Listen to that burble of the V8 in the background. You know it’s there and it doesn’t ever sound forced into the cabin. I love that about cars of the era. There’s no artificial overrun crackles and pops that started being a trend from the mid 2000s. The E39 M5 is a stunner.
I would agree to an extent. But the exhaust note was very subdued on a stock system until you started getting up in the rev range - that was a common trait for these fast sedans of the era. It was also fairly common for people to delete all 4 back boxes and just go with 2 Y pipes. Yes, each of the quad exhausts has its own box on the E39 M5... Even then, chopping off the back boxes didn't make the cars sound too loud and had the benefit that it shaved a bunch of weight off.
Spot on. It wasn't about showing off. A few discreet badges and no ridiculous pops and crackles and 'bwarps' on a downshift. It just delivered. Spectacularly.
@@fatkev1983 I removed the exhaust muffler on mine and replaced with a "Turbo muffler". Let's more air and sound through than stock while still muffling Drone. Without a muffler at all there is too much Drone in the cabin
Still got my E39 M5 after 19 years. Bought it 2nd hand (it was 3 years old with 60K km on the clock). Now passing 330K km. Performs and handles beautifully. My wife uses it as a daily driver (and drives it appropriately aggressively). I'm stuck with an "old man" daily driver company car (E64 650i convertible). I look forward to those weekends, to try and wrestle the M5 keys from my darling wife, and enjoy the experience....
dad owned a E39 530i manual when i was a kid. more than 10 years later, he's owned multiple cars but he just cannot stop talking about that 530i. when i think BMW M4, i think E39 M5, E92 M3, E46 M3. these cars are just perfect.
Had the chance to buy one at 18 from a close friend of my father who owns a German specialty shop, I chose not to go for it… 19 now… I’m a fucking idiot… 🤦
i bought one a month ago, a manual 530i, just puts a smile on my face this car and this is my 6th BMW, had a e38 750i before this one and it's just a lot more fun.
I love my E46 330CI. I think it’s the ZHP version, but I’m not 100% sure. The rev range indicates that it’s likely to be the ZHP model. I love the more analog feel, predictability of the car and classic lines, both interior and exterior. It cruises around town easily but has a great kick when you put your foot down.
Best sedan BMW, maybe anyone has ever built. Surprised you didn’t talk about the timeless exterior styling too. This car still holds up today, that’s why I’ve had my 03 for @14 years and won’t sell it. You should get another one!
Totally agree with Shane. Its styling is timelessly beautiful with an amazing stance and presence. I was fortunate to have and had an F40, GT3 RS, Maranello, Jaguars and Porsches Turbos and Carreras, but I never had the desire nor the courage to sell my black E39 M5 and never will. It stays next to my Maranello and Carreras as the most beautiful and now classic BMW M5 of all.
Best? In what department? Fuel consumption is terrible, and you can't take it off-road. You can't even drive to the forest, because heated cathalitic converters will set the whole place on fire. Good or bad is very subjective. Yes, it is very good as 'sports sedan' or 'sports saloon', but using a heavy sedan for sports is like entering 100 meters in a suit or smoking.
@@piotrmalewski8178 well obviously it’s not the best sports car or best utility vehicle but its one of the best vehicles at combining everything sports, utility, and luxury all in one package.
@@BRAINFxck10 And that's the problem with it. BMWs or Mercs are already very expensive, and Ms are expensive even for BMW standards. This means for the price of one M, If you were actually going to do motorsport, even on amateur level, let's say track day, it's cheaper to have two dedicated cars; one comfier for road, and one lighter for the track. This M5 has 1800kg of weight. It means on track it would eat through tires and brakes in no time. Add horrendous fuel consumption, and it makes it extremely expensive to run as a track car. That's where 1000kg sports car would save you a lot of money. That's why these big sports saloons are mainly to show off with wealth. As a combination of two different functions, they just do each worse than a more specialised vehicle.
I believe there's one E39 M5 Touring in existence and I think BMW still owns it. There's also an E39 M5 ute (sedan-chassis mini pickup-truck) - which was custom built by an Australian golfer.
I've owned a 2001 in silver... my favourite car that I've ever owned. I also bought the first one I saw. It just drove well and passed all the things to look out for on these cars. The one problem I had was I had 2 thermostats fail on me and that was a pig of a job to replace. The engine was great and as you stated, versatile. Stick a Z3 shifter on it to shorten throws... then the box could be really notchy when it was cold but made it much nicer to drive. I loved how the car hid its weight well - it didn't feel like it size and weight. You could provoke it and it was fairly easy to manipulate when it started to lose traction. You comments on the car's size are spot on.... was big back then, but now its kind of small. The E28 is where is started but not quite as sublime. The E34 was a great improvement and a total drivers car. Yes, the E60 V10 sounds amazing and is crazy... but it was not a great every day car. The later V8 turbos are crazy fast but have grown way too big and heavy. The E39 is a sweet spot that blends mechanical and computers. It marks the transition from something that still felt analogue (with some tech) to the later cars that are tech heavy. The E39 has also aged well... it did go through a spell where there were so many cheap old E39s around and it just looked old and dated, but now you see fewer of them, you are reminded its a handsome car. That era of BMW just had really nice simple designs that I feel still look good - the E36 and E38 are both lookers in the right spec.
Absolutely love the story-telling element that came with this review. Truly a dream car - the practicality, V8 burble, 6-speed, and beautiful styling inside and out is just phenomenal.
Had a e39 540i Touring from 1997. Not the same by any means, but similar enough. Wonderful cars those, the interior specifically was especially teutonic and solid feeling compared to the things that came after. If something was silver/"metal colored", it was made of metal, not plastic. I am pretty sure it was one of the fastest mainstream estates you could get that wasnt some kind of tuner special back in its day, mine had satnav with Tv as well, that would for sure blow most peoples mind back in -97. With some sport suspension fitted I lapped the nurburgring in it just fine, though both the street oriented brakes and tires that were fitted werent really up to the task if you really pressed on, it sure was fun anyway.
I'm 51 now. I was lucky enough to own a 2000 X plate in 2004 before I met my wife, for about a year. Black on black. Don't remember the reg. In truth....I couldn't afford it. But I still can look back and have the amazing memories of having it. Every time I parked it up and was walking away I just had to look back at it and just think...Wow. Those alloys. Everything about it was amazing. Still crane my neck when I pass one. Just the best car.
I always wanted an e39 ever since my barber had a 528i with an M sport body kit in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The first one I got was a 2003 540i m sport automatic. It was an amazing car and a great introduction into the e39 chassis world (previously owned 2 e34’s). In 2017 I came across an e39 M5 DINAN S1 for sale and I could not pass it up! It had ever red flag you could think of (peeling paint, medium to high mileage, unknown maintenance history, aftermarket parts, uninterested owner, previously recorded accidents) and was across the country from me, but even sight unseen and with no PPI I bought it! What a hidden gem! The previous owner sold it dirt cheap because it had some minor issues that he couldn’t figure out, but I fixed them in the first month and never looked back! Best decision I’ve ever made!
During this period of BMW, the bigwigs were quoted saying that all M cars will always be manuals, naturally aspirated, and the suspension would always be faster than the car. This was the peak of M cars. My friend inherited his M5 after his father passed in 2000, I believe. He kept that car for about 5 years. It had looks, panache, power, handling, stability braking, comfort. 150 on the Nj Turnpike was like 60 for other cars. You could wear a tux and drive it to the theatre, or everyday clothes and go to the strip/track and haul ass. He eventually sold it, think it was hard for him to keep it being a memory of his dad. I rip him for it because as you know, the values have shot up.
Had a 02 540i and I loved it. Swapped it for a 01 740i Sport and i love it even more. What an era for BMW. That said.. I think it’s time for a manual swap.
I have loved this car since I was a kid in high school, but I can never find one in good condition. So I searched for a reliable, modern day version of this naturally aspirated V8 wonder. As it turns out Japan had copied the E39's engine and dimensions, right down to the wheel and tire specs. I drive a 2016 Lexus GS-F.
I remember falling in love with this when it was released I was 17 years old an art student and did a project on the m cars with this as the centrepiece, never could afford one and now I'm 42, I still cannot afford one oh well maybe someday.
Best car I've ever owned and bought when values were nothing like now- easier to justify at £7400 than £20,000! Ignoring running costs (which are realistically pretty high if used often and kept in the proper condition) these don't really have a weakness. 'Good' at everything at an absolute minimum. Motorway cruise, back road blast you name it. You get in, 3 pedals and a stick with the suitable number of toys to still make a great daily driver. Engaging, no overcomplicated bollocks with a multitude of driving modes. Suspension damping hits the bull's eye straight out the factory. Biggest compliment I can give it is I'd have another one in a heartbeat if I won the lottery.
This is truly a hero, when I think of every single current M car I think of complexity and massive weight and etc. But this is just so simple, it looks so nice, so light, you can see out of the car, this just has every single thing I like in a car ❤️
@@Bmontepeque11 it might be 1982kg but it's also got better suspension, brakes, gearbox, AWD (so here in the UK with our shite weather the latest car will be way, way faster 100% of the time!) over 600bhp, hitting 62mph in 3.3 seconds and onto 190mph if derestricted, its also far more comfortable, has considerably higher spec interior wise. Best of all, if just over 625 bhp is no longer enough then tuning that 4.4ltr V8 twin turbo is a mere chip change and you'll have nigh on an extra 100 bhp and the huge dollop of extra torque (100+lbft) that goes with it! And that 700+bhp could just be the very start of things with tuned versions of the older turbo'd M5 hitting over 1000 bhp! These new M cars are leagues ahead in every conceivable way (ok, I'll give you that NA engines sound better and have instant throttle response. But they are also WAY down on power and torque, plus modern gearboxes make acceleration so, so much faster than even the greatest pro racing driver) That's what I love about the Germans (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche) they constantly evolve their performance models in every way. So these new generation M cars would utterly destroy the older models on track and even more so on the road!
7:22 I think you'll find that problem is caused by the clutch delay valve. It's a small little part that you can easily remove and the clutch will engage much faster, which will solve the problem.
I bought a 1998 528i with 98,000 kms on it. it’s like a new car . Imported from Japan to Canada . It is left hand drive ( owned by a diplomat ) and has every option, including you touch screen display. the colour is oriental blue. It’s immaculate! Best car I’ve ever had and I’ve had many over the years.
I got to drive one once, a manual, with a sun roof, and a modified exhaust. Spent my time with the windows and sun roof open ripping through the rev range - beautiful car and perfect sound!
E36/E46/E38/E39. That's a collection of the best cars that look great without begging for attention, that you can drive every day in every situation save the roads being covered in ice, that can appeal to everyone without a single person turning their nose up at it, and that strike the perfect balance in...well...every single area that needs a balance to be struck.
The BMW E39 M5 sure is a timeless classic car, lots of performance, solid engineering, and when you look at it, it's hard to believe it's actually so old! I don't believe it's the best classic car of all, I reckon each decade has it's best classic. But of the 90's decade, I'd call it the best, but so it should be. Wasn't a cheap car by any standards. But you got a whole lot of car for the money. I personally daily drive a 96 build E39 535i sedan, 3.5lt m62 v8, almost fully optioned. If I had the garage space and the money, I'd add a e39 m5 to my collection. The one you used in this review is a stunning example!
My first BMW was a 1999 540/6. Bought it as the third owner with 95,000 miles. Drove it to 170,000 still on the original factory clutch. I had seller's remorse the instant it left my driveway. Though I replaced it with an E46 M3/SMG convertible, I always missed that car. I ended up buying another '99 540/6 a couple of years ago, and it is never leaving me. I still own the M3, and while it is a BLAST to drive, I like the 6-speed 540 much better. I may graduate to an E39 M5 someday, we'll see. IMHO, E39 and E46, the two best automobiles BMW has EVER made.
My ‘02 E39 525i 3.0 litre is the best car I’ve ever owned, pound for pound. I remember a trip from the tip of Brittany to Calais after a friend’s funeral attempting to catch a ferry on time. It drove beautifully, very quick, very stable. Such a good car.
I have owed one for 15 years and was planning to sell because I haven't used the car for many years due to health reasons. I finally booked the car in for it's mot and some tidying up before marketing but as soon as I drove the car out of the garage and travelled 50 yards down the road I changed my mind. It's now having a full window out respray in it's very rare agean blue colour. These car's are sublime.
I bought a 2001 this past January at auction for $26k with 142,000 miles on it. Blackstone oil test shows 100% clean and clear. Off I go! The PS4s tires are too damn sticky though.
I don’t have an M5, but I do have a 2003 540i with the M sport package and it’s an absolute blast to drive! It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. The E39 will always be one of my favorite 5 series.
I absolutely love these types of videos along with the Rise & Drives, driving on a gorgeous road in a genuinely brilliant car, talking through intricacies of the car with personal experiences included where necessary, along with incredible videography
I'd say I have a similar story to the person who you bought your car from. Drove my 2000 M5 for 100k miles, traded on a E90 335i. 6 years later bought a 2002 E39 M5 with 46k miles. It's my baby.
Totally agree with Shane and others here.The styling is his timeless strength. It is elegantly beautiful with an amazing stance and presence. I was fortunate to have an F40, GT3 RS, Maranello, Jaguars and Porsches Turbos and Carreras, but I never had the desire nor the courage to sell my black E39 M5 and never will. It stays next to my Maranello and Carreras as the most beautiful and now classic BMW M5 of all.
Beautiful homage to the perfect car. Ever since it came out (I was around 10 years old) and I first saw it in real life I've always knew someday I will own this car. To this day I still haven't had enough money for it. But still, someday it will be mine. Most Beautiful car ever made ♡
Great video , very well presented. The E39 is such a brilliant car , I had one of the last E39 525d Touring , amazing car so comfortable, drove it all over Europe . I lusted agree the M5 at the time ( still do) but couldn’t have afforded so mine was as close as I could get. Probably the best car I’ve had and I keep looking at the M5 version now. Brilliant the way you gave your account
I bought my 2002, individual E39 M5 in Estoril blue for £10k in 2011, it around 50k miles and absolutely perfect. It was my dream car and I couldn't believe they'd fallen to the point where I could afford one. I removed the rear exhaust silencers which made it sound incredible, drove it for 20000 odd miles and sold it for £12k. If it's been cared for its probably a £40k car now🤷♂️. Selling it is my biggest car regret!! I seem to have a habit of selling future classics before they skyrocket in value, Clio Williams, Corrado Vr6, UK spec Rx7 fd3.....😂
I agree well with this review. In 2013 I purchased a 2002 M5, LeMans blue over an extended leather caramel interior, it was stunning. The entire vehicle is peak BMW. The S62 V8 is the crown jewel, combined with the simple manual transmission and LSD rear end. I can't say enough words on how good e39 M5s are to drive. That said, I was afraid that mine would rust out after 3 winters of driving it, and it was pretty expensive to maintain. Additionally I had gotten a taste of driving a BMW e36, the first six cylinder BMW I had driven, it was amazing. I had to have a smooth NA six cylinder BMW, today I daily drive an e36 M3 and absolutely love it. The e36 is not nearly as comfortable, but it's way more raw and exciting at street speeds.
Previous M5 e39 owner here. I built mine with headers and hand built exhaust all the way. The car isnt any rocket by todays standard, but just the fact that is was the fastest sedan in the world at one point in time makes you think. I had zero issues with mine during the 2+ years I had it. The car is solid af and a real pleasure to drive. BUT, you need a custom exhaust on it, because it's way too quite as stock.
I was having one m5 e39 for past 7 years after that transmission was broken so i sold it Now im thinking to getting another one But my favorite dream car is Porsche to be honest still I want one I can feel & understand every word u said in this gorgeous video Thanks for waking me up again 🤣
Great review. I've owned my 2000 E39 M5 since 2009 and still have it. It's all the things you described and I can fix it myself. Every now and again I think its time to move on to something else, and then I take it out for a proper drive on my own. Enough said.
I took my E39 M5 to part-ex against nearly new RS6 Avant last year and while the Audi was beautiful and it was 4 wheel drive I just could not come to do it as their is something so special and soulful about the car which I honestly cannot explain, yes the Audi was quicker but its not just about that, the way the E39 delivers the power is quite unique and is totally different to modern cars, I appreciate I sound stupid but its so hard to describe the driving experience. If you do have the typical stiff second gear which most have a change in the gearbox oil gets rid, you will have to look on threads as I got mine done and it has eradicated this issue completely.
Hi, clutch is not under engineered. The issue is that BMW fitted a CDV or clutch delay valve. This is simply a small valve on the end of the pipe where it connects to the slave cylinder intended to not allow the clutch to be let up fast so slows down engagement presumably in an effort to reduce warranty claims for snapped items on the drivetrain. It is a 15 min job to remove it and then simply plug the hydraulic line into the slave cylinder without the CDV and have back a linear clutch which does exactly what you do with the pedal at the clutch plates.
exactly the same happened to me. The E39 M5 was the first car I drove which felt quick, really quick. Many disappointments before that starting from an E30 M3, Lancia Delta Integrale etc...
@@miljororforsprakpartiet290 Not if you value steering precision, the excellent rack and pinion steering on my 530is is one of the many reasons I've kept it so long. 6 cylinder BMWs are not generally known for reliability issues.
@@johnshaw359 Sure better steering, but does it even matter on a tank like e39? I had one and it blew it's motor after a million other reliability issues. Worst car I had for sure. E39 525 was better and is generally considered more reliable, too. OnT, 525 for reliability, 540 for performance. 530/535 are pointless
If I ever buy one, I'll never sell it. Just obsess over taking care of it and using it. Best looking 5 series. Also that engine with the variable intake runners. One of the reasons why a Corvette had the same peak hp numbers at the time, but this sedan with 5 seats and a usable trunk could keep up. I love the intake cheat. Had an MR2 with the 4AGE and T-VIS, a Probe GT (3 of them,) with the Mazda KL VRIS intakes (4 of them, different peaks.) Never did get the Taurus SHO with the Yamaha 3.0, dual runner intake. IIRC the Z8 used the same engine as the E39 M5. Still want the M5 only.
Great video! I drove one of these in 2006 with a sense of reverence from it’s reputation, and I had a family. It was a perfect blend of power , handling and Q-carness ( if that’s a word). But all my years of yearning for an M5 didn’t live up to the reality. I am a massive BMW fan boy and I’ve tried to find the perfect BM . In the end, I bought an Audi RS6 from a widow who’s husband drove the car for the last 4 years of his life to the golf course and back, covering only 3k. It’s been my daily for 3 years and it is as comfortable as the M5 ever was, handles way better, and still terrifies my young kids on the way to school in the morning. I utterly love BMs of the past, but you sometimes need to look past your predudices when it comes to finding the perfect 1 car garage. IMHO, the RS6 avant- when all is said and done, is the perfect 1 car garage. Please use lignocaine gel before you nail me to the cross 😂
Right I'm just going to round up the guys with the baseball bats and will be over shortly! :) Fully understand you, what's perfect for someone might not be for someone else...
owning one for 5 years now I can't sell her, I don't drive her every year but when j do for those couple hours it changes my mind to keep her forever its a masterpiece of german engineering
Love this car, it came out around the time I got my driverslicense and used to drool over it at the dealer in town. I finally bought one two years ago and it’s as wonderful as I hoped it would be. What an amazing car, BMW got it right with this one. How times have changed.
Great video. You can feel the passion in the way this car is presented here. I am selling my E39 M5 right now and this video makes me sad about it, almost enough to make me cancel the deal. This was a bucket list car for me, but not a dream car. I can attest it is a hero car and upon first driving it, it's a rare hero car that doesn't disappoint. You never walk away thinking "I shouldn't have met my hero". It's an icon vehicle that should be on every enthusiast's bucket list to own and drive before they die. The purity of this car is hard to say enough about. I bought a Porsche 718 GT4 a couple weeks ago and I still have my E92 M3, otherwise there's no way I'd have agreed to sell the E39 and my E46. I feel very fortunate to have owned and enjoyed an E39 M5, and mine is a Dinan S2 example which is even better. I utterly adore the S65 in my E92 and with a tune it revs to 8600 god bless it - but perhaps the one thing I will miss the most about the E39 is the noise in the cabin on acceleration. From the driver's seat, the transfer of noise from the engine is so pure it's hard to describe. You get so much mechanical noise coming through the firewall that it almost feels like there is no separation from you and the engine. It's fascinating to experience and listen to as the car is accelerating. E39 M5 is without a doubt one of the all-time greats of cars. For me, my E92 M3 I have owned for many years and was my first M car, so I have emotional attachment to it and that is why I'm keeping it instead of the M5. The M5 is a better car. It's one of the best cars period. I wish my emotional attachment to my E92 wasn't there so I could keep the E39 instead. If you get a chance to own an E39 M5, do not pass it up.
The best I ever had was a 525 M-sport manual LCI. So comfortable, yet precise and and nimble. I'm told that the V8 looses a bit of the 6 cylinder car's precision (different steering rack, more weight), so my 2022 dream car could be an E39 M sport with a B58 engine transplant.
You’re not helping 😂 Owned one 2004-06 still my favourite all round car I’ve ever owned I’d invent a reason to go out ! Probably going to buy another sooooooon
That M5 rocket car advert made a huge impression on me as a teenager and I always dreamed of owning one. When the right time came, I searched for a year for one and a friend of a friend ended up finding a 2-owner car for me. Only 297 ever came into South Africa and I only wanted the facelift, and for a while, while they were cheap, they were abused and turbocharged and supercharged and converted into racecars, and of course written off, so nobody knows how many are left, but it can't be many. Mine is a high-miler but in really great condition, much loved by its previous owner. I'm about to do the big timing chain replacement which is making me nervous but has to be done! But either way it has been a joy to own. It's brilliant on short drives, it's brilliant on long drives, it makes everyone happy when you show up at a car meet; it has become a living legend. I have owned it for 2 years now and will double my money if I sell it today, but I can't see myself selling it, maybe sometime in the next 5 to 10 years. But I'll only sell if the money can buy me something which I love as much, and as time goes on, that is looking increasingly unlikely.
I also own one, a pre-facelift 2000 in Silverstone. One can't help but fall in love with this car. I've often wondered how many came to SA, so am pleased now to know. Figure is lower than I thought. If you don't mind, where did you find this information?
Absolutely love this cars having multiple E39 with smaller engine as a daily. Always wanted one and it was one of my poster cars even had one as a model car. So finally got to buy one after years and years of waiting and looking for the correct one I found a 2002 Imola Red M5 with two tone Imola Red interior with full leather and Alcantara headline. And the pure joy and happiness of driving it is just how I expected with the car. Can't see myself selling it in the future. The timeless design and the quality feel is why I enjoy this cars at that era.
Working for a bmw dealer when this was released, drove many..always loved them. Another gem of same series was the Alpina B18 v8. Not quite on the same performance level but, that Alpina uniqueness
@@iirohavana4837 A couple of reasons. The car had around 135k miles and it felt like there were some potential maintenance bills coming up. Also, I had the opportunity to buy my dream/poster car, a 911 Turbo. So I traded the M5 and got a 997.2 Turbo S…now that I will be keeping forever.
I've always wondered what these are like in comparison to an E90 M3 (the 4 door variant), particularly one on passive dampers / manual gearbox. They seem to be rather similar in size and weight, and the S65 is arguably a bit more special. Have always considered those two would make a fascinating comparison.
would love to see this, but I think the M3 is objectively better with the benefit of years of advancements. You're picking the M5 for the look, the gentler dynamics, and the history.
After driving both I went and bought the M5. The lowdown torque is so usable so you don't have to be going flat out everywhere. Whereas, you need to ring the neck of the M3 to make the most out of it. Plus, the E39 is super cool looking.
I have had both… I love torque so the E39 wins hands down… steering and handling on the M3 was better… but the engine felt gutless in comparison… and the damping on the M5 is sublime ❤
As said above, for everyday the E39 M5 is the better car. It has much more low down torque, sounds a bit better and feels more refined, add a tune and some headers and you have best of both worlds. The E90 M3 is better for a weekend blast or trackday, it's low on torque better in high rpm, has a great intake noise and a bit better turn in.
I still have my 2011 E90 M3 6MT slicktop but sold my E39 M5 after 15 years of ownership. I owned them both for over 5 years together. I have the E90 M3 you mention -- 6MT with passive dampers. The M3 is more raw, much better handling, better brakes (no E39 "squish", although I put the Stoptech BBK on the M5 and that was a massive improvement over stock),and with a 6MT and no sunroof the E90 M3 is about 350lbs lighter than the M5. The M5 is by far the better highway traveling car, much more comfortable, quieter, slightly larger cabin (even with the Dinan springs/Konis/sway bars I had on mine). For serious fun on track or an autox course, the M3 is by far more rewarding. I have videos I uploaded ages ago on my youtube account from both cars at the BMW PC here in SC when we held CCA autocrosses there. You can almost feel the ponderous turn-in of the M5 in the slow corners in the videos. In the E39 M5, you have to constantly focus on "slow in, fast out" since it will severely punish you if overdrive the entry. When back-to-back driving them, you immediately notice the dramatic difference in the power curves of the S62 vs the S65. When in the M5, I would immediately hit the rev limiter when winding it out after having been in the M3 since I'd be used to that brutal high rpm hit of the M3; conversely, when driving the M3, I'd feel like I was missing out on low end grunt when nailing the throttle at say 2500rpms in 2nd gear. Of course part of "that feeling" is just that, a feeling. By that I mean, what you should compare is acceleration from identical road speeds, and in 2nd gear the S65 in the M3 will be turning ~1500 rpms higher than the S62 in the M5, so hammering the throttle at equivalent road speeds is more of a true comparison, and the M3 will walk away from the M5 as long as you wring its neck and use all of the powerband in each gear of course (stock vs stock cars). As far as fuel consumption goes, the M5 wins since the S65 in the M3 is simply operating outside its most efficient rpm range during normal driving; something like a 70mph freeway cruise will show the M3 having a hard time getting much over 21-22 mpg, while the M5 will run 25-26mpg. The fact that BMW actually produced these two amazing, normally aspirated, 6MT cars with incredible V8s each with individual throttle bodies and all is...simply incredible. There will never be anything similar produced ever again.
Peak BMW- that gen was amazing. Even the diesels changed the world- i remember the 330d coming out and being the fastest diesel in the world at the time but my friends M3 which he had only 5 or 6 years ago was truly amazing. His remapped e92 330d is very very quick (almost as quick as the m3) but there was something so nice about the e46/e39 gen cars.
Current daily is an M3 but this video reminded me about of an E34 535i I bought in 2014. Kept it a year/tidied it up & doubled my cash. Best all rounder!!
BMW in the late 90's early 00's were just levels and levels above anything Audi and Mercedes were doing. It wasn't just the M5, all E39's had and still have a reputation for being really good cars that people love(d) to own. The E46 M3 was and still is BMW's best ever selling M3, with its S54 engine that is easily the best naturally aspirated inline 6 ever made by any manufacturer. The indestructible, remote controlled E38 7 series in the film Tomorrow Never Dies, how cool was that? The E38 was also in the first Transporter film. These three cars, the E46, the E39 and the E38, have beautiful proportions. Nothing is too small or too large. They stand out without being aggressive or flashy. Peak BMW era when it wasn't all about track times.
Best ever M division!!l have a collection of M cars but e39 gives the best feeling when you drive it!I have 338000 klm and still goes like new!!!It reaches 305 klm easily and the most important with silence in the cabin!!Dont change the exhaust and put after market!It destroys all that feeling live it stock !!!!l have drove in all continental Europe !!With 6 speed and 140-150 you get 9-10 lit/100klm in one tank l get 700-800 klm !!!An e39 bmw with great lines outside and the most important no one looks it cuz it is too simple design !! Simplicity is the perfection of life!!!
I've never been in an E39 M5, let alone drive one, but if it's anything like the E46 M3 which I've owned for the last 6 years, then I'd bet that it's as awesome as everyone says. If only I could find someone who would trade their E39 for an E46...
Had one of these I paid £4695 used daily for afew years, sold for £5500 to raise my house deposit, defo should have kept Worth 3 times as much, I knew it at the time also, good all-rounder 👍
Not enough people give enough credit to the first gen X5, which had a similar V8 and chassis as the E39 M5 at the time. Weighing much much less than a modern X5, you can say it is the best SUV made because it was based on the E39.
This was an era where the Germans came with their absolute best. E46 M3, E39 M5, B7 RS4, C5 RS6, W204 C63, W211 E63. All the cars were mental, but they were all powered differently. Theses days everything has some 2.0T variant.
I agree, the e39 is an amazing car. I am not sure what to compare it too - it is probably the best BMW from the modern era. That being said, the B5 RS4 in my opinion, is another gem. I would love to see a feature on it!
I have no first hand experience with Super Saloons but this along with the B7 RS4 and it's contemporaries seem like real Goldilocks Cars, the proportions and performance just seem right. Good video John!
Listen to that burble of the V8 in the background. You know it’s there and it doesn’t ever sound forced into the cabin. I love that about cars of the era. There’s no artificial overrun crackles and pops that started being a trend from the mid 2000s.
The E39 M5 is a stunner.
I would agree to an extent. But the exhaust note was very subdued on a stock system until you started getting up in the rev range - that was a common trait for these fast sedans of the era. It was also fairly common for people to delete all 4 back boxes and just go with 2 Y pipes. Yes, each of the quad exhausts has its own box on the E39 M5... Even then, chopping off the back boxes didn't make the cars sound too loud and had the benefit that it shaved a bunch of weight off.
Spot on. It wasn't about showing off. A few discreet badges and no ridiculous pops and crackles and 'bwarps' on a downshift. It just delivered. Spectacularly.
@@fatkev1983 I removed the exhaust muffler on mine and replaced with a "Turbo muffler". Let's more air and sound through than stock while still muffling Drone. Without a muffler at all there is too much Drone in the cabin
Still got my E39 M5 after 19 years. Bought it 2nd hand (it was 3 years old with 60K km on the clock). Now passing 330K km. Performs and handles beautifully. My wife uses it as a daily driver (and drives it appropriately aggressively). I'm stuck with an "old man" daily driver company car (E64 650i convertible). I look forward to those weekends, to try and wrestle the M5 keys from my darling wife, and enjoy the experience....
dad owned a E39 530i manual when i was a kid. more than 10 years later, he's owned multiple cars but he just cannot stop talking about that 530i. when i think BMW M4, i think E39 M5, E92 M3, E46 M3. these cars are just perfect.
The 530i had much more communicative steering than the M5.
Had the chance to buy one at 18 from a close friend of my father who owns a German specialty shop, I chose not to go for it… 19 now… I’m a fucking idiot… 🤦
Facts
i bought one a month ago, a manual 530i, just puts a smile on my face this car and this is my 6th BMW, had a e38 750i before this one and it's just a lot more fun.
I love my E46 330CI. I think it’s the ZHP version, but I’m not 100% sure. The rev range indicates that it’s likely to be the ZHP model. I love the more analog feel, predictability of the car and classic lines, both interior and exterior. It cruises around town easily but has a great kick when you put your foot down.
I got E34 M50 engine car, so far clocked 680k miles on my odometer. We owned it for 30 years now.
Best sedan BMW, maybe anyone has ever built. Surprised you didn’t talk about the timeless exterior styling too. This car still holds up today, that’s why I’ve had my 03 for @14 years and won’t sell it. You should get another one!
Totally agree with Shane. Its styling is timelessly beautiful with an amazing stance and presence. I was fortunate to have and had an F40, GT3 RS, Maranello, Jaguars and Porsches Turbos and Carreras, but I never had the desire nor the courage to sell my black E39 M5 and never will. It stays next to my Maranello and Carreras as the most beautiful and now classic BMW M5 of all.
Best? In what department? Fuel consumption is terrible, and you can't take it off-road. You can't even drive to the forest, because heated cathalitic converters will set the whole place on fire.
Good or bad is very subjective.
Yes, it is very good as 'sports sedan' or 'sports saloon', but using a heavy sedan for sports is like entering 100 meters in a suit or smoking.
@@piotrmalewski8178 well obviously it’s not the best sports car or best utility vehicle but its one of the best vehicles at combining everything sports, utility, and luxury all in one package.
@@piotrmalewski8178 what the hell???
@@BRAINFxck10 And that's the problem with it. BMWs or Mercs are already very expensive, and Ms are expensive even for BMW standards.
This means for the price of one M,
If you were actually going to do motorsport, even on amateur level, let's say track day, it's cheaper to have two dedicated cars; one comfier for road, and one lighter for the track.
This M5 has 1800kg of weight. It means on track it would eat through tires and brakes in no time. Add horrendous fuel consumption, and it makes it extremely expensive to run as a track car. That's where 1000kg sports car would save you a lot of money.
That's why these big sports saloons are mainly to show off with wealth. As a combination of two different functions, they just do each worse than a more specialised vehicle.
As much as I love the V10 E60, this V8 E39 still remains my absolutely favourite. It's just a shame that there's no Touring version of E39 M5.
Definitely the most handsome sedan/saloon BMW has built in the last 30 years.
I am a touring guy but e39 touring is ugly af
I believe there's one E39 M5 Touring in existence and I think BMW still owns it.
There's also an E39 M5 ute (sedan-chassis mini pickup-truck) - which was custom built by an Australian golfer.
@@Kryojenix There are a bunch E39 M5 swapped tourings in the US. Speed Academy has a video building one.
E39 M5 is our favourite M5 so far.
Yep : best M5 ever, period.
Wow, that says everything. I’ve had mine for 16 years and will never sell it…
I've owned a 2001 in silver... my favourite car that I've ever owned. I also bought the first one I saw. It just drove well and passed all the things to look out for on these cars. The one problem I had was I had 2 thermostats fail on me and that was a pig of a job to replace.
The engine was great and as you stated, versatile. Stick a Z3 shifter on it to shorten throws... then the box could be really notchy when it was cold but made it much nicer to drive. I loved how the car hid its weight well - it didn't feel like it size and weight. You could provoke it and it was fairly easy to manipulate when it started to lose traction. You comments on the car's size are spot on.... was big back then, but now its kind of small.
The E28 is where is started but not quite as sublime. The E34 was a great improvement and a total drivers car. Yes, the E60 V10 sounds amazing and is crazy... but it was not a great every day car. The later V8 turbos are crazy fast but have grown way too big and heavy.
The E39 is a sweet spot that blends mechanical and computers. It marks the transition from something that still felt analogue (with some tech) to the later cars that are tech heavy. The E39 has also aged well... it did go through a spell where there were so many cheap old E39s around and it just looked old and dated, but now you see fewer of them, you are reminded its a handsome car. That era of BMW just had really nice simple designs that I feel still look good - the E36 and E38 are both lookers in the right spec.
Absolutely love the story-telling element that came with this review.
Truly a dream car - the practicality, V8 burble, 6-speed, and beautiful styling inside and out is just phenomenal.
The clutch issue is actually caused by the clutch delay valve which I have bypassed and really makes for better/crisp gear changes!
Had a e39 540i Touring from 1997. Not the same by any means, but similar enough. Wonderful cars those, the interior specifically was especially teutonic and solid feeling compared to the things that came after. If something was silver/"metal colored", it was made of metal, not plastic.
I am pretty sure it was one of the fastest mainstream estates you could get that wasnt some kind of tuner special back in its day, mine had satnav with Tv as well, that would for sure blow most peoples mind back in -97.
With some sport suspension fitted I lapped the nurburgring in it just fine, though both the street oriented brakes and tires that were fitted werent really up to the task if you really pressed on, it sure was fun anyway.
interested in your experience of the 540 touring, please see my question above and let mee know what you think. cheers
I'm 51 now. I was lucky enough to own a 2000 X plate in 2004 before I met my wife, for about a year. Black on black. Don't remember the reg. In truth....I couldn't afford it. But I still can look back and have the amazing memories of having it. Every time I parked it up and was walking away I just had to look back at it and just think...Wow. Those alloys. Everything about it was amazing. Still crane my neck when I pass one. Just the best car.
I always wanted an e39 ever since my barber had a 528i with an M sport body kit in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The first one I got was a 2003 540i m sport automatic. It was an amazing car and a great introduction into the e39 chassis world (previously owned 2 e34’s). In 2017 I came across an e39 M5 DINAN S1 for sale and I could not pass it up! It had ever red flag you could think of (peeling paint, medium to high mileage, unknown maintenance history, aftermarket parts, uninterested owner, previously recorded accidents) and was across the country from me, but even sight unseen and with no PPI I bought it! What a hidden gem! The previous owner sold it dirt cheap because it had some minor issues that he couldn’t figure out, but I fixed them in the first month and never looked back! Best decision I’ve ever made!
During this period of BMW, the bigwigs were quoted saying that all M cars will always be manuals, naturally aspirated, and the suspension would always be faster than the car. This was the peak of M cars. My friend inherited his M5 after his father passed in 2000, I believe. He kept that car for about 5 years. It had looks, panache, power, handling, stability braking, comfort. 150 on the Nj Turnpike was like 60 for other cars. You could wear a tux and drive it to the theatre, or everyday clothes and go to the strip/track and haul ass. He eventually sold it, think it was hard for him to keep it being a memory of his dad. I rip him for it because as you know, the values have shot up.
Had a 02 540i and I loved it. Swapped it for a 01 740i Sport and i love it even more. What an era for BMW.
That said.. I think it’s time for a manual swap.
Not just the best M5 ever, but the best saloon ever.
ua-cam.com/video/aXj7YZcsank/v-deo.html
I have loved this car since I was a kid in high school, but I can never find one in good condition. So I searched for a reliable, modern day version of this naturally aspirated V8 wonder. As it turns out Japan had copied the E39's engine and dimensions, right down to the wheel and tire specs. I drive a 2016 Lexus GS-F.
the Lexus 2ur-gse is really one of the best n/a performance v8 engines ever. I'm on the lookout for an ISF but prices come close to an RCF sadly.
That was so cool to read
Very well written .
I remember falling in love with this when it was released I was 17 years old an art student and did a project on the m cars with this as the centrepiece, never could afford one and now I'm 42, I still cannot afford one oh well maybe someday.
Is this a joke. You're joking right? Haha... Ha?
Best car I've ever owned and bought when values were nothing like now- easier to justify at £7400 than £20,000!
Ignoring running costs (which are realistically pretty high if used often and kept in the proper condition) these don't really have a weakness. 'Good' at everything at an absolute minimum. Motorway cruise, back road blast you name it.
You get in, 3 pedals and a stick with the suitable number of toys to still make a great daily driver. Engaging, no overcomplicated bollocks with a multitude of driving modes. Suspension damping hits the bull's eye straight out the factory.
Biggest compliment I can give it is I'd have another one in a heartbeat if I won the lottery.
An absolute joy. I’ve had the privilege of owning mine since 2006. It’s barely put a foot wrong in 17 years and I can't imagine parting with it.
My Dad had an E39 530d. Drove from the UK to south Spain in a day. We as kids didn’t once complain. Was an incredible car.
This is truly a hero, when I think of every single current M car I think of complexity and massive weight and etc. But this is just so simple, it looks so nice, so light, you can see out of the car, this just has every single thing I like in a car ❤️
1700 kg is light to you?
Every m car? That's quite ignorant the M5cs only weighs about 100kg more whilst packing 5x the performance
BMW E92 M3 weighs, 1655 kg - 418hp N/A and manual gearbox option
@@nightdriver7216 Lighter than the 1,982 kg of the current M5, yes 😅
@@Bmontepeque11 it might be 1982kg but it's also got better suspension, brakes, gearbox, AWD (so here in the UK with our shite weather the latest car will be way, way faster 100% of the time!) over 600bhp, hitting 62mph in 3.3 seconds and onto 190mph if derestricted, its also far more comfortable, has considerably higher spec interior wise. Best of all, if just over 625 bhp is no longer enough then tuning that 4.4ltr V8 twin turbo is a mere chip change and you'll have nigh on an extra 100 bhp and the huge dollop of extra torque (100+lbft) that goes with it! And that 700+bhp could just be the very start of things with tuned versions of the older turbo'd M5 hitting over 1000 bhp! These new M cars are leagues ahead in every conceivable way (ok, I'll give you that NA engines sound better and have instant throttle response. But they are also WAY down on power and torque, plus modern gearboxes make acceleration so, so much faster than even the greatest pro racing driver) That's what I love about the Germans (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche) they constantly evolve their performance models in every way. So these new generation M cars would utterly destroy the older models on track and even more so on the road!
7:22 I think you'll find that problem is caused by the clutch delay valve. It's a small little part that you can easily remove and the clutch will engage much faster, which will solve the problem.
I think you are right. It is there to prevent clutch abuse, but for a keen driver its best removed. Same applies to the e46 M3.
There is no CDV on the E39 M5.
I could only afford an e39 540. Love the car. Best sedan chassis I have ever driven.
Truly timeless car. Magnificent!
I bought a 1998 528i with 98,000 kms on it.
it’s like a new car .
Imported from Japan to Canada . It is left hand drive ( owned by a diplomat ) and has every option, including you touch screen display.
the colour is oriental blue.
It’s immaculate!
Best car I’ve ever had and I’ve had many over the years.
I got to drive one once, a manual, with a sun roof, and a modified exhaust. Spent my time with the windows and sun roof open ripping through the rev range - beautiful car and perfect sound!
I've owned 3 e39s . Loved and love them all. I presently have a 2002 530i sport - silver. Still drives great - happy every time I'm in it
This vídeo is a love letter to a great car. Congratulations to the presenter, to ear a personal history to the E39 M5 was a delight.
E36/E46/E38/E39. That's a collection of the best cars that look great without begging for attention, that you can drive every day in every situation save the roads being covered in ice, that can appeal to everyone without a single person turning their nose up at it, and that strike the perfect balance in...well...every single area that needs a balance to be struck.
The BMW E39 M5 sure is a timeless classic car, lots of performance, solid engineering, and when you look at it, it's hard to believe it's actually so old! I don't believe it's the best classic car of all, I reckon each decade has it's best classic. But of the 90's decade, I'd call it the best, but so it should be. Wasn't a cheap car by any standards. But you got a whole lot of car for the money.
I personally daily drive a 96 build E39 535i sedan, 3.5lt m62 v8, almost fully optioned. If I had the garage space and the money, I'd add a e39 m5 to my collection. The one you used in this review is a stunning example!
My first BMW was a 1999 540/6. Bought it as the third owner with 95,000 miles. Drove it to 170,000 still on the original factory clutch. I had seller's remorse the instant it left my driveway. Though I replaced it with an E46 M3/SMG convertible, I always missed that car. I ended up buying another '99 540/6 a couple of years ago, and it is never leaving me. I still own the M3, and while it is a BLAST to drive, I like the 6-speed 540 much better. I may graduate to an E39 M5 someday, we'll see. IMHO, E39 and E46, the two best automobiles BMW has EVER made.
This M5 is a masterpiece. BUT the RS6 and E63 from the same year are also breathtaking. It's all about personal taste.
My ‘02 E39 525i 3.0 litre is the best car I’ve ever owned, pound for pound.
I remember a trip from the tip of Brittany to Calais after a friend’s funeral attempting to catch a ferry on time. It drove beautifully, very quick, very stable.
Such a good car.
I have owed one for 15 years and was planning to sell because I haven't used the car for many years due to health reasons. I finally booked the car in for it's mot and some tidying up before marketing but as soon as I drove the car out of the garage and travelled 50 yards down the road I changed my mind. It's now having a full window out respray in it's very rare agean blue colour. These car's are sublime.
I bought a 2001 this past January at auction for $26k with 142,000 miles on it. Blackstone oil test shows 100% clean and clear. Off I go! The PS4s tires are too damn sticky though.
I don’t have an M5, but I do have a 2003 540i with the M sport package and it’s an absolute blast to drive! It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. The E39 will always be one of my favorite 5 series.
Bought an E39 M5 about a year ago. It has blown me away. Proper BMW.
The proportions on the E39 are perfection.
I absolutely love these types of videos along with the Rise & Drives, driving on a gorgeous road in a genuinely brilliant car, talking through intricacies of the car with personal experiences included where necessary, along with incredible videography
I'd say I have a similar story to the person who you bought your car from. Drove my 2000 M5 for 100k miles, traded on a E90 335i. 6 years later bought a 2002 E39 M5 with 46k miles. It's my baby.
Totally agree with Shane and others here.The styling is his timeless strength. It is elegantly beautiful with an amazing stance and presence. I was fortunate to have an F40, GT3 RS, Maranello, Jaguars and Porsches Turbos and Carreras, but I never had the desire nor the courage to sell my black E39 M5 and never will. It stays next to my Maranello and Carreras as the most beautiful and now classic BMW M5 of all.
osom dreams you dream;)
Beautiful homage to the perfect car. Ever since it came out (I was around 10 years old) and I first saw it in real life I've always knew someday I will own this car. To this day I still haven't had enough money for it. But still, someday it will be mine. Most Beautiful car ever made ♡
Great video , very well presented. The E39 is such a brilliant car , I had one of the last E39 525d Touring , amazing car so comfortable, drove it all over Europe . I lusted agree the M5 at the time ( still do) but couldn’t have afforded so mine was as close as I could get. Probably the best car I’ve had and I keep looking at the M5 version now. Brilliant the way you gave your account
I bought my 2002, individual E39 M5 in Estoril blue for £10k in 2011, it around 50k miles and absolutely perfect. It was my dream car and I couldn't believe they'd fallen to the point where I could afford one. I removed the rear exhaust silencers which made it sound incredible, drove it for 20000 odd miles and sold it for £12k. If it's been cared for its probably a £40k car now🤷♂️. Selling it is my biggest car regret!! I seem to have a habit of selling future classics before they skyrocket in value, Clio Williams, Corrado Vr6, UK spec Rx7 fd3.....😂
LOL RIP
Stoopid
I agree well with this review. In 2013 I purchased a 2002 M5, LeMans blue over an extended leather caramel interior, it was stunning. The entire vehicle is peak BMW. The S62 V8 is the crown jewel, combined with the simple manual transmission and LSD rear end. I can't say enough words on how good e39 M5s are to drive. That said, I was afraid that mine would rust out after 3 winters of driving it, and it was pretty expensive to maintain. Additionally I had gotten a taste of driving a BMW e36, the first six cylinder BMW I had driven, it was amazing. I had to have a smooth NA six cylinder BMW, today I daily drive an e36 M3 and absolutely love it. The e36 is not nearly as comfortable, but it's way more raw and exciting at street speeds.
Previous M5 e39 owner here. I built mine with headers and hand built exhaust all the way.
The car isnt any rocket by todays standard, but just the fact that is was the fastest sedan in the world at one point in time makes you think.
I had zero issues with mine during the 2+ years I had it. The car is solid af and a real pleasure to drive. BUT, you need a custom exhaust on it, because it's way too quite as stock.
The best BMW ever!
I was having one m5 e39 for past 7 years after that transmission was broken so i sold it
Now im thinking to getting another one
But my favorite dream car is Porsche to be honest still I want one
I can feel & understand every word u said in this gorgeous video
Thanks for waking me up again 🤣
Great review. I've owned my 2000 E39 M5 since 2009 and still have it. It's all the things you described and I can fix it myself. Every now and again I think its time to move on to something else, and then I take it out for a proper drive on my own. Enough said.
It takes a specific individual who recognizes fine craftsmanship, precision, and nimbleness to truly appreciate a remarkably exceptional machine.
I took my E39 M5 to part-ex against nearly new RS6 Avant last year and while the Audi was beautiful and it was 4 wheel drive I just could not come to do it as their is something so special and soulful about the car which I honestly cannot explain, yes the Audi was quicker but its not just about that, the way the E39 delivers the power is quite unique and is totally different to modern cars, I appreciate I sound stupid but its so hard to describe the driving experience. If you do have the typical stiff second gear which most have a change in the gearbox oil gets rid, you will have to look on threads as I got mine done and it has eradicated this issue completely.
Hi, clutch is not under engineered. The issue is that BMW fitted a CDV or clutch delay valve. This is simply a small valve on the end of the pipe where it connects to the slave cylinder intended to not allow the clutch to be let up fast so slows down engagement presumably in an effort to reduce warranty claims for snapped items on the drivetrain. It is a 15 min job to remove it and then simply plug the hydraulic line into the slave cylinder without the CDV and have back a linear clutch which does exactly what you do with the pedal at the clutch plates.
exactly the same happened to me. The E39 M5 was the first car I drove which felt quick, really quick. Many disappointments before that starting from an E30 M3, Lancia Delta Integrale etc...
The 530i was the sweet spot in the entire E39 range. A massive shame it didn't become the seminal model for subsequent generations.
Nope, probably the worst choice. Thirsty as the V8s and least reliable of the sixes.
@@miljororforsprakpartiet290 Not if you value steering precision, the excellent rack and pinion steering on my 530is is one of the many reasons I've kept it so long. 6 cylinder BMWs are not generally known for reliability issues.
@@johnshaw359 Sure better steering, but does it even matter on a tank like e39? I had one and it blew it's motor after a million other reliability issues. Worst car I had for sure. E39 525 was better and is generally considered more reliable, too. OnT, 525 for reliability, 540 for performance. 530/535 are pointless
@@miljororforsprakpartiet290 OK, I was wrong, 540 much better.
@@miljororforsprakpartiet290 you high ? 525 better than 530i ? wtf 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
If I ever buy one, I'll never sell it. Just obsess over taking care of it and using it. Best looking 5 series. Also that engine with the variable intake runners. One of the reasons why a Corvette had the same peak hp numbers at the time, but this sedan with 5 seats and a usable trunk could keep up. I love the intake cheat. Had an MR2 with the 4AGE and T-VIS, a Probe GT (3 of them,) with the Mazda KL VRIS intakes (4 of them, different peaks.) Never did get the Taurus SHO with the Yamaha 3.0, dual runner intake. IIRC the Z8 used the same engine as the E39 M5. Still want the M5 only.
This car will always turn my head an absolute legend of a car
Great video! I drove one of these in 2006 with a sense of reverence from it’s reputation, and I had a family. It was a perfect blend of power , handling and Q-carness ( if that’s a word). But all my years of yearning for an M5 didn’t live up to the reality. I am a massive BMW fan boy and I’ve tried to find the perfect BM . In the end, I bought an Audi RS6 from a widow who’s husband drove the car for the last 4 years of his life to the golf course and back, covering only 3k. It’s been my daily for 3 years and it is as comfortable as the M5 ever was, handles way better, and still terrifies my young kids on the way to school in the morning. I utterly love BMs of the past, but you sometimes need to look past your predudices when it comes to finding the perfect 1 car garage. IMHO, the RS6 avant- when all is said and done, is the perfect 1 car garage. Please use lignocaine gel before you nail me to the cross 😂
Nice story but I have yet to drive an RS6 or any Audi for that matter that handles better than this.
Right I'm just going to round up the guys with the baseball bats and will be over shortly! :)
Fully understand you, what's perfect for someone might not be for someone else...
I had a e39 M5. As great as it was. I do love the RS6. Thats why i have 2 of them. Ha ha.
May I ask which RS6 you're referring to. C5?
@@nab5018 i have a C6 and a C8.
Excellent review! A Holden GTS HSV is good competition for this M5. Keep the classics coming.
owning one for 5 years now I can't sell her, I don't drive her every year but when j do for those couple hours it changes my mind to keep her forever its a masterpiece of german engineering
Love this car, it came out around the time I got my driverslicense and used to drool over it at the dealer in town. I finally bought one two years ago and it’s as wonderful as I hoped it would be. What an amazing car, BMW got it right with this one. How times have changed.
Great video. You can feel the passion in the way this car is presented here. I am selling my E39 M5 right now and this video makes me sad about it, almost enough to make me cancel the deal. This was a bucket list car for me, but not a dream car. I can attest it is a hero car and upon first driving it, it's a rare hero car that doesn't disappoint. You never walk away thinking "I shouldn't have met my hero". It's an icon vehicle that should be on every enthusiast's bucket list to own and drive before they die. The purity of this car is hard to say enough about. I bought a Porsche 718 GT4 a couple weeks ago and I still have my E92 M3, otherwise there's no way I'd have agreed to sell the E39 and my E46. I feel very fortunate to have owned and enjoyed an E39 M5, and mine is a Dinan S2 example which is even better. I utterly adore the S65 in my E92 and with a tune it revs to 8600 god bless it - but perhaps the one thing I will miss the most about the E39 is the noise in the cabin on acceleration. From the driver's seat, the transfer of noise from the engine is so pure it's hard to describe. You get so much mechanical noise coming through the firewall that it almost feels like there is no separation from you and the engine. It's fascinating to experience and listen to as the car is accelerating. E39 M5 is without a doubt one of the all-time greats of cars. For me, my E92 M3 I have owned for many years and was my first M car, so I have emotional attachment to it and that is why I'm keeping it instead of the M5. The M5 is a better car. It's one of the best cars period. I wish my emotional attachment to my E92 wasn't there so I could keep the E39 instead. If you get a chance to own an E39 M5, do not pass it up.
Keep your M5 sell the E92 M3. No one sells a S2 Dinan M5😂...jokes aside , you obviously will do what you will do. M5 remains the King😉
Is there a listing you can send for your M5 I'm interested!
As much as I love the E60, the E39 is peak M5 for me. That engine, the subtly of the design. Perfection.
The best I ever had was a 525 M-sport manual LCI. So comfortable, yet precise and and nimble. I'm told that the V8 looses a bit of the 6 cylinder car's precision (different steering rack, more weight), so my 2022 dream car could be an E39 M sport with a B58 engine transplant.
Highly specced six can well be heavier than V8.
Sinster, gorgeous and just perfect. This was peak bmw
You’re not helping 😂
Owned one 2004-06 still my favourite all round car I’ve ever owned
I’d invent a reason to go out !
Probably going to buy another sooooooon
That M5 rocket car advert made a huge impression on me as a teenager and I always dreamed of owning one. When the right time came, I searched for a year for one and a friend of a friend ended up finding a 2-owner car for me. Only 297 ever came into South Africa and I only wanted the facelift, and for a while, while they were cheap, they were abused and turbocharged and supercharged and converted into racecars, and of course written off, so nobody knows how many are left, but it can't be many. Mine is a high-miler but in really great condition, much loved by its previous owner. I'm about to do the big timing chain replacement which is making me nervous but has to be done! But either way it has been a joy to own. It's brilliant on short drives, it's brilliant on long drives, it makes everyone happy when you show up at a car meet; it has become a living legend. I have owned it for 2 years now and will double my money if I sell it today, but I can't see myself selling it, maybe sometime in the next 5 to 10 years. But I'll only sell if the money can buy me something which I love as much, and as time goes on, that is looking increasingly unlikely.
I also own one, a pre-facelift 2000 in Silverstone. One can't help but fall in love with this car. I've often wondered how many came to SA, so am pleased now to know. Figure is lower than I thought. If you don't mind, where did you find this information?
Excellent cars, had the 523i, then down sized to a 520i,which I still drive and now finishing my 525i project car, love the e39...
My favourite saloon car of all time,not an M5 but I've owned my E39 525i Sport 15 years next March and I'm still not bored of the old girl yet.
Absolutely love this cars having multiple E39 with smaller engine as a daily. Always wanted one and it was one of my poster cars even had one as a model car. So finally got to buy one after years and years of waiting and looking for the correct one I found a 2002 Imola Red M5 with two tone Imola Red interior with full leather and Alcantara headline. And the pure joy and happiness of driving it is just how I expected with the car. Can't see myself selling it in the future. The timeless design and the quality feel is why I enjoy this cars at that era.
Truly a dream car - the practicality, V8 burble, 6-speed, and beautiful styling inside and out is just phenomenal.
Working for a bmw dealer when this was released, drove many..always loved them. Another gem of same series was the Alpina B18 v8. Not quite on the same performance level but, that Alpina uniqueness
Just brilliant, my favourite car, and the one I owned the longest. Pinnacle M5
I owned a 2001 M5 from 2009 to 2021, and drove 90,000 fun miles with it. One of best for sure.
Why did you sell it? 😮
@@iirohavana4837 A couple of reasons.
The car had around 135k miles and it felt like there were some potential maintenance bills coming up.
Also, I had the opportunity to buy my dream/poster car, a 911 Turbo. So I traded the M5 and got a 997.2 Turbo S…now that I will be keeping forever.
Thoroughly enjoyed that. Great review of an iconic super saloon, awesome work. Thanks John
Best car I've ever owned. Owned 5 E39s of various types.
M5 is a superb car. I have never seen or read a bad review about one.
I've always wondered what these are like in comparison to an E90 M3 (the 4 door variant), particularly one on passive dampers / manual gearbox.
They seem to be rather similar in size and weight, and the S65 is arguably a bit more special. Have always considered those two would make a fascinating comparison.
would love to see this, but I think the M3 is objectively better with the benefit of years of advancements. You're picking the M5 for the look, the gentler dynamics, and the history.
After driving both I went and bought the M5. The lowdown torque is so usable so you don't have to be going flat out everywhere. Whereas, you need to ring the neck of the M3 to make the most out of it. Plus, the E39 is super cool looking.
I have had both… I love torque so the E39 wins hands down… steering and handling on the M3 was better… but the engine felt gutless in comparison… and the damping on the M5 is sublime ❤
As said above, for everyday the E39 M5 is the better car. It has much more low down torque, sounds a bit better and feels more refined, add a tune and some headers and you have best of both worlds. The E90 M3 is better for a weekend blast or trackday, it's low on torque better in high rpm, has a great intake noise and a bit better turn in.
I still have my 2011 E90 M3 6MT slicktop but sold my E39 M5 after 15 years of ownership. I owned them both for over 5 years together. I have the E90 M3 you mention -- 6MT with passive dampers. The M3 is more raw, much better handling, better brakes (no E39 "squish", although I put the Stoptech BBK on the M5 and that was a massive improvement over stock),and with a 6MT and no sunroof the E90 M3 is about 350lbs lighter than the M5. The M5 is by far the better highway traveling car, much more comfortable, quieter, slightly larger cabin (even with the Dinan springs/Konis/sway bars I had on mine). For serious fun on track or an autox course, the M3 is by far more rewarding. I have videos I uploaded ages ago on my youtube account from both cars at the BMW PC here in SC when we held CCA autocrosses there. You can almost feel the ponderous turn-in of the M5 in the slow corners in the videos. In the E39 M5, you have to constantly focus on "slow in, fast out" since it will severely punish you if overdrive the entry.
When back-to-back driving them, you immediately notice the dramatic difference in the power curves of the S62 vs the S65. When in the M5, I would immediately hit the rev limiter when winding it out after having been in the M3 since I'd be used to that brutal high rpm hit of the M3; conversely, when driving the M3, I'd feel like I was missing out on low end grunt when nailing the throttle at say 2500rpms in 2nd gear. Of course part of "that feeling" is just that, a feeling. By that I mean, what you should compare is acceleration from identical road speeds, and in 2nd gear the S65 in the M3 will be turning ~1500 rpms higher than the S62 in the M5, so hammering the throttle at equivalent road speeds is more of a true comparison, and the M3 will walk away from the M5 as long as you wring its neck and use all of the powerband in each gear of course (stock vs stock cars). As far as fuel consumption goes, the M5 wins since the S65 in the M3 is simply operating outside its most efficient rpm range during normal driving; something like a 70mph freeway cruise will show the M3 having a hard time getting much over 21-22 mpg, while the M5 will run 25-26mpg.
The fact that BMW actually produced these two amazing, normally aspirated, 6MT cars with incredible V8s each with individual throttle bodies and all is...simply incredible. There will never be anything similar produced ever again.
I am so glad I bought one at the right time. Luck more than insight. They're just so good.
Peak BMW- that gen was amazing. Even the diesels changed the world- i remember the 330d coming out and being the fastest diesel in the world at the time but my friends M3 which he had only 5 or 6 years ago was truly amazing. His remapped e92 330d is very very quick (almost as quick as the m3) but there was something so nice about the e46/e39 gen cars.
definitely one of my favourite m cars it's a beast ,my dream spec would be oxford green with cognac interior 👌
E39 M5 an absolute hero! Hope to own one someday.
Had a E39 M5 absolutely loved it epic car they still are after the E39 M5 had a E60 M5 now have a F10 M5
the whole line line up from that era was perfect! ive driven every new bmw and my e53 4.6is and manual e39 540 remain my favorite cars ive owned.
Current daily is an M3 but this video reminded me about of an E34 535i I bought in 2014. Kept it a year/tidied it up & doubled my cash. Best all rounder!!
Yeah, but still its hard pick between this and V10 e60. Lately e39 prices here in Europe are starting to reach that of manual e60.
Jesus! I thought the video was ending after 3 minutes when the Pistonheads advert popped up 🤣 Great video 👍
BMW in the late 90's early 00's were just levels and levels above anything Audi and Mercedes were doing. It wasn't just the M5, all E39's had and still have a reputation for being really good cars that people love(d) to own. The E46 M3 was and still is BMW's best ever selling M3, with its S54 engine that is easily the best naturally aspirated inline 6 ever made by any manufacturer. The indestructible, remote controlled E38 7 series in the film Tomorrow Never Dies, how cool was that? The E38 was also in the first Transporter film. These three cars, the E46, the E39 and the E38, have beautiful proportions. Nothing is too small or too large. They stand out without being aggressive or flashy. Peak BMW era when it wasn't all about track times.
So many people, including me, feel that special connection to the E39. Brilliant!
Best ever M division!!l have a collection of M cars but e39 gives the best feeling when you drive it!I have 338000 klm and still goes like new!!!It reaches 305 klm easily and the most important with silence in the cabin!!Dont change the exhaust and put after market!It destroys all that feeling live it stock !!!!l have drove in all continental Europe !!With 6 speed and 140-150 you get 9-10 lit/100klm in one tank l get 700-800 klm !!!An e39 bmw with great lines outside and the most important no one looks it cuz it is too simple design !!
Simplicity is the perfection of life!!!
Best all around M5 without a doubt but the V10 that replaced it was just that bit more special.
Beautiful, my favourite era of BMWs.
e38 e39 2000-2002. The best of everything. I love my 750. A V12 that is reliable, fast, fuel efficient and a joy to drive. The best of the best!!
I've never been in an E39 M5, let alone drive one, but if it's anything like the E46 M3 which I've owned for the last 6 years, then I'd bet that it's as awesome as everyone says.
If only I could find someone who would trade their E39 for an E46...
E39 M5 with a E92 M3 engine and DCT `Clubsport` style is my dream build.
With 100Nm less torque? That makes no sense
Had one of these I paid £4695 used daily for afew years, sold for £5500 to raise my house deposit, defo should have kept Worth 3 times as much, I knew it at the time also, good all-rounder 👍
Not enough people give enough credit to the first gen X5, which had a similar V8 and chassis as the E39 M5 at the time. Weighing much much less than a modern X5, you can say it is the best SUV made because it was based on the E39.
This was an era where the Germans came with their absolute best. E46 M3, E39 M5, B7 RS4, C5 RS6, W204 C63, W211 E63. All the cars were mental, but they were all powered differently. Theses days everything has some 2.0T variant.
I have e39 2.5 l. It is best car in my life. Now it 25 years! And she is amazing!
I agree, the e39 is an amazing car. I am not sure what to compare it too - it is probably the best BMW from the modern era.
That being said, the B5 RS4 in my opinion, is another gem. I would love to see a feature on it!
My top 3 BMW's of all time.
1. M3 CSL
2. F87 M2 CS
3. E39 M5
Valid
1. E39 M5 2. E92 M3 3. F80 CS
I have no first hand experience with Super Saloons but this along with the B7 RS4 and it's contemporaries seem like real Goldilocks Cars, the proportions and performance just seem right. Good video John!