If you are a BMW enthusiast you may already know the E39-gen BMW M5, for the uninitiated the E39 BMW M5 was the first M5 model to sport a V8 engine. The naturally aspirated unit is revered by many petrol heads and a good example of the BMW M5 (E39) even today can fetch around USD 50,000. If sources are to be believed, a BMW M5 (E39) in pristine condition can even draw forth USD 150,000 to 180,000 at an auction, which is more than double its sticker price of USD 75,000.
So why is the E39 BMW M5 worth the top dollar and why do enthusiast spend so much money on it? Well, the reasons are highly subjective. But, the E39 BMW M5 is considered one of the best sports sedans ever produced and the generation is revered for its timeless composition which will definitely make every petrolheads heart tick.
Another reason is its technology packed powerplant. The E39 BMW M5 is powered by a high-performance S62B50-series 4.9-litre V-8-Cylinder engine that punches out 400 PS of power and 500 Nm of torque. The 90-degree V8 featured an aluminium head and block and was the first V8 to get double-VANOS (variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts).
BMW S62B50 4.9-litre 90° V8
The engine could propel the E39 M5 from a standstill to 100 kmph in less than 5 seconds, depending on the driver’s skill with the manual transmission. The car came with an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph, but unrestricted test models have reached speeds greater than 300 kmph.
The E39 M5 also features Xenon headlamps, M-specific alloy wheels, an uncluttered dashboard with a satin silver embellishment on its fascia, multifunction M leather sports steering wheel, BMW Navigation Professional, automatic climate control, cruise control, analogue instrumentation with digital LCD multi-information display, a large boot space, multi-speaker Hi-Fi audio system and a driver-oriented dashboard, to name a few.
2001 BMW M5 (E39)
While the E39 BMW M5 will turn heads all the way even in the future, the only thing you should look out for is the CEL (Check Engine Light).