BMW M5 (E39): Spotted

The finest M5 that ever there was? Discuss...

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...

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!

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.

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