M5 Wheeler Dealers: BMW E39 M5

[Cashmere]

Great episode! Will make you want to go and buy one right now.

 

[Centurion]

Fantastic. I just watched the entire episode and yeah, I am lusting for an E39 M5 too. They gave it an amazing lift for not too much money. However one needs to afford a high ceiling garage the size of a living room and amazing tools to be able to do the work they did. Hopefully once I have moved out of London, which is unlikely for now, to settle somewhere green a decent sized garge would be great for carrying out home repairs on hobby cars that are not possessed by electronics.

 

[K-A]

This is the kind of stuff I like to see, after all the redundant and more unrealistic "test and gauge cars that are brand new fresh and have no miles on them" reviews. These reviews are great because they allow you to truly get up and personal with the cars.

The E39 is still BMW's flagship Sedan. I try and tell myself why I am finding reasons to not buy an E39 M5 for such ludicrously low prices.

.... I mean, even a late model E39 530i with M-Sport Package would do....

 

[klier]

The E39 is still BMW's flagship Sedan.

Yeah, and the 300 SL still is MB's flagship coupe. LOL, the madness!
Either way, on topic, Wheeler Dealers is a fantastic show. I will without a doubt watch this E39 M5 episode at work later today.

.... I mean, even a late model E39 530i with M-Sport Package would do....

Agreed with this. I am looking for an E39 5er Facelift Touring myself. A 520d would be just perfect.

 

[K-A]

Actually the 300SL is M-B's flagship Coupe.

So much so that their current flagship coupe is a pastiche of it.

The E39 has yet to be topped in terms of execution, balance, and importance during its respective time period by BMW. Also, I think it looks better than any post Bangle works.

 

[Makini]

Ed China IS Wheeler Dealers. A great watch.

 

[klier]

The E39 has yet to be topped in terms of execution, balance, and importance during its respective time period by BMW.

F30, imo.
You don't like the looks, but in terms of your other points, I'd say the F30 equals it.

And I don't disagree with this statement, per say. E39 is one of the BMW legends as far as I am concerned.
One thing is for sure though: interior quality E39 > F30.

 

[K-A]

The F30 is the soul-equivalent I do also think. The E39 was so impressive because it was so elegant and luxurious, yet also fun and "sporty". I think the F30 has the technical prowess that the E39 had, though obviously the interior appointments are purposefully less "mature" (as you pointed out regarding interiors, no contest). I don't necessarily dislike the F30's looks by any means for the record, it's just really "meh" to me personally.

The E39 was always something that I just loved to look at, and had/has so much effortless presence. I think when super clean and equipped right, it still looks fresh. One big reason is due to smooth and lean it is. It's a definite hall of fame-r already.

I used to sneak my Mom's out when she wasn't around. I felt damn cool in that thing.

.... All this reminiscing is reminding me that in actuality, the 5-Series is a much bigger part of my personal history than the E-Class. In fact, aside from the W211, my family never had an earlier model E-Class as far as I remember (several S's within the general family though). I've been around 5ers my whole life. In fact, I passed my driving test in an E34, and I was driving an E60 when i bought my first (W220) Benz.

 

[ateekt]

Great episode! Will make you want to go and buy one right now.

I always wanted to do so. Ever since I first saw it like 10 years ago! All those years & still a beauty. What a perfect balance on wheels!

 

[Tumbo]

One of my all time favorite BMWs!

 

[Mr. M]

This is like a huge nudge off sitting on the fence...

Can't imagine fuel consumption from that huge V8 though - you could probably pay the price of the car in fuel in less than 5 years.

 

[Mr Robert]

Yeah, and the 300 SL still is MB's flagship coupe. LOL, the madness!

From my point-of-view, the e39 is the best 5-series to date. But then again, I'm an old fart with old fart's views.

 

[klier]

Can't really say I disagree. The F10 comes fairly close, but it's too heavy.

 

[Centurion]

Can't imagine fuel consumption from that huge V8 though - you could probably pay the price of the car in fuel in less than 5 years.

That's why sports cars are high maintenance. Although program's like these might tempt you to nab an M5 for just under £6000 the harsh reality is that you would need to set aside 50-100% of the car's price for fuel, insurance, service, replacement parts and fuel - for the first year that is.

Wannabe ballers can today buy a Bentley Continental GT from 2004 for about £37,000 which is a third of the price of a brand new model. I wouldn't even want to ask how much a Bentley alternator, let alone gearbox cost! Is not like scrapyards are brimmed with junky Bentleys waiting to be gutted for spare parts.

 

[Mr Robert]

You sure have a nice pond to fish from in the 10k fishing game (and the CGT:s are about half the price compared to here) but tax and insurance is, to be fair, cheap here... and I guess that's why cars are dear.

 

[Centurion]

^^
The car market is massive here too. The availability of used cars is vast, so it's buyers market. Insurance is all dependant on where you live just like all other expenses. Renting a spacious one bedroom flat in central Nottingham is £500 per month versus £14000 per month in central London.

 

[SKY]

klier, the E39 520d lacks power. We had a 523i and it lacked power. You need at least a 528i or a 530d. IMO of course.

 

[K-A]

Can't really say I disagree. The F10 comes fairly close, but it's too heavy.

Exactly my thoughts. It gets damn close, but the one factor that's missing that is the E39's calling card is lean/thinness.

 

[Cashmere]

I will without a doubt watch this E39 M5 episode at work later today.

Generous boss if he/she lets you watch a 45min episode at work

I am looking for an E39 5er Facelift Touring myself. A 520d would be just perfect.

What happened to the E30 M3?

 

[Mr. M]

That's why sports cars are high maintenance. Although program's like these might tempt you to nab an M5 for just under £6000 the harsh reality is that you would need to set aside 50-100% of the car's price for fuel, insurance, service, replacement parts and fuel - for the first year that is.

Wannabe ballers can today buy a Bentley Continental GT from 2004 for about £37,000 which is a third of the price of a brand new model. I wouldn't even want to ask how much a Bentley alternator, let alone gearbox cost! Is not like scrapyards are brimmed with junky Bentleys waiting to be gutted for spare parts.

Yeah, although at 100% premium for everything else (which makes 200%) it all adds up to a great proposition. Okay I have to be realistic, 23 years old and 400bhp is always going to be a recipe for happy insurers anywhere in the world... Just have to accept it I guess!

I am so, so tempted. I don't think the standard E46 M3 can match the greatness of this car - a CS or CSL would be needed for it to be a toss up.