Why the E39 M5 is the best BMW ever. Review! 

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E39 gave a whole new meaning to “fast saloon” when it came out - absolute legend and still my favourite 👌🏻👍🏻

One of the best looking sedans ever. Back when BMW styling took a "Less is More" approach. These days the cars are grossly over styled, and just plain ugly.

i owned 2001 e39 525i , i miss it so much, it was awesome! classy, elegant and sporty! one of the best bmw and cars in general.

My mates dad had one, one of my first tastes of something insanely fast from the passenger seat. One of the best looking 5 series generations in my opinion too

This isn't just a great BMW this is one of the best cars of all time

I drove a colleague’s M5 at the time, and remember thinking it was the best balance between a daily driver and a sports car I had ever been on. You could be driving it casually with the wife and kids in the back and no one would know its even sporty, and then drop them off and go for a drive, start revving, and that thing just becomes a hooligan. Amazing car to drive. I’ve always felt it, and the E39 540i were the pinnacle of the 5 series.

Great review as slways matt. I had my e39 m5 supercharged by evolve nearly 2 years ago and have driven it to within an inch of its life. Cannot fault their work and highly recommend their upgrade. Along with a few extras to keep it on the road with the added power 👌🏻

My second company car was an E39 525d. With the Bangle 5 series coming in, mine was one of the last E39’s in the dealership so had loads of options including the TV which worked. Picture would switch off when the car was moving as a safety measure. I think there was even a CD player behind the TV. I loved that car. Handled wonderfully.

Man BMW design from this era was so clean, simple, and gorgeous.

Timeless design. Those were the days when BMW design was flawless. Best looking M5 of all time. Subject is closed to argument.

I used to have a Z8. Hearing that engine with the roof down was incredible. Lovely car the M5.

The E39 remains one of the finest cars ever built. This M5 remains my fave. Shame they never made an estate version.

Yes this is one of those BMWs which still stand on that tagline which every one loves "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE"

The original LCI E39 was the first model integrated with the iconic BMW "Angel Eyes" rings on the headlights. They were unofficially called Angel Eyes because they look like an angel's halo, from what I know at least. Great car overall!

The chromed outline of the kidneys was a standard in ALL E39s. The M5 special was chromed vertical bits. Sideskirts look standard Mpack, same for the steering wheel. The seats are different though. And the internal mirror. The 'plasticky' aluminum is not a plastic, but actual metal - I have one with this trim.

Drove one recently on a detailing job. Feel in love. Sounds amazing

The original alloys were a classic. These bbs ones are cool but not like the originals

Working at my local BMW at the time when the e39 m5 and e46 m3 were out was the main reasons why I fell in love with the brand. The Z8 with this motor was one of the best cars I ever driven and my first real taste of what a performance/luxury car should look and drive like.

I used to have one of these.. R reg and silver.. so many technical problems all the time it drove me nuts! However, when it "behaved itself" it was a beautiful drive and was a pleasure to own

I owned a M-sport E39 for many years, every time I tested the newer ones, I was disappointed. BMW never managed to get the same mixture of comfort and responsiveness in the 5 series. The 6 cylinder rack and pinion steering was indeed better than the 8 cylinder circulating balls. If I had more time and money, I’d transplant a new B58 engine into a LCI E39.

Real G's remember when the title was "this is the BMW M car ever"

I still love the look of this car ..

The front is absolutely gorgeous with the headlights, grills, bumper and my personal favorite; the aerodynamic mirrors.. Even the interior rear view mirror is gorgeous

Big Cousin - Artist/Car Enthusiast. The E39 is automotive history. By design and performance and it’s beautiful simplicity is forever etched in our minds. Nothing will ever be like it. I have a Carbon Black E39 M5 all original best weekend car ever, I love this video. I feel this car needs a documentary. Something that’ll give it Justice. People will say F10 is better but nah, not really memorable. I don’t think it’ll be desirable age wise as much as the g80 when time passes. Thanks again Matt!

Back in 2001 we called those headlights “angel eyes”. There was a mod to be able to add them to E46’s. Good ol days. Best M’s came from that gen. Definitely buy one. Keepers fo sho

I recently bought myself an E39 and I’m absolutely in love! Now it’s only a 523i but it still has an toque-y I6 engine and it moves! Especially for only a 170hp. There’s also no rust (maybe a few bubbles here and there) and i got it for only 2.5k€. The car is not leaving anytime soon 😄

My favourite iteration of the 5 series. For me this had the best balance in its styling and the M version isn’t even my favourite. I liked the 523iSE and it’s subtle, classy finish and just enough performance for everyday use.

What a great looking car and a nice review. I had the opportunity to buy one of these several years ago for £11k, now I am kicking myself. However, I have just bought a low mileage e39 540i, so I have 75% of the experience with a 4.4 V8.

Back in 2001, my father used to have a 540i 6 speed. I was fooling around with that car and then another 5 series (unusual thing over here) pulls up to me and we went for it. The second I heard the other V8 I knew it was something else. I was able to see the the little M badge at the rear and the 4 exhaust pipes, and then it kept getting smaller and smaller. Absolute beast of a car. And, at least to me, it is the best looking 5 series ever made. Hope I can get my hands on one of those some day

This is the Ultimate M5 and the build quality on the E39 series was on a different level, they don't make them like that anymore.

My dad bought an Imola red 2003 when in was in high school back in 2005. Used to sneak it out after I got my license from time to time and I truly love this car. So much so that I finally bought one myself last year 2002 Le Mans blue with the LMB individual interior. Amazing vehicle, easily the greatest sedan of all time.

Great car (I own one of the last ones, build in May 2003) and great review. One correction: the headlights are called Angel eyes, not Corona lights - eventhough that suits them well too 😅.

Worked repairing these at a BMW bodyshop around 2000 onwards and the crash protection is actually very good,even the early ones had 6 airbags and it was built very well.No deaths and few injuries as I recall.

This is my favourite looking BMW ever. I nearly bought one for 10k 5 years ago and I’ve kicked myself for not doing it ever since. Buy one Matt, so I can live vicariously through you.

I love my E39. 25 yrs old , and still showroom cond.

I want one 😁and all the Imran upgrades too. What a car. Obviously an older car, yet somehow still looks modern. Until that is, you see the stereo, “smokers package, and “first generation” cup holders. Apart from that the interior is timeless and those seats are amazing. Yet another good honest review from Mat. Enthusiasm in buckets for the M5. Surprised if Mat has not already pulled the trigger. Lucky old Mat.

Beautiful car. I had a number of E39 535i's and 540i's but never made it to the M5......by fat the nicest 5 Series ever built. This is the era of when BMW was at its best...

The E39 is still the best BMW ever built! I had the 540i back in the day; what a car that was! Still miss it to this day. 😞

My all time favourite BMW M5 ,fell in love with it years ago in the early 2000 when I was around 12 years . gorgeous car

I love your videos dude. They get straight to the point and no E39 M5 Owner has ever cared about that cup holder.

Gorgeous car, my first car was an E36 - such a well made car, I got one of the last off the line with a special aspen green finish and grey interior. Built like a tank. Good times.

I'd add couple of things to that "bear in mind" list, but they are more E39 as a whole. First is rust - look very closely under rubber seals on each of four doors, they are designed in a way that water just sits between door seal and interior seal. Headlights seem to also fog up sometimes - that's actually a sign that someone tried to repair it and didn't seal them properly with new glue (mostly post-facelift thing). Also take a good look at heated windshield fluid nozzles - there were some instances when some small burning may start from them. All electrics sometimes seems to get wonky, but biggest thing are those screens which tend to loose pixels and you just can't read anything from on board computer in gage cluster. And actually that "handbrake turn" couldn't probably be done, because it's the biggest thing BMW cocked up, and it jams not engaged each month really - thing is metal cord is placed in metal housing and it just jams with all the dirt and oter stuff, so best is to not count on using handbrake. But overall it's actually one of the best vehicles ever made I think, and it actually goes not only for M5 but E39 as a whole generation, but I may be not really objective.

Hi Mat, it would be cool if you have a camera by the exhaust, when you driving👍🏼 thank you for the video!

I’ve just came across this video…..I had one of these….issues that I couldn’t afford to sort led me to part with it….years later I still cry everyday……..

Back in 2004 I had a 2002 330ci and a good friend / BMW mechanic had an E39 M5. He needed to do some work on mine so he gave me his M5 for about a week. To this day, I remember that V8 growl, and for a larger sedan, how nimble it was , how precise the steering was and the feedback through the steering wheel was just incredible. The throttle response was so instant, and gears were so tall just mashing it in third at 2500 RPMs and listening to that exhaust whale louder and louder till red line was something else! I enjoyed it much more than the E46 M3 which is also an awesome car. I'd love to get a E39 M5 but I only do that if I knew how to work on BMWs, as they're almost impossible to find in good condition with low miles without spending a fortune. Or having to spend a fortune to refurbish one that's been beat up with tons of miles on it.

That E39 was supplied new by Lloyd BMW Carlisle, the site now home to Lloyd Mini. Dealer sticker for Bateman BMW which is around 40 miles south in Grange-over-Sands, now also a Lloyd franchise. Braithwaites Penrith plates too! Very local car to me, they have a stunning small collection at their garage.

Great car! I know for sure, because I own a 2002 530iA Exclusive Edition sedan myself and I love to drive it! The materials inside are so rigid and do have a quality you can feel. Comfort seats and double glass come on top of that. I recently let the whole car ceramic coated and will not even think about selling it :)

Love Matt Watson's reviews. They are always fun to watch.

Imran's taste in mods and oem+ looks is perfect. Love the red color and simple interior.

I would've loved to see this car on a track against a newer M5 with all the tests.... I'm so amazed with this E39 wow 👌

My uncle had an E39 525d back in the day. I was just a kid and yet I knew that car was special. I remember not being able to take my head off the headrest when he pulled from 2nd. The torque in that thing was otherworldly. I can't imagine what this M5 feels like. Probably like one of the best cars ever. Not just as a saloon, but overall.

I love the E39. It still looks great to this day and is of Goldilocks size (not too big or small, just right). It’s a lot of fun to drive, even in 528i automatic trim that lost a lot of performance due to age and lack of maintenance. The M5 will be a dream to own, but sadly is too scarce in Australia and will fetch stratospheric prices if I can even find one.

I still remember the first day I saw n fell in love with the E39 years ago,Nd whats funny it got stuck but I loved it then till today

Great video, i like how you detailed the car

I personally would liked to have seen (and heard) a standard variant not on modded to the max, but still, what a machine.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="125">2:05</a> Mat’s phone torch is on 😂

The first time I saw the commercial for this car, it was that mini film by Guy Ritchie starring Madonna and Clive Owen. I was absolutely enamored by it and that film still gives me goose bumps to this day. If you haven't seen it, give it a search, it's worth it. 😉

This generation M5 is hands down one of the most beautiful cars ever made, as a beginner driver the 525 or 528 (can't remember) was the first car I really pushed on the autobahn and it left an imprint in my mind and heart it was so planted even through bends I thoroughly enjoyed the drive ❤ and I really want one for myself to drive in the summer , they will get very sort after im certain.

E39 5 series is still to this day the best car I ever owned. So refined and the right was superb

The E39 is to the M5 what the E46 is to the M3. It just had it all for a late 90s early 2000s bmw. Looks, performance, rear wheel drive and one hell of an engine note.

Your m5 e39 got me to subscribe I so love the m5 great job you doing out there on your reviews 🎉🎉❤❤😊😊😊

One of the prettiest Sedans ever made and what a gorgeous colour to have it in. Perfect engine mod too, not too much not too less. Imran is a lucky bugger.

I have to agree with Mat, this car looks AN ABSOLUTE DREAM except for the wood inside!!! Love it !

Mat, I found your channel last year in August and i've been addicted to carwow ever since. As someone who's been a car lover ever since i was a little kid, I never once knew there was such an awesome channel like Carwow, out there. And the fact that you have your own channel (btw how the hell you have so much time to manage both this channel and Carwow is beyond me) is a huge bonus for your viewers as well. Keep it up!

My brother has a e39 540i 6 speed and I love it it’s so crisp and sharp what a timeless car

I have run two E39 M5s for 250,000 miles over the last 9 years (a red one and a Bluewater). Never have they cost more than a regular BMW to run, just normal servicing with Mobil 1. They are huge fun (as fast as you could possibly want when fully lit) they drive, handle and stop (with Yello Stuff pads) and are incredibly well built and safe. Going up in value really fast. Fabulous cars!

The most beautiful M5 ever made. I really love the V10 in e60, but e39 has this THING, looks very elegant, minimalistic. Pure beauty.

Uh, BMW:s Getrag manual shifters have always felt wonderful to me :) (and the BMWs you need is the BMW M3 E30, BMW M5 E39 and BMW M3 E46)

Wow, what a beauty! And perfectly lowered. Lower than this looks ridiculous but it is nice to see the back and the front equally lowered...

i have the black BBS rims on my e39 530i silver, it looks gorgeous

Whenever Mat is near the trunk of the M5 look at the paint and look at him talking through the car 😂

The first sports sedan! The M5 forever a legend. Love the E39s

Game changer ! understated surefooted fast svelte executive express amazingly impressive even now . Before turbo this was the very best of normally aspirated engineering

Wow this is such a great looking car !! The color and engine really work!!

It's the most badass M car ever. Comfortable, fast, manual, drifts and seats 5 safely. Period.

That's the nicest E39 M5 I've ever seen. Just the right modifications.

I remember this model particularly from older NFS games I used to play as a kid. Even now, I still think it's design is timeless.

I had a poster of this car I got at the Seattle auto show in 1999. It really is one of the best looking cars ever made.

My all time favourite M5 - I’ve been toying with the idea of buying one for years but sadly, can’t afford to have another car, I wouldn’t have this as a daily. Beautiful car - really interesting upgrades as well. Thanks Matt and Evolve

Without a doubt my favourite BMW of all time and the only one I would own. I do love a stealth car as well and this is M5 is spot on, exactly how I've done my cars over the years. Low mileage too. Simply gorgeous ❤️ Less is more, in this case much much more. The new BMW grilles are way too big and this has nice small chrome ones. A manual gearbox in a world full of exhaust fart, pops and bangs auto's.

Well I have E34 BMW 525i 93 still love it❤. Hoping Peter doesn't retire that is the guy that works on it.

My heart bit my goodness each time i see this bmw models,hoping to have 7 of them from 1series in the near future❤

This was the first M5 my dad ever had and the first car I had ever been in (1999). He's had every M5 since. Me and my dad are getting an e39 when we find one in the right spec im looking for one with blue or red/burgundy paintwork with black and white, tan or brown leather he's looking for one with oxford green metallic and brown leather as this was the spec he chose in 1998.

I love the E39 M5. Imola red is a stunning colour. The E46 M3 and E39 M5 were both such well proportioned cars that I still love today but given the prices these days, I’ve very much missed that boat. Imran has a lovely collection of old M cars; this is Z3M, his CSL etc.

E39 M5 and E46 M3 were peak BMW in my opinion, lovely to look at, fantastic to drive! I was always envious of those cars and have driven a few of each. I had to settle for my late-model E46 330d manual (in the same red as that M5) , remapped for a little more boost. It was decent, but not a patch on the E46 + E39 M division petrol drinkers of the time.

I remember when I first got my license... the M5s were going for 14-18k (USD) which ofc was out of range at that time but damn I loved e39s. I was picking up a e39 530i for 3200... and the transmission crapped itself on the test drive haha, ended up just taking my dad's hand me down lexus ES

I had great times with car. I had one of the first e39 M5’s in the US (nov 99 delivery). It didn’t have the angel eyes, they came next year, it didn’t have the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="969">16:9</a> navigation (had <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="243">4:3</a>), and the “LeMans Blue” paint wasn’t ready (according to dealer) so they made the first few in Avus Blue.

I’ve recently bought an E39 M5 and it’s awesome. Future classic, without any doubt.

Our daughter inherited her mother's 1998 AC Schnitzer 540i. We shifted countries and gave it to her. We had two E39's. 1999 523. The Schnitzer was an incredible car to drive in New Zealand roads.

Arguably the best looking 5 Series on the market. The E28 was sharp as well. These M cars will definitely keep you working hard.

If they made a new car that looked exactly like this from the outside, I'd buy it. The interior just needs some small updates while keeping the original layout and keeping the same dashboard.. 🙂

ex's dad had one of this. within a year i would see the car about two to three times only in the driveway, most of the time in the workshop. but the dad wouldn't let it go. beautiful machine.

Have one myself for the last 6 years,absolutely love it!

I was following one in Devon a few weeks ago about 7am so hardly any traffic, it sounded amazing Yep I agree, the best M5 to date (apart from the e28 😂)

My all time favourite alloys!! That whole package is awesome 👍🏻!!

I had one back in 2009 a 2001 bmw m5 .and I have to tell you i own a lot of cars but the e39 m5 is my number one pick this car just amazing.now I’m looking for one but the all rundown if you find one in good condition the price tag is just crazy it can reach up to 40.000 US dollar

Wanted one of these since 1999 when a school friend's Dad had one brand new in Le Mans Blue (and a 360 moderna for weekends). Never got round to owning one, and now I'm so used to Audi s-tronics that I'm worried manual would be a "problem" in traffic. Plus they are all rusted now, so unless I import one from Japan there's a lot of work to do. Imola Red looks fantastic and seems really rare now. Also 400hp in a heavy saloon is a bit slow these days considering a remapped golf R is around the same and much lighter.

The E39 ///M5 is still one of my dream cars. I grew up playing NFS Hot Pursuit and this is the car I always chose. Specifcally Dinan ///M5

Even as a standard car ,it was a brilliant vehicle