BMW M5 (E39) | PH Private Area

PH's favourite saloon, with one keeper for almost a quarter of a century - form an orderly queue...

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 21 January 2026 / Loading comments

In truth, there’s probably not a lot more to say about the E39 generation of BMW M5. After all, it was voted best saloon for PH25 back in 2023, and if anything, the love for the original V8 M5 has only strengthened since the arrival of the first hybrid M5. It would be fair to say that not everyone loves that one.

But E39? Always has been a crowd pleaser, always will be a crowd pleaser. When it was new, it was usefully more modern (and more powerful) than the E34 that preceded it; subsequent models, with modes and automated manuals, made the E39 look pleasingly traditional. To drive one today is to know true contentment, because you really want for nothing behind the wheel of an early-'00s M5 (besides some better brakes): there’s just the right amount of power, performance, grip, sound, excitement, refinement - everything.

Which is quite some achievement, really, given the first E39 M5s were assembled in the late 20th century, and the base 5 Series was first launched 30 years ago. Turns out it really was that good. But with age inevitably comes worry, for cars and for people. With the very best M5s up at £50k and none less than £20k, you’ll want to know everything about its history. Trouble being that, more than a quarter of a century after launch - and with cars once as cheap as £6k - plenty of E39s have been through lots of owners and not necessarily lots of maintenance. It’s a problem with a lot of once-affordable modern classics that have enjoyed some appreciation of late, and the last thing you’d want is a neglected M5. That’ll take the shine off a super-saloon hero pretty quick.

So how about this one? It’s being sold by the same PHer who bought it new in 2002, which is incredible. Just in case any further proof was required of the effect E39 M5s can have, here it is - 24 years of ownership. Originally purchased by the seller’s company as his car while he was MD, he bought it as his own in 2006, where it’s remained ever since. Sold brand new at Malton Motors BMW, it’s been serviced exclusively at BMW ever since, with 111,000 miles now showing. So there are lots of lovely stamps.

Naturally, the old thing looks glorious: Le Mans Blue is arguably the best colour for these, the wheels are spot-on, and the wood inside is still smart. It isn’t perfect, mind: the seller notes some corrosion to address around the rear arches, and the leather is tired. For a modern motorist who isn’t too bothered about originality, an updated head unit would probably be more useful than the standard screen and a Nokia phone holder.

That being said, the MOT is advisory free until October, and it’s one of the more affordable E39s on PH; if this M5 is one of those hero cars to tick off your must-own list (and it really should be on there), then this must be the ideal example. Used enough to continue being enjoyed and loved enough to carry on cherishing, it looks a good’n alright. We’ll look forward to seeing it for sale on PH again come 2050…

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