2001 BMW M5 For Auction With 32,000 Miles and a Manual Transmission originally appeared on Autoblog.
The most engaging M5 of all time could be yours
It’s not every day that you come across such a glorious, low-mileage E39 BMW M5, but here we are. Widely considered the best M5 manual transmission model, the E39 M5 wasn’t the most powerful, but it was the most engaging. A naturally-aspirated V8 engine under the hood, sublime chassis balance, and true driver engagement make it an M5 to covet. There are far more powerful versions (including the current 717-hp M5), but the E39 M5 might just provide the most connected, most communicative M5 ever built. This 2001 M5, with just 32,000 miles on the odometer, is up for auction on Bring a Trailer, and it's the one we covet.
Why this example is so desirable
The first thing to note about the E39 M5 was its impressive engine. The 2001 BMW M5's S62 V8 engine was widely praised for its performance, smoothness, and overall wonderful character. It was the first V8 BMW put in an M5 and is considered to be one of the greatest BMW engines ever made. This 2001 BMW M5 comes with a limited-slip differential, a Dinan cold-air intake, quad exhaust outlets, 18″ Style 65 wheels, a sunroof, xenon headlights, fog lights, heated power-adjustable front seats, a trunk lip spoiler, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, and navigation.
Back then, there was no Bluetooth and no touchscreen infotainment system, but who cares? You’ll be too busy roping your own gears with delight as you hear the 4.9-liter V8 sonorously howl, and none of it will be piped in through the speakers like later M5s with Active Sound Design.
This model is clad in Royal Red Metallic over black Nappa Point leather with Shadowline trim. From the photos, it appears that the seats and the steering wheel are hardly worn at all. Even the driver's seat seems to be in excellent condition, along with the burr walnut wood accents throughout. They might be gloss finished, but the wood is genuine. The exterior passenger quarter panel’s paint has been refinished, but the overall paint looks pristine. It’s hard to believe a Bimmer that’s a quarter of a century old looks this good.
View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article
The rear Bridgestone Potenza S007a run-flat tires were replaced in August 2024. The rear control arms, and the front brake rotors and pads were replaced in 2022, and a power steering fluid flush was performed the same year. The seller also noted that the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced in 2022. A Dinan carbon-fiber cold-air intake was installed by a previous owner, which means the horsepower output was likely bumped up from the stock 400 to anywhere between 405 and 415 horsepower.
This example is up for auction with 2 days remaining, and the current bid stands at $53,250. The original MSRP for the 2001 BMW M5 was $69,400, so the final bid may meet or exceed the original price, which should come as no surprise. The low mileage and excellent overall condition should command a healthy price, and the winning bidder will certainly have a gem on his or her hands.
Final thoughts
The E39 M5 is one of our favorite BMWs of all time. The powertrain was a tour de force, and the E39 body looks as good today as it did back then. Whoever wins the auction will have themselves an iconic sports sedan that still looks and drives better than most modern performance automobiles. M5s of this age, however, do require a lot of care, and meticulous maintenance and proper repair can be expensive. That said, the driving joy it provides might well be worth the investment. The E39 M5 may not be the quickest, but it’s one of the most dynamic and rewarding BMWs in recent memory.
2001 BMW M5 For Auction With 32,000 Miles and a Manual Transmission first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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