination of talents edges it ahead more times than not. That the current F10 generation hasn't been as warmly received as some previous generations yet remained his choice says a lot. That or he just really doesn't like AMG...
E39 shape looking good for 20 years old!This looks like a great one. The pics are good, the description has all the info you would want to see and there are lots of recent consumable replaced (tyres, discs, suspension) that will save next buyer a job (and a lot of cash). Titanium Silver may not be the most exciting colour but it would be perfect for flying under the radar. And it looks like the same colour used for the stillborn E39 M5 Touring, which is cool.
BMW M5 (E39): Spotted
The finest M5 that ever there was? Discuss...
Discs, pads and tyres recently done - win!
For many the E39 still represents the highpoint of M5 development. Advanced enough beyond E28 and E34 generations to feel modern today but without the tech overload of the E60 and F10 generations, it's a real sweet spot in a superb lineage. Every M5 will have its fanboys, and current values of the E28 suggest they're very much in demand, but there's a strong case for the E39 as the best combination of everything we love about M5s.
E39 shape looking good for 20 years old!
There's a full PH Buying Guide for what to look for when buying an M5 but suffice to say it will require a fairly healthy annual budget. Still, with those vital parts recently replaced there's more money for the fuel pot...
We all know the rivals, and we all have our preferences, but here's the M5's 15 minutes in the spotlight. Hopefully we can feature a more fitting tribute to the M5 in its 30th anniversary year but for now some classifieds browsing will have to do. But ensure you do so for at least 30 minutes, of course.
BMW M5
Engine: 4,941cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@3,800rpm
MPG: 20
CO2: 336g/km
First registered: 2001
Recorded mileage: 89,880
Price new: £59,995
Yours for: £10,995
See original advert here.
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Discussion
Exactly as the article says, it's the sweet spot of the M5 (probably all M) lineage for me. Other cars have their advantages, but overall the pros and cons make this car just right for me.
The V8 is great, powerful and sonorous. Completely addictive, but still giving a decent range too. The interior is neat, classy and suitably premium too. The ride is fantastic, completely comfortable for the motorway/continental cruises, yet still fun when the opportunity (or roundabout) comes.
Maintenance is correctly mentioned, but again, this is the sweet-spot for me. Far less scary than the far more digital successors, with a huge amount of specialists and forums to help keep the costs sensible.
As a similar alternative, recent M3s might be getting bigger and have an engine more responsive than this, but they lack the maturity and class of the interior and A-Road/Motorway balance, tracking the cambers a bit too much. So as a package, I love this car.
And as for the example in the article, great choice. Not too expensive, facelift steering wheel (feels so much better), arm-rest without the phone kit (phone-kit version looks dated now, easily changed though, I know). A good example of an excellent car. I hope it finds someone who likes it as much as I do my similar one.
The V8 is great, powerful and sonorous. Completely addictive, but still giving a decent range too. The interior is neat, classy and suitably premium too. The ride is fantastic, completely comfortable for the motorway/continental cruises, yet still fun when the opportunity (or roundabout) comes.
Maintenance is correctly mentioned, but again, this is the sweet-spot for me. Far less scary than the far more digital successors, with a huge amount of specialists and forums to help keep the costs sensible.
As a similar alternative, recent M3s might be getting bigger and have an engine more responsive than this, but they lack the maturity and class of the interior and A-Road/Motorway balance, tracking the cambers a bit too much. So as a package, I love this car.
And as for the example in the article, great choice. Not too expensive, facelift steering wheel (feels so much better), arm-rest without the phone kit (phone-kit version looks dated now, easily changed though, I know). A good example of an excellent car. I hope it finds someone who likes it as much as I do my similar one.
king crap.It still seems that BMW lost something when they took a left turn with the e60 and chucked their classic design language out of the window, even though recent efforts have been better generally.
The current M5 (and other M/sport cars) are comparatively vulgar, look too aggressive and overly muscular.
The current M5 (and other M/sport cars) are comparatively vulgar, look too aggressive and overly muscular.
The E39 M5 is a car that has been on my radar for the last two years or so. I have seen the prices starting to climb.
Two years ago, you could pick one (admitteldy not the best example) up for around £4k. The same ropey examples are now starting at the £6k+ mark.
I had a choice in December 2014 to either buy one of these or an 840ci Sport. I went for the 8, only becuase there was one available locally in a good spec, low miles, full history and at a price too good to refuse. Plus, the 8 is also creeping up in value, so it won't lose me money. There were only two M5s within my price range, and both were modified and looked a bit 'chavved up' for my liking.
But yes, an awesome package and probably on of the best-built BMWs ever.
Personally, I prefer Carbon Black. Or, the individual Velvet Blue, Estoril Blue or the rare Sacarb Green (chromo flair paint scheme) with the extended caramel leather.
Two years ago, you could pick one (admitteldy not the best example) up for around £4k. The same ropey examples are now starting at the £6k+ mark.
I had a choice in December 2014 to either buy one of these or an 840ci Sport. I went for the 8, only becuase there was one available locally in a good spec, low miles, full history and at a price too good to refuse. Plus, the 8 is also creeping up in value, so it won't lose me money. There were only two M5s within my price range, and both were modified and looked a bit 'chavved up' for my liking.
But yes, an awesome package and probably on of the best-built BMWs ever.
Personally, I prefer Carbon Black. Or, the individual Velvet Blue, Estoril Blue or the rare Sacarb Green (chromo flair paint scheme) with the extended caramel leather.
It's been 2 months since I sold my titan silver M5. I have to say I haven't really missed it. It was a great car but at their age they do need a lot of regular maintenance to keep tip top and this starts to weigh down on your enjoyment in the long term as you ponder whether further expense is needed (do I bother doing the big ends, vanos, timing chain etc?). My other car is a Golf R and I think the modern features and ride (not to mention incredible fuel economy vs the M) meant I had been spoiled lately. They are great looking, characterful cars but the weight means it's never quite as lively as the s54 engine smaller brothers - I've not owned an M3 but I did have a Z4M before the M I missed the fizz of that engine and the mental driving position, obviously very different propositions but it's my opinion. They do sound fantastic with a good exhaust though and the torque/balance mean a lot of fun at legal speeds, especially when it's a little wet out there...
This feels like an opportunity for some gratuitous pics of my E28 - Cirrus Blue with factory option M-Tec body kit, derided by some as 'Tupperware' although I like the 80's look!
Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
Thank you to whoever took the pics, all at recent PH meetings. If I had the means and a garage big enough I would love a little collection of all the M5s.
The big thing to remember is that the E39 is often considered - still to this day - by many motoring journos as the best all round saloon car ever made, so sprinkle a bit a M magic on top and you've got something truly truly special.
Personally I prefer the E34 in 3.8 6Spd guise specifically, it's a lot more... Traditional to BMW M's values in some respects and the handbuilt quality is plain to see all round (provided rust hasn't set in!) but I can see why the E39 is the one to recommend.
Personally I prefer the E34 in 3.8 6Spd guise specifically, it's a lot more... Traditional to BMW M's values in some respects and the handbuilt quality is plain to see all round (provided rust hasn't set in!) but I can see why the E39 is the one to recommend.
The point about it being modern enough to drive every day without being overly complex is bang on.
Heated electric seats, electrically adjustable steering column, dual-zone climate control, xenons, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, DSC and parking sensors all round are standard kit on facelift cars.
Unless you care that much about satnav, bluetooth or being able to connect an MP3 player, all of which aren't that difficult to retrofit anyway, then it's a lovely way to travel.
Heated electric seats, electrically adjustable steering column, dual-zone climate control, xenons, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, DSC and parking sensors all round are standard kit on facelift cars.
Unless you care that much about satnav, bluetooth or being able to connect an MP3 player, all of which aren't that difficult to retrofit anyway, then it's a lovely way to travel.
tjs79 said:
It's been 2 months since I sold my titan silver M5. I have to say I haven't really missed it. It was a great car but at their age they do need a lot of regular maintenance to keep tip top and this starts to weigh down on your enjoyment in the long term as you ponder whether further expense is needed (do I bother doing the big ends, vanos, timing chain etc?). My other car is a Golf R and I think the modern features and ride (not to mention incredible fuel economy vs the M) meant I had been spoiled lately. They are great looking, characterful cars but the weight means it's never quite as lively as the s54 engine smaller brothers - I've not owned an M3 but I did have a Z4M before the M I missed the fizz of that engine and the mental driving position, obviously very different propositions but it's my opinion. They do sound fantastic with a good exhaust though and the torque/balance mean a lot of fun at legal speeds, especially when it's a little wet out there...
An interesting post.I've owned an E39 and while it was a great car keeping on top of niggles and more serious issues wasn't cheap. I can imagine that an M5 is the same just more expensive. In fact every BMW I've owned has required regular expenditure to keep it right, from stuff like parking sensors to snapped springs.
sutts said:
This feels like an opportunity for some gratuitous pics of my E28 - Cirrus Blue with factory option M-Tec body kit, derided by some as 'Tupperware' although I like the 80's look!
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Super Cool! The greatest M5 by far!.And to think these only came into existence as Garching didn't believe they could fit the M88 in an E30
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