2001 BMW M5

This particular example is a 2001 ‘facelifted’ E39 M5 finished in a classy colour combination of black over a two-tone black and grey interior, rendering this M5 a true “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” From the outside and to unsuspecting motorists this was just another BMW, but look deeper and it becomes clear just how special this saloon really is.

Purchased by the vendor during early 2020, the M5 was always on their list of ‘dream’ cars, and slotted itself perfectly into their collection of high-performance and limited-edition BMWs. Used for a mixture of daily duties such as transporting his children to football games and for occasional fun drives, the only reason for sale is due to the need to downsize the aforementioned car collection.

During its current ownership, the vehicle has benefitted from new camshaft position sensors, a full air-conditioning re-gas, and a steering wheel re-trim which was performed by Royal Steering Wheels.

Prior to the vendor’s ownership, the previous owner had custodianship of the car for around four years, though it was used sparingly during this time. During their ownership, the car received a new clutch, brake calliper rebuild and had all four wheels refurbished.

The subtle lines of the E39 suit the ‘Q-car’ nature of the M5 well, and still look absolutely stunning to this day. The paintwork on this example is in great condition overall, with the usual light smattering of stone chips to the front end being commensurate with the age and mileage of the vehicle, though these are hard to notice unless you get very close indeed.

The rear offside door shows some patches of paint bubbling around the rear window, though this is localised only to this particular door, and has been showcased in the gallery below.

The wheels are all in good condition, though three of the four wheels are showing minor grazing and would benefit from a refurbishment to bring them back in line with the rest of the car’s external appearance. All four wheels are shod in a set of matching Continental Contisport Contact 3 tyres, which is a great sign of a fastidious and detail-oriented owner.

The rear end of the vehicle is also in great condition with no signs of parking collisions or scratches, though the tailpipes would benefit from a thorough polishing. The black rub strips around the vehicle are all in good shape, though a full trim gel treatment wouldn’t go amiss to bring them back to their best.

It’s hard to believe that this is a 20+ year old interior, such is the quality of both BMW’s design and the level of care and attention that this example in particular has received. Being a facelift car, this E39 benefits from the thicker three-spoke steering wheel, improved navigation system and grey instrument cluster. This example was also fitted with an in-car phone, though the handset itself appears to have been lost at some point in the vehicle’s history.

The condition of the interior certainly doesn’t bely the car’s age or (relatively low) mileage, and presents in fantastic condition throughout. The recently re-trimmed steering wheel is in excellent condition and shows virtually no signs of use, and the same is true of the gear shifter. The carpets are in great shape, as are the BMW over-mats. The seats show no signs of rips or tears, and even the driver’s seat remains in excellent condition with very little in the way of age-related wear.

The factory sunroof is in fully working condition, and opens, closes and tilts with the kind of German-engineered precision that BMW are known for. The only modification to the interior is the fitment of an aftermarket Alpine tuner, which can be seen to the left of the steering wheel.

One item to note is that the inner door rubbers on the nearside, in particular the nearside rear, are beginning to deteriorate. We’d suggest getting these replaced, both for peace of mind and to match the fantastic condition seen throughout the rest of the interior. The only other minor issue is that some of the ‘soft touch’ material is wearing away on the centre console, which we’ve showcased in the gallery below.

The boot is in great shape with no signs of major staining or heavy use, and the factory-fitted toolkit and warning triangle are still present, complete and correct.

Mechanically, this E39 M5 appears to be in rude health. Starting with ease and settling into an idle that is far more refined than expected from a 394bhp super saloon, there are no signs of knocks, clunks or warning lights to worry about that we could hear. The variable redline increases as the car warms up as it should, with the corresponding lights on the instrument cluster reacting accordingly.

During our short test drive, the gearbox proved to be slick with a light, yet precise clutch, and the steering inputs were wonderfully direct. It is clear that this is a car that wants to run, just as BMW intended.

The engine bay presents in outstanding condition, again hiding the fact that this is a 20+ year old vehicle. There are no signs of any leaks or issues that we could see, and an engine bay that is this clean is usually a sign of an owner that takes pride in their vehicles.

Underneath, the vehicle appears to be in great shape, with very little in the way of the usual surface ‘bloom’ that is expected on a vehicle of this age. The sills look to be in good shape with no dents or corrosion that we could see, and no corrosion-related issues have been picked up in any recent MOT inspections.

The only problem area that has been identified by the vendor is that one of the bolts holding the oil pan in place had sheared, and during the most recent inspection it was stated that the OE part was unavailable until June. So as not to waste the fresh oil, the pan was securely fastened using a helicoil. At the next service this will need attending to, and the vendor has been quoted around £350 for this work to be carried out.

Supplied with the vehicle is a veritable treasure trove of paperwork, documentation, invoices and BMW literature. Importantly, the BMW service record is fully stamped and comprises of a mixture of BMW dealer and specialist stamps.

Clearly, this is an E39 that has been meticulously maintained by both the vendor and the previous owners, irrespective of cost. There are numerous invoices from BMW dealerships and specialists for work carried out, including several big-ticket items such as brake discs, control arms, a new clutch, in-depth servicing and various sundry items.

The V5 is present, and shows nine former keepers, along with two sets of keys.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

With BMW’s recent divisive styling change, it’s safe to say that these more subtle M-cars look better than ever, and this one is a true gem of an example.

Presenting in excellent condition throughout, both mechanically and visually, this 2001 E39 M5 is a true ‘under-the-radar’ performance icon, and is equally at home storming the Autobahn as it is on a twisting British B-road.

Maintained irrespective of cost with a complete service record and rich history, this is one E39 not to miss. We estimate it will bring in the region of £20,000 - £25,000, so be sure to act fast!

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us in 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’.