The Official Bring A Trailer (BaT) Thread

[repoman89]

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.

I guess my point is the same is happening with the E46 M and they have worse weak points on top of it. On a forum filled with crazy people who weld their rear floors and do most of a top end rebuild to fix the VANOS an E39 M isn’t really that crazy even in 2026.

I very briefly considered an E90 when I bought my M5 years ago but the heart wants what it wants. E90 drives better, M5 with the full leather has a way better interior, more spacious, style and cool factor. Just my opinion as well

Still I think I agree that I personally wouldn’t start fresh with another one at this point in my life. BMW is making it hard to consider it or any of their old cars forever cars. The simplicity of finding every little odd and end for my new to me classic 911 has been eye opening. For now though the E39 is well sorted and I’m not sure what I would replace it with.

[02_lsb]

I disagree. I’ve driven the e90 before, it feels as special as a short sleeve shirt.

[tnord]

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.

I agree with you, but I'm looking for more rear legroom than my F30 has, hence the 5 series interest across multiple generations.

[EthanolTurbo]

I’m surprised to hear that you think it’s significantly worse than the E46 M tax at this point. Yeah it’s expensive but I feel like anyone still driving and maintaining an E46 won’t be too surprised. There’s chain guides but in return rod bearings last way longer and you don’t have to reinforce the chassis before it rips itself apart.

The real sneaky expensive thing if you drive it with any regularity is the 15mpg average on premium. And the brakes feel like crap compared to the E46 without an expensive BBK.

Just my opinion of course, I'm sure someone could probably give a compelling argument for E39 M5 ownership, but it's not me because I've already been through the gauntlet with E39 M5's and watching them become more and more of a "rich man's toy" to own vs the golden days.


I think the one to get if you want V8 M fun is the E9x M3... it has similar thrills to the E46, with these benefits over an E39 M5: tons of parts available for a long time at not insane prices, way more support for modding etc, way easier to work on, maintain, and diagnose, you still get the 15 mpg ITB V8 sound/fun, amazing steering, and a similar footprint if you get the E90 4 door. It is a far better daily driver than an E39 M5 and E46 M3 as well.

[repoman89]

I think the M62TU in the 540i is much easier to get parts for and way more common but it doesn't drive nearly as well as the M5 unfortunately. The one to get is the 530i with the manual transmission if you want a nice E39 for cruising. The M5 tax is very real and very harsh at this moment in time... the golden era to have an E39 M5 was 2010-2022 when they were reasonably priced to maintain, repair, and own.

I’m surprised to hear that you think it’s significantly worse than the E46 M tax at this point. Yeah it’s expensive but I feel like anyone still driving and maintaining an E46 won’t be too surprised. There’s chain guides but in return rod bearings last way longer and you don’t have to reinforce the chassis before it rips itself apart.

The real sneaky expensive thing if you drive it with any regularity is the 15mpg average on premium. And the brakes feel like crap compared to the E46 without an expensive BBK.

[tnord]

The M54 is perfectly well suited to the E46, but I don't know if it's special or rewarding enough to justify the hassle of owning a 25yr old BMW. I had a 525 with an auto about 10 years ago, and it was perfectly fine for what it was and what I did with it, but I don't know if it's "cool" enough to justify selling my 60k mile F30 340. For daily duties I'm sure what I have is a great solution, I just really want something older and "cooler."

As far as 6cyl 5 series go, I think a late E34 with S52 swap would be killer. Otherwise take me back to the E28 with the big 6 M30 (had a 230k+ mile one of those too, loved it).

[EthanolTurbo]

that's discouraging. is the NLA/parts cost as bad with the regular M62TU? there were so many of those between the 5, 7, and X series that hopefully you can still get parts?

I think the M62TU in the 540i is much easier to get parts for and way more common but it doesn't drive nearly as well as the M5 unfortunately. The one to get is the 530i with the manual transmission if you want a nice E39 for cruising. The M5 tax is very real and very harsh at this moment in time... the golden era to have an E39 M5 was 2010-2022 when they were reasonably priced to maintain, repair, and own.

[tnord]

Definitely worse. So many NLA or expensive parts, the crucial eventually necessary services like timing chains etc cost a lot more than the relatively cheap VANOS/rod bearing costs. Try to find one that the previous owner really sorted out first so you're not the one doing it. I've had 4 of them.and not sure if I'll do a 5th, it's really rough owning one.

Sharocks spent like $11k just maintaining his the last few months. 😂

that's discouraging. is the NLA/parts cost as bad with the regular M62TU? there were so many of those between the 5, 7, and X series that hopefully you can still get parts?

[Bimma360]

if grey is your color choice, this was a pretty good deal. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zn...8ef&ref=pr_1_1

I don’t think that one actually sold since it says “bid to”.

[EthanolTurbo]

that car got knocked because it had none of the big 3 done, but if the math works out I'd rather buy a car without it done in great condition, then send it off to have those items done the way I would want them done.



Is the E39 M5 worse than the E46 to live with? I'd tend to think no other than the extra 2 cylinders and extra bank of vanos/oil leaks to deal with.

Definitely worse. So many NLA or expensive parts, the crucial eventually necessary services like timing chains etc cost a lot more than the relatively cheap VANOS/rod bearing costs. Try to find one that the previous owner really sorted out first so you're not the one doing it. I've had 4 of them.and not sure if I'll do a 5th, it's really rough owning one.

Sharocks spent like $11k just maintaining his the last few months. 😂

[0-60motorsports]

if grey is your color choice, this was a pretty good deal. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zn...8ef&ref=pr_1_1

Was a great deal!

[02_lsb]

that car got knocked because it had none of the big 3 done, but if the math works out I'd rather buy a car without it done in great condition, then send it off to have those items done the way I would want them done.



Is the E39 M5 worse than the E46 to live with? I'd tend to think no other than the extra 2 cylinders and extra bank of vanos/oil leaks to deal with.

I’d say maintenance demands are similar; however, parts cost is getting astronomical, even compared to the e46.

Phenomenal car though. I also prefer mine stock, whereas the e46 is more modified.

[tnord]

that car got knocked because it had none of the big 3 done, but if the math works out I'd rather buy a car without it done in great condition, then send it off to have those items done the way I would want them done.

You're buying an E39 M5, they're absolute maintenance hogs and they all need work. It really does come down to the seller. I prefer the ones owned by older dudes that don't really rip them and use an open checkbook.

Is the E39 M5 worse than the E46 to live with? I'd tend to think no other than the extra 2 cylinders and extra bank of vanos/oil leaks to deal with.

[EthanolTurbo]

isn't BAT overpopulated with dealers inflating their own market? As a potential buyer, I'm focusing my searches more on C&B than BaT and I don't want anything to do with dealers, which means the discrepancy in sale prices should even out over time.

I just talked to a dealer about an e39 M5 and he talked about how it was a great car mechanically, then I got sent the most recent service invoice where the shop states the customer declined to replace a leaking tire, was waiting for her tax refund to pay the bill, there was duct tape under the hood stating the date of the most recent oil change and that 5w30 was used, and that the coilovers were shot.

of all the S engines to abuse the M62 can handle it better than most, but that one statement scared me off of all dealer listed auction cars.

You're buying an E39 M5, they're absolute maintenance hogs and they all need work. It really does come down to the seller. I prefer the ones owned by older dudes that don't really rip them and use an open checkbook.

[02_lsb]

C&B is the buyers platform, BAT is definitely sellers. No clue why anyone would choose C&B given the option


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if grey is your color choice, this was a pretty good deal. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3zn...8ef&ref=pr_1_1