The E39 M5, a vehicle that is slowly but surly becoming an icon. Some say that it is the best M5 ever made, that it is just the right size and has just the right amount of power. It may also be last of the reasonable M5s, with no fluffed up fenders, designo side vents, or an overwhelming amount of badges. It’s just a proper naturally aspirated V8 and proper manual gearbox wrapped around a handsome body. It may be the last true wolf in sheep’s clothing. From the ad:

2000 BMW M5 Alpine White / Black Heritage Leather, Nice Options – $12500 (Sherborn)

2000 BMW M5 Sports Sedan – Alpine White with Black Heritage Leather interior. For sale because we just had our third child, with three children under 5 we have reluctantly bought a minivan. My classic e39 M5 is an “extra car” I kept after having kids, but hasn’t seen enough use in the last two years to justify keeping it. It is now ready for a new owner. Our family BMW 535xiT wagon is also for sale, in another posting. I am the second non-smoking owner, purchased the car in March 2009 directly from the original owner. He had a number of BMWs in his family fleet, including a Z8. CarFax available, always BMW dealer serviced. No expense spared. CLEAR title in hand. Massive service history folder. Original window sticker. All keys and books. THE PRICE: PRICED TO SELL at less than almost every e39 M5 on the market right now, so I expect to get the asking price. If you want to negotiate a discount then go to a dealer and play their games. $12,500 is fair since the cheapest e39 M5 on Autotrader (and elsewhere) is $13k right now, with higher miles. If you know about BMW’s M5 then the VALUE will be obvious when you SEE and DRIVE this car. Any “10K CASH” offers without even looking at the car will not be taken seriously, just buy one with 150k+ miles instead! Lower cash offers don’t matter, I don’t want a shoebox full of $20 bills! I usually purchase cars privately, and payment by bank certified cheque is just easier. I’d be happy to drive you to the bank if needed! If you’re a REASONABLE person and understand the above about price, then please keep reading: Factory options on the car are as follows, it is VERY well equipped and was $70,000 plus when new! Cold Weather Package Park Distance Control Side and Rear Sunshades Folding Rear Seats Rear Airbags Cassette (with iPod adapter) and 6-disc CD changer in trunk Standard M5 features include navigation and xenon headlamps etc, but 2000 models didn’t come with Homelink garage door opener, so original owner had factory unit retrofitted (see picture). Car comes with original BMW Mobility “slime pack” compressor, and a BMW accessory torque wrench, jack, wheel chock from Bavarian Auto. Winter rubber mats. M5 embroidered carpet mats. Original trunk cargo net, plus BMW liner tray. New (German) battery 2014. Fitted with LoJack. My photos really don’t do the car justice. This is a beautiful car that has been a pleasure to own and drive, and will be sorely missed. It has a couple of problems which are reflected in the low selling price – There are some rust blisters in the typical e39 M5 places, trunk lid, arch on one side, sills, etc. The rust is I believe from the original owner using the car year round and keeping it in a climate controlled garage. Repairs can be made by the right body guy. Depending on temperature, dash display has “dead pixels” which every e39 suffers from. It can be cured by www.vdorepair.com for about $300. This car also has an occasional cold start air pump “carbon buildup” CEL error, but in 5 years of ownership I have managed it by using Shell 93 gasoline and a Peake Research reset tool when needed. There is no CEL on now. It has only been a problem once or twice. The Peake tool comes with the car, a useful thing to have. If you know about e39 M5’s then none of this will be news to you, and you will understand the value that this car is – It’s a nice looking M5 with FULL history, that can be driven every day! Car is entirely stock except a $2,200 Eisenmann stainless steel cat-back exhaust system (fitted by original owner) and deletion of hydraulic clutch “delay valve” to improve clutch feel and reduce wear. The clutch is original and car has always been responsibly driven by adults. Maintained by Herb Chambers BMW, and Tulley BMW. Car isn’t perfect, but could be a keeper for someone with the right body/paint skills or contacts. It’s a LOT of car for the money. Body problems have not been hidden in any way, this is a straightforward deal. Mechanically the car is excellent, and the interior too. See the pictures. I also have for sale a set of 4 factory 8″ (front) e39 M5 wheels with mounted 225/45/18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM25V performance snow tyres. They are on the car in the pictures, if you look closely! I paid $1000 extra for the set when I bought the car. I will sell them in Autumn if the new owner does not purchase them. The regular staggered wheels (8″ fronts and 9.5″ rears) are in better condition (no winter use) on 245 and 275 section Michelin PS2 tyres with good tread all around. You can bet that any “cheap” M5 will be riding on cheap tyres, not the proper Michelins. Email me to arrange a time and place for you to see and drive the car. My wife is on maternity leave right now so I can be quite flexible. Serious buyers only, no trades or payment plans, no scams and no dreamers. If you are a busy professional, I can bring the car to your office during the day. If you know your BMWs then you will understand what this car offers, 400bhp of sports sedan fun! Note: All pictures are of the actual car, taken in early evening light, with an Olympus E-M5 camera outside the Sherborn Town Hall last week.

Judging from the ad and the pictures, this is the kind of guy you want to buy an M5 from: well written ad, good pics, knows his stuff. The price is very fair, just look at the BMWCCA classifieds and a spiffed up version of this has a $20,000 asking price tag. [Source: Boston Craigslist | seller also has a 535iT for sale]