Introduced in 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, production did not begin until late October of that year. A total of 20,482 E39 M5s were made from 1998 to 2003. BMW M produced three versions of the E39 M5, the European LHD and RHD versions and the North American specification version.
The E39 M5 had a highly tuned V8 engine based on the M62 engine called the S62, which displaced 4.9 L and produced 400 bhp (294 kW). The engine featured a 7000 RPM redline, Double-VANOS, which varies the intake and exhaust valves for both cylinder banks, and individual throttle butterflies for each of the cylinders, allowing for a much faster engine response time.
All E39 M5s were equipped with a Getrag Type D six-speed manual transmission with the following gearing ratios: 4.23(1), 2.54(2), 1.62(3), 1.23(4), 1.00(5), 0.83(6)
It is the same transmission used in the E39 540i but some changes were made to cope with the extra power the S62 engine produced. A reinforced clutch, rear differential utilizing a shorter 3.15:1 ratio and a limited slip differential with 25% maximum locking.
The E39 M5 suspension shared its basic aluminium-intensive MacPherson strut/multi-link design of the V8 E39 5 series. However, several changes were made by BMW M. Reduced spring height, 0.9 inch (23 mm) lower. A specific shock valving, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars, polyurethane auxiliary springs and steel balljoints.
Like all V8-powered E39 models, the E39 M5 was equipped with a recirculating-ball steering system. Overall steering ratio was reduced to 14.7 from 17.9 it featured a servotronic vehicle-speed-sensitive power assist that provides two levels of resistance controlled via console mounted Sport button. The E39 M5 is equipped with four-wheel vented disc brakes measuring 13.6" in diameter in front and 12.9" in diameter in the rear. On European-specification models, the rotors are of a "floating" two-piece design for reduced risk of warping. Their lower unsprung weight improves ride quality and traction on bumpy surfaces as well. Anti-lock brakes were standard.
During its 5 years in production, there were some cosmetic changes, these include:
+ Revised headlight design incorporating illuminated "Angel Eye" rings
+ Jeweled tail light design
+ Park Distance Control sensors in the front bumper (previously in rear only)
+ Thicker three-spoke M steering wheel identical to the one fitted to the E46 M3
+ Grey instrument panel
+ Improved solar sensor for standard automatic climate control
+ Revised navigation/audio unit with larger (6.5-inch) monitor
+ Rear head protection airbags added
+ Second-generation M Mobility tire repair system in place of earlier version
+ Available M Audio System with special tweeters, Kevlar/carbon coaxial speakers and two subwoofers behind the rear console
+ Alcantara headliner included with Extended Leather interior (previously only included with Complete Leather)
For the subsequent two model years, changes were limited to the addition of new exterior colors (from 9/01 production) and the upgrade to a DVD-based navigation system (from 9/02 production).
The E39 M5 is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph, making it the fastest 4-door sedan in the world at that time.
Specification
(Euro) 5.0 L V8-32 - 294 kW (400 hp) with catalytic converter
(USA) 5.0 L V8-32 - 290 kW (394bhp) with catalytic converter
Performance
294 kW (394 hp) 0-60 mph - 4.7 s. Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronic limited), 298 km/h (186 mph) (without electronic limiter)
The E39 M5 had a highly tuned V8 engine based on the M62 engine called the S62, which displaced 4.9 L and produced 400 bhp (294 kW). The engine featured a 7000 RPM redline, Double-VANOS, which varies the intake and exhaust valves for both cylinder banks, and individual throttle butterflies for each of the cylinders, allowing for a much faster engine response time.
All E39 M5s were equipped with a Getrag Type D six-speed manual transmission with the following gearing ratios: 4.23(1), 2.54(2), 1.62(3), 1.23(4), 1.00(5), 0.83(6)
It is the same transmission used in the E39 540i but some changes were made to cope with the extra power the S62 engine produced. A reinforced clutch, rear differential utilizing a shorter 3.15:1 ratio and a limited slip differential with 25% maximum locking.
The E39 M5 suspension shared its basic aluminium-intensive MacPherson strut/multi-link design of the V8 E39 5 series. However, several changes were made by BMW M. Reduced spring height, 0.9 inch (23 mm) lower. A specific shock valving, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars, polyurethane auxiliary springs and steel balljoints.
Like all V8-powered E39 models, the E39 M5 was equipped with a recirculating-ball steering system. Overall steering ratio was reduced to 14.7 from 17.9 it featured a servotronic vehicle-speed-sensitive power assist that provides two levels of resistance controlled via console mounted Sport button. The E39 M5 is equipped with four-wheel vented disc brakes measuring 13.6" in diameter in front and 12.9" in diameter in the rear. On European-specification models, the rotors are of a "floating" two-piece design for reduced risk of warping. Their lower unsprung weight improves ride quality and traction on bumpy surfaces as well. Anti-lock brakes were standard.
During its 5 years in production, there were some cosmetic changes, these include:
+ Revised headlight design incorporating illuminated "Angel Eye" rings
+ Jeweled tail light design
+ Park Distance Control sensors in the front bumper (previously in rear only)
+ Thicker three-spoke M steering wheel identical to the one fitted to the E46 M3
+ Grey instrument panel
+ Improved solar sensor for standard automatic climate control
+ Revised navigation/audio unit with larger (6.5-inch) monitor
+ Rear head protection airbags added
+ Second-generation M Mobility tire repair system in place of earlier version
+ Available M Audio System with special tweeters, Kevlar/carbon coaxial speakers and two subwoofers behind the rear console
+ Alcantara headliner included with Extended Leather interior (previously only included with Complete Leather)
For the subsequent two model years, changes were limited to the addition of new exterior colors (from 9/01 production) and the upgrade to a DVD-based navigation system (from 9/02 production).
The E39 M5 is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph, making it the fastest 4-door sedan in the world at that time.
Specification
(Euro) 5.0 L V8-32 - 294 kW (400 hp) with catalytic converter
(USA) 5.0 L V8-32 - 290 kW (394bhp) with catalytic converter
Performance
294 kW (394 hp) 0-60 mph - 4.7 s. Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronic limited), 298 km/h (186 mph) (without electronic limiter)