2000 BMW M5 (E39)

The vendor has owned the car since 2017 and in that time has added around 12,000 miles to the odometer.

We have driven the car and can say with confidence that it has lost none of its potency, poise or power to impress.

The glorious V8 pulls like the Flying Scotsman right across the gearbox and the car always feels properly planted, balanced and ready to press on a bit.

Or a lot.

The exhaust has been tweaked a little but not to the point where it’s anti-social.

Yes, it makes a noise that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and cause passers-by to dive into hedges or look to the skies for evidence of an approaching Chinook helicopter squadron.

But it won’t make you rush out and get yourself a knock-off Burberry tracksuit and an ASBO ankle tag.

We’re aware that the true BMW ‘M’ aficionados among you will be pointing, shouting and quite possibly swearing by now.

They know, as do we, that Estoril Blue was not an E39 M5 colour (except on a handful of special order vehicles.

But it was pretty much everyone’s favourite colour for a BMW at the time and had long been the go-to shade for M3 owners.

In 2005/6, this originally black car was transformed into the fetching shade you see before you today.

The car will have been covered by all sorts of BMW warranties at the time and we suspect that this respray might have been done in-house by BMW at the then owner’s behest. It’s certainly of the right quality and who would have wanted to cut corners on a car that was just 5 or so years old?

Anyway – that’s our theory. It may or may not be right.

Overall, the car is in very decent condition, although it is now 21 years old and is a nonagenarian in terms of mileage.

It drives superbly. It looks good. It’s one of the most iconic of the ‘M’ cars.

What’s not to like?

The panels are free of any ripples, creases, dinks, dents, folds, lumps, bumps or dimples to speak of. The doors slam shut with a satisfyingly exact metallic clunk.

The shut lines and door gaps are all good. The sunroof works and forms a tight seal.

The wheels are in pretty decent nick overall, although there is the odd scuff and mark here and there. The matching Michelin Pilot Sport tyres were new in 2018 and appear to have plenty of life left in them.

Is it perfect?

No. Nothing is.

There are some swirls and light scratched to the paint on the o/s/r door. There is bubbling around the wing mirror on the n/s and on the o/s B and C pillars. The trim is coming loose on the n/s/r door. There is a scratch on the n/s/f valance.

But these aren’t deal-breaking issues in our opinion. It could certainly use an expert machine polish and a few quid spent on getting the bodywork free of any minor bubbling or blistering. But we think it has a good deal of integrity and is fundamentally a good, strong, honest vehicle.

In keeping with BMW’s tried and trusted sporting design aesthetic, the interior is functional and discreet, rather than luxurious. That said, it’s a fine place to spend some time, and pretty much everything is in good condition.

The black leather seats have only the lightest creasing and are firm, supportive and comfortable, both front and back.

The door cards, headlining, carpets and mats are all good. The dashboard, centre console and steering wheel seem untroubled by either time or use.

The gear lever shows some signs of use.

Well, it would, wouldn’t it.

The enormous boot compartment is pristine and contains a (incomplete) BMW toolkit. Lifting up the carpet here or elsewhere in this car reveals…no rust that we can see.

As far as we can tell, every knob, lever, toggle, switch, lever, flap and button does what it’s meant to do.

The undersides seem to be solid and well preserved, with nothing more than a dusting of superficial rust to speak off. Everything is straight, clean and seems to have been properly safeguarded by various undertrays and the like.

The engine bay is very full indeed. It’s dry and everything appears to be in order.

The car’s stamped history covers 2000 to 2017, but has a few gaps.

There are various invoices, bills and receipts to provide more background.

The following work has been carried out in recent years.

2018:

* new sills and jacking points welded in

* new Michelin Pilot Sport tyres

* new alternator

* new spark plugs and timing chain tensioners

* full service

2019:

* new n/s rear upper suspension arm and anti-roll bar

2020:

* new front discs and pads

It comes with all manner of books and manuals, two sets of keys, and an MoT, with no advisories, valid until 7.9.21.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

If you’re any kind of petrol head and you want to earn some respect from your peers, then a motoring CV that features an E39 M5 is pretty much essential.

And if you really want to get people talking, go for one that’s in an entirely non-standard colour.

In reality, there are very few more capable real world cars than an E39 M5.

And this one, bar a few minor cosmetic issues, ticks all the important boxes.

It’s a delight to behold, a thrill to drive and should be a pleasure to own. Not least because it comes with its splendid M5 FFV registration which, the vendor assures us, stands for ‘Flipping’ Fast Vehicle.

Or something like that.

We’re confident to offer this thoroughbred car for auction with an estimate of £15,000 - £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.