BMW M5 (1998 - 2003) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

This is my fourth BMW after owning a 328 and two M3's. The M cars are all BMW's "specials" at least while "M" was still for "Motorsport" and not "Marketing"... These cars all have a unique character, the E36 M3 has this sort of raw eagerness, the E46 has a similar feel with a bit of an asthmatics exhaust note and some silly boy racer side vents along with an additional 500 lbs... But the M5 is the M car for grown ups :). This may be one of the last true M cars BMW has made and likely the one that kicked them into "Marketing" rather than "Motorsport". It lacks a fancy auto-manual gearbox and a V10 like the newer ones (you have to shift yourself on this car), and none of its engine noise comes from the radio making vroom vroom sounds like the latest version (thank goodness, how embarrassing!) but it is stylish, understated to the point of being a sleeper except for folks who know their cars, and it can run with a similar year Corvette (maybe not the Z06) while not requiring you style your hair with a mullet! The teenager who lives next door told me he always listens in the morning for when I start it because it sounds so cool... I was going to sell it, but then I got to thinking "what could it be replaced with that would be as good"... Well if I didn't need the back seats or comfort... there are still not very many cars out there that would have the enduring quality, ride, handling and performance this car has. Issues on this car... After 15 years, rubber bits need replacing in the suspension and the drive shaft coupler (a big rubber part)... The electronics are dated, it would be nicer with a proper bluetooth and modern navigation, but that is true for any car older than a few years these days and my iPhone works better for that anyhow... The LED display under the gauge cluster drops some lines here and there, a common problem on 5-series from this generation i am told. Other than that it always starts and runs, handles wonderfully, and can be tossed or cruised all day long. All the electronics such as the powered steering wheel adjuster, seats, folding mirrors, heated seats, and very German multimode windshield wipers with regular and "Autobahn" wash modes (oh and an automatic wiper setting which actually works!) are all working as if the car was new... The interior also is scratch free and looks great, just great quality materials and build! If you like BMW's then this would be one to consider if you can find a nice example of one! Aug 04, 2014

In my opinion still the best looking M5 out there. The new ones are very nice without a doubt, but the E39 is still the king. The car will outperform many sports cars out there, even the newer models. It perform flawless on any arena. If driven normally, you can take your favorite date to a very nice night out, if you take it to the track for a spirited spin, will shame a bunch of cars.Apr 25, 2014

The first BMW M car fitted with an V8 engine! It has all the goodies such as independent intake throttle butterfly (meaning instant throttle response in all rpm range), substantial low end torque, creamy smoothness, and subtle but unquestionable V8 exhaust burble. The best engine I have driven so far. It felt so exotic everytime I slammed on the accelerator. What is out of character of this car is its soft comfortable ride (almost as quiet and comfortable as a 7 series). I never took the M5 to the road course tracks because I didn't think its chassis dynamics would make it a safe car there. The rear suspension took too long to set, coupled with the high horsepower, makes for a way too lively rear end! Stiffer springs and shocks would be a must if the car is to be driven beyond 8/10. (Ironically, my wife's '01 540i Touring/wagon Individual with M Sport Package felt significantly more nimble when it comes to rear end motion control, possibly due to the works of a firmer air suspension designed to handle heavier payload.) In the end, the M5 could only be considered a family sports sedan, not an exotic (like its price has suggested). It is just too much like the regular 5 series with 90% identical equipement, instrumentation and even look. The exclusive Nappa (full grain) leather seating surfaces, oval shaped mirrors, and a few M badges just does not make an M5 feel enough different, in a tactile sense. While the more powerful and responsive engine, together with the exclusive limited slip differential were almost completely off set by the less tossable rear end as well as the same look which can also be had in the regular series cars (my wife's station wagon has identical exterior trims). All in all, the M5 has succeeded in achieving the best of both world - being exotic and practical all at once. If you have family and are allowed to own only one car, the M5 is no doubt it. Feb 07, 2009

This is the most awesome car I've ever owned. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 secs!! Beats out most Porsches! AND... it seats 5 comfortably. It's a blast to drive! The only thing I would want to upgrade at this point is the GPS system. The present one uses regional CDs, I'd prefer a DVD based system. Other than that we're together til the end (its got 120K miles and drives like new!)Dec 29, 2008

The car is practical an art form. Performance is second to none, this car set the standard during it's reign from '99 to '03 and is still a fierce car to experience, sedan or supercar matters not. Quite possibly the classiest and best designed car in it's class, and that still holds true to current models and makes as well, just an amazing machine. Cost of ownership is a bit high on this one, I do all my own work and still costs around $45 per oil change or more, be very caring and loving to the maintenance of this car and you won't have any trouble and it will be the best car you've ever owned, mileage is rated poorly with only 21hwy rated. Though I used Royal Purple synthetics and iridium plugs and kept everything running smooth, and with the occasional "fun driving" episode (not avoidable in this car) and smart driving, I actually AVERAGED around 24mpg city/hwy combined. Fun....that doesn't even come close, there's just something about being able to drive so precisely and have so much power and fun on tap that it shouldn't be legal...then you get the added bonus of being able to carry along 4 adult passengers very comfortably around a track to experience it with you, every day was a joy driving this car to work and around town, simply an amazing machine, one of the best creations BMW has spawned, luckily it was created BEFORE Bangle infected everything!Dec 20, 2008

the best car ever made, it is so fast not many cars can keep up with it wen its been de ristricted. very well buit. very refiend, smooth quiet . its more like a luxery family super car. fantastic to drive ( which bmw isnt ) once you drive a m5 there is nothing that can compair. it is legendery. you can sit doing 120mph. with 2 fingers on the wheel. you know exactley whats going on with the car, and there is no drama. many times i drive the long way home. just to drive it. and some times i find my self just going out in the car, just to drive i dont go anywere i just go for a drive. the 5 series bimmer has been rated as the best car in the world, many critics have all said the same. but its not all great. living in the uk. it is expensive on the petrol. but worth every penny. keep away from dealerships when it comes to servicing. they will pull your pants down when things do go wrong it is expensive to fix,but to be fair they dont go wrong often. if your gonna buy a second hand bimmer you cant go wrong with a 5 series. as a car and a machine. there isnt anything i can think of that is better to drive or live with. if you buy one it will become part of your family.Aug 10, 2008

I love the balance of the vehicle, over all it's probably the best feel for sporty drivers yet the comon commuter. It has good pep, good breaks, and amazing handling for a sedan that isn't "uncomfortable" to drive (people would refer to as harsh jaring). I love this car it's a breeze to drive and amazingly addictive. When I drive it during dusk it grabs anyone's eye even if there's a red Ferarii 430 next to it! It's amazingly cheep to own, gets good gas milage, and nothing in it has broken!Jun 26, 2008

Well I had mine in Blue for bout 2 years. Drove up here and there traveled bout 15-20 thousand miles. Not that much really but the experience was great. I still believe that the e39 body looks so much better than the new,huge,appaling e60 eventhough the newer M5 is just the Engineering Excellence. So this e39?what is so great about it? Firstly is that it looks good and mine didn't come with a flappy paddle gearbox which at that time was not really the "in-thing" because it had slow response and people just could not see the use of it. Then comes the comfort. I think that this car was not as comfy as a sofa but it was much more comfy than the 7 series which had all the new gadgets and they totally forgot bout the seats which were left like a ride in rocky mountain and the boot which was an after-thought. My M5?5 litre V8 with not 400hp but 550hp. I had a supercharger in place in that car and I remaped the ECU box. That car was superb. If you want a low budget supercar. Should get of of these E39 M5's.Jan 06, 2008