Is the E39 BMW M5 actually any good?

[Obioban]

Before my M3 was totalled I really loved going back and forth between it and the M5. It felt like being too cold inside in the AC, so you go and stand out in the sun, just to go in and enjoy the feeling of cooling down again. The contrasts are mutually beneficial to highlighting the difference in experiences.

I 100% agree with this. I don't actually think I could enjoy owning the e39 M5 if I didn't have the M3. And, the e39 M5 lets me enjoy the M3 more.

... I could enjoy an e39 530i MT sport as my only car.

[Aeko]

I 100% agree with this. I don't actually think I could enjoy owning the e39 M5 if I didn't have the M3.

... I could enjoy an e39 530i MT sport as my only car.

I am afflicted by wanting cars that do everything and pained with the knowledge they don't exist.

And I think that's a good point, for some folks having the MT gives enough "sport" feel that it makes them happy and that's totally great. But I REALLY was not expecting to just kind of lose enjoyment of my M5 without the M3 next to it. It's really making me carefully consider what my next purchase(s) will be.