tommallett

I passed my driving test three weeks after my 17th birthday in 2002. I was lucky enough to drive a few exciting cars in those early years, but never an E39 M5. So, the first M5 that I was exposed to from the driver’s seat was the fire breathing 507bhp E60 in 2005.

The V10 is all about revs, with maximum power coming at 7750 rpm and maximum torque at 6100 rpm, so it doesn’t exactly encourage relaxed motoring. Neither was the E60 famed for good ride quality. Of course, the M5 came with non run-flat tyres, so it wasn’t uncomfortable, it just wasn’t cosseting either. Then there was the 7-speed SMG gearbox which was hard work in everyday motoring.

It has taken until 2012 for me to understand that M5’s haven’t always been like this. In fact, the E39 M5 is almost the polar opposite to its more highly strung younger brother. It feels like what I imagine a really well sorted muscle car to feel like. The V8 makes a lovely guttural woofle, almost feeling lazy at a cruise. The good news is that it is ready to respond at a moment’s notice when required.

It is lovely to have a manual gearbox too (and I appreciate that the American market got the option in the E60), the throw may be long, but it is still accurate and the pedals are well placed. Like all E39’s the M5 also rides well, a trait that the engineers behind the E60 forgot to include in the formula. The E39 M5 is proof that a car can be cosseting and still handle well.

If I’m really honest, the E39 doesn’t feel bang up to date, so we must temper my boyish enthusiasm, but I think it’ll still go down as more of a classic than its 507bhp sibling. Simple pleasures.

Try watching the attached video/audio. You can actually ‘hear’ the smile on my face.