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BMW E39 M5

Mileage: 152,579 Top Speed: 155 Year: 1999 0 - 60: 5.3 MOT Expiry: August 2014 BHP: 400 Tax Expiry: Expired Transmission: 6 Speed Manual Exterior Colour: Carbon Black Engine Capacity: 4941cc Interior Colour: Caramel Heritage Leather Engine Configuration: V8

BMW E39 M5 | £16,995

Mileage: 152,579

Model History

By the time the E39 M5 arrived the M5 genre had already been well and truly established by its E28 and E34 forefathers - each generation established and pushed the bar higher as the ultimate super saloon. The E39 had a tough act to follow but dubbed by the press at the time as the 'Best car in the world' it wasn't surprising that it lived up to the expectations.

 

BMW took time perfecting this new machine and it was not unveiled at the Motor Show until 1998 with full scale production started later that year. The car was manufactured at Dingolfing on the main 5 series production line which allowed the car to be made in much larger numbers - 7895 LHD European spec cars, 9992 LHD US spec and 2595 RHD examples were produced.

 

The two previous M5's both came in straight six format but BMW broke the mold with the E39 and the first V8 powered M car was born with a stonking 400bhp at 6600rpm. It was based on the M62 unit from the 540i and was named the S62 and extensively revised for its M application.

 

Capacity was increased to 4941cc, compression was upped to 11.0:1 and electronically controlled throttle bodies were fitted to each cylinder. There was also a double Vanos variable valve timing system on both the intake and exhaust cams, modified cylinder heads, oil-cooled pistons, a coolant to oil heat exchanger, hollow camshafts, a dual air induction system and a high capacity water pump. The M5 engine now packed a hefty punch of power but its main trump card was its flexibility - a decent 369lb ft of torque was available all the way from 3800-5000rpm.

 

The V8 was mated to a Getrag Type D six-speed gearbox with a 25% limited slip differential. Handling was improved with shorter rated springs, upgraded shock absorbers and thicker anti-roll bars front and rear as well as steel ball joints in the place of rubber rear suspension bushes. The steering ratio was reduced and Servotronic assistance meant the steering became heavier as the speed increased. The M driving Dynamics (sport) button also made the steering heavier and significantly sharpened the throttle response.

 

As with all M5's some external changes were made but in a subtle and understated way. There were a set of tasty 18" chrome shadow alloys, slightly larger kidney grills, new front and rear bumpers, 4 polished exhaust tail pipes, bespoke electric folding mirrors, some M badges on the side trims and to finish the package a subtle body coloured boot-lip spoiler.

 

The car was £60,000 new which could easily be increased to £70,000 if you ticked all the option boxes! Despite the high price the car got lashings of praise from the motoring press with particular attention to the engine and handling. BMW had done it again creating the ultimate sports saloon.

Equipment

Glass sunroof, Wide screen satellite navigation, Double glazing, Heated seats, Iphone connectivity, Heritage leather, Xenon lights

Exterior

This very fortunate M5 has been treated to the most amazing refurbishment program at Sytner BMW. The current owner purchased the car from us two years ago as he was looking for a straight car in this striking combination of Carbon black with the caramel Heritage leather. He has since brought the car up to an as new condition. The whole car has been repainted at Sytner with replacement front wings, the car has then been fully rebuild with all new rubber and plastic trims, facelift factory lights, new badges and a new windscreen. All parts are factory BMW and the finished result is a time warp car that looks like it should be on a BMW forecourt.

Interior

The cockpit really is a special place to be with the beautifully stitched caramel Heritage leather, piano black trim and alcantera headlining. Again everything has been done to bring the condition of the interior back to the standard of a new car. Any trim item showing any wear has been replaced, all of the driver's seat, steering wheel, gear knob, hand brake and centre consol leather is new, even the roof lining has been fully re-trimmed in soft black alacantera. It really is stunning and everything looks factory fresh. As you would expect from a car of this quality everything works exactly as it should.

Engine & Transmission

The engine bay on this E39 is truly mind blowing as everything looks new, not overly cleaned and dressed but factory fresh! In the strive for perfection the current owner has had the top of the engine rebuilt and has had every item showing any wear replaced. Sytner BMW in Birmingham carried all of the work out, and there is a signed build plaque under the bonnet from the tech Paul Carpenter. The cost of this work was in excess of £10k.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

All of the alloys have been refurbished in the correct shadow line finish, have new nuts and badges and are shod in a nearly new set of Michelin tyres. Most of the braking and suspension components are again replaced with genuine BMW parts and looking through the spokes of the wheels gives the appearance of a brand new car.

History File

The original service book is fully stamped with 13 entries, the last being the Inspection 1 service done at BMW Rybrook in April 2014 at 151,561 miles.

In the last two years the owner has completed this staggering refurbishment and there is a truly eye-watering file of bills from BMW totalling in excess of £35k. Even both keys are new!