← Carssport sedan · germany · RWD · sedan

BMW M5

E39 · The benchmark V81998–2003

The original super-sedan — V8, V10, and back to V8 hybrid.

22 reviewers · 56 videos · 7 press articles

Generations
E391998–2003E602005–2010F102011–2016F902018–2023G902025–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on value.

across 22 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Value
17 say · liveable

"I paid $8,000 for this car and I am super happy about that"

LegitStreetCars · ▶ 15:02
2 say · critical

"the total bill for all these repairs $8,736"

Doug DeMuro · ▶ 6:38
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/522 of 22 reviewersstrong consensus

This powertrain, this V8 pulls like crazy.

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 5:31

it developed 400 horsepower at 6,600 RPM but it would also rev all the way to 7,000 RPM and it was torky too 369 LBT of torque at 3,800 PM

positive · PistonHeads · ▶ 8:35

The five liter v8 engine you have your naturally aspirated and so does 394 horsepower 395 pound-feet of torque it was commonly also just referred to as a 400 horsepower v8 very very punchy

positive · Matt Maran Motoring · ▶ 15:47
// 02

Handling

4.5/522 of 22 reviewersconsensus

this car handles like a dream steering is perfectly weighted it's heavy and communicative

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 3:37

such a lovely benign chassis so Progressive to the point that genuine I'm not just sitting there kind of saying this to look like a hero but I would always drive it everywhere with the ESP off

positive · PistonHeads · ▶ 15:22

it's agile baby incredibly agile

positive · TheSmokingTire · ▶ 15:05
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/522 of 22 reviewersstrong consensus

What a joy to drive... this still very much feels analog.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 12:10

I think this is one of their best manual driving experiences.

positive · TheTopher · ▶ 27:26

the driving experience of this car is just great... very few modern cars drive quite as well as this one

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 20:01
// 04

Daily drivability

4.5/522 of 22 reviewersstrong consensus

it's the ultimate highway Cruiser the naturally aspirated v8 is just it's just like butter

positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 31:57

it was my only car so it went to the supermarkets but also the south of France on holidays and every single thing in between and it did it all perfectly

positive · PistonHeads · ▶ 20:06

Even without modern luxuries like adaptive suspension the E39 rides pliantly and the wind and road noise from outside is almost non-existent.

positive · CAR magazine · ▶ 3:49
// 05

Value

4.0/522 of 22 reviewerssplit

the total bill for all these repairs $8,736

critical · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 6:38

the fuel consumption situation is not the best... it's going to cost you a lot of money to maintain

critical · Car Chaps · ▶ 3:32

I paid $8,000 for this car and I am super happy about that

positive · LegitStreetCars · ▶ 15:02

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

TheTopher
Posted Oct 26, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
KiwiCarLife
Posted May 12, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Driven+
Posted Mar 14, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More BMW M5 reviews
▶ play all (46)
The Ultimate MAN car from the 2000s the BMW M5 E39azizdrives
2002 BMW M5 (E39) OEM+ | Best Sports Sedan of All Time?Jubbal & Cars
2002 BMW E39 M5 (OEM+) Review - Is There a Better Sports Sedan?Zygrene
The King of all M5’s! | The BMW E39 M5 ReviewDriven+
What's it like to live with a BMW E39 M5? Owner's Honest Review | Car ChapsCar Chaps
BMW M5 (E39) review: a V8-powered game changer | PH HeroesPistonHeads
🔥 BMW M5 (E39) é o V8 que QUERIAS TER na GARAGEM! 🔥 [Review Portugal]CarOnlineTV
BMW E39 M5 Review - Is this the greatest M5 ever? | OVERTAKEOvertake Films
2001 BMW E39 M5 review – why this might be my favourite car EVERTim Rodie Drives Stuff
550 BHP Supercharged BMW E39 M5 - Can You Improve A Masterpiece?JayEmm on Cars
The E39 BMW M5 Is BMW’s Best Sport Sedan EverDoug DeMuro
What it's Like To Drive a Better-Than-New BMW E39 M5 - One TakeTheSmokingTire
Was the E39 M5 the BEST M5? 2002 BMW M5 ReviewMatt Maran Motoring
BMW E39 M5 | The Masterpiece M CarSavagegeese
I Just Bought A BMW M5 With 409,000 Miles! Here's How Much I Paid & What's Wrong With It.LegitStreetCars
2003 BMW E39 M5 REVIEW (THE GERMANS AMERICAN MUSCLE?)Brandon Pierce
Why the CS is the best M5 everCAR magazine
2008 BMW M5 E60 (Manual) | The Best M5 Ever?Jubbal & Cars
1986 BMW M5 - Rare 400hp Dinan Turbo E28 (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
Living With the New BMW M5 Wagon - 717HP Morning Commute (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
Living With a 2025 BMW M5 (My Honest Thoughts)ThatDudeinBlue
2003 BMW E46 M3 Manual - Inline 6 Induction Noises are The Best (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Manual - 668hp Morning Commute (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
1991 BMW E34 M5 Review - Archaic Sports Sedan With Undeniable SwagZygrene
1991 BMW M5 (E34) | M5 Generation Comparison ConclusionsJubbal & Cars
2001 BMW M5 (E39) | Was This Peak M5 or Still Missing the Mark?Jubbal & Cars
My 2001 BMW E39 M5 Update - Disgusting Brake Fluid and Last Drive!! (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
9 Years of BMW E39 M5 Ownership - POV Drive (Binaural Audio)Tedward
2003 BMW E39 M5 - Driving the Greatest Sport Sedan Ever Made (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
BMW F10 M5 6-Speed Manual - 560hp Twin Turbo V8 RWD (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
2001 BMW E39 M5 - BIG Repairs Required (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
6 Reasons Why I Still LOVE my E39 M5Tedward
2000 BMW E39 M5 Review - Even Better Than The V10?JayEmm on Cars
Before You Buy an E39 M5Tedward
The e39 M5 is The Perfect DailyTedward
MotorWeek | Retro Review: '00 BMW E39 M5 SedanMotorWeek
My 2001 BMW E39 M5 Update - You'll Never Believe How Long this Battery Lasted (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
Driving My BMW E39 M5 - First Shakedown of 2025 and Everything It Needs (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
The E39 BMW M5 | The Next Big Thing with Magnus WalkerHagerty
Review: A One-Owner 2002 BMW M5Doug DeMuro
2001 BMW E39 M5 Therapy Drive - Are The Best Cars Behind Us? (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
Driving My BMW E39 M5 - Swapping V8's in Torrential Rain (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
BMW E39 M5 Night Drive - German V8 Super Sedan (POV Binaural Audio)Tedward
2001 BMW E39 M5 Spring Drive POV - Isolation Drive (Binaural Audio)Tedward
2001 BMW E39 M5 Highway Drive POV - Binaural AudioTedward
Mildly Modded M5- 2001 BMW e39 M5Tedward
Head to head
▶ play all (7)
From the press · 7 articles