by "RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
Published 06/02/2017 at 14:30
by "RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
Published 06/02/2017 at 14:30
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STARS: 8
Don’t worry, it’s not a Doug Demuro video. Our own Michael Thompson spends time in an E39 BMW M5 and explains why he thinks it’s worth every penny of $20,000 and then some.
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Let’s get this out of the way: When you buy a car that cost $74,874 in the year 2000 for under $20,000 in 2017, it is going to be expensive to repair. You begin to care slightly less about the double-VANOS variable-valve-timing units failing when that car is one of the best performance sedans ever built.
This past weekend I had the great opportunity to drive my friend John’s 2002 BMW M5. He purchased the car from the second owner with 103,000 miles and has put 17,000 miles on his M5 in the past two years. It has been relatively trouble free during his ownership (which is rare): he’s replaced the fuel pump, rear differential, and stock coilovers. Here’s the kicker – it doesn’t leak a drop of oil (John attests that to a proper engine break-in by the first owner). The color is “carbon black,” a beautiful deep black with hints of blue and purple and metallic flakes. He loves his M5 and says he is never letting it go. After driving it, I understand why.
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The M5 was the fastest sedan when it was new because of the 4.9-liter V8 engine that produced 394 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. To the Bimmer Nerds, that engine code is known as the S62. An engine only found in the e39 M5 and BMW Z8, although it does share the same block as the M62 engine (built from 1994-2005). It is a high revving, silky smooth, torquey V8 that is unlike any other engine that I have driven. The S62 engine uses 10w-60 oil, which looks like honey and is not cheap to replace – but luckily doesn’t burn oil like a Mazda RX-8.
The S62 engine is what the e39 M5 is most famous for and I now understand why. Most of today’s engines are turbocharged to try and mimic V8 characteristics – the M5’s engine is the definition of refined power. It pulls strongly from 2,000 RPM to the 7,000 RPM redline. In every gear there was torque available and I was never without enough passing power. The e39 M5 will pin you to your seat when you mash the throttle. I like to say I had perma-grin the entire time I was driving. There is even a special little “sport” button that improves throttle response and steering feel – I recommend always leaving it in sport mode, that is if you like to have a good time.
The M5 puts the power down without any drama through its 18×9.5 rear tires and grips the road with smaller 18×8.5 front wheels. This car was wearing Continental DWS Extreme Contact 265/35/18 tires on the rear and 235/35/18’s on the front wheels. The engine impressed me and I understand why there is no replacement for displacement these days. Once robots take over driving , the M5 will surely not be the reason why humans don’t like driving anymore.
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Classic. Beautiful. Elegant. Sophisticated. Refined. These were a few of the words that came to mind when I saw the e39 M5 for the first time. Dare I say it has perfect proportions? It will never go out of style and that’s why it will only go up in value. My friend bought his for a good price and he will probably make some money if he ever sells it. We had the rare chance to park it next to the e60 M5 and that car already looks dated – no wonder you can pick one up for super cheap.
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When the M5 debuted in 2000, it dominated every Car and Driver comparison. It was hailed as the fastest production sedan on the planet. The E39 M5 was a built for the New Jersey pharmaceutical executive who still wanted an enthusiast car but made a shit-ton-of-money. The interior is oozing money – rich wood and soft leather everywhere. All the touch points are perfect and it makes drivers feel like one day they too can be rich. Once you step inside the BMW M5, you feel like an executive. The dash is covered in beautiful wood, soft leather coats the seats and there is even an Alcantara headliner. You understand why this car cost $74,000 in the early 2000s. It is a premium car that still has a premium feel today.
The E39 M5 was first in the market at the same time you could buy a Dodge Neon at a dealership – so it was considered a larger sedan. But in today’s automotive market it’s a PERFECT size. When you drive it, it doesn’t feel too big and you always know where all four tires are at all times. The back seats are huge and there’s plenty of room. And you can fit three sets of golf clubs in the trunk – what every pharmaceutical executive wants and needs.
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If you have the means to do so – Yes. Prices have been climbing back up for the past couple years and there is no sign of slowing down. Neither BMW nor any other manufacturer will never build another car like this. Some say the Chevrolet SS is a modern day e39 M5, but that’s alternative facts. The M5 is in a class of its own.
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"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
06/02/2017 at 14:48, STARS: 0
One day hopefully.
"A pogo-stick, obviously." (grrck)
06/02/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 1
Hardly had to even read the whole thing, the E39 M5 is one of the greatest BMW’s ever made.
I had the pleasure of driving one years ago (just for one day) and it was the closest thing to the perfect car I had ever experienced. Plenty of room and comfort, power that never vanished, and handling characteristics closer to a car with two less doors and half a ton lighter.
"RacingShark" (racingshark)
06/02/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 0
How can you talk about the S62 and not show a picture of it without the plastic intake over removed? I’d post one but I can’t figure out Kinja.
"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
06/02/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 1
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
06/02/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 0
I drove a clean E39 M5 and walked away unimpressed.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a nice car. But it wasn’t particularly special in any way. Acceleration was just OK. Low 13's aren’t bad, but they aren’t special either.
I did not like the steering feel. Maybe it was just me being unfamiliar with the recirculating ball, but I didn’t like it. Maybe the car I drove needed maintenance, but it seemed to be a very well maintained example.
The steering feel alone would be enough for me to recommend that people look elsewhere.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
06/02/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
“We had the rare chance to park it next to the e60 M5 and that car already looks dated – no wonder you can pick one up for super cheap.”
That’s not why the E60 is so cheap...
"Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever" (superchan7)
06/02/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 0
The car looks timeless. Definitely a future classic.
"Berang" (berang)
06/02/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 0
It’s no Saab, but it might do for some people.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
06/02/2017 at 20:33, STARS: 0
Haven’t had the opportunity, but my E39 540i manual is a sublime daily. Would be a very strong contender for the hallowed “If I could only own one car” spot.
"OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
06/02/2017 at 20:55, STARS: 0
If I could afford the maintenance I’d own one in a heartbeat. It’s nearly the perfect sedan.
"MovieBizMan" (scrum-meister)
05/26/2018 at 08:10, STARS: 0
Wow really? Then you haven’t spent time in an F10 M5. I have both an E39 and an F10 M5. I wanted to get rid of the E39 but my wife still likes it as an everyday car while she stores her undriven $97,000 2016 F10 550i M in our three car garage. I’m rather embarrassed to be seen in it. (ours is a 2003 and only has 55k miles on it because we own 6 cars). Don’t get me wrong it still has the classic Bmer look but i’m into technology so my suede liner, gadgetry, massaging climate controlled seats and Bang and Olufsen in my 560 hp 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 F10 M5 with DCT tranny towers over my E39 that was once the more bang for your buck over the V10 Aston Martin Vantage .... but this is in the past, leave it where it was. BTW My wife and I each skipped the E60 generation I agree those look dated and we hated that style from the getgo.
"Chamberlin" (joeancona)
08/25/2018 at 13:10, STARS: 0
$20k is just the entry fee into a *decent* M5 driver. Beaters are usually $10k-$12k. Low mileage examples are $35k-$80k.....a nd then there’s this one: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a22747257/brand-new-2002-bmw-m5-e39-for-sale/
"pizzaman09" (pizzaman09)
02/02/2019 at 11:07, STARS: 0
I daily drove an 02 M5 for three years, a stunning LeMans Blue over Caramel extended leather. It was a near perfect car, solid, fast, classy, sporty. It really is where Bmw peaked in all categories and brought the perfect package together. I used mine for everything, autocross, daily commuting in heavy snow, transporting customers around, it did everything well.
Maintenance was steep but it wasn’t the normal BMW problems. The cooling system was bullet proof so were the engine mechanicals. However the engine sensors, like MAFs, o2s, cam position sensors, all needed refreshed more regularly than your average car. Also I spent considerable money on tires and forever sorting out shifting issues. Turned out to be a bad throw out bearing shaft.
I would highly recommend owning one but be aware that they can be spendy if you want a perfect sorted one all the time.