Living with a legend. The BMW M5 E39

The Birth of a Legend

It’s been 2 years since I met to James. We’d met at the auctions with a common goal of trying to get the best price for a Quattro I’d written an article about some weeks before. James was in the enviable position of being a previous owner of many auto exotica, including two quite beautiful Ferrari’s. However, he had always owned a BMW “because they just work.” His current Bimmer, as then, is still considered one of the best sporting sedans ever made, the BMW E39 M5.

The E39 M5 was the first to be produced at BMW’s mainstream production line in Dingolfing, Germany. This signalled their intention that it should be a useable drive on a daily basis, but with a kick when you really needed it. That kick came in V8 form, normally aspirated, producing 294 kW (394 bhp) and 500 Nm of torque, via a 6-speed manual and its rear wheels. 100 km/h came up in a mere 4.8 seconds and if delimited it had the potential to reach 300 km/h.

Impressive for 1998, right?

Improving a Legend?

Well not quite enough for James. Whilst not a racer, he does enjoy a track day and he needed something a little extra. A supercharger would do it. So would Supersprint headers, Schrick cams, a reinforced differential brace, adjustable Koni shock absorbers, adjustable sway…