Just recently, we saw an interesting video review of the BMW Z3 M Coupe, the Clownshoe, by JayEmm. It was a review that shed some light on what the Z4 M Coupe is actually like yo drive, objectively. Now, JayEmm is back to test drive the E39 BMW M5, possibly the most iconic M5 of all.
There are some BMW enthusiasts that think the E60 BMW M5 is the best. There are ten reasons why the E60 M5 is considered to be the best M5 and they’re all under its hood. However, JayEmm actually reckons that the E39 BMW M5 is better and it’s hard for me to argue it.
Despite being quite old, the 4.9 liter naturally-aspirated V8 that powers the E39 M5 is still a thing of joy. It revs cleanly and beautifully, all while making a great noise. But it’s also powerful, allowing the nearly 20-year old M5 to be seriously quick. Older performance cars can’t hold a candle to modern ones, in terms of outright performance, but they’re just as enjoyable to drive, if not more enjoyable.
The E39 BMW M5 isn’t perfect. Its gearbox isn’t brilliant, it’s just okay. It’s also not the most reliable car to own. However, it’s so sweet to drive and it has such classic cool that its positives far outweigh its negatives. And, according to JawEmm, all of that combines to make the E39 M5 a better overall package than the E60 M5. Sure, the latter’s free-breathing V10 is a masterpiece but that’s really about where its advantages stop.
So if you’re looking for a classic sports car, the E39 BMW M5 is a great choice. It might be a bit expensive these days, and cheap ones will cost even more in repair bills, but it’s likely worth the cost. It’s in that sweet spot of feeling like a classic but not feeling so old that you don’t want to drive it all the time. The E39 M5 can still be daily-driven but it can also be that special toy to take out on weekends.
