This brings back memories of when I also had a 2000 M5 that looked identical to the review one right down to the Active Autowerke cold air intake up front! It always put a smile on my face when I drove it. Mine had a Tubi exhaust, Dinan sway bars , Ground Control coilovers and Stoptech brakes amongst the other mods I did. Had fun in the car at Mosport and Shannonville with me doing 1:40 at Mosport with an average fuel consumption at the track of 32l/100km! Good video! Thanks!
For a moment there I thought this was my car! Looks and sounds exactly the same. Very thoughtful and articulate review too. Very good points relating to the design and even the steering. Cheers!
I am a recent e39 m5 proud owner and agree with everything you said except one thing "you can pick up one under 20k all day long" 😂😂 Unfortunately those days are gone😢😢😢
"On the road or highway, there are a *few inches* of sludgy heaviness when you first dial in an input." Check the condition of your steering box man, because that ain't normal at all!
The worst thing i ever did is sell my E39 M5 due to emigrating to australia.( fuckin Irish government) if you can scrape the money together buy one..... Fuck the money i always seemed to find money whenever she needed it.. DO IT before you get to die. believe everything you hear about it...
+Brendan Rainsford Fellow Irish man here who bought one and is infatuated with this car. Scraping the pennies together each month to keep her, but boy is it worth the hardship. Only reason i can keep her is i live in the UK and not in Eire where the fuckin Irish government would have me taxed off the road and into oblivion! Keep her real!
A guy offered me his M5 manual with only 65k miles for $7000, too bad I just got my drivers license and my parents don't want me to have a 400hp car. :/
rejncu thats not true, my first car was a bmw 328i e46 and the second a bmw m5 e39, i did burnouts and drift and never crashed or had any problem and i was 19 years old. yes bought it myself with cash earned from buying and selling cars and parts. The E39 is too easy to handle only cars easier are old M3s. Now i'm buying one again, love it already had three
Whoever offered you the car at that price is either an idiot or a very dear friend, because that was basically giving it away. You cannot find sub 100k E39 M5 for less than 12k, unless it's a 2000
I had a 2002 M5 in Lemans Blue over Extended Leather Caramel. It was such a pretty car. I loved mine, the sound was intoxicating and you were very much one with the car when driving it. I sold it due to being bored with all the power and got a JCW Mini to replace it. Someday I will be back to the 90s M car world, I hope my next daily driver will be an e36 M3.
4:05 Blackberry - wha? Oh ... it's a 7-year old video! 😂 Been watching 2023 vids lauding this car. Already had mine for over 7 years when this video came out. Still going nice! 5:30 Haha - remember when they were that cheap?!
I have an 03 540 msport, 6 speed. looks exactly like the one in the story....It's a daily driver at my Florida residence....I can't seem to part with it. I tried to several months ago--drove a 328 and 335 both x drives....told the sales man I think I drove in -in a better car.....he agreed...I have 75K on it. It looks new, still can't hear the motor run..
how long do these things last? I've seen some at 200,000 miles. I wish I could have one as a 1st car, but that's not really realistic, so much matinance
According to an article in 2000 by Motor Trend the car windowed for $70,800. I personally bought a 2003 540 ///MSport, for $59,000 window sticker. no way the M 5 was any where near 100K. Edmonds has the average price paid for a 2016, again 2016----M5 is $109K
+goma3 People that want better performance and handling. Mine looked exactly like this one in every way. And once lowered on Bilsteins she handled even better.
+Melvin Hale You won't get better percormance just by lowering a car... The whole suspension has to be perfect and the factory suspension is perfect for this car. Because BMW doesn't put M-badges on cars, where you have to put in an other suspension first to get best performance... For a smooth racetrack, Bilstein is a good choice, but for public roads or a demanding track like the Nürburgring Nordschleife there is nothing better than the factory suspension. Because the money BMW has taken to develop and optimize this chassis would have been enough to buy a whole company like Bilstein. BMW is the market leader for suspensions on their cars, because no other manufacturer has the experince and the budget that BMW has... So I'm always doing a facepalm when I hear people say that they increased the performance of there cars by just lowering them... Well, it seems that these backyard experts know it better than the engineers, technicans and testdrivers at BMW who developed and tested the whole car. :D
+4TaktRollerNeinDanke I recommend buying and installing a set of Bilstein PSS9's. The performance is noticeable. Whether daily driving or spirited, it drives and handles exceptionally well. The amount of body roll is reduced even further. This is basic stuff. Add that to upgrading from 3.15 to a 3.45 rear diff. Or getting free flowing headers. There are a myriad of tweaks you can do to this car to get the maximum performance out of it. We can argue the merits of whether _you_ think it's worthwhile to lower an M5. The _reality_ is that it does make a huge difference and it isn't entirely for looks. While you stew on that, consider BMW's longtime tuning partner: Dinan. An S3 suspension upgrade and 3.45 diff is arguably one of the best things you can do to an E39 M5 to free up weight and power. Lightened flywheel? Lighter wheels? These all make an _enormous_ difference in the way the car performs. Look around, there are performance tuners out there for a reason working on some of the most exotic and exclusive cars around to everyday grocery getters. Their job is to extract the most power and performance out of the default settings provided from the manufacturer. This includes M5's. While I think your _opinion_ is...your opinion, it isn't based on any sort of _facts_. You may not like when people lower their cars, however it doesn't mean you're right. Cheers.
+Melvin Hale Dude, I live in Bavaria near Munich and a good friend of mine was test driver at BMW for about 20 years and he tested the E36 M3 and the E39 M5. And he told me enough storys of what people tried to improve these cars... You just need to have a look of the M3s and M5s hopping around on the Nordschleife with too low and too hard suspensions and 20" rims with low profile tires. A functioning suspension also needs to absorb shocks and this is impossible when the range of the springs is too short and the dampers are too hard. And when they use low profile tires on top of this, there is nothing left that can absorb the shocks. And then they are wondering why the car starts hopping and the back starts swinging off, because due to the hopping it can't hold the contact pressure to drive a clean line. If you would read closely, I was not about to say that a lower suspension from Bilstein is shit. I was about to say that many people think they increase the performance of their cars by lowering it, often using just lower springs with stock dampers or other 300$ suspensions. You should google the BMW RingTaxi on the Nürburgring. The RingTaxis are stock M5s provided by BMW and people can buy a ticket to ride with the testdriver. So, these cars are riding one of the hardest racetracks in the world with a professional driver and fully loaded. And for this extreme purpose, they have no Bilstein, they have stock suspensions and they know why. ;) Lowering the car has a positive effect until one point, where it's getting useless or self defeating. And the M5 in factory condition is already lowered enough and there is not much room left for lowering it until the point where it is not an advantage anymore.
+4TaktRollerNeinDanke The more you type doesn't make anything you're saying right. Aftermarket, performance manufacturers, like Dinan, make it their job to produce parts that not only work day-to-day but also on the track. I'd be willing to gamble that a well sorted Dinan S3 would outperform a stock E39 M5 and still drive home safely and comfortably. Your argument further loses water when you consider the M3 CSL or the M5 Competition pack or the M4 GTS. It's proof that there _is_ room for improvement even with the modest improvements made to M cars. To say a stock M car is better for the track is...misinformed.
Love the E39, favorite BMW of all time
+Fix The Bimmer E28. Better. :)
You guys think 60,000 miles on one is too much ?
carlos gutierrez On an E39, thats low. Well, its relative to the use of those 60,000 miles now isn't it.
+carlos gutierrez not at all! Mine is at 140k and it's kicking strong!
This brings back memories of when I also had a 2000 M5 that looked identical to the review one right down to the Active Autowerke cold air intake up front! It always put a smile on my face when I drove it. Mine had a Tubi exhaust, Dinan sway bars , Ground Control coilovers and Stoptech brakes amongst the other mods I did. Had fun in the car at Mosport and Shannonville with me doing 1:40 at Mosport with an average fuel consumption at the track of 32l/100km! Good video! Thanks!
Has to be One of the greatest sport sedans of all time!
Yea I totally agree, the styling is spot on. My favorite sedan of all time. Even in 2017 it still looks sensible compared to today's great cars.
Makes me so happy that I have one and people rave over it!
For a moment there I thought this was my car! Looks and sounds exactly the same. Very thoughtful and articulate review too. Very good points relating to the design and even the steering. Cheers!
This is the top contender for Best BMW ever made.
I am a recent e39 m5 proud owner and agree with everything you said except one thing "you can pick up one under 20k all day long" 😂😂
Unfortunately those days are gone😢😢😢
4:04 I'm in tears
I have my E39 2.8 and I love it
i agree. this is the best bmw of all time.
LAWD JESUS HAVE MERCY dat sound...
"On the road or highway, there are a *few inches* of sludgy heaviness when you first dial in an input." Check the condition of your steering box man, because that ain't normal at all!
Hillarious with the cell phone holder bit LOL
M Sohail i use to put my phone there so i was like, oh shit im not the only one
The worst thing i ever did is sell my E39 M5 due to emigrating to australia.( fuckin Irish government) if you can scrape the money together buy one..... Fuck the money i always seemed to find money whenever she needed it.. DO IT before you get to die. believe everything you hear about it...
+Brendan Rainsford Fellow Irish man here who bought one and is infatuated with this car. Scraping the pennies together each month to keep her, but boy is it worth the hardship. Only reason i can keep her is i live in the UK and not in Eire where the fuckin Irish government would have me taxed off the road and into oblivion! Keep her real!
I bought my E39 M5 from someone who had emmigrated to NZ from the UK. I think he wanted to take it with him but it wasn't emissions complient.
Cheers Brendan.. I couldn't wait any longer so st 46 yo I've finally done it:()
Brendan Rainsford !
I own this exact same car and it is sublime..
I just got one this week. love it!
i bought an E39 with M-pack 3 months bevor and its still fine with 270tk! love it
GunfightersINC I'm thinking of getting one will I be drowning in pussy or?
Im very confused between this and the E46 M3 i love them very much 😍
I have one. It's a fantastic car he best I have ever owned.
Brilliant review, thanks for the effort, what a motor.
The E39 still looks so great.
A guy offered me his M5 manual with only 65k miles for $7000, too bad I just got my drivers license and my parents don't want me to have a 400hp car. :/
sean spillane they dont want u to get killed, its really not that easy to handle that kind of a car
+rejncu 😂 you're definitely right
rejncu thats not true, my first car was a bmw 328i e46 and the second a bmw m5 e39, i did burnouts and drift and never crashed or had any problem and i was 19 years old.
yes bought it myself with cash earned from buying and selling cars and parts. The E39 is too easy to handle only cars easier are old M3s. Now i'm buying one again, love it already had three
Is it still for sale at that price?
Whoever offered you the car at that price is either an idiot or a very dear friend, because that was basically giving it away. You cannot find sub 100k E39 M5 for less than 12k, unless it's a 2000
I had a 2002 M5 in Lemans Blue over Extended Leather Caramel. It was such a pretty car. I loved mine, the sound was intoxicating and you were very much one with the car when driving it. I sold it due to being bored with all the power and got a JCW Mini to replace it. Someday I will be back to the 90s M car world, I hope my next daily driver will be an e36 M3.
Old school 😍😍😍
Effortless is the correct term when describing this car.
great review. hopefully one day I could have one. Have 3 e36s now...
Love to have great car costly to repair l will get one l am looking cheers les
this car is amazing, very good review man
The person who speced this car chose PDC but didn’t choose xenon headlights? Hmmm..
4:05 Blackberry - wha? Oh ... it's a 7-year old video! 😂 Been watching 2023 vids lauding this car. Already had mine for over 7 years when this video came out. Still going nice! 5:30 Haha - remember when they were that cheap?!
I have a 1998 540i and it's fast as fuck
I have an 03 540 msport, 6 speed. looks exactly like the one in the story....It's a daily driver at my Florida residence....I can't seem to part with it. I tried to several months ago--drove a 328 and 335 both x drives....told the sales man I think I drove in -in a better car.....he agreed...I have 75K on it. It looks new, still can't hear the motor run..
Austin Oberlitner
Nice I have a 98 540i the love of my life
Tmp! I love that track!
you cant say anything about steering and suspension when the car your reviewing is basically slammed
Excellent review!!! ;-)
2:14 Dom Toretto joined the party?!
I just want one
yeap does cup holders is like you said..
how long do these things last? I've seen some at 200,000 miles. I wish I could have one as a 1st car, but that's not really realistic, so much matinance
Did you film this near Parry Sound??
What exhaust mod was done? I like the sound.
i want 1 so bad
Dude can talk!
you almost have to agree ...........boss!
20K to buy, 15K to keep it running. Still cheaper than a loaded Camry
who makes that intake?
I Love e39
Sir, what kind of watch do you have in this review?
looks like a Casio g-shock
+R W i think its a casio protrek but not sure
Lol..he just pressed the "DSC" button, boy...You're supposed to hold it down a couple of seconds xD 1:47
+Kenan D'Shredder Um, no, not in an E39 M5. It's just a simple button press.
Kenan D'Shredder 3
This is not what an M5 has to sound like... If u modify it go for an Eisemann exhaust - greetings from Germany...
2:07
The previous owners of my car gave it "plenty of stink". They were smokers. Still can't get that reek outta there!
sounds like a muscle car.
+exit07 German muscle car.
I found the like exact one with 310,000 kilometres (198,000 miles) for $6500. Lol. Didn't buy it though, I bought an Audi instead (big mistake)
An Audi over M5?????? Are you still alive?
albert7139 ahhahah 200k miles man u didnt make a mistake dont worry.
KaeL It's still good bro..My dad has 2 and they both still run cleanly
WERE ARE ALL THE COPY CATS COMING FROM? M5 OF COURSE!
I dont think the M5 was ever a 6 figure car. Fully loaded it was 72k.
@2:13 Vin diesel muscle car
you remind me of will sasso,
nice car though
found one with 102,743 miles for $11.5k
Congrats dude. That's a nice deal and an amazing car!
make sure you get a PPI. That sounds too good to be true honestly.
I don't believe that car was ever a 6 figure car.
It was in dollars definitely
According to an article in 2000 by Motor Trend the car windowed for $70,800. I personally bought a 2003 540 ///MSport, for $59,000 window sticker. no way the M 5 was any where near 100K. Edmonds has the average price paid for a 2016, again 2016----M5 is $109K
My dream car but insurance is expensive af!
Who the f lowers an E39 M5?
+goma3 People that want better performance and handling. Mine looked exactly like this one in every way. And once lowered on Bilsteins she handled even better.
+Melvin Hale You won't get better percormance just by lowering a car... The whole suspension has to be perfect and the factory suspension is perfect for this car. Because BMW doesn't put M-badges on cars, where you have to put in an other suspension first to get best performance...
For a smooth racetrack, Bilstein is a good choice, but for public roads or a demanding track like the Nürburgring Nordschleife there is nothing better than the factory suspension. Because the money BMW has taken to develop and optimize this chassis would have been enough to buy a whole company like Bilstein. BMW is the market leader for suspensions on their cars, because no other manufacturer has the experince and the budget that BMW has...
So I'm always doing a facepalm when I hear people say that they increased the performance of there cars by just lowering them... Well, it seems that these backyard experts know it better than the engineers, technicans and testdrivers at BMW who developed and tested the whole car. :D
+4TaktRollerNeinDanke I recommend buying and installing a set of Bilstein PSS9's. The performance is noticeable. Whether daily driving or spirited, it drives and handles exceptionally well. The amount of body roll is reduced even further. This is basic stuff. Add that to upgrading from 3.15 to a 3.45 rear diff. Or getting free flowing headers. There are a myriad of tweaks you can do to this car to get the maximum performance out of it. We can argue the merits of whether _you_ think it's worthwhile to lower an M5. The _reality_ is that it does make a huge difference and it isn't entirely for looks.
While you stew on that, consider BMW's longtime tuning partner: Dinan. An S3 suspension upgrade and 3.45 diff is arguably one of the best things you can do to an E39 M5 to free up weight and power. Lightened flywheel? Lighter wheels? These all make an _enormous_ difference in the way the car performs.
Look around, there are performance tuners out there for a reason working on some of the most exotic and exclusive cars around to everyday grocery getters. Their job is to extract the most power and performance out of the default settings provided from the manufacturer. This includes M5's.
While I think your _opinion_ is...your opinion, it isn't based on any sort of _facts_. You may not like when people lower their cars, however it doesn't mean you're right. Cheers.
+Melvin Hale Dude, I live in Bavaria near Munich and a good friend of mine was test driver at BMW for about 20 years and he tested the E36 M3 and the E39 M5. And he told me enough storys of what people tried to improve these cars... You just need to have a look of the M3s and M5s hopping around on the Nordschleife with too low and too hard suspensions and 20" rims with low profile tires.
A functioning suspension also needs to absorb shocks and this is impossible when the range of the springs is too short and the dampers are too hard. And when they use low profile tires on top of this, there is nothing left that can absorb the shocks. And then they are wondering why the car starts hopping and the back starts swinging off, because due to the hopping it can't hold the contact pressure to drive a clean line.
If you would read closely, I was not about to say that a lower suspension from Bilstein is shit. I was about to say that many people think they increase the performance of their cars by lowering it, often using just lower springs with stock dampers or other 300$ suspensions. You should google the BMW RingTaxi on the Nürburgring. The RingTaxis are stock M5s provided by BMW and people can buy a ticket to ride with the testdriver. So, these cars are riding one of the hardest racetracks in the world with a professional driver and fully loaded. And for this extreme purpose, they have no Bilstein, they have stock suspensions and they know why. ;) Lowering the car has a positive effect until one point, where it's getting useless or self defeating. And the M5 in factory condition is already lowered enough and there is not much room left for lowering it until the point where it is not an advantage anymore.
+4TaktRollerNeinDanke The more you type doesn't make anything you're saying right. Aftermarket, performance manufacturers, like Dinan, make it their job to produce parts that not only work day-to-day but also on the track. I'd be willing to gamble that a well sorted Dinan S3 would outperform a stock E39 M5 and still drive home safely and comfortably. Your argument further loses water when you consider the M3 CSL or the M5 Competition pack or the M4 GTS. It's proof that there _is_ room for improvement even with the modest improvements made to M cars. To say a stock M car is better for the track is...misinformed.
talk too much man
Ram Tam it’s a review, what do you expect fool
Excellent review, interesting and informative......NICE!