For those wondering, here is the list of "OEM+" performance upgrades at the time of this review: - HPS intake elbows - Turner plug-n-play IAT relocation kit, MAF temp sensor relocated to the front of the air box - Eventuri carbon fiber intake plenum upper cover - Eisenmann Race mufflers - Einhorn Industries lightened dual-mass flywheel (stock flywheel but 8 lbs lighter) - E60 545i short shifter - UUC DSSR - Ground Control coilovers dialed in for street comfort, no aggressive camber setting - Dinan rear sway bar (set to middle of three settings) The rest of the intake is stock. Stock exhaust manifold, cats, and resonator. Stock tune. OEM Luk clutch (and no, there is no clutch delay valve for the M5). Rebuilt stock transmission, rebuilt stock LSD with factory 3.15 gear ratio (upgraded from 2 clutch to 3 clutch). Stock brakes. 15mm spacers up front purely for looks. Stock staggered style 65 wheels dressed in PS4S tires.
I had two E39 m5s and drove them for almost 9 years. Absolutely Loved them. Muffler delete was the sweetest sounding exhaust ever. Moved on to a Chevy SS with zero regrets.
That Poplar Wood trim looks amazing with the black interior. An E39 M5 only needs newest all round tires (PS4S in this case) and maybe an exhaust, not for sound or any power gain, but for not crumbling away like many late 90s/early 00s stock car exhausts, and maybe some extra rust prevention here and there.
Awesome video! To answer the question, I don't know if there is a better sports sedan. Perhaps, but the E39 M5 with OEM+ upgrades is the one best suited for me, I'm confident of that. Fenton, thanks so much for flying out to see us little folks in NC. (And shout out to Stephen for coordinating with you & Kevin Jubbal, and hosting the event and grilling the hot dogs for everyone!) Like you I used to drive an E39 540i, and I remember watching your M-Sport videos years ago hoping you would review the M5. Little did I know that years later I'd be watching my own M5 featured on your channel! Thank you for being so kind in the video. It was an honor to have you review it and a pleasure to host you and Kevin that weekend. I honestly would love to do it again sometime. Perhaps we could meet up at Tail of the Dragon! :)
After lusting for one for years, I finally got a cherry E39 M5 in 2015, to go with my daily at the time, a 2005 330ci ZHP coupe. Having those 2 cars to drive back-to-back all the time, the lousy recirculating ball steering in the M5 really stood out as a VERY sore spot, compared to the ZHP's absolutely sublime steering. I wound up only keeping that M5 for a year, after finding myself reaching for the ZHP keys far more often. Loved a lot of things about it - the looks, the motor, etc. - but in the end, just couldn't be in love with it. So we broke up.
Ok you got me to click. I’ve always liked the look of these m5s, they’re the best hands down. Although, I’m not giving up my SS. I just can’t, I flippin love it.
@@churchofbrap876 There are numerous over 200k.- for example ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A3igWn0TJFg.html&pp=ygUQZTkyIG0zIGhpZ2ggbWlsZQ%3D%3D These are obviously younger than the E39 M5s but there are dozens in the UK which are well over 160k, the highest I've seen was over 260k, which was a cabriolet. Plus...that wasn't the question ;) The question was sports sedan, and the E90 M3 is better than the E39 M5 in my opinion, it's a far more sporty drive.
Nothing beats the 8 series of the early 90's that car was something else. Back when BMW used the V12 design they made for the McLaren F1 and shoved it into the 850 CSi
Great review! How would you say the ride comfort and handling of the koni-based ground control coilovers compared to the koni yellow shocks you had on your old 540i?
@@VidNibs hahah caught you self liking your own comments. Its also funny everytime anyone mentions any E9X you immediately comment on begin to fawn over how perfect pre bangle cars are and how shitty the bangle ones are. Every single time you comment thinking you have the popular opinion you get ratioed. You really are an ignoramus. The E39 and E46 are insanely overrated cars. Funny how clean bangle era disasters are selling for more than the pre bangle ones are.
Engine and transmission were pulled out to do an overhaul in 2019 as preventative maintenance, there were no issues at the time. Timing chain/guides/internal tensioners, rod bearings and main bearings, Vanos refurbished by Dr Vanos, plus a ton of other while you’re in there jobs. Sorry, I don’t remember how much all that cost me back then, but it wasn’t cheap.
I assure you that’s what it really sounds like in person. I also noticed that loud noise after each shift in the video and I’m not sure what it is, but the clutch doesn’t make that noise.
@@Zygrene Thank goodness! 😅 I was driving the car this afternoon trying to figure out why it made that noise in the video. What a relief. You never know with these old bimmers.
In this case it’s not the clutch pedal. It’s the heel of his shoe rubbing against the rubber floor mat. The way he pins the heel of his shoe on the floor while depressing and releasing the clutch pedal caused the squeaking noise. It did rain earlier that morning so his shoe was probably wet which makes it worse. I wish I put the carpet floor mat in there for the review.
Thanks Mark. In my case, it’s definitely the clutch pedal lever or something. Mechanic says it’s a known issue and needs to be replaced with some aftermarket rubber something? Dunno
Good eye. I had to find a non-illuminated Poplar shift knob. Got lucky and found new old stock. Then I had my friend modify the inner hole with a Dremel to fit on an M5 illuminated shift knob. I pulled off the Bruyere Club wood trim and slid on my now modified the Natural Poplar wood trim. It felt too light so then I shoved a few ounces of tungsten putty filling up the empty gaps inside the upper portion of the shift knob. Now it feels perfect! A one of a kind illuminated E39 M5 Natural Poplar weighted shift knob. 😁
I'm between the E39 and the RS4 B7. Hard to deny here in EU, the Audi with wide fenders, bucket seats and that flat bottom Lamborghini steering wheel looks more special.
