Attention BMW enthusiasts: this advertisement may trigger excitement and potentially jeopardize your finances. Currently, a 2000 BMW M5—famed as part of the E39 generation—is up for grabs at a BMW dealership in Naperville, Illinois, boasting only 633 original miles. It features a striking combination of Dakar Yellow with a black interior. The downside? The asking price stands at $280,000.
For many car aficionados, this E39 M5 is the ultimate version of the model. It is often hailed as the best-driving M5 ever and remains one of the greatest sport sedans in automotive history, transcending brand distinctions. Over twenty years after its initial sale, it still serves as a reference point for handling dynamics in sport sedans. Given its age, locating a one-owner vehicle with merely dealership miles is rare, and even more elusive is one dressed in the original factory Dakar Yellow paint. Bill Jacobs BMW claims this specific model is one of a kind.
The dealer is clearly taking advantage of the car’s rarity. Priced at $279,997, this virtually new classic is more than double the cost of a brand-new M5. However, the E39’s design doesn’t appear to be the result of a patchwork effort from multiple sources, which could justify the hefty price tag.
The value isn’t in its performance, though. Equipped with a 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V8, a six-speed manual transmission, and generating 400 horsepower, the E39 M5 is quick enough for enjoyment but pales in comparison to contemporary performance sedans. A new four-cylinder BMW 530i xDrive could easily outpace the E39 M5 in a stop-light drag race. Instead, buyers are attracted to the E39 M5 for its classic steering feel, nearly perfect ride and handling balance, and the rumbling sound of its naturally aspirated V8. This vintage driving experience stands in stark contrast to the modern performance sedan, making it as exotic in today’s market as any Italian mid-engine supercar.
Being touted as a one-of-a-kind specification, featuring one of BMW’s most adored classic colors, and equipped with factory navigation and an original six-disc CD changer, this E39 M5 is hailed as the holy grail for M5 enthusiasts. Is it worth double the price of a new model that boasts a 717-horsepower twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain? That largely hinges on your priorities. For those seeking performance, the answer is no. However, this E39 M5 provides a nostalgic opportunity to acquire one of BMW’s finest vehicles in what is effectively a brand-new condition from a dealership, while delivering an experience unlike anything offered by modern cars. For enthusiasts, such an experience is invaluable.
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