There are 14 BMW M5. Looking to buy a BMW E39 5 Series in 2025? We break down its pros, cons, reliability, and pricing. Discover why the BMW E39 M5 is a timeless sports sedan, combining V8 performance, reliability, Dinan upgrades and rising market value.
The E39 M5, F90 M5, E28 M5, and E34 M5 are considered the best BMW M5 models, offering exceptional performance and reliability. The worst BMW M5 years to avoid are the early years (1980s), 2006-2010, 1990-1995, and 2013 models due to various issues and problems. BMW's iconic E39 M5 redefined the M brand, pairing a V8 with a manual gearbox to win over American buyers and cement its super.
There aren't many sedans that can hang with the supercar crowd, but the BMW M5 is one of them. That's been true ever since the E28 M5 first stormed the autobahn with a supercar-derived engine. And the current-gen version, particularly in CS trim, keeps that performance flame burning.
But for. The M5 represents the last time BMW produced genuinely spectacular results with the CS suffix, and it's the first - and as yet only - time it has been used on an M5. And the M3 CSL?
The E39 M5 was the first Motorsport-tuned car to be fitted with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC) that optimised the car's ride according to driving style. An evolution of the existing Automatic Stability Control, DSC monitored individual wheel speed along with yaw rate and longitudinal and lateral acceleration through various sensors. Most significantly, it enabled the brakes.
With a roaring V8, six-speed manual transmission, and sub-$30k prices all day, the BMW E39 M5 might just be the best super sedan bargain. The BMW M5 (E39) was the successor to the M5 (E34). Series production was launched in Dingolfing in October 1998.
In contrast to its predecessor, the M5 (E39) was manufactured in entirety on the same line as the standard version of the BMW 5 Series (E39), which entailed higher numbers but also greater standardisation. All markets received the same 5.0 litre V8 engine (S62B50) with differences.