M5, BMW’s best car?

Before I start my review I would like to list some of the basic features and facts of the car.

General
Make: BMW
Model: E39 M5
Power train Layout: Front Engine / RWD
Height: 1437 mm / 56.6 in
Width: 1527 mm / 60.1 in
Length: 4784 mm / 188.3 in
Curb Weight: 1795 kg / 3957 lbs
Wheelbase: 2830 mm / 111.4 in
Base Price: $69 400 USD

Engine Specs
Configuration: V8
Valvetrain: DOHC
Power: 400.0 bhp
Stroke: 89.0 mm / 3.5 in
Torque: 500.0 nm / 368.8 ft lbs @ 3800 rpm
Bhp / Liter: 81.63 bhp
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Max Engine Speed: 7000 rpm

Body Information
Frame Unit: Steel
Brake Type: Vented Discs
Tires: F 245/40ZR-18 and R 275/35ZR-18

Performance
Top Speed: 296.0 kph / 183.9 mph
0 - 60 mph: 5.2 seconds


The BMW M5 E39 is one of the greatest super cars of our time. In this review I plan to discuss the car’s engine, performance, design, interior, production, and various facts.

The Engine
The E39 is the only M5 that comes with an 8-cylinder engine. It took the BMW team 22 months to design the new engine, but it was well worth it. It is a 4.9 litter engine with 4 valves per cylinder. The double overhead camshaft helps bring the stroke up to 89 mm. The car can handle an astonishing sideways grip of 1.2G and was developed with Formula 1 technology for the road. The Engine also provides the car with 400 horsepower and the engine can peak at 7000 RPM. This is very close to a car you might find on the NASCAR circuit.

Performance
As mentioned before this car is definitely a great super car. It competes with the Ferrari F 355 and the Porsche 911 (996). In a recent speed test it traveled 21 km in approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The car goes from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds. This is quite impressive for a car that weights over 1700kg. The cars top speed is 296.0 kph or 183.9 mph.

Design
The E39 body has not changed that much from the E34. A larger air intake was added to aid the new 8-cylinder engine. The car comes with standard 18” wheels. It was designed with aerodynamic mirrors and a rear spoiler to create a drag of 45 kg. The chassis is taken from the 540i. However, the M5’s front has been lowed 15mm and the back 10mm. The chassis has also been strengthened. Compound breaks can be found in both the front and the back of the car. This helps distribute heat and provides more durability. Xenon lights, oval fog lights, quadruple exhaust pipes, chrome finished 18 inch wheels and clear indicators all around the car and some of the items you will find on the M5 E39.

Interior
The car comes with two different types of interiors. They are the Sportiva and the Exclusiv. Sportiva features titanium look aluminum and Alcantara look suede or Napa leather. The Exclusiv is soft leather and polished wood. The leather is either in one or two colors. All of the instrument panels are surrounded with alloy. There is also a button on the dash labeled “Sport”. By default this option is turned on. Switch to on and off will change the accelerator to a more aggressive and impulsive mode. The steering becomes stiffer and so will the damping. The car also has room for extra options such as a television or a GPS navigator.

Production
The M5 is built at the M plant in Dingolfing, Germany. The new M5 costs around 71,000 US dollars. The exterior comes in (solid colors) Alpine white, Imola red, black (metallic colors) Avus blue, Oxford green, Royal red, Anthracite, Carbon black, or Silverstone. The interior comes in black, Silverstone, Le Mans blue, Imola red, English green or Caramel.


Options (Included)
Driver and passenger airbag
Alarm
ABS
ASC+T
DSC III
A limited-slip differential
Side impact protection system
Compound brakes front and rear
Third brake light
Head airbag for driver and passenger
Sideairbags for driver and passenger
6-speed gearbox
Color coded mirrirs and bumpers
Xenon lights
Headlight cleaning system
Rear spoiler
White indicators all round
M Mobility system
Crash sensor
Rainsensor
Metallic paint
Color coded bumpers front and rear
Headlight wiper and washers
Rainsensor
Warn if temperature drops below +3 C
Bordcomputer inkl. Check-Control with alphanumerical displays
Car/Key Memory
Power windows front and rear
M-Lederlenkrad with Multifunction and Airbag
M-sportseat electrically controlled
Radio BMW Business
Velour floormats
Leather Interior "Nappa Point"
Interior decor list "Titansilver"
Choose from four paint finishes unique to the M5: imola red, carbon black metallic, silverstone metallic and avus blue metallic.
Aerodynamic BMW M rearview mirrors that electronically fold back. The electrochromic glass automatically darkens.
M Parallelspeichen-Styling II in Chrom Shadow 18"


Options (Optional)
Luggageroom in Alcantara
Without rear spoiler
Bordmonitor with TV
6 disc CD changer
Chrome line exterior
Double glass
RDC, tyre pressyre control
Load through door in luggage compartement
HiFi system Proffesional DSP
Extended leather interiour Exclusive in Nappa Heritage
Fully leather Sportive in Nappa Point, including inner roof in Alcantara and interiourlist Titan
Fully leather Exclusive in Nappa Nappa Heritage, including inner roof in Alcantara and interiourlist in wood
Cellular phone between front seats
Navigationsystem with TV and bordmonitor
Park Distance Control PDC for rear
Power glass sunroof


Thank you for reading the review. I hope you found it helpful and I wish you the best of luck in finding a great deal on an E39 M5.