What it's Like To Drive a Better-Than-New BMW E39 M5 - One Take

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The BMW E39 M5 was, at the time of its release in 2000, the most significant sport sedan development in a decade at least. With a 400-horsepower V8, a beautifully balanced chassis with precise, hydraulic steering, and a 6-speed manual as the only transmission option, it was poised for success. M5's have grown faster and easier to drive (automatic) since then, but, frankly, not any better, and the E39 was a high water mark that has yet to be topped by the Bavarians. High maintenance costs plagued the used market, and many examples fell into disrepair. Others were kept minty fresh, or restored. This Alpine White 2003 model is the best-of-the-best, with only 28,000 original miles AND two trips through the pricey Enthusiast Auto Group for freshening. But if you had to ask me whether I'd rather spend $100k on a mint E39 M5 in a rare color, or on a brand new M3 CS? I'll have the E39, and after you see this video, you'll get why.

Paul Zuckerman of the Spike's Car Radio Podcast provided the vehicle and insurance for this review.
Listen to his appearance on the TST Podcast here!:

Listen to EAG's Eric Keller on The Smoking Tire Podcast Here!

[tolyoz]

When the manual was a only option transmission. Great old times

[ScramJamJohnson]

That generation of M5 is the ULTIMATE "My Friends' Dads car"

[dlee]

“It’s so mint this brushed metal is not scratched up at all.” as cameraman pans across a big ass scratch.

[louisburley]

"That was an ugly shift and I'm sorry" -me in city traffic to all my passengers LOL

[TedwardDrives]

Glad to see the e39 getting some love. When I bought mine, people couldn't give them away. Thankfully I kept it!

[ESource]

LOVED the review, Matt! I've had my E39 M5 for (almost) 10 years now. 210, 000 miles. I even started a whole YouTube channel about it, E39Source. :D

[Mcboernester]

This made me tear up a little. I owned a black e39m5 roughly 12 years back with an Eisenmann Exhaust. The chrome shadow wheels and the downshift sound brings back tons of memories. One of the best BMWs every produced :)

[JaredR]

I love how Paul has a Boston accent: “Make sure you put sport mode on. Take off traction.” 😂

[marktolsma]

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 introduced me to this car back in the day. Ahhh memories.

[GlennsCarCollection]

I grew up on American cars, Camaros, Mustangs and then Corvettes. The first German car I ever drove was an E39 M5, and I was like WOW, this is what a German V8 is like, and it’s been German cars ever since. 7 BMW M cars later I am still hooked.

[derbigpr]

I've always claimed, and always will, that the E39 5 series, in any variant, is the best car ever made. As an overall package. There are cars that do certain things objectively better, but no car has the same amount of balance and just a sense of every little detail about it being perfect. There are things about that COULD be better, but there's nothing about it that's bad or negative, or out of place. If I had to pick "A CAR" to represent all cars ever made, it would be an E39, don't care if it's a 170hp 520i or an M5.

[stevenotto]

I get it man. I have an 02 E39 miles that I bought 6 months ago from EAG. No car puts a smile on my face like this car. It's just an incredible driving experience.

[garagers]

You’re so spot-on about the driving experience with regard to older cars. There’s no denying current-era cars make tons of power.

But the trade off of huge weight (can never tune that out), all the nannies, disconnected, although shift faster autos, and pure lack of driving feel, just make the older cars better for an actual driving/racing enthusiast.

Almost no one is driving cars to their max potential. Nor are they breaking records everywhere they go because their auto can “oUt sHifT a HuMaN”. Who cares?

People who are obsessed with numbers on paper, think manual is outdated and slow, will never experience the joys of driving.

Sad for them, that they have developed such a weird disdain for cars that aren’t computers with a wheel.

[harrison]

every clapped out E39 M5 on Craigslist just shot up to $20k.

[DocumentaryHub]

All bmw's with a 6 cilinder and up from that era drive beautifully.

[JaimeMacDonald]

My high mileage E39 M5 has been the most fun I have had in a car in a long time. Everything is so mechanical and deliberate. Great video!

[MrPizzaman]

You should of mentioned the instaneous throttle response from the 8 ITB's. There is no car in history that is better.

I owned one for 48k miles and I loved driving it in all situations.

[keyboard]

I appreciate the fact that he didn’t peel off the dirt in the shoulder. Cars like this deserve respect.

[jsnyara]

I have a high mileage 2000 M5 and I love it! Even at 200, 000 miles it's still very solid and handles great. Can't wait for the snow to melt so I can take er out

[leslie]

13:34 I WOULD KILLL FOR SOME ROADS LIKE THESE IN MY AREA 😭 there beautiful.