Harris has his E28 M5, but the E39 M5 wins for me.
Discussion
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Great to see nice one owner cars still coming up for sale. This one has the rare massage seats too. I, perhaps like many other owners, check the M5 classifieds far too regularly and always struggle to really quantify why this car still captures my imagination to such an extent - a future classic for sure - but it still causes less informed friends confusion as my choice of weekend toy. I think the advertised price of this car reflects that worthy examples of this car will always command a premium despite one being able to pick them up for 5k in "semi-project" but fully working order.
So, seeing as this advert and a slow day at the office got me thinking. Having followed Chris Harris' E28 M5 blog during the Le Mans period, I cannot help but love the ability of these cars to capture peoples imagination. I succumbed to the want (it became a totally irrational "need"!) for an E39 M5 late last year and managed to find a Carbon Black car with a stunning Champagne Individual interior that had been rigidly maintained mechanically, but not been subject the level of cosmetic maintenace I would have liked. The car needed some restorative work (rust patches appearing, stonechips to the front, alloy re-furbshment, leather recon) - this didn't hold me back as I was excited at the prospect of bringing my car back to the way it should be, and so far it has been a thoroughly enjoyable process. I now doubt I will ever be able to get rid of it, I enjoy it's mix of V8 power and superb levels of comfort too much - that along with the way it still slips beneath the radar of most motorists as another old Beemer. There remains a long list of things to do in order to continue it's return to a thoroughly rude state of health, but I look forward to enjoying each incremental improvement; 71,000 miles mean it is probably not quite as sharp across a Peak District blast as it was in 2001.
Listening and reading to how Harris ended up partaking in E28 M5 ownership realising a long held childhood desire, brought back memories of how I was wowed by the 5.0l V8 and 400 bhp headline figure at Earls Court - aged 10 years old on the cars launch. All of this power in something so comfortable and discreet, it really captured my imagination all those years ago. Ownership of this perhaps unconventional childhood dream car is always a privilege and one I try to enjoy regularly - after all they were made for driving. I don't use mine as a daily driver; it is eminently well suited admittedly, but also a practice fraught with frightening fuel costs (!) and frankly, my more occasional use makes it more special when I do use it.
I love nearly all M Cars and have thoroughly enjoyed owning a fair few. Reading about others ownership experiences doesn't get tiring - Chris Harris in particular never fails to entertain does he; I always knew I should have pursued that career in motoring journalism! However, for me the M car I'm fondest of will always be the E39 M5 and in particular, my E39 M5.
Great to see nice one owner cars still coming up for sale. This one has the rare massage seats too. I, perhaps like many other owners, check the M5 classifieds far too regularly and always struggle to really quantify why this car still captures my imagination to such an extent - a future classic for sure - but it still causes less informed friends confusion as my choice of weekend toy. I think the advertised price of this car reflects that worthy examples of this car will always command a premium despite one being able to pick them up for 5k in "semi-project" but fully working order.
So, seeing as this advert and a slow day at the office got me thinking. Having followed Chris Harris' E28 M5 blog during the Le Mans period, I cannot help but love the ability of these cars to capture peoples imagination. I succumbed to the want (it became a totally irrational "need"!) for an E39 M5 late last year and managed to find a Carbon Black car with a stunning Champagne Individual interior that had been rigidly maintained mechanically, but not been subject the level of cosmetic maintenace I would have liked. The car needed some restorative work (rust patches appearing, stonechips to the front, alloy re-furbshment, leather recon) - this didn't hold me back as I was excited at the prospect of bringing my car back to the way it should be, and so far it has been a thoroughly enjoyable process. I now doubt I will ever be able to get rid of it, I enjoy it's mix of V8 power and superb levels of comfort too much - that along with the way it still slips beneath the radar of most motorists as another old Beemer. There remains a long list of things to do in order to continue it's return to a thoroughly rude state of health, but I look forward to enjoying each incremental improvement; 71,000 miles mean it is probably not quite as sharp across a Peak District blast as it was in 2001.
Listening and reading to how Harris ended up partaking in E28 M5 ownership realising a long held childhood desire, brought back memories of how I was wowed by the 5.0l V8 and 400 bhp headline figure at Earls Court - aged 10 years old on the cars launch. All of this power in something so comfortable and discreet, it really captured my imagination all those years ago. Ownership of this perhaps unconventional childhood dream car is always a privilege and one I try to enjoy regularly - after all they were made for driving. I don't use mine as a daily driver; it is eminently well suited admittedly, but also a practice fraught with frightening fuel costs (!) and frankly, my more occasional use makes it more special when I do use it.
I love nearly all M Cars and have thoroughly enjoyed owning a fair few. Reading about others ownership experiences doesn't get tiring - Chris Harris in particular never fails to entertain does he; I always knew I should have pursued that career in motoring journalism! However, for me the M car I'm fondest of will always be the E39 M5 and in particular, my E39 M5.
I had an E39 M5.
Sold a mint RX8 with mods for a car that I thought was a peach but it was a dog. However, I loved the speed, the way it handled and when I carried out the muffler delete the way it sounded. I also think it is still one of the best looking cars you can buy.
I sold it because too much was going wrong with it and moved on.
I now have a TVR Chimaera which is totally sorted, a few small mods, sounds the nuts and puts a smile on my face.
However, I still find myself drawn to the classified's to look at E39 M5. The TVR is a toy which I use for events and just to have fun. I cycle the 6 miles to work and back and have a Saab 93 as a shed. The question is, would a M5 be special enough as a second car? Would it respond well to lack of use? I am seriously tempted to sell the TVR next spring and get another one just because they are so bloody good.
Sold a mint RX8 with mods for a car that I thought was a peach but it was a dog. However, I loved the speed, the way it handled and when I carried out the muffler delete the way it sounded. I also think it is still one of the best looking cars you can buy.
I sold it because too much was going wrong with it and moved on.
I now have a TVR Chimaera which is totally sorted, a few small mods, sounds the nuts and puts a smile on my face.
However, I still find myself drawn to the classified's to look at E39 M5. The TVR is a toy which I use for events and just to have fun. I cycle the 6 miles to work and back and have a Saab 93 as a shed. The question is, would a M5 be special enough as a second car? Would it respond well to lack of use? I am seriously tempted to sell the TVR next spring and get another one just because they are so bloody good.
StarmistBlue400 said:
I had an E39 M5.
Sold a mint RX8 with mods for a car that I thought was a peach but it was a dog. However, I loved the speed, the way it handled and when I carried out the muffler delete the way it sounded. I also think it is still one of the best looking cars you can buy.
I sold it because too much was going wrong with it and moved on.
I now have a TVR Chimaera which is totally sorted, a few small mods, sounds the nuts and puts a smile on my face.
However, I still find myself drawn to the classified's to look at E39 M5. The TVR is a toy which I use for events and just to have fun. I cycle the 6 miles to work and back and have a Saab 93 as a shed. The question is, would a M5 be special enough as a second car? Would it respond well to lack of use? I am seriously tempted to sell the TVR next spring and get another one just because they are so bloody good.
I feel your pain. There's nothing more expensive and disappointing than an E39 M5 that's lost its performance edge and is bork-prone. Don't lose heart though as there are good ones out there that have had the necessary TLC lavished on them by enthusiast owners. Sold a mint RX8 with mods for a car that I thought was a peach but it was a dog. However, I loved the speed, the way it handled and when I carried out the muffler delete the way it sounded. I also think it is still one of the best looking cars you can buy.
I sold it because too much was going wrong with it and moved on.
I now have a TVR Chimaera which is totally sorted, a few small mods, sounds the nuts and puts a smile on my face.
However, I still find myself drawn to the classified's to look at E39 M5. The TVR is a toy which I use for events and just to have fun. I cycle the 6 miles to work and back and have a Saab 93 as a shed. The question is, would a M5 be special enough as a second car? Would it respond well to lack of use? I am seriously tempted to sell the TVR next spring and get another one just because they are so bloody good.
Like the market for most other specialist cars the E39 M5 one is clearly segmented, as others on PH have commented. There are many £5-6k, what I will loosely call, 'project' cars which don't pretend to be anything else. Then there's a middle ground up to circa £10-12k amongst which there are quite a few 'optimistically' priced cars. Some good ones here too, with good history and unmodified. Above this you're on the fringes or entering Hexagon pricing, which is almost a market all of its own.
If you've owned one before you'll now be better equipped to judge the wheat from the chaff.
Just do it...you know you want to!
I have a love hate thing with mine. It's great but there is always something else to do. I've taken a breather by getting a new golf r as a car I can run hard and not worry about another costly visit to cpc. That said... The m5 is an amazing machine but the investment required to keep them in top form is not insignificant. I guess it wins by having virtually zero depreciation at this point. I still love the looks, sound and all round ability but I have to say a fast hatch with all the toys is a nice thing to have around. I may end up selling and regretting but there are alot of cars out there to enjoy while I can.
Nice post and I have the same sentiments. Understated German saloons have always been my thing and this model just hits the nail on the head with its blend of talents. Whilst my peers drool over in-your-face sports cars I'm always on the look out for big-engine Mercs and Bimmers.
It really will be fascinating to see what the market for these things will do going forward but I do hope I never need to sell mine.
It really will be fascinating to see what the market for these things will do going forward but I do hope I never need to sell mine.
Great post.
Yup I'm another who had a totally irrational but hard to ignore E39 M5 itch that had to be scratched. Big NA V8, manual, quick, discrete, decent handling, luxurious, well-built, carry a family of 5...not many cars that ticked all the boxes for me. Plus I've just always wanted an E39 M5.
I'm in month 1 of ownership and basking in the novelty of having such a fantastic machine at my disposal. It is one of those cars that really gets under your skin; it really is so rounded and capable.
I managed to get a really great low-miles example that looks quite honestly like a brand new car. I'm realistic though and know that it would benefit from a suspension refresh, the clutch won't last that long, I'll need to keep on top of the usual rust patches (boot lid, filler etc), the list goes on. It won't do many miles though and I plan to enjoy it and invest as necessary to keep it in tip-top condition.
Yup I'm another who had a totally irrational but hard to ignore E39 M5 itch that had to be scratched. Big NA V8, manual, quick, discrete, decent handling, luxurious, well-built, carry a family of 5...not many cars that ticked all the boxes for me. Plus I've just always wanted an E39 M5.
I'm in month 1 of ownership and basking in the novelty of having such a fantastic machine at my disposal. It is one of those cars that really gets under your skin; it really is so rounded and capable.
I managed to get a really great low-miles example that looks quite honestly like a brand new car. I'm realistic though and know that it would benefit from a suspension refresh, the clutch won't last that long, I'll need to keep on top of the usual rust patches (boot lid, filler etc), the list goes on. It won't do many miles though and I plan to enjoy it and invest as necessary to keep it in tip-top condition.
Edited by Benja_Exige on Wednesday 18th June 22:35
Nice post.
I've often considered an e39 M5 but the fear of buying the wrong car and ending up with a money pit, has always stopped me. I've had an e12 M535i and an e28 M5 (when they could be found relatively cheaply) and always loved the combination of performance, comfort and good looks. With the e39, the thought of a 400bhp V8 is an added bonus. If only I could find a mint one in Imola red, with black leather and schnitzer exhaust.
It would be nice to see a few pics of your cars please guys.
I've often considered an e39 M5 but the fear of buying the wrong car and ending up with a money pit, has always stopped me. I've had an e12 M535i and an e28 M5 (when they could be found relatively cheaply) and always loved the combination of performance, comfort and good looks. With the e39, the thought of a 400bhp V8 is an added bonus. If only I could find a mint one in Imola red, with black leather and schnitzer exhaust.
It would be nice to see a few pics of your cars please guys.
Here's mine:
Apologies for random interior pics, I'm at work and can't actually see the pictures I've posted and just copied the links out of an email. So, I'm not sure which pictures are which as it were.
Mine has had the rear back boxes deleted and sounds incredible, though at the same time fairly quiet at sensible motorway RPM.
Apologies for random interior pics, I'm at work and can't actually see the pictures I've posted and just copied the links out of an email. So, I'm not sure which pictures are which as it were.
Mine has had the rear back boxes deleted and sounds incredible, though at the same time fairly quiet at sensible motorway RPM.
SuperVM said:
Here's mine:
Apologies for random interior pics, I'm at work and can't actually see the pictures I've posted and just copied the links out of an email. So, I'm not sure which pictures are which as it were.
Mine has had the rear back boxes deleted and sounds incredible, though at the same time fairly quiet at sensible motorway RPM.
Have seen it on E-bay, and wondered about the rear suspension... it looks a bit "jacked" up in the side on shot. Also do you have the bonnet sensor unplugged ? Apologies for random interior pics, I'm at work and can't actually see the pictures I've posted and just copied the links out of an email. So, I'm not sure which pictures are which as it were.
Mine has had the rear back boxes deleted and sounds incredible, though at the same time fairly quiet at sensible motorway RPM.
Seesure said:
Have seen it on E-bay, and wondered about the rear suspension... it looks a bit "jacked" up in the side on shot. Also do you have the bonnet sensor unplugged ?
It's sitting on a fairly sloped drive and I'd literally just finished the suspension, turned it round and washed it. So, the suspension hadn't had time to settle either. I took it for its MOT the next day and have since put a full tank of fuel through it, so all is well. Why do you ask about the bonnet sensor? It isn't unplugged to my knowledge. If you're interested in the car and have any other questions, feel free to drop me a message, as I'm sure everyone would rather this didn't turn into my for sale thread. Seesure said:
Just curious as you can see from the image...
Having just bought another E39 I'm not in the market at the moment but do keep an eye on what's out there.
GLWTS
You're going to have to spell it out for me, which image indicates there is anything wrong with the bonnet and/or sensor? Having just bought another E39 I'm not in the market at the moment but do keep an eye on what's out there.
GLWTS
Seesure said:
Sure no problem, click on the Image below as the image is not being displayed properly above, I've circled in red what looks like to me the plug not connected to the sensor...
Ah, indeed that does appear to have been disconnected, thanks. Not done by me, so I'm not sure why that's the case. Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff