The M5 E39 is a true classic and prices are on the rise. Read more about the model that BMW's M division introduced in 1998 and immediately became one of the funnest models ever.
From the moment you turn the knob and hear the starter motor whine, you just know that this car is something special, Bil Magasinet writes. A series of LEDs in the tachometer tell me to be careful not to press too hard on the accelerator because the engine is hot. I stay nicely on the path of virtue and start by enjoying the relaxed side of this chore toy. The cabin is filled with leather, and an air conditioning system mourns in silence to maintain a fixed temperature. The engine doesn't make much noise, but it shouldn't either, because there's no reason to get over 2,000 rpm in the city. 
READ ALSO: Used test: Audi RS4 Avant B7 – The V8 drone from Ingolstadt BMW M5 in the E39 generation came into the world in 1998, where it immediately got the competition from Audi and Mercedes to applaud. The class for super-sedans was in full bloom in the 90s, but BMW's M department shut their mouths when they saw the number of horsepower: 400 hp. This immediately sent the supersedans into a new league, and the BMW M5 was at the forefront. The heart: the naturally aspirated V8 with the 400 hp In contrast to the model's predecessors, which were all equipped with revving inline sixes, the power plant in the new E39 model was something completely different. The engine is a further development of the 4.4-litre V8, which i.a. was in the BMW 540i. 
However, the construction was changed dramatically, and among other things there is a throttle for each cylinder and variable valve control. These and a host of other details transformed the engine from a classic cruiser V8 to a true racing machine. Click 'NEXT PAGE' to read on
