2002 BMW M5 (E39)

Highlights 

• 400bhp V8 and a manual gearbox

• Last of the analogue M5s

• Desirable facelift model

• Full service history

• Impeccable maintenance record with thousands spent

• Factory standard example

• Available for viewing on the PistonHeads Auctions stand at the Annual Service event at Bicester

Overview

An M badge on the back of a BMW has always stirred the souls of car fans ever since the M1, which subsequently led to the very first motorsport-inspired 5 series back in 1980 – the E12 M535i. And we're talking proper M cars here by the way, not merely those badged as such, but that's for a whole other rant.

The first true M5, however, was the E28 that debuted in '84 and it birthed the entire super saloon movement that has been much copied ever since. But it was BMW that will always be remembered as the progenitors of supercar-bothering executive whips.

The M5 is still going great guns today and it remains an incredibly capable and ridiculously fast machine, but for a lot of classic car fans the advent and subsequent proliferation of technological enhancements has perhaps diminished part of what made the M5 such an iconic and legendary car.

A driver's car first and foremost, it can be argued that those earlier, analogue M5s offer much more of an engaging experience and the E39 M5 represents the last of them, which is perhaps why it is still so revered amongst fans of the marque.

Featuring a naturally aspirated 4.9-litre V8 producing around 400bhp, all going to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox (which to many people is petrolhead perfection), the E39 M5 ticks a lot of boxes. Combine this with the lack of any over-intrusive driver aids as well as all of the practicality and comfort that the E39 provides and what you get is an incredibly alluring package.

This particular 2002 car is the desirable facelift model which means various updates, including ‘Angel Eye’ headlights, revised piston rings to address the oil consumption issues known on some pre-facelift cars, and numerous interior tweaks such as a larger sat nav screen and thicker steering wheel. With full service history as well as comprehensive specialist maintenance records, the car has been meticulously cared for and is a reluctant sale.

Resplendent in Le Mans Blue over full black leather with brushed aluminium trim interior, it possesses a popular and sought-after colour combination and having wanted for nothing it currently presents as a pre-eminent example of one of BMW's best. 

History and documentation

• 2002 model year (face lift)

• Original book pack

• Two keys plus valet key and wallet key

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 08 Mar 2002

• In current ownership for thirteen-and-a-half years

• 13 service stamps and an additional 13 stamps for coolant and brake fluid services

• Full service history with service book showing inspections at the following intervals: oil service at 8,797 miles (2002 – main dealer), inspection l at 25,115 miles (2003 – main dealer), oil service at 41,674 miles (2004 – main dealer), inspection II at 57,458 miles (2006 – main dealer), oil service at 68,626 miles (2008 – main dealer),  inspection I+oil service at 87,047 miles (2011 – main dealer), inspection II at 100,628 miles (2014 – specialist),  oil service at 103,463 miles (2015 – specialist), inspection I+micro-filter at 107,655 miles (2016 – specialist), oil service+micro-filter at 109,582 miles (2018 – specialist), oil service+inspection I at 110,737 miles (2019 – specialist), oil service at 112,983 miles (2020 – specialist), inspection II+micro-filter at 115,170 miles (2023 – specialist), brake fluid service just carried out in August 2025 (specialist)

• Multiple oil changes in between services

• Comprehensive history file with receipts going back to 2007 totalling many thousands spent

• Maintenance has been by main dealers earlier in the car’s life and subsequently various known specialists: CPC Performance Engineering, Redish Motorsport, Mark Purcell and more recently Garage Bavarian in Frome, Somerset

• The vendor states that parts have almost always been purchased from BMW main dealers in his ownership and are 99% OEM

• Advisory-free MOT until 02 Dec 2025

• HPI clear

• The private plate will be sold with the car

• 117,069 miles at the time of photography, though this will be increased by the trip to Bicester

Interior

• The interior is in excellent condition throughout

• The steering wheel has been re-trimmed by the current owner with correct M stitching by Royal Steering Wheels

• No significant wear to the seat bolsters

• The switches remain free of cracks or noticeable wear

• The brushed aluminium remains in excellent order

• The car has an after market Bluetooth module so can play audio via a phone

• The car retains the original widescreen BMW ‘professional’ sat nav and infotainment unit albeit the screen has been replaced with a brand new one as it had a minor scratch

• The factory fitted parking sensors are currently inoperative

• The gear lever and surround have also been replaced with brand new OEM items a few years ago

• The rear view mirror was refurbished so retains the correct auto dip function

• The car had the common issue of missing pixels on the speedo cluster, which has been recently repaired

• The door entry ‘kick’ plates suffer from the usual age related perishing and the vendor has purchased some standard E39 replacements from a main dealer; these have not yet been fitted but will be included in the sale.

• Upgraded factory M Individual Audio option with subwoofers in the rear parcel shelf

• Glass sunroof

• BMW torch

• The engine bay presents well

• The boot space remains clean and tidy

Exterior

• Presents in beautiful condition overall

• The vendor advises that the car has been garaged throughout their ownership

• The Le Mans Blue paint presents well but there are a few stone chips commensurate with age and mileage and a very minor parking ding on the offside rear door

• The car appears to be a rust-free example aside from a tiny spot of bubbling on the offside side rear wheel arch and there is some bubbling of the black aluminium ‘shadowline’ window trim around the nearside rear window

• All shut lines appear straight and true

• The original 18”wheels were refurbished some years ago in shadow chrome and remain very presentable but on close inspection the paint is lifting on a couple of spokes

• Tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 4s all round with good tread remaining according to the vendor

• The vendor states that the car has had some documented remedial bodywork in their ownership some years ago,  to rectify common problem areas which present on the E39 including the rear valance below the number plate, the fuel filler area and a repainted front bumper

• The underside looks to be in good order and the vendor informs us that the jacking points were attended to during their ownership at which point the car was also Waxoyled underneath

• The driver’s side wing mirror glass has recently shown signs that the anti glare fluid is perished but after market replacements are available

• Overall, it’s a fabulous looking thing

Mechanical

• 400bhp, 4.9-litre V8 engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.8s

• 155mph top speed (electronically limited)

• The vendor informs us of the following works carried out during their ownership: rod bearing replacement, replacement blower motor, track control arms, oil separator hoses, upper rear control arms, aux drive belt, gear lever replacement and linkage refresh, nearside front brake lines, drivers airbag replacement (recall), headlight adjusters, full timing chain replacement, including guide rail, tensioner, all gaskets and seals, refurbished alternator and new belt, replacement of PAS lines and ancillaries, new viscous fan and fan clutch coupling, rear discs and pads, diff pinion seal replacement, full front to rear brake line replacement, thermostat and coolant temp sensor replacement, front control arm replacement

• The vendor states that the car is always run on Castrol 10/60 or the Shell Helix or Liqui Moly equivalents

• The vendor informs us that the car drives well and pulls strongly and cleanly without hesitation through all gears; the rear brakes are relatively new and it stops in a straight line and without judder

• Additionally, the steering does not suffer from common E39 ‘shimmy’ and the engine sounds smooth and as it should with no rattle on startup and no untoward noises

Summary

Considered to be peak M5 by many, the E39 M5 offers a wonderfully analogue experience but with all of the power and performance any good M car should provide. Turning on sport mode whilst also switching off the traction control still allows you to be a bit of a hooligan, should the mood take you. It's the perfect steed to ferry you to the Nurburgring in consummate comfort and then put in some seriously impressive lap times once there. This E39 M5 then is refined yobbery of the highest order and with prices continuing to rise could make a shrewd investment to boot.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located near Westbury on the Wiltshire / Somerset border.

Please note that the car will be on display at the PistonHeads Annual Service on 9 August 2025 at Bicester Motion.