Price: SOLD
Mileage: 57,100 Miles
Engine: S62B50 5-Liter V8 Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Jet Black Exterior (662)
Interior: Embossed (Ostrich) Black Leather Interior (O5SW)
Additional features:
Titanium Line Trim
Canadian Market Car
Odometer Coded to Miles by BMW
Dinan Cat-Back Exhaust
Rear Sunshade
E60 Shifter
BMW Professional Navigation
18” Style 65 M5 Wheels
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
AKG Rear Sway Bar End Links
Beast Power Rear Sway Bar Brackets
BMW Enthusiast Owned
Clean Carfax
The BMW E39 generation M5 (2000 to 2003 model years) was the pinnacle of M5 evolution. It was born from an era of BMW design that was both classic and modern. The E39 M5 was significantly more powerful, advanced, and modern than its E34 predecessor, yet was the last of the iconic traditional designs before Chris Bangle and Adrain van Hooydonk’s awkwardly styled E60. Simply put, the E39 M5 was the last of the classics. It came from a time before what I consider the modern “throw-away” BMW, a time when the M5 was also offered exclusively with a manual transmission. It was and still is the supercar that does it all. It can accommodate four adults in comfort while rewarding its driver with astonishing performance. It is refined enough for civilized daily driving and even delivers over 25 mpg if driven conscientiously. 2001 and later model years are the best, having received Angle Eye’s, LED “CELIS” wave taillights, a wider navigation screen, thicker M steering wheel, and numerous other technological and safety updates.
This 2002 BMW E39 M5 is a Canadian Market car that is in exceptional condition. Canadian market cars were US-spec cars that had just a few different options (see the VIN decode below). The most significant is the kilometer increments on the speedometer (very cool), although we had BMW re-code the odometer to miles (this is documented in the receipts). The great thing about a high-end Canadian market car is that they spend a significant portion of the year tucked away in heated garages, accruing significantly less miles than examples below the border. E39 M5s were driven by their owners—because they are extraordinarily good cars—which makes low mileage examples like this one particularly special. It has benefited from excellent care and stewardship from its previous owners, always being serviced at a high-end specialist BMW shop in Calgary. In recent history it has received a fresh flywheel, clutch, flex disc, and rebuilt shifter components, along with common E39 house keeping items like the final stage resistor, crank case breather, rear sway bar end links, thermostat, coolant flush, coolant temp sensor, and a fresh battery. It is completely stock except for a Dinan exhaust—which sounds amazing! If you are already familiar with the E39 M5 experience, skip to the condition paragraphs underneath my impressions, if not, I did my best to do it justice below.
Gaze at the E39 M5 and subtlety is the theme. BMW did not find it necessary to over-style this car; its capabilities are spoken through action more than appearance. The classic lines of the 3rd generation 5 Series are fluid, dynamic, and appealing from every angle. Those in the know will appreciate M bumpers, a trunk lip spoiler, quad exhausts, and one of BMW’s best wheel designs—Shadow Chrome Style 65s. Jet Black Metallic paint wonderfully accents design cues like hood creases that flow from the kidney grills into the aerodynamically shaped M mirrors and door creases that flow from the front wheel arch through the door handles into the taillights. Deep barreled, pitchfork-spoked Chrome Shadow Style 65 wheels make the boldest statement—that is, until you hear that Dinan exhaust note.
Open the door and sporting luxury is the theme. “Ostrich” embossed black leather and titanium line trim are a striking color combination, and one that clearly differentiates this M5 from its lesser non-Motorsport E39 siblings. It has that fantastic leather smell that all BMW’s of this vintage have. Sit down under the individual anthracite Alcantara headliner and a 3-spoke M steering wheel lowers into place in front of exclusive grey Motorsport gauges. The M bits remind you of what makes this car so special, the S62 engine. Fire it and the Dinan exhaust note is unmistakably V8, but clearly that of a refined German thoroughbred. The sounds emitting from it are by far the best part of the M5 experience.
Once the oil is warmed up (indicated by the variable redline tachometer) the S62 screams to 7000 rpm through eight individual throttle bodies in a chaotic symphony that can only be made by the combination of high compression and normal aspiration. The M3 gets most of the credit for BMW’s motorsport exploits, but the S62 engine is one of BMW’s most winning competitive power plants. It has won sports car, GT, and prototype championships for multiple teams in the U.S. and abroad. The absurdity of a thoroughbred racing motor hidden in a refined luxury sedan is the recipe that has made the M5 so successful arcing back to the very first M car, the E12 generation M535i.
On the road the E39 M5 is a bundle of contradictions—it really can do everything. It can be civilized or frenzied, subdued or raucous. Some big BMW’s require you to mind their mass to corner with grace—it can be done, but you have to dance with them, ever mindful of the physics at play. The E39 M5 defies those physics with nimble precision and athleticism that should not be possible in a 4000-pound sedan. Turn-in is crisp, while plentiful torque and a long wheelbase allow rotation in mid-corner and control through the exit. The stock staggered wheel set up will keep you out of trouble, but I prefer the neutral driving dynamics of running a square set up with rear wheels mounted up front. When it’s time to throw out the anchors, the factory brakes allow comically late braking applications without a hint of brake fade. The best part about a BMW M car is that the sum is greater than the parts, with each bit complimenting the others.
With great power comes great responsibility, the power of the E39 M5 must be unleashed judiciously. My civilized side appreciates its refinement, but it brings out my inner hooligan in spades. The soundtrack is intoxicating. At 4000 rpm the exhaust is glorious, but so are eight individual throttle bodies snarling in proportion to my right foot. Depress that right foot and chaos erupts, bringing smile-invoking giggles and if I’m honest, occasional doses of fear. The E39 M5 was the “Fastest saloon car in the world” when released. It may not retain that title at present, but it is still very fast—which comes in handy when presented with the occasional stop light drag race. To my surprise the challengers are not boy racers (they know better), but middle-aged men in mundane luxury sedans (ahem - Lexus). Each is safely dispatched with ease (and no need to endanger a clean driving record) to the tune of that wonderful Dinan S62 soundtrack. When restraint is in order civility returns with heated seats, premium sound, and ample luxury appointments. The M5 is the supercar that does it all—a bundle of contradictions!
This M5 is in exceptional condition thanks to its low mileage, fair weather use, and indoor storage. The Jet Black finish is brilliant with no glaring defects. There are no significant paint chips, dings, scratches, or clear coat lifting. There are few areas that would benefit from minor paintless dent repair, the worst being on the passenger side C pillar. The leading edge of the hood and the front bumper cover have none of the excessive paint chips that Colorado cars get. The Canadian Auto Check is clean; it has never been in an accident. All paint and panels are original. All trim and black-work is present and in great shape. The headlight and indicator lenses are clear and crack free. The Angel Eyes have no missing filaments and all bulbs work. The windshield is free of cracks and excessive pitting. The wheels have no curb rash, paint chips, or bends. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires have over 75% tread remaining, and are worn evenly.
The interior is also indicative of its low mileage. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is free of stains or rips and is protected by factory BMW floor mats. The seat leather is soft and supple to the touch. There is no excessive seat bolster wear or failed seams. The dashboard leather is soft and there are no cracks. The steering wheel has no excessive wear. The instrument cluster does have a few failed pixels in information LCD (a common issue), but it is still legible. The navigation screen and HVAC displays have no failed pixels. The navigation system DVD’s are dated, but the system works. The BMW Premium sound is fantastic. There are no check codes on the onboard computer and no engine, DSC, or ABS warning lights. All power functions, seat motors, seat heaters, and the power rear sunshade mechanism work as they should. The door lock and window regulators work. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The final stage resistor was recently replaced, so the blower fan works at all speeds. The fan motor does not chirp.
It was clear during our inspection that this M5 has always been correctly cared for. Common E39 issues like leaky valve cover gaskets, loud VANOS units, leaking cooling system, inoperative door and window regulators, or a faulty HVAC blower final stage resister are either not present or have all been addressed. A summary of recent maintenance includes: recent replacement of the flywheel, clutch, throw out bearing, flex disc, rebuilt shifter components, crank case breather, rear sway bar end links, final stage resistor, thermostat, coolant flush, coolant temp sensor, and the battery. Receipts for all work done in the US are included with the sale. The S62 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strong to redline. It has no VANOS rattle or lifter noise. There are no fluid leaks or drips. 2002 and later model year E39 M5’s do not have the carbon build up issue that 2000s and 2001s do. This example has never had any SES lights or engine management codes indicating carbon build up and it as always been driven as an M5 should—that is properly exercised after the proper oil warm up interval (longer than the variable tachometer suggests). The recently replaced clutch and flywheel have zero slip and the rebuilt shifter components are super crisp. The driveline, differential, and wheel bearings are quiet with no vibrations. The brakes are excellent. Like any M5, this example will need continued preventative maintenance and repairs, but it deserves to be maintained to the high standards that have made it so nice.
As it sits, this is a turn-key M5 ready to be driven across country. Its low mileage and impeccable condition make it outlier in a rapidly shrinking population of E39 exceptionally clean M5s. We have priced it accordingly—while it certainly isn’t cheap, it is an excellent value for its condition. We would like to find a buyer who will continue to care for it and appreciate it for years to come.
VIN Decode
Option Codes
Information
Standard Equipment Codes
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