2008 BMW M5 Touring  (E61)

Highlights

• Sought-after Interlagos Blue Touring

• Full service history, with fully stamped service book

• Black leather interior in lovely condition

• 5.0-litre V10 with 7-speed SMG paddle-shift

• Impressive history file; looked after in recent years by Munich Legends

Overview

The E60/1-gen M5 has mellowed into a bona fide modern classic. While critics were sometimes quick to decry the design decisions of the Bangle-era BMWs, this generation of 5 Series has a certain timeless quality which still looks crisp and fresh today – it’s almost surprising to think that it was unveiled way back in 2003. Where did that time go…?

Most relevant to our interests here was the fabulously good news in 2004 that the M5 would be treated to a mighty V10 engine with a 7-speed SMG ’box. The idea of putting a V10 in a road car is pleasingly daft; you’ll find them in baby Lambos, the Dodge Viper and Bristol Fighter, Audi R8, Porsche Carrera GT and a handful of others, but you’ll note that’s a list of sports coupes, not sensible-looking saloons. And even better, for Europe only BMW developed the M5 Touring, so buyers could take their hedge-clippings to the tip at warp speed, terrify the dog, and really spice up the school run.

Oh, and what an engine the S85 is: a nat-asp 5.0-litre, it offers the same sort of visceral resonance, at once guttural and sibilant, that one might encounter when battling a chimera or giving Medusa’s hairdo a hard time. An absolute hellbeast of a motor, boasting an aluminium block and DOHC heads, double-VANOS, individual electronically-actuated throttle bodies, aluminium oil-cooled pistons and a forged crank along with a quasi-dry-sump setup. Which adds up to 500bhp and 384lb.ft – and, crucially, the S85 revs to 8,250rpm, howling with a wail that makes angels weep. Owners also have in their arsenal the amusing pub boast that it’s closely linked to the BMW Sauber F1 engines of the era – which isn’t in any way true, but who’s going to argue?

The example we have here is perhaps the most desirable type of E61 M5, in that it’s got a decent chunk of mileage under its belt (103k, with a full history to back it up), meaning that its reliability and utility has been proven over the years, rather than the car being tucked away in a collection. Its owner has had it since 2017 and has had the M5 maintained and looked after by Munich Legends. “The car drives exceptionally well, and the engine sound is glorious,” he says. He’s right, it really does sound terrific. And the condition throughout the car is peachy too – have a scroll through the pictures, you’ll see that it presents like a far younger car. Truly a fine example of this desirable modern classic.

History and documentation

• Registered 01 Mar 2008

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Original books and manuals

• Service book stamped Feb 2008 (PDI), Mar 2008 @ 1,138 miles, April 2010 @ 30,354 miles, June 2010 @ 32,673 miles, Feb 2011 @ 46,301 miles, Feb 2012 @ 59,131 miles, [undated – presumed 2013] @ 60,836 miles, Mar 2014 @ 63,397 miles, Oct 2014 @ 66,886 miles, Feb 2016 @ 71,472 miles, Jun 2016 @ 72,951 miles, Jul 2016 @ 73,047 miles, Feb 2018 @ 80,026 miles, Apr 2018 @ 80,622 miles, Feb 2020 @ 92,195 miles, Mar 2020 @ 92,474 miles, Dec 2020 @ 96,159 miles, Feb 2022 @ 99,965 miles, Feb 2024 @ 102,385 miles 

• 2025 – invoice for £4292 – battery, front shock absorbers, discs and pads, height level sensor, etc

• 2024 – invoice for £1504 – service, MOT, sand down seized undertray bolts, etc

• 2023 – invoice for £1996 – replace engine DME

• 2023 – invoice for £954 – replace tailgate-to-body wiring loom, attention to radio aerial and sunroof

• 2023 – invoice for £2297 – strip headlining etc to remedy rear water ingress; replace suspension control unit, differential input shaft seal, OSR air spring

• 2020 – invoice for £1009 – OSR brake caliper; discs and pads

• 2020 – invoice for £696 – repairs to DSC control unit

• 2018 – invoice for £1269 – windscreen, etc

• 2017 – invoice for £712 – air-con condenser 

• 2016 – invoice for £1444 – oil cooler, discs and pads, rear wiper linkage

• 2015 – invoice for £1647 – clutch, flywheel, etc

• Sheaf of MOT certificates

• 2x keys

• Current MOT to 16 Feb 2026

Interior

• Black leather trim, in super condition front and rear 

• Active Seats

• OEM retractable sun blinds in rear doors

• Very tidy boot, with correct tow eye and tyre inflator

• Clean carpets with overmats

• No warning lights illuminated on dash

• Lovely condition – has evidently been looked after, and has been kept smoke-free and pet-free

• iDrive logs show no faults and all service items marked ‘OK’

Exterior

• Interlagos Blue is a much sought-after colour

• Very straight and tidy bodywork with even shutlines and no obvious dents, dings or scuffs

• Looking more closely, there's a minor stone chip under the nearside headlight and a slight mark on the leading edge of the bonnet, shown in the gallery

• Alloy wheels in good condition with just a little lacquer lift around the centres

• Matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres with 2020 & 2017 date codes (good tread depth and condition; renewal preferable before too long)

• All the correct trim, chrome and badging is in place

• Light lenses and window glass all in good order

• Overall, a highly impressive and clean example 

Mechanical

• 5.0-litre S85 V10 serves up 500bhp

• 7-speed SMG ’box with paddle-shift

• Owner states the car drives ‘exceptionally well’

• Front springs, discs and pads, and battery replaced this year

• DSC unit refurbished

• Full service history, with substantial paperwork file to back it up

Summary

This car represents one of the most impressive chapters in BMW’s history. The idea of putting a V10 in the M5 in the first place was zany enough, but to then wrap it up in a practical Touring body? It’s one of the all-time great ideas and we should all be very thankful that it exists.

This particular example is hugely desirable as well. Forget your low-mileage collector-grade cars, this is one that’s proved its worth out in the real world. The first question we asked the owner on the photoshoot was: “What’s it been like in terms of reliability?” He smiled and said “Honestly, brilliant.” The full history and sheaf of paperwork backs this up, and just check out that spec: Interlagos Blue over black leather, it looks magnificent. And, of course, there’s the way it sounds. You can see why he’s kept it so long, the howl of that V10 is properly addictive.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. The seller is located in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.