2001 BMW E39 M5 review - why this might be my favourite car EVER 

Amazing to think that BMW nearly didn't produce the E39 M5. When the E39 was introduced and the 540i with the new 4.4l M62, it made power figures on par with the E34 M5, and BMW is said to have believed that the 540i was powerful enough that they had no need to create an M badged specimen. The AMG Benz E class was the equivalent of making BMW get off their ass, stretch their legs and say "We're doing this now? Okay, let's do this then." And thus the E39 M5 was born. Glorious, 4 door automotive perfection. While everyone shits on the 540i because it's not an M5, it's quite astonishing how much character they share, especially with the 6 speed gearbox in the 540. They both have the same exact split personality. As long as they haven't modded out the soul of the car, around town, short shifting, the car feels like its just gliding down the road, a faint rumbly growl reminds you this is a V8, but one with table manners. If it weren't for the distant rumble you would mistake this for being the I6 because it's just so buttery smooth. OEM sport suspension on the 540 and the lovely suspension on the M5 at low speeds makes this feel like a boulevard cruiser, the steering makes the car feel telepathic. Get the right headers on, with the factory mufflers and what you get is a beautiful, almost straight-pipe sound with open throttle, but quiet at low RPMs so you don't get those looks from people as you drive by their homes and businesses. At the lower half of the rev range with an open throttle the character is unmistakably that of a muscle car. However at the higher end of the RPM range the DOHC(And for M5 and later 540is) and VANOS on-cam character give this V8 a distinctly European sound, especially the M5 at redline. Take a corner at speed and this docile cruiser becomes a sports car that feels much smaller than it has any business doing so, and it has something that's missing from modern cars: body roll. On a 3700lb car, it's just totally predictable and the body roll tells you exactly where the weight is shifting. If there was a single word to sum up the E39s traits, it would be Progressive. The body roll is progressive, the power is beautifully progressive the way only a NA V8 can be! Luxury used to be defined as how well engineered you could make your cars, and how much quality went into the materials. The doors shut with authority, they're heavy and every time I close the door it makes me think "Autobahn quality," the turn signal stalk is weighted and slots perfectly into place. When properly maintained the leather in these cars can look new forever. I recently picked up a 540i/6 from 97 and it still smells the way they did new, that is to say, the smell of the leather still permeates the car after nearly 25 years! There's a reason these cars have shot up in value like a rocket ship. Everyone is just now getting in on the secret some of us have known since the beginning.

To me, the E39 M5 is up there with the lamborghini miura, as one of the greatest cars ever built.

Great to see an E39 M5 featured, always been one of my favourite cars.

The E39 M5, E46 M3 the last of the great BMWs. A sensible purchase and depreciation proof

I'm on my second one of these cars having bought my first in 2004... between the 2 I've racked up close on 300k miles. Every time I get in and drive away it's still a special occasion. Very easy cars to live with, although they can throw the odd expensive bill... but in my opinion there is not much out there that can do so much so well, it's a car for all occasions.

Possibly the greatest car of all time.

One thing I'd like to point out is that you can modernize the nav/radio. I think it's brilliant that BMW used a standard for the sound system that it continued to use into the 00's on it's other models. What this means is that, especially for cars with the car phone and those pre-wired for it that you can get a module to replace the 6-disc changer and use the connector to it in order to drop in a modern BMW Bluetooth/Voice command system that's very much a plug-and-play deal. This means the nav/computer display will give you a readout of any music you're playing over Bluetooth. The Phone buttons and commands will work with your phone and again, will use your cars display to give feedback on what you're doing. If you have the built-in car phone such as the one in your car, with the Bluetooth module you could even get the old Motorola working again! Of course you could always put a new Touchscreen android based head unit in, but for me there's just something about being able to use all modern Bluetooth features through the original Nav screens. I love even more that my 540i without nav, with the business radio that functions as the center console On-Board Computer, will work with the BMW Bluetooth modules as though it came like that from the factory!

my hero is the E34 M5

My first BMW was an 01’ E46 330i. It’s been my favourite car I’ve ever owned and I still have it after 7 years. But I’ve always loved the E39s and recently have been getting a strong urge to buy one! The more videos I watch the more it makes me want one. Such a beautiful car.

Big but nimble, raw but elegant, timeless design. Wish I could afford one ☺️

Sweet video mate. Kudos to the owner keeping it in swell condition. I'm on my 3rd e39, still have 2. Latest is an 03 530i m sport individual. The M5 variant will never be cheap over here in Australia.

Absolutely love the E39 M5 I've had my E39 525i Sport 15 years now and still not bored of the old thing.

I drive a 6 cylinder 530i MSport not as rawcus as an M5 but it shares suspension body kit and feel of the M5 and is a monster in it's own right .

What a machine..... And the car is also beautiful....

Nice review Tim. I just picked up my second E39. I regretted selling the first one the instant it left my driveway a few years ago. What a beautiful automobile and a pleasure to drive! Thanks for making me smile this morning.

Nice review! Just picked one up as my new daily. Took it on a short road trip with two young kids and despite being a wolf in sheep’s clothing with that underlying thug/rocket sled appeal it’s also great highway cruiser and family car. Looking forward to hopefully many good miles ahead.

First E39 video with actual German music :) RESPECT!!

Great vid, I concur with everything youve said, a very accurate review! I've daylied my E39 M5 for the past 18mo, love it. Nice work.

I've owned my E39 M5 for 12 years and not planning to sell it - great car!

Wow - such a nostalgic video! I had an Oxford Green (gorgeous car). We did timed launches at the Spartansburg NC "BMW Experience" and a few of us did 0-60 in 4.5 seconds - though, you had to really shift well. It was a C5 Vette killer (with groceries in the boot) - and embarrassed a couple Mustang Cobras back then. The sound from the quad pipes was like music. So, now I'm going to have to research some old used models again!! Thanks for this awesome video!

Hi Tim, awesome review. Keep up the awesome work. Can you do an E39 530i review please? The 530i had a better feeling steering because its a traditional rack and pinion setup whereas the V8 540i and M5 had recirculating ball, which is why u felt the dull steering. Would love to know what u think of the lighter 530i with the better steering but about half the power of the M5. Cheers!

Mine had no air from face vents when I got it a few months back, but now sorted and was thankfully a simple cost free fix too 👍 my first ever BMW and I love it already.

as an e39 owner, your intro made me smile and subscribe.

Wonderful car, nice video. Thanks for creating it!

Is this M5 the same M5 that featured on Fifth gear and Tiff tested it? It has the same number plate T400 BHP but this one is blue and the one on fifth gear is black.

Sounds are amazing!

I really want this car, very nice review btw👍

The steering does actually sharpen, along with the throttle response. Perhaps this car has more issues than just the air con 😋

Excellent description of the M5. As others have noted, the power steering assist does decrease along with sharpening up throttle response in sport mode. I have been driving an Imola Red 02 for about 10 years and have no plans to sell it. I think that the intrusive stability control you mention may be specific to the car you tested, perhaps due to older tires? They look like Dunlops, vs. your tee shirt's Michelins. I use Michelin PS4's and before that their PS3 Sports and don't often have the traction control intruding during hard acceleration. The only thing I changed in my car was to replace some of the softer rubber suspension bushings, shocks and springs with Dinnan and Bilstien units when my Sachs gave up at 100,000 miles. Steering response was sharpened up and the ride remains very comfortable and compliant. Adding a Blues Bus interface where the CD changer plugs in made the car's "infotainment" system much more modern, with hands free Blue Tooth connectivity to a phone. The sound is improved too, as it connects to a digital input on the BMW's amp. As long as you are willing to spend more than an average car to keep it well maintained its a pleasure to own.

You just said "daily an E39 M5" Cor. Best film you've done sir. Excellent 👊🏻

Amazing car. Would love one. Do you remember the Clive Owen and Madonna film from BMW? Excellent stuff - the sound of that v8!

My dad's got a 2003 M5. I learned how to drive on it when I got my permit. I love that thing. So much fun to drive and we get compliments on it all the time! It's because of this car that I'm spoiled with manual transmission cars. I daily drive an Infiniti G37 6MT but I'm looking at getting a 1979 733i with a 4 speed manual. I will never get an automatic car. Ever.

Steering tightens up in sport mode as said below, you need traction off, sport on…. Had 165 out of mine on the autobahn last year…

I drive an E39 540i and I love everything about it. Beautiful car E39.

God Thanks i never sold my E39 M5. 🙏🏼🙌🏼 The Last 3 Years i was thinking about but i never did it. After 12 Years it still gives me that Feeling everytime i'm driving it that no other car can give.

I used to love Pro Skater 3!!

I love this car. I'm biased though. LOL. Driven over 200,000 km w/ mine.

Nicely done!

Love it, absolutely love it. Comfortable and easily fast enough for UK roads. Want one 😎

I had to move the CEO’s one of these once in the company car park! Made my day!

Beast! Great review!👍

It actually does change the steering weight when you hit sport. There is an electric box on steering box that does some magic.

I'm with Tim. The E39 M5 is one of my favourite cars ever. Actually, I have an auto 540i with some subtle mods (Eibach springs, decatted exhaust, Active Autowerke engine tune and Alpina TCU reflash, M5 wing mirrors and M5 alignment settings) and it is a peach. I'd love to MT swap it, put an LSD and that's it! The car is just a complete joy to drive, even being almost 24 years old. The 540i is around 100Kg lighter than the M5, wich helps in general performance driving, and my car doesn't even have a Vanos. Everything works, it's calm, fast enough, safe enough (8 airbags, dsc and great visibility), handles great at the limit and is a lot of fun on the track, although it is kinda slow. The V8 E39 are the best cars ever made, specially if you put it in context. I do think the seating position is a tad high, and the steering is pretty slow, but with some cheap exhaust mods you have an AWESOME sounding saloon that can travel for hours with 4 people inside at over 120mph. In absolute comfort.

Sport button should weight up the steering unless there is a problem with the servotronic on the steering box. The fan resistor will also need replacing seen as the fans don't work. Just got another e39 m5 and second time out it's stopped working too. Easy job to do.

I had an E39 and then an E46 and absolutely loved them. I gave up on BMWs three years ago once they had lost all feel, visibility and beauty.

If the sport button don't make the steering a little heavier then something is not working, it should, it's not massively more heavy but noticeable. Great review tho! I find mine a little frustrating to drive slowly tho, and in town it's not fun at all, it wants to be at speed, 120 km/h is slightly below 3000 rpm, concidering the peak torque that makes for very fast overtakes, no need to downshift, just boot in 6th and you've passed whatever needed to be overtaken. Still a very fast car if let off the leash, they will do close to 300 km/h un-limited, enough to humble quite a lot of modern cars as long as you have the stretch to do it on. Mine managed 295 km/h on the GPS a week or so ago, took a while but we got there.

Great video Tim! Proud owner myself, and I'd like to add that the sports button does indeed change the steering wheel feel. It should make the steering feel 'heavier' / provide more feedback. Unless I'm mistaken...

Hope you will keep that pristine M5! I am quite filled with envy, eventhough my F10 has slightly more power than the E39. Still iconic and beautiful the look of the E39 - thanks to its designer Joji Nagashima. Literally a pinnacle in BMW history. Too bad BMW has only scrap pieces nowadays.

I drove this car for 6 years! The E39 IS the best car ever. Never found a car like that again so i am thinking of buying one again.

It is a brilliant brilliant car, BMW were doing everything right back then. It is my dream car, much better build quality than todays BMW.

The beast, love that car! Have 2001 e39 530i.

It's comical that you felt you had to convince anyone on the planet how fantastic this car is. It is LEGENDARY AND ICONIC. No one would ever dispute this fact.

I've got an Alpina B3biturbo, but would like one of these.

i owned my e39 m5 since 2004 , still love it , i believe the best M car ever , i also have the e30 m3 cabrio .

Beautiful ride still.

My endgame BMW.

Had two of these down the years, both from James Paul (top chaps). The first of them is one of only two cars I ever regret selling.

I would love to have one of these.

Cars from mid 90s to late 2010s where perfection to me. 355, F50, 550 Maranello, Challenge Stradale, Diablo 6.0, Murcielago, 997 GT3, Carrera GT, E46 M3 CSL, E39 M5, E38s.... After this it all became a little bit silly, with the odd highlight here and there. Modernize any of the above cars with an apple carplay capability, modern tyres and brakes...and in my opinion, they are the road better cars to own.

Holly sheet Tim! I can see a well known UK dealer has a 2000 car with 37k on the clock, priced at.... GULP! £47,995 😱

I love whenever he said if you think e39 M5 is boring please unsubscribe and leave:))))))

Got mine up to 165 in the good ol USA with a *name redacted* flash tune. It had way more to give, but dying buried in a redwood would suck.

The ultimate sleeper.

These were £59 995 in 1998. Did they get cheaper towards the end then ?

i own this car and have done for almost 8 years .I drive it to work 5 days a week and take the fam to the sea side now and then .. Best car i ever bought . And yes its in Le Mans blue :)

last good looking BMW series.

I've got a M140i at the minute, and it's really annoying knowing I could have spent the same money on one of these or an E46 M3, my absolute hero cars. I just wish I had the balls to daily a 20 year old BMW. My then 15 year old 330i touring was the best car ever, it just put me off owning something like that as my only car. *sigh*

Just been offered one in a straight swap with my 996 I don’t know what to do Always wanted one but I like how light and sporty the 996 feels and I’m worried the m5 will be too Bargy 🤷‍♂️

Best looking 5

I love the E6x M5 because of the V10, but the E39 is still peak M5 for me. I love the subtly of the design that is sadly missing from modern cars.

did 145 and still pulling in my 97 540i w some subtle exhaust mods - and this one is 300hp not 400 like that sweetie.

Is that le mans or topaz or agean blue?

BMW's greatest car ever built- the M5 E39. (Mic drop)

Had 2 of these. A 99 pre facelift and an 01 facelift. Good cars, slightly missed, but I don't miss the rust! Currently own an E60 M5 and it is the better car in so many ways, and a lesser car in others.

My favorite car 😀 Which i haave one 🙌🙌🙌🙌

It's the best ever M5 because BMW created the car every manufacturer aspired to till this day even the f10 and G30 went back to this car to recapture the greatness fluidity balance and poise of the GOAT

This or B7 RS4?

Hey Tim, Thanks as always for the video. Don’t forget the steering on these was actually worse than most of the other 5-series that were the same shape; they had to resort to a recirculating ball steering box in all E39’s fitted with V8 engines because there wasn’t room for the normal rack and pinion, hence that vague steering feel. There was also a dirty great big 1-piece track rod with 4 ball joints to connect it all up :-( The brakes were crap if you ever pressed them, even for enthusiastic road driving. Decent pads helped, but it really needed better callipers. Great video though, thanks again. It made me all misty-eyed and nostalgic as I used to have one; also a facelift, in exactly that colour with the same interior too

Best car ever made !!

I’ll take mine in Imola Red please.

Amazing machine! Way less nonsense than normal 🤓

intro song made me laugh

How did it ever cope with having such a teeny-weeny radiator grill?

👍👍

hi there is only one m5 and thats the one you are in the m5 is the car a wicked car.

Good nonsense. I can't believe you cheated on the M5 by mentioning the M3 CSL! I did something similar when I went on a date with Kylie; I started talking about Dannii; or perhaps I dreamt that?

08:04 😂

Is this god's company car? Definitely god's company t-shirt 😂

4.9 5 litre v8

Nooooo. I just checked this car is NOT ULEZ compliant so all dreams of finally owning my FAVOURITE M5 have been dashed. Unless I up and move to a quiet village out of London

I subscribed because of your unscubscribe comment..

155 on the autobahn? no brainer...DO IT

Another one

Try and get a 40k miles car for £30k - £35k from a dealer. No chance.

It’s faster on the ring than the e46 m3. The CSL is faster around the ring buts not the main m3.

hasd mine for 16 years 15k are you having a laugh

Ya mum! 😁

I had 2002 M5 for couple of years. The only cool thing is about that car is the engine. The rest of the car is blahhh.. Overall is E39 M5 overhyped.

WAP WAP WAP. Hahahaha!

El color de esas llantas es incorrecto,el color correcto es chrome shadow,el que las pintó no lo hizo bien