Yahoo Autos Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a BMW E39 M5
Many enthusiasts consider the E39-generation BMW M5 the best-driving four-door ever built. Its mix of simple Nineties tech, driving purity, and a world-class drivetrain paired to understated looks make it the go-to for someone looking for a perfect all-rounder. Best of all, E39 M5s are surprisingly affordable, meaning pretty much anybody with the need for speed (and a usable back seat) can have one.
In the market? Here’s how to find the perfect example.
A V-8 Super-Sedan Is Born
BMW introduced the E39 M5 at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1998, putting the car into production seven months later. Based on the standard 5-Series of the era, it was the first M-badged car to use a V-8 engine. Wider, longer, taller, heavier, and faster than its predecessor, the E34, it could hit 60 in under five seconds and topped out at an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Unrestricted, it could surpass 185.
The heart of the E39 M5 is a 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V-8 dubbed the S62. An evolution of the M62 engine found in the 540i, it made 394 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm when new. That’s thanks to things like an increased compression ratio, modified cylinder heads, a free-flowing exhaust, a dry-sump lubrication system, a higher-capacity water pump, and hollow camshafts. There’s also two VANOS (a German acronym for variable nockenwellen steuerung) modules attached to the front of the engine that use oil pressure to adjust cam timing on both the intake and exhaust sides. Power is fed to the rear wheels through a Getrag 420G six-speed manual to a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Changes made to the M5’s exterior over the normal E39 are subtle. The easiest things to spot are the M5-specific style 65 18-inch gunmetal wheels and the quad-exit exhaust pipes out back. Smaller things, like the chrome-surround kidney grilles, body color-painted lip spoiler, model-specific side mirrors, enlarged front grille, and M5 door badges are harder to pick out from a distance. The interior is a bit easier to differentiate, with M5-specific seats, a bespoke M-badged steering wheel, gauges, footrest, light-up shift knob, and sill plates.
Underneath, the M5 shares much of its suspension architecture with other V-8-powered E39s, with the heavy use of aluminum. M-specific upgrades include spring rates, bespoke shock valving, thicker sway bars, heavy-duty bushings, unique wheel bearings up front, E39 Touring lower rear control arms, and the rear integral link from a 750iL.
BMW gave the E39 M5 a mid-cycle refresh for the 2001 model year that included a host of minor changes, mostly cosmetic. Outside, the headlights and taillight designs were updated, and parking sensors were added to the front bumper (in pre-facelift cars, they were only in the rear). Inside, refreshed cars got the steering wheel from the E46 M3, grey instrument faces, a larger infotainment screen, and rear head protection airbags.
How Do I Know Which One Is Right for Me?
Unlike the E34 that preceded it, the E39 M5 only came in one body style: four-door sedan. It also only ever came with one choice of drivetrain. Moreover, North American-spec M5s came highly optioned from the factory, with Xenon headlights, heated front seats, climate control, navigation, and leather upholstery. So finding the right car will heavily depend on your color combo preferences, and whether you’d like to have a facelifted car over an early model.
A side-note: If you’re not okay with three pedals and a shifter, it’s best you stop reading now. No version of the E39 M5 came with an automatic transmission. That didn’t come until its successor, the E60, with its SMG paddle-shifted gearbox.
Of course, the type of M5 you can buy heavily depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Colors, interior trims, and whether the car is a facelifted example all have big effects on value. That stuff, on top of mileage and maintenance performed, means E39 M5 prices can range from $8000 all the way to $176,000.
Rare colors like Imola Red, Carbon Black Metallic, Le Mans Blue metallic, Alpine White, and Oxford Green metallic demand a premium. Basically, if your heart is set on something other than silver or black, be prepared to spend more. Similarly, any interior trim other than the standard Black Nappa leather will mean more money up front. If owning a facelifted car is a must, expect to hand over $2000-3000 more than you would for a pre-facelift example.
What About Maintenance?
Early E39 M5s are now over 20 years old, and like all old German cars, they have their fair share of mechanical issues you should be mindful of.
While the S62 V-8 isn’t as prone to eating rod bearings as its V-10 successor, there are other things to worry about. Mounted to the front of the engine are plastic timing chain guides that wear over time. If left untreated, they can cause serious damage. Those two VANOS modules I mentioned earlier? There are seals inside that tend to go bad, which will generate a check engine light and a loss in power. Other things to be mindful of under the hood include failing valve cover gaskets and carbon buildup inside the combustion chambers.
Chassis-wise, it’s a good idea to take a look at the suspension bushings and ball joints for excessive wear. Most of them will go bad as cars approach higher mileage, and should be replaced. On cars from areas where salt is used in the winter, it’s not uncommon to see rust developing on the rocker panels, exhaust, and trunk area.
Our recommendation? Take out all the guesswork and crawling on the ground, and bring it to a good shop—preferably one that knows BMWs—for a pre-purchase inspection. It won’t be more than a few hundred bucks, and it’ll give you all the information you want to know.
Is There a Community I Can Rely On?
Thankfully, BMW sold nearly 10,000 E39 M5s in the U.S. alone, meaning there’s a strong enthusiast base perfect for finding resources. There are plenty of forums and groups online to choose from, each full of future, present, and past owners with all the information on common issues, DIYs, and pricing you could ever want.
As far as clubs and activities go, you have a lot to choose from. The BMW Car Club of America has factions across the nation, most of which run their own autocross, track day, and race weekend schedules. Annual nationwide gatherings such as Bimmerfest allow you to meet other owners and make like-minded friends.
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