BMW M5 (E39)

The years from 1998 to 2003 occupy an intriguing place in this catalogue. Seen through that window, the BMW M5 (E39) reflects a moment that still trusted a naturally aspirated V8 to carry the whole argument. That choice now stands out because only 56 of the 600 cars here combine those two qualities. Narrow the field again and just 132 pair a V8 with rear wheel drive, making this car representative of its era while also sitting inside a surprisingly selective corner of the collection.

Its numbers explain why. A 4.9 litre V8 producing 394 bhp and 500 Nm is substantial without chasing the very top of this catalogue. It sits 437th for power, 414th for top speed and 492nd for the run from 0 to 100 km/h, with 5.3 seconds and a 250 km/h maximum. Those rankings place it behind many later machines on outright performance, yet that is precisely what fixes it so clearly in its own moment. The emphasis falls on the whole combination rather than any single headline figure. A four or five seat saloon with rear wheel drive, a naturally aspirated engine and a V8 layout makes its case through balance instead of statistical domination.

Context inside the wider collection strengthens that view. Germany contributes 197 cars to the 600, while BMW alone accounts for 48. Even within that strong national and marque presence, the M5 (E39) avoids disappearing into the crowd because its specific mechanical recipe is far less common than the badge alone suggests. Cost tells a similar story. At around £32,000 used it ranks 514th by price, making it more expensive than only 86 cars in the catalogue, with a cost of £81 per bhp. That positions it as a deliberate acquisition rather than an obvious value calculation.

Choosing this BMW means accepting a clear exchange. It will not give your garage one of its quickest accelerators or most powerful engines, and the rankings never pretend otherwise. Instead it brings a distinctly German interpretation of the super saloon, anchored by a naturally aspirated 4.9 litre V8 and rear wheel drive, from a six year period that now feels increasingly self contained. That decision leaves space for faster machinery elsewhere in the collection, while ensuring this particular chapter of performance is represented on its own terms.