It was definetly one of the best, this is the car that started my love of BMWs

The E39 and E46 have timeless looks. My favorite generations.

One of the best looking sedans PERIOD! Even in 2020 ✔️

Matt BROUGHT IT with this car! One of the most beloved car enthusiast cars ever.

Every time you hit the pedal to the metal .... every time you have this "kid at christmas" smile ... what a pleasure to see a true car lover.

It’s one of the best driver’s cars ever made

I have a carbon black E39 M5 and absolutely love it. I am currently driving it daily!

9:10 yup that’s why I love this car!

Yes, it’s the best M5. That’s my dream car. I aspire to review one someday.

It’s not the best m5. It’s the best car.

I have a 2002 E39 M5. Got it in 2008 having 31k miles and Dinan aftermarket setup. Approaching 59k miles and have enjoyed every mile.

Ive driven all of em except the F90 and I own a very modified dinan e34m5 and a F10m5. They all have different personalities and quirks. They are all great cars too. I love the F10. Its just a beast of a machine and drives brilliant with its dct. Drive it like a limo or push a button and its a missile of a supecar. I want one of each M5!

One of the best M5 i've ever seen... wow

Mm.... reminds me of the' 5-series BMW my parents had (my father's pride and joy) back in the 90s when I was a kid. IMO, this is one of the vehicle from the "golden age" of modern BMW sports cars - just enough electronics to enhance vehicle dynamics in a way that makes the driver feel more connected to the road and the vehicle. Contrast that with the ones from present day, where the performance of the vehicle is tuned with electronics in real time so insanely good to the point that the driver feels less connected to the vehicle and the road, and it feels like you are driving a computer driving the car than you are driving the car itself. Another great video.

Awsome Review! Starting 2020 with a bang!! I can see a difference in your vids already. Was interesting seeing your clip with the car driving over the bumpy road and showing the exhaust sounds while driving through th3 tunnels. I think itd also be cool if you tried implementing more everyday tests into your reviews like highway merging pulls, on/off-ramp body rolls etc.

What a stunning vehicle. One of my favourite cars of all times. Love wirking on these modern classics. Thank you

Fun Fact: The brake cooling vents up front was called a "Sink Drain Mod" because the first guy on the M5Board back in the day discovered how perfect the Home Depot drains would snap in. Most others who did this had the chrome lip ring which really tied in the look. The additional air did help on tracks but it also made the outside of the wheels extra dirty as it pushed the brake dust out onto the wheel lip.

Wow, thanks so much for this video Matt! You and Savagegeese are some of the only channels that have done a good video on this car. Happy New Year!!

Even though the E46 M3 is my favorite M product of all time, this E39 M5 is such a pinnacle M product, the timeless design, the way the dash is angled in towards the driver, those seats, and my favorite that engine good ole N/A V8 power which I love more than a forced induction set up who else and it’s a RWD 🤩🧐

Videos like this make me miss my E39 M5. Then again they make me happy that I had one. A true drivers car indeed!

Great review, Matt! The reason the engine sounds so good is due to the individual throttle bodies. This also improves throttle response. It’s a shame this technology was so expensive and not more common. Can’t beat the induction sound of this engine. One the best sounds ever.

I should’ve bought one when they were around 10K€

Fantastic review Matt. Your appreciation for these cars’ attributes comes through strongly. I love how you expose the faults in the new cars replacing this.

One of the few modern-ish BMWs that held their value well.

Great review, amazing classic car. Find more cars like this Matt!

In regards to the audio system and your comment on replacing it or using an fm transmitter for Bluetooth connectivity, I have a Bluetooth/AUX module installed in my E39 M5, it plugs in directly to the CD stacker harness with all wiring hidden and I have retained the factory audio system apart from upgrading all speakers to Focal speakers. It sounds excellent, looks completely stock, I’m very happy with it.

Happy New year from Perth west Australia. I was lucky enough to own one in 2012 for a couple of years. It was my dream car , I did coil overs, AAW intake, tune and the best thing was, Lower ratio lsd diff , IATS Re location. Absolutely loved this car especially in White. Miss it dearly.

Would almost have to give up my GTO for one of these... if I was gonna buy a bmw this is the only one

As a former E34 (non-M) owner, I'm a bit biased towards that generation. But the E39 is really aging well, and is in my opinion, one of the best car designs of all time. Love the review! Keep up the good work, Matt :)

This specific M5 would probably sell for $30,000.

Finally you‘re getting the great bmw‘s

Love this M5. So clean and my favorite sport sedan ever Love your reviews of older cars.

This is why have 2 e39's, one is a 540i msport, and the other is an M5! Love them both!

The armrest is replecable with a armrest that opens up and has a little storage

Probably the best looking mainstream BMW (The 740i of about the same vintage is pretty close). Really all any E39 of any trim level needs is a decent set of wheels and you've got one attractive car. One of the last Bimmers that looks like a BMW.

Love it! I owned a 2002 525 with the M-Sport package - also black on black. I loved everything about it except it's total lack of power.

Great way to start a new year! What a modern classic.

Great review Matt! E39 M5 is awesome!

I was the guy always asking when are you gonna review one of these and its finally here! Thanks Matt.

My roommate in college got this brand new. Absolutely loved that beast.

These of older cars are wonderful, keep it up and a definite thanks to owners who are willing to share.

Love ---- "another acceleration just because it's fun"

A friendly guy here and owner of one M5 E39, trying to straight some wrongs or not fully corrects said in this review: -Audio system, being a 2002, should have the possibility to put AUX input to stock system, with OEM kit. If not, that can also be upgraded to accomodate for that. -Cup holders - although they look flimsy, they are actually pretty good, you won't spill anything unless you are doing some crazy powerslides with open cups. They do their function and look well when not used - closed. - stating you don't have much storage space - you can fit a smartphone *horizontally* inside the door pocket (my Z3 moto fits with place to spare) and you have pretty big glove box, which is reasonable. I am too missing a middle pocket under the arm rest, some say there are retrofit options for that, I consider it a grippe, too, but nevertheless, storage space in the cabin is really good. - any infotainment will not age well, check the e60, same thing. I think it suits the character of the car pretty well, since that was the era. Performance modifications: I don't have anything against personalizing a car, be it visually or power-wise, to each his own, a few things: 1. cold intake in this car looks nothing special compared to regular OEM intake, which is also "cold intake". You can see this aftermarket bolting at the same place and using the same ducting as the OEM, so I doubt it brings anything additional to the car. 2. Worth mentioning: the aftermarket exhaust gives the E39 M5 a much different sound character. It starts to sound mean and growly, I personally don't think it suits the understated character of the car, but as I said, it's a per-user-thing. Still, it would be really worth mentioning that in the review, as a former salesman of the era, you must have experience. 3. Strut braces: if you get a different suspension and/or braces, tweak and tune it to accomodate weight of the car. I bought mine on coilovers and 20" wheels and it did not drove well compared to today where I have OEM wheel/tire combo and I have put it *higher* as it was at the previous owner. It makes a lot of difference and it drives better if set up closer to factory values, my experience, others may vary.

Beautiful M5. Great video Matt

Love the E39. As far as the navigation goes all M5s in the US had it, other parts of the world had it as an option though.

I honestly think BMWs from late '90-early 2000 look way better than today ones, and late '80-early-'90 were even better looking.

You can buy OEM cupholders for this vehicle and they work better than the front cupholders - they fold out from beneath the rear aircon vents and though designed similar to the front ones, there's no shallow floor underneath, so they can hold your drinks a bit better. I've been meaning to buy some from ebay for the last 12 years or so, but I never sit back there, so I never found myself needing it desperately enough to go ahead and get them...

E39 M5. E60 M5, and E46 M3, are my favourite M cars of all time~ Maybe also include the M5 CS in there~

Solid review. I drive one daily and it puts a smile on my face every time. You've got a new subscriber.

I had no idea they had the infotainment screen for 2002

Happy New Year! Nice vid. Liked before watching because I knew it was going to be good

Simply the best saloon car ever. GERMAN engineering at its finest. Nothing could touch it in it's time.

Good video. for 17 years old, that car is awesome. However, I have not found BMW seats to be comfortable at all for years. I feel like I'm sitting on a wagon seat. Hard as a rock lol.

Well said at 13:28 when he starts talking about the newer cars have so much power you can’t even use it on public roads. Anything over 500 hp is useless in my opinion for a commute car on the street. I have an 08 mustang GT and 300 hp 325 tq is plenty of fun, but I do want to tune it up and make it a lil faster. 400hp 425tq is where I want to be.

I used to have an E39 530i 5spd, absolutely amazing and stunning car

I love my Lemans Blue '01 E39 M5..... The ultimate driving machine!

Happy New Year!! Great car to start off the new year

You can actually hook up an auxiliary cord to an e39 made after 2001 (LCI). It has a port in the back of the head unit that supports it.

I wish I still had mine 😢 the best car ever!

Ages very well unlike the new ones

Grill on the front airdam, round side mirrors, Style 66 wheels and quad exhausts - these are the only things different from the 540i M-Sport!

this car is incredible

Just some FYI here, a few of your numbers are off. The torque is only 369 from the factory and the curb weight is about 3950, definitely not under 3800.

U dont even need an exhaust for these. Just do a muffler delete and it sounds insane. What a beauty!!!!

This and the old 8 series .. These are the 2 BMWs i would like to own and drive. All the rest of them are dull and pointless, but this M5 has some charm to it which none of the others has. And the 850 do i need to even explain. Smack a pop-up headlight on any car and it automatically becomes cool af.

I own a 2001 M5 and I would have to say that even most modern BMWs have about the same numbers when it comes to acceleration. Of course, the new M5 is in a class of its own but compared to an M3 it's relatively close. Even in size, it matches up to a modern M3. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Great review. Some corrections, nav was standard in the US M5, DSC was all on and very intrusive or all off but was easy to manage on track with it off. Correct on the cup holders, I once ejected a milkshake under hard acceleration. It landed upside down on the passenger seat, fortunately with the lid intact. Note: I have a friend that specializes in E39s and can install iDrive and the latest HD nav system.

395 lb ft! Is that right? This thing would smoke a e9x then. Never knew the torque was that high in this car

Yes it was/is, love this car

Great review as always! I would love to see you review a Jaguar S Type R also.

Is it stock suspension? I think it is lowered isn't it? I have the same car with OEM suspension and it sits much higher, especially the rear axle.

I miss when M cars looked like the regular cars (its actually the lower model BMWs that look like economy boxes compared to the M cars that look like hot wheels)

Nice review Matt! Just curious are you going to post the video for Nissan Altima soon? Thanks!

Something about M gages that makes me so jealous. I'm currently rocking a e46 zhp coupe

I remember that advertorial video of the silver M5 with Madonna being flung left and right on the back seats, you too? Edit: here it is kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hLSma82extuUnok.html

Happy New Year Matt! The truest driving machine! But thinking about the old E39 M5, would you, or for anyone else, think supercharging it be a good thing?

Not a bmw guy but this is my fav BMW. I wonder after driving something like this do we still feel the need for the overpowered cars we have today.

I test drove one a couple years ago and the only thing I didn’t like was that it felt too large compared to my e46 m3. Once you get used to the size of e46 m3 or Cayman GT4 (that I own) then everything else feels like an SUV size wise

Back in the day I did 250km/h (whats that in mi/h) on the A352 between A7 and A2 (the only place I could find with not too much traffic) I literally thought the other cars were stationary....

I have a 540i and I fucking love it lol

That trans grinding bruh

Great video and beautiful car!👍

Great review.... keep it concise

One of the best looking BMWs

E60 M5 will be the greatest M5 of all time. Period.

the best of the best . just buy one and watch its value grow . ps the rear cup holders should be in the back under the vents look like they have been taken out

What would be more robust -- this or an S54 M roadster?

Saw a 2000 M5 (gray/manual/navi) for sale here in DFW for 23k. I had a little less than 89k ... sold rather quickly.

Bets looking M5 ever. I love the silver color on it especially.

I drive a 2002 530i that looks almost identical to this same color same rims, it feels like I'm looking at his better looking older brother.

YES!! And I haven't even started the video yet. 😁👍👍

I think The best M5 is E60.That V10 sound 🤤🤤🤤 2nd best M5 is E39.The last real M5 is E60

This owner is loaded ! Look at his garage!

When he said “I worked at Bmw when these were 1 to 2 years old” I was confused. I thought he was at least 33. How old are you?

Favorite M car ever made!

There was a whole lot of luxuries in 2002, the E39 was behind the ball in features.

Used to be manual only for ///M models.

I miss mine...... :( just pure driving pleasure

Still think that the E60 without it's reliability issues is the BEST M5 ever. Its v10 and driving experience simply dominates every other sports SEDAN.

Is thing the same size as the 2020 M340i ?