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E39 M5
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BMW E39 M5

BMW E39 M5 BMW E39 M5 BMW E39 M5 BMW E39 M5 BMW E39 M5 BMW E39 M5
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Click here to download printer friendly version While it began as BMW's Motorsport division, today the 'M' in BMW M connotes the Bavarian automaker's high-performance division. And although BMW M pursues many creative enterprises, it has come to signify a very special breed of high-performance automobiles.

Over the years, M3, M5 and M6 models have offered performance enthusiasts special, uniquely 'M' interpretations of what a performance automobile should be. Most recently, M has been acclaimed for its high-performance 2-seaters, the M roadster and M coupe (see separate release in this kit). Now M introduces the third generation M5: the most powerful, most luxurious, most high-tech M car ever. An automotive designer's dream: combining the highest possible level of performance and sumptuous luxury in a single car.

Not incidentally, the E39 M5 is also the first M car powered by a V8 engine. And therein lies the heart of this incredibly exciting sports sedan: a 5-liter, 400-hp V8 engine incorporating a host of new, performance-enhancing technologies making their first-ever appearance in a production motorcar.

Company press release, last updated before 12 / 01 / 2004

Add your comments on the BMW E39 M5

 e39 m5 is STILL BMW's best  
mechanik
10-20-2009
 The E39 m5 (aka "the Beast") is an incredible car...I've had the privilege of owning and driving some great rigs over the years - a few of them were 'cost no object' (Porsche GT, Ferrari 335 with FIVE valves per cylinder...Porsche Carerra 4s) and hands down the M5, specifically the e39 m5 is my all time favorite.

I own one in Alpine white and you'll have to pry the keys out of my hands with a crowbar to get it away from me. It IS a very modern machine even today...in so many ways. Other than maybe distance activated cruise control and touch navi), there's not much that the new cars have over the e39 m5.

Find a clean one and then go spend a few hours in it. Alone. City and Highway recommended if you can do that.

The navi isn't the best, but you CAN upgrade to the latest version and 3D maps. You can also upgrade to Bluetooth quite easily and comparatively inexpensively (comparison of course being the cost of a new car.)

My neighbor has a beautiful black 335i and it's incredible in it's own right. He's got the Dinan software and I must admit, that it's a pretty wicked little sleeper. But the e39 m5 is STILL a KILLER - even bone stock. And he openly acknowledges this.

But we both respect each others cars.

The VANOS situation "can be" an issue if you know what to look for and how to deal with it. Truth be told, it's an overblown myth perpetuated on the forums.

You'll love the e39 m5 because of it's practicality - just last night I was moving some shelving home from Home Depot (mine has the fold down rear seats option) and was thinking how much I love that feature and the fact I can fit FIVE full sized adults in my car.

The power....ah yes - the feeling of real V8 power. The s62 engine is STILL one of the best... if not the best power plants M Gmbh has ever produced.

In fact, look at the new M turbo engines coming out in 2010, they are back to 8 cylinders - same basic block as they've used for years and is also in the e39 m5. THe 'x42/x52 and /62' basic engine block... the "m62" is such a reliable balance of racing bred engine and send your mother - in - law to get milk please combination....

Don't be scared about it being an "old" car. Many people on the street still think it's a new car. And people who know cars - will come up to you and talk to you about your e39 m5. Design is a relative and personal consideration.

Chris Bangle did things to the sheet metal on the new e60 m5 that many aren't lovin'... and talk about the way the e39 m5 looks in comparison.

Further thoughts on the fact that some might say this car is now "old" point for minute - there's not too much be worried about if you buy one intelligently. People who took care of them did so with a passion and care that this car deserves. Those who didn't should never have owned one in the first place.

If you've never owned or spent any time around the e39 m5 - there are a number of things you should know. Things like brakes are very expensive - you just can't get away from that. And some option packages are more desirable than others (aluminum trim vs. burl walnut trim). Some cars have mods that you might not want - others have mods that I think are "no brainers" like Dinan's stage I or II software.

There's also a buyer's guide out there called M5 Video Guide that is a pretty good overview on the e39 m5 - it's not totally comprehensive like the forums, but it's a solid start if you don't know much about the car.



 My favorite car  
MRR
04-13-2005
 One of my all time favorite cars. Best BMW ever built in my opinion.
 For the record  
polshrk
26-11-2003
 If you take a look at what BMW has done with their engines it it really remarable comparing that they are all naturally aspirated. Dinan has taken the E39 M5 up to 470hp w/o a supercharger or turbocharger. That's pretty impressive. The E55 is supercharged and the RS6 is twin-turbocharged. If you take a super/turbo charger and put it on the M5 it will blow the E55 and RS6 away. My M5 is supercharged and puts out 637hp and that is just a tad higher than both the E55 and RS6, if you are comparing numbers. It is all a personal preference of what kind of vehicle Manufacturer you like and body style. The newest M5 will come with a v-10 and will have better numbers as stock than the E55 and RS6, but everyone compares it like apples and oranges and they don't mix well. Who knows what ratings you would get with a super/turbo charger on the 05 M5. Again people will compare it to the newest Mercedes and Audi with their forced induction engines. In the end as one writer said we the enthusiast win with the battles of the Makers. :)

View all the user comments on the BMW E39 M5

      
General specifications
Country of origin Germany
Numbers built 1997 : 1
1998: 678
1999: 5425
Produced from 1998 - 2003

Engine
Configuration 90º V 8
Location Front, longitudinally mounted
Displacement 4.941 liter / 301.5 cu in
Bore / Stroke 94.0 mm (3.7 in) / 89.0 mm (3.5 in)
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Bosch MSS 52 Fuel Injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated

Drivetrain
Chassis/body unitary steel
Front suspension McPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Multi-link, coil springs, anti roll bar
Steering recirculating ball, power assisted
Brakes ventilated discs, all-round, ABS
Gearbox 6 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive

Dimensions
Weight 1720 kilo / 3792 lbs
Length / Width / Height 4784 mm (188.3 in) / 1800 mm (70.9 in) / 1432 mm (56.4 in)
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r) 2830 mm (111.4 in) / 1515 mm (59.6 in) / 1527 mm (60.1 in)

Performance figures
Power 400 bhp / 298 KW @ 6600 rpm
Torque 500 Nm / 369 ft lbs @ 3800 rpm
BHP/Liter 81 bhp / liter
Power to weight 0.23 bhp / kg
Top Speed 250 km/h / 155 mph
0-60 mph 5.2 s

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