Are E39 M5's really worth this much?

[jepva]

I've been looking around at some AMG, M type, and S type stuff and most notably the E39 M5 prices have me scratching my head. It's hard to find a decent low-mileage example for sure, but is a 12-year old car with under 50k miles really still worth $30K+?

The difference is astounding..a pretty clean example with 75k can be had for low 20's, but anything under that mileage shoots up to the high 20's and beyond.

It's hard to swallow when the AMG counter-parts are going for mid to lower 20's with the same or better mileage. And arguably, the M5 has a very outdated (even outdated for the time) interior and less performance (say vs E55), but I'm sure it nails the "driving dynamics" part, and of course having the manual may add to its value.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...25534142&Log=0


THIS ($38k) :



VS ($24k):


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...25541110&Log=0

* While it is true the E55 AMG was more so the direct competitor to the M5, the C55 was actually closest in performance to the M5, with the E55 AMG truly ahead (trapping 116mph in the 1/4). Even the E55 AMG's are on average a bit cheaper than E39 M5's with similar mileage.

[mike02467]

That car looks absolutely perfect... Price is high yeah, but it's an e39 M5 after all, which is fairly rare and extremely awesome car...

[Son]

In my eyes at least that generation 5er has much more appeal than that generation C-class. It's just more of a "real car" somehow. The M5 seems immaculate, whereas the C55 has some wheel curbage and also more miles.

[deucestudios]

Condition sets the market on these.
Someone WILL pay that for that car.
Lately they've been going anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 USD.

[ToucheTurtle]

Considering the E39 M5 is the finest sedan ever built and that one is in showroom new condition id say yeah its probably worth it.

[Son]

I wonder what that M5 would look like with painted bumper and side rubstrips, the factory chrome side window trim and a set of some nice 19" wheels with some dish. That interior says luxury but the red paint and the black trim on the outside is more sporty.

[mhjett]

Enthusiast Auto (that place selling the E39 you posted) always has pretty high prices. That said, they seem to get pretty cream-of-the-crop, and often unusual, BMWs.

Oh, and it's a little bit ridiculous that a car with 38k miles has already required a clutch replacement. I remember reading a Car and Driver long-term review of an E39 M5 and theirs also required a clutch replacement before (IIRC) 40k miles.

[bombardi]

The interior would be easier to change to suit the sporty exterior feel with a simple trim piece swap. When I bought my E39 it originally came with wood grain trim, now I have it swapped out for BMW Individual Black Cubic and definitely gave the interior a more sporty/younger look.

[Footprints]

Be sure to drive the E39 M5 early in your search. It was always a dream car for me but when I thought about buying one and finally drove it I was extremely disappointed in the steering feel due to it's recirculating ball system. It was a deal breaker for me.

[bubbagti]

Enthusiast Auto (that place selling the E39 you posted) always has pretty high prices. That said, they seem to get pretty cream-of-the-crop, and often unusual, BMWs.

Oh, and it's a little bit ridiculous that a car with 38k miles has already required a clutch replacement. I remember reading a Car and Driver long-term review of an E39 M5 and theirs also required a clutch replacement before (IIRC) 40k miles.

I have read that clutch and tire replacement is required quite frequently on the E39 M5.
Tires every ~15-20k miles
Clutch every ~30k miles

[VadGTI]

It's hard to swallow when the AMG counter-parts are going for mid to lower 20's with the same or better mileage. And arguably, the M5 has a very outdated (even outdated for the time) interior and less performance (say vs E55), but I'm sure it nails the "driving dynamics" part, and of course having the manual may add to its value.

[jepva]

....

yes, its interior was considered outdated at the time if you read the reviews and comparisons, and i can see why. yes, it's very luxurious..but still feels like a pre-2000 car to me vs the updated Merc counter-parts.

and no, im not seriously considering a M5 at this point. i've heard about the clutch / tires / steering etc., but i'm more of a value shopper and it's hard to pass up a similar mint C55 AMG for way less money and about the same performance. but I can perfectly understand a BMW / M-car purist paying that much, I suppose.

[danny_16v]

I have read that clutch and tire replacement is required quite frequently on the E39 M5.
Tires every ~15-20k miles
Clutch every ~30k miles

I don't think a clutch is needed every 30k miles but I've heard of 50-80k depending on driving... probably bad drivers mostly though

[ValveCoverGasket]

Considering the E39 M5 is the finest sedan ever built

clean bmws do command some insane prices though, and probably vary widely by region.

id consider expanding your search to the E class though...

[LaFerrari]

I sold my mint '03 E39 M5 with 26k miles to EA a couple of years ago for about $32k and I have regretted every second of it since. The car gods didn't approve of my decision either...about two weeks later I was staring at the same exact car...one of my clients saw it listed, bought it and shipped it right back to Denver

[Wanganrunner]

This is definitely not the first time I've seen someone post an Enthusiast Auto ad and be like "WTF WHY DOES CAR X COST SO MUCH"

This one costs so much because EA is selling it and they only sell the BEST, like "could sit in a BMW museum" quality. They're priced accordingly.

But yeah, M5 <> C55, anyway. M5 = E55.

W203 vs E39 isn't even a question, IMO.

[bubbagti]

For that money I would be getting a W211 E55 instead of the M5 or the C55. I'd get a tune and pulley and be very happy
~550hp 600ft/lbs

[TJSwoboda]

I revere the E39 M5. Although every fiber of my common sense says that I've missed my opportunity to have one as a DD, if anything happened to my car tomorrow I'd be scoping Autotrader for low mileage E39 M5s. With all that said: No. (Marshall Lucky) That price is just Too High. (/Marshall Lucky)

Keep looking, you'll find a better deal, even if there's someone dumb enough out there to pay these kinds of prices.

[valfaw]

For $40k my M5 will have 10 cylinders thank you...

[Jrod511]

Most early E39 M5's are $10k-$17k cars. Not $30++

[GLI Dan]

With cars like these, I'd rather wait and pay the premium for a great example than save a few thousand on something that isnt quite as good. The flip side of the argument is buy inexpensive and just go bonkers on the typical maintenace stuff.

Just remember, things are expensive. My e46 ate ~$1200 (i had kinda planned on it tho) right after I bought it and it was on rather minor stuff. Of course DIY saves you a bundle because a large portion of that is labor charges.

[Ross1013]

IMO the M cars are just more special than the AMG stuff. There's fewer of them (everything gets an AMG badge) and they stick around for longer. Seems that every 2-3 years the AMG stuff gets overhauled and the cylinder count changes.

Plus, if you want to shift for yourself, you won't do it in an AMG.

Any truly magical driver's car carries a premium. Look at Supra and NSX values compared with 3000GT, 300ZX, etc. Or 'Golden Age' VTEC Hondas. No surprise here that there is an E39M out there for $40k, as it was a $90k car.

[vdubdave]

$38k? Lol. How about $59k?

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...orm_display=51

Mileage: 3,485

[Jrod511]

No surprise here that there is an E39M out there for $40k, as it was a $90k car.

2000 M5 MSRP was $70k, not $90k.

Only 2 2000 model M5's have sold for over $10k (neither over $12,500) at auction in the past 2 months. The rest (about a half dozen) were under $10k. Not to say that they are as nice as the car in the OP, but I stick by my story that they are $10k-$17k cars.

Nice enthusiast cars are out there for realistic prices, and there are nice ones for bonkers prices. More power to this guy to get 2x of where the market really is, but don't be fooled.

[oh noes! cars!]

$38k? Lol. How about $59k?

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...orm_display=51

Mileage: 3,485

If I won the lottery, I'd buy it

[bubbagti]

(everything gets an AMG badge) and they stick around for longer. Seems that every 2-3 years the AMG stuff gets overhauled and the cylinder count changes.

Not sure if serious. but...



E30 M3 - Inline 4
E36 M3 - Inline 6
E46 M3 - Inline 6
E92 M3 - V8
F80 M3 - Rumored twin turbo V6

E28 M5 - Inline 6
E34 M5 - Inline 6
E39 M5 - V8
E60 M5 - V10
F10 M5 - V8 twin turbo

[VadGTI]

2000 M5 MSRP was $70k, not $90k.

Only 2 2000 model M5's have sold for over $10k (neither over $12,500) at auction in the past 2 months. The rest (about a half dozen) were under $10k. Not to say that they are as nice as the car in the OP, but I stick by my story that they are $10k-$17k cars.

Nice enthusiast cars are out there for realistic prices, and there are nice ones for bonkers prices. More power to this guy to get 2x of where the market really is, but don't be fooled.

You realize what you just did here, right, Jared?


Yes, yes, you realize...


Please use your super-dealer skillz to find me a sub-$10k M5, please, please, please.


Le Mans Blue > Imola Red > Silverstone > Black


Thanks!!!!

[Vr6DubNY]

I was on the hunt for a w211 e55, or e39 m5 a year ago. It took me a week to find a viable E55, a road trip ensued and I ended up in philly. I saw the car in person and was happy with the aestethics and with performance on paper. It had a pulley, and a whole list of upgrades, yet when I hit the gas it didn't feel as fast as my stg3 gti, or e36 m3sc I got rid of, although i'm sure it was. It felt like the car was a tug boat, it just didn't feel like a performance car at all. It may have just been the car I drove, but I can't imagine ever owning one.

I looked for 3 more months for a well priced, clean example of an e39 to drive and buy. I failed miseribly. I was unwilling and unable to pay more than 1k above book. Not to mention that I knew i'd need money for repairs on the m5.

In my searches I came across enthusiast auto many times, they seem to list a new M5 every other day, all appear to be priced according to shape. If you want a mint m5...they have them...but bring your check book.

[Fritz27]

You realize what you just did here, right, Jared?


Yes, yes, you realize...


Please use your super-dealer skillz to find me a sub-$10k M5, please, please, please.


Le Mans Blue > Imola Red > Silverstone > Black


Thanks!!!!

[venom600]

It may have just been the car I drove, but I can't imagine ever owning one.

It's not just you. The E55 I drove didn't feel fast at all either. I expected that push you back in your seat feeling and it was not there. More like being in a fast plane.

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

Enthusiast Auto (that place selling the E39 you posted) always has pretty high prices. That said, they seem to get pretty cream-of-the-crop, and often unusual, BMWs.

Oh, and it's a little bit ridiculous that a car with 38k miles has already required a clutch replacement. I remember reading a Car and Driver long-term review of an E39 M5 and theirs also required a clutch replacement before (IIRC) 40k miles.

E39's and poor drivers don't mix. 540's have the same problem. Tiny clutch with a high clamping force that's intolerant of being slipped.

[Jrod511]

Le Mans Blue > Imola Red > Silverstone > Black

If I find you a sub $10K E39 M5 you have only two choices: Wire transfer or cash in person. You'll be lucky if it has a color.

Oh, you should've had my wagon; finally let it go for $2k.

[Jrod511]

Found a silver one in Fontana with 165k on it; it's in a pre-sale list to be auctioned (simulcast) projected value of $8900.

[blue70beetle]

Only 2 2000 model M5's have sold for over $10k (neither over $12,500) at auction in the past 2 months. The rest (about a half dozen) were under $10k.

Just out of curiosity, of the M5s that sell, how many are selling at auction (I assume you're talking dealer auction)? Out of the cars that are taken as trades, etc., by dealers, what portion is sold by the same dealer and never makes it to the auction? And how many are private-party sales? It seems that for a car in this category, the number sold at auction, and possibly their values, might be a bit misleading. I do like the idea of being able to have a nice M5 for far less than my wife's Cadillac, though...

[Chapel]

I've seen some in the teens