Listen to that burble of the V8 in the background. You know it’s there and it doesn’t ever sound forced into the cabin. I love that about cars of the era. There’s no artificial overrun crackles and pops that started being a trend from the mid 2000s. The E39 M5 is a stunner.

Still got my E39 M5 after 19 years. Bought it 2nd hand (it was 3 years old with 60K km on the clock). Now passing 330K km. Performs and handles beautifully. My wife uses it as a daily driver (and drives it appropriately aggressively). I'm stuck with an "old man" daily driver company car (E64 650i convertible). I look forward to those weekends, to try and wrestle the M5 keys from my darling wife, and enjoy the experience....

As much as I love the V10 E60, this V8 E39 still remains my absolutely favourite. It's just a shame that there's no Touring version of E39 M5.

I got E34 M50 engine car, so far clocked 680k miles on my odometer. We owned it for 30 years now.

dad owned a E39 530i manual when i was a kid. more than 10 years later, he's owned multiple cars but he just cannot stop talking about that 530i. when i think BMW M4, i think E39 M5, E92 M3, E46 M3. these cars are just perfect.

Best sedan BMW, maybe anyone has ever built. Surprised you didn’t talk about the timeless exterior styling too. This car still holds up today, that’s why I’ve had my 03 for @14 years and won’t sell it. You should get another one!

E39 M5 is our favourite M5 so far.

Absolutely love the story-telling element that came with this review. Truly a dream car - the practicality, V8 burble, 6-speed, and beautiful styling inside and out is just phenomenal.

I've owned a 2001 in silver... my favourite car that I've ever owned. I also bought the first one I saw. It just drove well and passed all the things to look out for on these cars. The one problem I had was I had 2 thermostats fail on me and that was a pig of a job to replace. The engine was great and as you stated, versatile. Stick a Z3 shifter on it to shorten throws... then the box could be really notchy when it was cold but made it much nicer to drive. I loved how the car hid its weight well - it didn't feel like it size and weight. You could provoke it and it was fairly easy to manipulate when it started to lose traction. You comments on the car's size are spot on.... was big back then, but now its kind of small. The E28 is where is started but not quite as sublime. The E34 was a great improvement and a total drivers car. Yes, the E60 V10 sounds amazing and is crazy... but it was not a great every day car. The later V8 turbos are crazy fast but have grown way too big and heavy. The E39 is a sweet spot that blends mechanical and computers. It marks the transition from something that still felt analogue (with some tech) to the later cars that are tech heavy. The E39 has also aged well... it did go through a spell where there were so many cheap old E39s around and it just looked old and dated, but now you see fewer of them, you are reminded its a handsome car. That era of BMW just had really nice simple designs that I feel still look good - the E36 and E38 are both lookers in the right spec.

I'm 51 now. I was lucky enough to own a 2000 X plate in 2004 before I met my wife, for about a year. Black on black. Don't remember the reg. In truth....I couldn't afford it. But I still can look back and have the amazing memories of having it. Every time I parked it up and was walking away I just had to look back at it and just think...Wow. Those alloys. Everything about it was amazing. Still crane my neck when I pass one. Just the best car.

Had a e39 540i Touring from 1997. Not the same by any means, but similar enough. Wonderful cars those, the interior specifically was especially teutonic and solid feeling compared to the things that came after. If something was silver/"metal colored", it was made of metal, not plastic. I am pretty sure it was one of the fastest mainstream estates you could get that wasnt some kind of tuner special back in its day, mine had satnav with Tv as well, that would for sure blow most peoples mind back in -97. With some sport suspension fitted I lapped the nurburgring in it just fine, though both the street oriented brakes and tires that were fitted werent really up to the task if you really pressed on, it sure was fun anyway.

Had a 02 540i and I loved it. Swapped it for a 01 740i Sport and i love it even more. What an era for BMW. That said.. I think it’s time for a manual swap.

During this period of BMW, the bigwigs were quoted saying that all M cars will always be manuals, naturally aspirated, and the suspension would always be faster than the car. This was the peak of M cars. My friend inherited his M5 after his father passed in 2000, I believe. He kept that car for about 5 years. It had looks, panache, power, handling, stability braking, comfort. 150 on the Nj Turnpike was like 60 for other cars. You could wear a tux and drive it to the theatre, or everyday clothes and go to the strip/track and haul ass. He eventually sold it, think it was hard for him to keep it being a memory of his dad. I rip him for it because as you know, the values have shot up.

I always wanted an e39 ever since my barber had a 528i with an M sport body kit in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The first one I got was a 2003 540i m sport automatic. It was an amazing car and a great introduction into the e39 chassis world (previously owned 2 e34’s). In 2017 I came across an e39 M5 DINAN S1 for sale and I could not pass it up! It had ever red flag you could think of (peeling paint, medium to high mileage, unknown maintenance history, aftermarket parts, uninterested owner, previously recorded accidents) and was across the country from me, but even sight unseen and with no PPI I bought it! What a hidden gem! The previous owner sold it dirt cheap because it had some minor issues that he couldn’t figure out, but I fixed them in the first month and never looked back! Best decision I’ve ever made!

An absolute joy. I’ve had the privilege of owning mine since 2006. It’s barely put a foot wrong in 17 years and I can't imagine parting with it.

This is truly a hero, when I think of every single current M car I think of complexity and massive weight and etc. But this is just so simple, it looks so nice, so light, you can see out of the car, this just has every single thing I like in a car ❤️

The clutch issue is actually caused by the clutch delay valve which I have bypassed and really makes for better/crisp gear changes!

Not just the best M5 ever, but the best saloon ever.

My Dad had an E39 530d. Drove from the UK to south Spain in a day. We as kids didn’t once complain. Was an incredible car.

Best car I've ever owned and bought when values were nothing like now- easier to justify at £7400 than £20,000! Ignoring running costs (which are realistically pretty high if used often and kept in the proper condition) these don't really have a weakness. 'Good' at everything at an absolute minimum. Motorway cruise, back road blast you name it. You get in, 3 pedals and a stick with the suitable number of toys to still make a great daily driver. Engaging, no overcomplicated bollocks with a multitude of driving modes. Suspension damping hits the bull's eye straight out the factory. Biggest compliment I can give it is I'd have another one in a heartbeat if I won the lottery.

E36/E46/E38/E39. That's a collection of the best cars that look great without begging for attention, that you can drive every day in every situation save the roads being covered in ice, that can appeal to everyone without a single person turning their nose up at it, and that strike the perfect balance in...well...every single area that needs a balance to be struck.

Truly timeless car. Magnificent!

The BMW E39 M5 sure is a timeless classic car, lots of performance, solid engineering, and when you look at it, it's hard to believe it's actually so old! I don't believe it's the best classic car of all, I reckon each decade has it's best classic. But of the 90's decade, I'd call it the best, but so it should be. Wasn't a cheap car by any standards. But you got a whole lot of car for the money. I personally daily drive a 96 build E39 535i sedan, 3.5lt m62 v8, almost fully optioned. If I had the garage space and the money, I'd add a e39 m5 to my collection. The one you used in this review is a stunning example!

I could only afford an e39 540. Love the car. Best sedan chassis I have ever driven.

I got to drive one once, a manual, with a sun roof, and a modified exhaust. Spent my time with the windows and sun roof open ripping through the rev range - beautiful car and perfect sound!

I've owned 3 e39s . Loved and love them all. I presently have a 2002 530i sport - silver. Still drives great - happy every time I'm in it

My ‘02 E39 525i 3.0 litre is the best car I’ve ever owned, pound for pound. I remember a trip from the tip of Brittany to Calais after a friend’s funeral attempting to catch a ferry on time. It drove beautifully, very quick, very stable. Such a good car.

I bought a 1998 528i with 98,000 kms on it. it’s like a new car . Imported from Japan to Canada . It is left hand drive ( owned by a diplomat ) and has every option, including you touch screen display. the colour is oriental blue. It’s immaculate! Best car I’ve ever had and I’ve had many over the years.

I absolutely love these types of videos along with the Rise & Drives, driving on a gorgeous road in a genuinely brilliant car, talking through intricacies of the car with personal experiences included where necessary, along with incredible videography

I'd say I have a similar story to the person who you bought your car from. Drove my 2000 M5 for 100k miles, traded on a E90 335i. 6 years later bought a 2002 E39 M5 with 46k miles. It's my baby.

This vídeo is a love letter to a great car. Congratulations to the presenter, to ear a personal history to the E39 M5 was a delight.

I have loved this car since I was a kid in high school, but I can never find one in good condition. So I searched for a reliable, modern day version of this naturally aspirated V8 wonder. As it turns out Japan had copied the E39's engine and dimensions, right down to the wheel and tire specs. I drive a 2016 Lexus GS-F.

Beautiful homage to the perfect car. Ever since it came out (I was around 10 years old) and I first saw it in real life I've always knew someday I will own this car. To this day I still haven't had enough money for it. But still, someday it will be mine. Most Beautiful car ever made ♡

I bought a 2001 this past January at auction for $26k with 142,000 miles on it. Blackstone oil test shows 100% clean and clear. Off I go! The PS4s tires are too damn sticky though.

I have owed one for 15 years and was planning to sell because I haven't used the car for many years due to health reasons. I finally booked the car in for it's mot and some tidying up before marketing but as soon as I drove the car out of the garage and travelled 50 yards down the road I changed my mind. It's now having a full window out respray in it's very rare agean blue colour. These car's are sublime.

Great video , very well presented. The E39 is such a brilliant car , I had one of the last E39 525d Touring , amazing car so comfortable, drove it all over Europe . I lusted agree the M5 at the time ( still do) but couldn’t have afforded so mine was as close as I could get. Probably the best car I’ve had and I keep looking at the M5 version now. Brilliant the way you gave your account

The proportions on the E39 are perfection.

7:22 I think you'll find that problem is caused by the clutch delay valve. It's a small little part that you can easily remove and the clutch will engage much faster, which will solve the problem.

Great video. You can feel the passion in the way this car is presented here. I am selling my E39 M5 right now and this video makes me sad about it, almost enough to make me cancel the deal. This was a bucket list car for me, but not a dream car. I can attest it is a hero car and upon first driving it, it's a rare hero car that doesn't disappoint. You never walk away thinking "I shouldn't have met my hero". It's an icon vehicle that should be on every enthusiast's bucket list to own and drive before they die. The purity of this car is hard to say enough about. I bought a Porsche 718 GT4 a couple weeks ago and I still have my E92 M3, otherwise there's no way I'd have agreed to sell the E39 and my E46. I feel very fortunate to have owned and enjoyed an E39 M5, and mine is a Dinan S2 example which is even better. I utterly adore the S65 in my E92 and with a tune it revs to 8600 god bless it - but perhaps the one thing I will miss the most about the E39 is the noise in the cabin on acceleration. From the driver's seat, the transfer of noise from the engine is so pure it's hard to describe. You get so much mechanical noise coming through the firewall that it almost feels like there is no separation from you and the engine. It's fascinating to experience and listen to as the car is accelerating. E39 M5 is without a doubt one of the all-time greats of cars. For me, my E92 M3 I have owned for many years and was my first M car, so I have emotional attachment to it and that is why I'm keeping it instead of the M5. The M5 is a better car. It's one of the best cars period. I wish my emotional attachment to my E92 wasn't there so I could keep the E39 instead. If you get a chance to own an E39 M5, do not pass it up.

This M5 is a masterpiece. BUT the RS6 and E63 from the same year are also breathtaking. It's all about personal taste.

Totally agree with Shane and others here.The styling is his timeless strength. It is elegantly beautiful with an amazing stance and presence. I was fortunate to have an F40, GT3 RS, Maranello, Jaguars and Porsches Turbos and Carreras, but I never had the desire nor the courage to sell my black E39 M5 and never will. It stays next to my Maranello and Carreras as the most beautiful and now classic BMW M5 of all.

I was having one m5 e39 for past 7 years after that transmission was broken so i sold it Now im thinking to getting another one But my favorite dream car is Porsche to be honest still I want one I can feel & understand every word u said in this gorgeous video Thanks for waking me up again 🤣

Bought an E39 M5 about a year ago. It has blown me away. Proper BMW.

It takes a specific individual who recognizes fine craftsmanship, precision, and nimbleness to truly appreciate a remarkably exceptional machine.

Excellent cars, had the 523i, then down sized to a 520i,which I still drive and now finishing my 525i project car, love the e39...

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Great review of an iconic super saloon, awesome work. Thanks John

That M5 rocket car advert made a huge impression on me as a teenager and I always dreamed of owning one. When the right time came, I searched for a year for one and a friend of a friend ended up finding a 2-owner car for me. Only 297 ever came into South Africa and I only wanted the facelift, and for a while, while they were cheap, they were abused and turbocharged and supercharged and converted into racecars, and of course written off, so nobody knows how many are left, but it can't be many. Mine is a high-miler but in really great condition, much loved by its previous owner. I'm about to do the big timing chain replacement which is making me nervous but has to be done! But either way it has been a joy to own. It's brilliant on short drives, it's brilliant on long drives, it makes everyone happy when you show up at a car meet; it has become a living legend. I have owned it for 2 years now and will double my money if I sell it today, but I can't see myself selling it, maybe sometime in the next 5 to 10 years. But I'll only sell if the money can buy me something which I love as much, and as time goes on, that is looking increasingly unlikely.

Great video! I drove one of these in 2006 with a sense of reverence from it’s reputation, and I had a family. It was a perfect blend of power , handling and Q-carness ( if that’s a word). But all my years of yearning for an M5 didn’t live up to the reality. I am a massive BMW fan boy and I’ve tried to find the perfect BM . In the end, I bought an Audi RS6 from a widow who’s husband drove the car for the last 4 years of his life to the golf course and back, covering only 3k. It’s been my daily for 3 years and it is as comfortable as the M5 ever was, handles way better, and still terrifies my young kids on the way to school in the morning. I utterly love BMs of the past, but you sometimes need to look past your predudices when it comes to finding the perfect 1 car garage. IMHO, the RS6 avant- when all is said and done, is the perfect 1 car garage. Please use lignocaine gel before you nail me to the cross 😂

I agree well with this review. In 2013 I purchased a 2002 M5, LeMans blue over an extended leather caramel interior, it was stunning. The entire vehicle is peak BMW. The S62 V8 is the crown jewel, combined with the simple manual transmission and LSD rear end. I can't say enough words on how good e39 M5s are to drive. That said, I was afraid that mine would rust out after 3 winters of driving it, and it was pretty expensive to maintain. Additionally I had gotten a taste of driving a BMW e36, the first six cylinder BMW I had driven, it was amazing. I had to have a smooth NA six cylinder BMW, today I daily drive an e36 M3 and absolutely love it. The e36 is not nearly as comfortable, but it's way more raw and exciting at street speeds.

Love this car, it came out around the time I got my driverslicense and used to drool over it at the dealer in town. I finally bought one two years ago and it’s as wonderful as I hoped it would be. What an amazing car, BMW got it right with this one. How times have changed.

Hi, clutch is not under engineered. The issue is that BMW fitted a CDV or clutch delay valve. This is simply a small valve on the end of the pipe where it connects to the slave cylinder intended to not allow the clutch to be let up fast so slows down engagement presumably in an effort to reduce warranty claims for snapped items on the drivetrain. It is a 15 min job to remove it and then simply plug the hydraulic line into the slave cylinder without the CDV and have back a linear clutch which does exactly what you do with the pedal at the clutch plates.

Excellent review! A Holden GTS HSV is good competition for this M5. Keep the classics coming.

Previous M5 e39 owner here. I built mine with headers and hand built exhaust all the way. The car isnt any rocket by todays standard, but just the fact that is was the fastest sedan in the world at one point in time makes you think. I had zero issues with mine during the 2+ years I had it. The car is solid af and a real pleasure to drive. BUT, you need a custom exhaust on it, because it's way too quite as stock.

I bought my 2002, individual E39 M5 in Estoril blue for £10k in 2011, it around 50k miles and absolutely perfect. It was my dream car and I couldn't believe they'd fallen to the point where I could afford one. I removed the rear exhaust silencers which made it sound incredible, drove it for 20000 odd miles and sold it for £12k. If it's been cared for its probably a £40k car now🤷‍♂️. Selling it is my biggest car regret!! I seem to have a habit of selling future classics before they skyrocket in value, Clio Williams, Corrado Vr6, UK spec Rx7 fd3.....😂

My favourite saloon car of all time,not an M5 but I've owned my E39 525i Sport 15 years next March and I'm still not bored of the old girl yet.

E39 M5 with a E92 M3 engine and DCT `Clubsport` style is my dream build.

owning one for 5 years now I can't sell her, I don't drive her every year but when j do for those couple hours it changes my mind to keep her forever its a masterpiece of german engineering

Sinster, gorgeous and just perfect. This was peak bmw

The best I ever had was a 525 M-sport manual LCI. So comfortable, yet precise and and nimble. I'm told that the V8 looses a bit of the 6 cylinder car's precision (different steering rack, more weight), so my 2022 dream car could be an E39 M sport with a B58 engine transplant.

Truly a dream car - the practicality, V8 burble, 6-speed, and beautiful styling inside and out is just phenomenal.

This car will always turn my head an absolute legend of a car

Absolutely love this cars having multiple E39 with smaller engine as a daily. Always wanted one and it was one of my poster cars even had one as a model car. So finally got to buy one after years and years of waiting and looking for the correct one I found a 2002 Imola Red M5 with two tone Imola Red interior with full leather and Alcantara headline. And the pure joy and happiness of driving it is just how I expected with the car. Can't see myself selling it in the future. The timeless design and the quality feel is why I enjoy this cars at that era.

I am 25 now I don't want any other car but this 🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️ E39 M5 my dream 😍😍🇳🇬🇳🇬 I pray I could be able to acquire this car on my 20s so I can at least test a glimpse of happiness in my life😭OMG😩😩😩😩

I think it simply the best. This is the perfect BMW M5 as you said, not a racecar, but a very fast and handy four door saloon.

The 530i was the sweet spot in the entire E39 range. A massive shame it didn't become the seminal model for subsequent generations.

Working for a bmw dealer when this was released, drove many..always loved them. Another gem of same series was the Alpina B18 v8. Not quite on the same performance level but, that Alpina uniqueness

Jesus! I thought the video was ending after 3 minutes when the Pistonheads advert popped up 🤣 Great video 👍

exactly the same happened to me. The E39 M5 was the first car I drove which felt quick, really quick. Many disappointments before that starting from an E30 M3, Lancia Delta Integrale etc...

the whole line line up from that era was perfect! ive driven every new bmw and my e53 4.6is and manual e39 540 remain my favorite cars ive owned.

Just brilliant, my favourite car, and the one I owned the longest. Pinnacle M5

You’re not helping 😂 Owned one 2004-06 still my favourite all round car I’ve ever owned I’d invent a reason to go out ! Probably going to buy another sooooooon

If I ever buy one, I'll never sell it. Just obsess over taking care of it and using it. Best looking 5 series. Also that engine with the variable intake runners. One of the reasons why a Corvette had the same peak hp numbers at the time, but this sedan with 5 seats and a usable trunk could keep up. I love the intake cheat. Had an MR2 with the 4AGE and T-VIS, a Probe GT (3 of them,) with the Mazda KL VRIS intakes (4 of them, different peaks.) Never did get the Taurus SHO with the Yamaha 3.0, dual runner intake. IIRC the Z8 used the same engine as the E39 M5. Still want the M5 only.

Really enjoyed watching this. Great video. First pistonheads video I’ve watched in ages. Currently have an E39 530i and have enjoyed driving it a lot. It has munched motorway miles with absolute ease. Still good fun to push down a winding road as well.

I've not owned an E39. But I've got the impression over the years that this was the pinnacle of BMW cars. I read about their molten salt technology. That was a really clever idea.

I took my E39 M5 to part-ex against nearly new RS6 Avant last year and while the Audi was beautiful and it was 4 wheel drive I just could not come to do it as their is something so special and soulful about the car which I honestly cannot explain, yes the Audi was quicker but its not just about that, the way the E39 delivers the power is quite unique and is totally different to modern cars, I appreciate I sound stupid but its so hard to describe the driving experience. If you do have the typical stiff second gear which most have a change in the gearbox oil gets rid, you will have to look on threads as I got mine done and it has eradicated this issue completely.

Peak BMW- that gen was amazing. Even the diesels changed the world- i remember the 330d coming out and being the fastest diesel in the world at the time but my friends M3 which he had only 5 or 6 years ago was truly amazing. His remapped e92 330d is very very quick (almost as quick as the m3) but there was something so nice about the e46/e39 gen cars.

This was an era where the Germans came with their absolute best. E46 M3, E39 M5, B7 RS4, C5 RS6, W204 C63, W211 E63. All the cars were mental, but they were all powered differently. Theses days everything has some 2.0T variant.

I owned a 2001 M5 from 2009 to 2021, and drove 90,000 fun miles with it. One of best for sure.

definitely one of my favourite m cars it's a beast ,my dream spec would be oxford green with cognac interior 👌

As much as I love the E60, the E39 is peak M5 for me. That engine, the subtly of the design. Perfection.

Beautiful, my favourite era of BMWs.

So many people, including me, feel that special connection to the E39. Brilliant!

I am so glad I bought one at the right time. Luck more than insight. They're just so good.

I have no first hand experience with Super Saloons but this along with the B7 RS4 and it's contemporaries seem like real Goldilocks Cars, the proportions and performance just seem right. Good video John!

Beautiful car and beautiful review. Loved that owner’s story at the end ❤

Current daily is an M3 but this video reminded me about of an E34 535i I bought in 2014. Kept it a year/tidied it up & doubled my cash. Best all rounder!!

I have e39 2.5 l. It is best car in my life. Now it 25 years! And she is amazing!

Best ever M division!!l have a collection of M cars but e39 gives the best feeling when you drive it!I have 338000 klm and still goes like new!!!It reaches 305 klm easily and the most important with silence in the cabin!!Dont change the exhaust and put after market!It destroys all that feeling live it stock !!!!l have drove in all continental Europe !!With 6 speed and 140-150 you get 9-10 lit/100klm in one tank l get 700-800 klm !!!An e39 bmw with great lines outside and the most important no one looks it cuz it is too simple design !! Simplicity is the perfection of life!!!

I followed this exact car up to Princetown a few months ago, probably in the summer now, was in my F80. That reg has stuck in my head

Not enough people give enough credit to the first gen X5, which had a similar V8 and chassis as the E39 M5 at the time. Weighing much much less than a modern X5, you can say it is the best SUV made because it was based on the E39.

Had a E39 M5 absolutely loved it epic car they still are after the E39 M5 had a E60 M5 now have a F10 M5

BMW in the late 90's early 00's were just levels and levels above anything Audi and Mercedes were doing. It wasn't just the M5, all E39's had and still have a reputation for being really good cars that people love(d) to own. The E46 M3 was and still is BMW's best ever selling M3, with its S54 engine that is easily the best naturally aspirated inline 6 ever made by any manufacturer. The indestructible, remote controlled E38 7 series in the film Tomorrow Never Dies, how cool was that? The E38 was also in the first Transporter film. These three cars, the E46, the E39 and the E38, have beautiful proportions. Nothing is too small or too large. They stand out without being aggressive or flashy. Peak BMW era when it wasn't all about track times.

Very well thought out and a true understanding of the soul of this car!!! Could not have explained it better

Best car I've ever owned. Owned 5 E39s of various types. M5 is a superb car. I have never seen or read a bad review about one.

Excellent vid, thank you Pistons. Ran a 530i for a few years, always wanted one of these. Boat missed!

I've never been in an E39 M5, let alone drive one, but if it's anything like the E46 M3 which I've owned for the last 6 years, then I'd bet that it's as awesome as everyone says. If only I could find someone who would trade their E39 for an E46...

Great review! Thank you for sharing all those great memories!

Loved the review and loved the story about the guy you bought it off, fantastic.

Brilliant car i own one the same colour and spec a lovely place to be love it 👍👍

My boss had the E39 528i in 1999 always remember how good it was. Manual as well