Price: SOLD
Mileage: 79,100 Miles
Engine: S62B50 5-Liter V8 Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Imola Red 2 Exterior (405)
Interior: Carmel Exterior Leather Interior (M1CR)
Additional features:
Individual Wood Trim
M Leather Multi-Function Steering Wheel
BMW Professional Navigation
BMW Individual HiFi Sound System
BMW 6-Disc CD Changer
Parking Distance Sensor (PDC)
Heated Seats
Lumbar Support
Automatic Climate Control
Rain Sensor
Headlight Intensive Cleaning System
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirrors
Xenon Headlights
Fog Lights
White Direction Indicators
Fold Down Rear Seats
Ski Pass-Through
Individual Alcantara Anthracite Headliner
Front and Rear Side Air Bags
Child Seat Attachment
BMW Alarm System
Lightly Tinted Windows
TEC Center Console Cup Holder
Black Carpet M5 Floor Mats
Cargo Net
Clear Bra on Hood and Fenders
18” Style 65 M5 Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Tires
BMW Enthusiast Owned
Washington, California, Colorado Car
Clean Carfax
The BMW E39 generation M5 (2000 to 2003 model years) was the pinnacle of M5 evolution. It was borne 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 Adrian 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 “disposable” BMW, a time when the M5 was 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 conservatively. 2001 and later model years are the best, having received Angel Eyes, LED “CELIS” wave taillights, a wider navigation screen, thicker M steering wheel, and numerous other technological and safety updates. The E39 M5 was the pinnacle; every BMW generation before it was incrementally better, and every BMW since has been incrementally worse.
This 2003 Imola Red over Carmel extended leather 2003 BMW E39 M5 is an outlier example. 2003 was the most rare and desirable year of E39 M5 production and this example has a build date of February 10, 2003 in the final months of production. Against a backdrop of typical silver and black M5 colors it is absolutely stunning in Imola Red over Carmel extended leather. It is extremely well optioned and in exceptional condition. Additions are black carpet M floor and trunk mats, a TEC cup holder (the best dam E39 cup holder there is), and the rear cargo net. It was originally delivered by BMW of Seattle in April of 2003, and lived there until moving to California in 2009, where it stayed until coming to Colorado in 2013. It is a repeat visitor to Glen Shelly. I originally sold it for the previous owner in 2016 and am now selling on consignment for the current owner. I have also maintained it under the current owner’s tenure, including replacing the clutch at 78,000 miles. In Colorado, other than Glen Shelly, it has always been dealer serviced by Gebhardt BMW, with the last major service being done at 67,000 miles. In 2015 a previous owner hit a raccoon. The front bumper cover was replaced, along with the condenser, radiator, and radiator support bracket with BMW parts by Colorado Coach and Body, a certified BMW repair facility. In preparation for sale we gave it a complete mechanical inspection. The only items we found were replacing the navigation screen due to pixilation, replacing the windshield, a fresh oil change, and noting that the rear tires are nearing the end of their lifespan. Since tire choice is highly subjective I will leave that option up to the buyer, or replace them with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. It comes with two keys and all owners’ manuals, all recalls being complied with, and a clean Carfax (the bumper cover is noted as damage). As it sits, this is a turn-key M5 that we would like to find a fitting home for.
The Imola Red paint is in very good condition. It has clearly been stored indoors and used in fair weather use. The finish is brilliant with no notable defects. The lower front bumper has slight rock chips that Colorado cars get, but it is not glaring. All paint and panels are original except for the front bumper cover. The leading edges of the hood and fenders are protected by clear bra. All trim and black-work is present and in great shape. The headlights lenses are clear and crack free. The Angel Eyes have no missing filaments and the self-leveling function works. The fog lights have some pitting in the glass lenses, but could be replaced inexpensively. The markers and LED “CELIS” taillights are crack-free and brilliant. The windshield has been recently replaced and is free of pitting or cracks. The side and rear windows are tinted and in excellent shape. The wheels are straight and true; they have been refinished at some point in a close match to shadow chrome. There is no curb rash; the only wheel imperfects are a few small paint chips on both driver’s side wheels. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires are worn evenly with 60% front and 25% rear tread remaining.
The interior is also in excellent shape, it has been well protected by the tinted windows. 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 and extended leather is soft and supple to the touch. There is no excessive seat bolster wear or failed seams, but there is slight wear on the driver’s seat bolster. There is no seat twist. The dashboard leather is soft and there are no cracks. There are no typical hairline cracks in the individual wood trim or shift knob. The steering wheel has no excessive wear. The instrument cluster, navigation screen and HVAC displays have no failed pixels (we replaced the Nav screen). The BMW individual sound is fantastic. There are no check codes on the onboard computer and none of the (trifecta) check engine, DSC, or ABS warning lights are on. Astonishingly, the cup holders do work, but E39 cup holders are terrible so use them at your own risk. Fortunately, the TEC cup holder is perfect and extends and retracts correctly into the “garage door” center console compartment. All power functions, seat motors, and seat heaters function like they should. The door lock and window regulators work. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The fan motor does not chirp and the final stage resistor functions at all blower speeds. There is no discoloration in the trunk floor carpet and it is protected by the BMW trunk mat.
I have a dealer print out of records since new, which is also supported by the Carfax. They show regular services, inspections, oil changes, fluid flushes, and regular E39 M5 maintenance. There are no common E39 issues like leaking valve cover gaskets, noisy VANOS units, weak clutch, soft suspension bushings, leaking cooling systems, or inoperative door and window regulators. The short list of recent maintenance includes an oil change, clutch, air filters, cabin air filter, brake fluid flush, and coolant flush.
The S62 engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It has no VANOS rattle or lifter noise. There are no fluid leaks or drips. There are no SES lights or engine management codes indicating carbon build up (which was not as prevalent on late-model E39 M5s). The clutch has zero slip, the take-up is correct, and the shifter is 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.
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