2000 BMW M5 E39

Supplied by Garage Muzzolini in France on the 5th of September 2000, ‘X211 HCF’ is a UK-spec BMW M5 E39 that’s finished in the highly appropriate colour of Le Mans Blue.

Still showing just 117,000 miles on the odometer, it’s fresh from an advisory-free MoT thanks to an impressive service history.

Said to be driving as it should, it’s being offered with a very sensible estimate – and an even more sensible reserve.

With very straight, ripple-free flanks and excellent shutlines, this M5 gives all the right messages as you walk up to it. The BMW E39 is impressive on many levels, not least of which is the engineering and build quality that hide behind that somewhat staid exterior; despite having 24 years behind it, this one still looks fabulous, with our in-house assessor rating it “tidy”. (He’s a man of few words, and this, for him, is gushing.)

The Le Mans Blue finish is also still very good indeed with no serious flaws and a healthy shine. The seller tells us he kept it garaged and only ever used it in the dry, continuing the tradition set by its previous owner, who owned it for six years.

The badges are good too, and the factory glass sunroof fits very well in its aperture, sliding to and fro at the touch of a button.

The 18-inch alloy wheels are decent, albeit with some kerbing marks to the rims. The tyres are good too, with Continental ContiSportContact 5 (with a date stamp of 2022) fitted to the front pair and slightly older Continental ContiSportContact 3s on the rear.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for flaws, there is some very slight corrosion on the window frame of the nearside rear door, and a small crack at the top of the nearside rear light cluster.

​The two-tone hide interior is in a very good condition with only light creasing to the electrically adjustable and heated front seats. Sure, the driver’s seat is a little rumpled, but it is only a little and there are no splits or tears whatsoever to the face fabric on either of them.

The back seat is in a remarkably good condition with few signs it’s even been used. We’re sure it must have been given the passage of almost a quarter of a century since it rolled off the production line, but they certainly haven’t been abused.

The door cards are trimmed to match the seats, and they too are in an impressively well-preserved state.

It has been judiciously updated over the years with the installation of an aftermarket handle on the handbrake, but, despite our initial thoughts, the
double-din radio-cassette player, who’s sat-nav screen cleverly shows the ‘M’ logo even with the ignition off, is probably the original, albeit an upgraded one from the options list.

A period cassette adapter is included, which allows you to play other equipment through the cassette slot if you don’t fancy using the boot-mounted Alpine CD multichanger.

A Parrot Bluetooth system is also fitted, which allows you to stream music and phone calls through the factory sound system.

The air-conditioning works as it should, the two cupholders in the front pop in and out as they should, the headlining is excellent, and the carpets are protected by some very nice mats.

The boot still has the ‘Castrol Professional’ soft case to keep a spare litre of engine oil to hand, the netting luggage holder on the floor is taut and free of damage too, and the GPS unit is safely nestled inside.

The toolkit and warning triangle are also in their case under the boot lid, and even the interior boot light works.

As you can see it starts on the button, idles perfectly, and revs beautifully. The seller also tells us that it “drives like a Lotus despite its size!”

Mind you, that’s probably not a surprise given its service history:

• 17.01.2001 and 2,301 miles – running-in check by New Central Garage
• 19.01.2002 and 11,321 miles – service by Greenvale Services
• 27.02.2003 and 19,101 miles – service by Greenvale Services
• 03.06.2004 and 32,588 miles – service by BM-Tec
• 24.02.2005 and 41,731 miles – service by BM-Tec
• 21.12.2006 and 61,238 miles – service by Pagham Service Station including fresh brake fluid
• 27.06.2007 and 64,859 miles – service by Pagham Service Station including fresh coolant
• 28.06.2008 and 73,856 miles – service by Pagham Service Station
• 05.08.08 and 74,789 miles – fresh gearbox oil by Pagham Service Station
• 25.09.2009 and 85,011 miles – service by Pagham Service Station including fresh brake fluid
• 21.07.2012 and 98,939 miles – service by Pagham Service Station including fresh brake fluid
• 13.09.2014 and 102,292 miles – service by Harwoods including fresh brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox and differential oil
• 14.03.2015 and 102,815 miles – service by Harwoods including an air-conditioning service
• 11.11.2015 and 105,583 miles – service by TLC Autocentres
• 01.04.2016 and (unknown miles) – new front brake discs and pads by TLC Autocentres
• 07.09.2016 and 109,893 miles – service by TLC Autocentres
• 01.09.2018 and 112,784 miles – service by TLC Autocentres
• 19.12.2020 and 115,195 miles – service by TLC Autocentres
• 05.06.2021 and 115,812 miles – service by TLC Autocentres
• 06.09.2022 and 116,038 miles – service by TLC Autocentres

The service light isn’t on but given it’s been two years since its last, you might want to treat it to some fresh engine oil and a new filter.

The engine and underbonnet area are very nicely presented with only light soiling. The underbonnet sound-deadening is very good too, and the washer fluid reservoir still has its tag on it.

If detailing is your thing then you could spend a day or so titivating it but everyone else will be happy to lift the bonnet and show off BMW’s first M5 V8 engine.

The underside looks good too and no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion or rust.

The M5’s MoT certificate is not only valid until September 2025; it was also issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the M5 comes with three keys, the BMW book pack and wallet, and some old invoices and MoT certificates.

Many enthusiasts rate the E39 M5 as being the very best of ‘em all; still largely analogue and yet viciously fast, its handling is what makes this iteration so compelling.

And yet, they’re still, in our eyes at least, cheap something that won’t last forever.

In fact, we’re starting to see them climb in value with the very best cars having already topped £60,000…

Which makes the £15,000 to £18,000 we think this one will fetch seem good value even without factoring in the fabulous Le Mans Blue coachwork, advisory-free and long MoT, and excellent service history. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.