Even after 24 years since the release of the E39 M5, it is still regarded as one of the best M5’s that BMW ever made. You really don’t need a faster family saloon than this.
In recent years the E39 has seen a steady increase in price, and it looks like that isn’t going to slow down any time soon given the high and increasing demand for ageing performance cars that have stood in the spotlight for most of their lives.
The E39 is a prime example of that - setting the standard that M-cars continue to live up to. Powered by the 4.9 litre V8 that laid waste to the opposition of the time, it is still, by today's standards, exceedingly quick.
To some, this car is a hero of the early performance saloons, and who doesn’t want to meet their heroes? It’s an exciting experience we don’t think you should ever pass up on.
As a high miler, some people may be off put - but rest assured this car could put some modern cars to shame with how well it’s been cared for over the years.
17 service stamps and a nice binder full of invoices to cover work done previously - as well as a brand new (yep, you read that right) key for the car directly from Douglas Park BMW.
Any BMW fanatic will know that these E39’s suffered badly from jacking point failures - which the current owner has rectified and had them professionally restored - he tells us he has before and after pictures of the process if a new custodian wishes to see them. To our understanding, this is a big job, so it’s invaluable to a potential new owner.
The ECU was reprogrammed by ECUTesting in Derby at the cost of £259, and the thermostat was replaced in October 2021 at the cost of £229.
Black and Silverstone two-tone leather (Very rare!)
Electric glass sunroof
In-car telephone (GSM)
Professional NAV system with onboard TV
Anthracite alcantara roof lining
M-Sport multifunction wheel
Like any high-end BMW, you’re surrounded by leather and black soft-touch plastics, with the addition of the stunning anthracite alcantara headliner you’re constantly reminded you’re sitting in something special.
The M-Sport steering wheel is still in good condition with its M coloured stitching all still intact and with all the multifunction buttons still operating as they should.
As you push the key into the patinated ignition barrel and turn the key, the car roars to life and the gauge cluster greets you with no unwelcoming errors or warnings.
The two-tone leather heated seats are in fantastic condition given the age and the ongoing use that they’ve seen, with only the sheen and light creasing exhibiting the use of them - there are no tears or apparent damage here.
The central armrest houses the BMW telephone which can be ejected at the touch of a button, and shows surprisingly little signs of use aside from the screen being ever so slightly damaged around the edges, which looks like delamination and has no effect on the actual function.
The armrest itself is nicely kept with the exception of some scratches on the plastic portion to the front of it. Moving down to the centre console, the gear shifter is well presented and the leather covered sides of the console are in good condition also!
All of the functional buttons and switches still work flawlessly as they should, too. It’s worth mentioning that the front passenger side door card does exhibit some signs of wear and tear around the handle area, however the window switch and function of the handle is not affected whatsoever.
The rear seats in the vehicle don’t appear to have seen much use at all, there is no damage here in terms of rips or tears which is lovely to see, just the usual sheen and the odd light scratch mark.
The door cards and floor mats are still outstanding too! There are multimedia screens in the rear of the front headrests which can be used as passengers please, too, which is an amazing feature to have!
Silverstone metallic blue is among one of the best, and seemingly among the rarer colours for E39 M5’s!
According to some outside sources it would seem that only around 4% of the cars manufactured were specified in this body colour, and that number drops again significantly when you take into consideration the interior trim specifications too.
The bodywork on this example is great for its age and mileage, at the front of the vehicle there are of course some of the usual stone chips as to be expected of any vehicle, but aside from that it’s very pleasant to look at.
The headlights are in great shape with no clouding or cracks, and all of the panels line up beautifully thanks to this car being largely untouched for all of its life.
The front wings don’t suffer from rust like you usually see either. Moving around to the side, you see the stunning Style 65 OEM wheels which have very recently been professionally refurbished to match the OEM shadow chrome - and they really set the car off.
All four doors are in great shape and open and close with ease, the rear passenger side does creak ever so slightly when open to a certain degree, but it’s such a minor thing to pick up on it’s easy to ignore.
To the rear of the car you’re introduced with the aggressive four exhaust pipes and the distinguished M5 badge, which lets you know you’re in the presence of a road-going rocketship.
There are some small blemishes back here such as a small area on the passenger side of the rear bumper where it looks like an incorrectly coloured touch up repair, and also a small scuff on the corner of the bumper too along with the odd stone chip.
Thrilling… That’s one way to describe it. From the moment you step in and turn the key, you know you’re in for a treat as you hear that glorious V8 fire to life and grumble through the cold-start without so much as a hiccup.
The owner has removed the rear back boxes to really let the V8 bark when you want it to - the noise is blissful and unmistakable.
Driving the car is as you’d expect, smooth and refined, and powerful and raw when you want it to be, it really could put a lot of modern performance cars to shame, and it’s quite easy to see why it retains the praise of one of the best M5’s built to date.
Throughout the current owner's possession, the car has undergone a fair amount of maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape to continue his enjoyment. Services were always kept on top of and any mechanical repairs needed, had been done with no regard to cost.
All four jacking points were restored as that’s a common issue with E39’s, the ECU was reprogrammed after causing issues, new drop links, roll bar bushes and brackets, mass air flow sensor and thermostat were all replaced too.
This generation of M5 will absolutely go down in the history books, even with today's market being so broad with choice, you’ll be hard pushed to find a car with this performance and pedigree without breaking into supercar territory.
Well sorted E39’s are becoming increasingly more difficult to come by, and this example being as well cared for as it has been should be enough to get any BMW enthusiast itching to get their hands on it.
This may become a fantastic investment, or an even better weekend car to enjoy!
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