What can $30,000 buy you today? In the used car market, that’s enough to buy lower variants of something like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Honda Civic, or the Toyota Prius. While some of these sub-$30k cars may be considered sporty, they’re still nothing that offers punch-in-the-gut performance. That’s why it’s worth looking at the used market, where $30k unlocks some serious performance cars, like an old BMW Z4, a Porsche Boxster, or the Audi TTS.
Among these old performance cars on the cheap, one car that stands out is the 2005 BMW M5 E60. It’s one of the most underrated M5 cars of all time, featuring one of the last N/A V10 engines that’s plenty powerful and loud to keep you entertained. It balances this performance with the genuine long-distance comfort of an executive sedan, and it can be yours for under $30 in the used market. Here’s more on this BMW M5 underdog that sells for pennies on the dollar today.
You Can Have the V-10-Powered M5 For Well Under $30k Today
The 2005 BMW M5 E60 was the fifth generation of the M5, and, in many ways, it departed from its predecessors. It came at a time when sports sedans were firmly established, and given the tough competition the M5 faced, it had to deliver something no other car could. So, as BMW describes it, the M5 was “a performance show, a statement of driver pleasure, while remaining maximally suitable for everyday use.” While the last part is a bit debatable, the BMW M5 E60 is legendary in its own right today.
The highlight obviously was the Formula 1-derived V10 engine, a first for a sedan, that dumped over 500 horsepower while revving all the way up to an 8,250 redline. The M5 E60 was also the first of many, being the first M5 to get adaptive suspension, HUD, M Dynamic Mode, and a seven-speed SMG III automated manual transmission. And, while it may have its flaws, and there are many, the BMW M5 E60 is still an excellent choice if you’re looking for an executive saloon that’s powerful and loud.
So, how much will the E60 M5 set you back? According to Classic.com, this generation of the M5 goes for an average of $27,189 today. It also reports that the lowest sale was for just $3,312 and the highest was of $72,500. Though expect insanely high running and maintenance costs, as the V10 chugs fuel and isn’t the most reliable to maintain. As is the case with any old performance car, you will buy the M5 for cheap, but it will still demand a sports car premium. Worth it, though.
A Throaty V-10, Like The Formula 1 Engines Of The Time
|
Power |
Torque |
0-60 MPH |
Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
507 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
383 LB-FT @ 6,100 RPM |
4.1 seconds |
155 MPH |
The BMW M5 E60 was the first production sedan to feature a V10 engine, which was a very uncommon engine configuration for the time for production cars. Still, it was the same format used in Formula 1 cars, and thanks to BMW’s involvement with the Williams Formula One team, the German automaker decided to fit an F1-derived engine in the M5. The result was a high-revving, naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V10 S85 engine that produced enough power to give supercars a run for their money.
And it wasn’t just a big, burly V-10; it was produced using pure racing technology. It was sprinkled with fancy bits, including a forged steel crank, bed-plate aluminum block with cast-iron inserts, and individual throttle bodies. It also featured DOHC with variable VANOS and hydraulic bucket tappets, a quasi-dry dual sump, and a 400-volt ionic-current knock-sensing system. It was a thoroughly cutting-edge power plant at the time, and it still performs (and demands maintenance) like one, too.
Insane Performance For An Executive Sedan
So, what kind of performance are we talking about? The E60 M5’s S85 V10 produced 507 horsepower with a redline of 8,250, the highest rev ceiling of any M engine at the time. Combined with 383 pound-feet of torque, this M5 could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.1 seconds, which is staggeringly quick for a 20-year-old sedan. Those who’ve been lucky enough to drive one mention a smooth, linear power delivery with a searing top-end, accompanied by a razor-sharp exhaust note. This is the M5 that still promises to be genuinely exciting for the right kind of driver.
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Impeccable Handling, Thanks To Adaptive Suspension
It wouldn’t be a proper BMW M car without good handling, and that’s where the M5 E60 is said to shine, too. When it was new, reviewers praised the E60 M5 for its spot-on chassis balance, thanks to its hallmark 50:50 weight distribution. It also features hydraulic steering, which is said to be light. It’s still not a roadster, though, and you are bound to feel its heft, especially in hard corners. It may also feel a little stiff compared to other sedans, which is not a big deal, as what you should get in return is confidence-inspiring handling.
The BMW M5 E60 was the first M car to feature adaptive suspension technology, with Electronic Damper Control (EDC). This system allows you to tailor the ride between Comfort and Sport settings, and you can even dial it up for track use. It was also the first BMW to feature M Dynamic Mode (MDM), which is an intermediate traction control setting that allows some wheel slip. Today, MDM is present in other BMW M cars, and it plays a role in making modern M cars so fun to drive without risking losing control.
It’s A Sleeper Saloon, Inside And Out
The M5 E60 isn’t all about high-revving, track-ready performance. BMW designed it to be a bit of a jack of all trades, so it offers a proper luxury experience. On the inside, you can find high-quality Merino leather, soft-touch panels, carbon fiber, aluminum or wood trim, and power-adjustable, heated front sport seats. The cabin also got a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, double-glazed fitting for noise insulation, a powered trunk, and rain-sensing wipers.
It also features BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which may feel outdated today but gets the job done. It has voice control, real-time traffic upgrade, Bluetooth support, and more. Other high-end features (for the time) include bi-xenon headlights, keyless entry, and an optional heads-up display. It is a properly comfortable sedan for the long haul, as long as you can ignore the fire-breathing V10 engine up front.
What makes it a genuine sleeper today isn’t just its comfortable cabin but its understated styling. Unlike modern M cars that are all about edgy styling, the M5 E60 isn’t too different from the regular 5 Series of the time. It has subtle tweaks here and there, but overall, it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. As polarizing as Chris Bangle’s design may be, it somehow works on the M5 E60 and still holds up today.
Still Not The Wisest Choice For The Money-Minded
If you’re expecting Honda-like reliability or want to keep your automotive spending to a minimum, look elsewhere. The M5 E60 is not for the faint of heart. To start with, the V10 engine is thirsty, offering a meager fuel economy of only 11 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway. That gives the M5 a total range of just 234 miles and, according to the EPA, it should cost you $4,500 per year in fuel alone.
That’s only the beginning, as the M5 is a costly car to maintain, too. RepairPal gives it a 2 out of 5 reliability rating, with an annual repair cost of $1,173. Doesn’t sound like much, right? According to owners, the most common issue is rod bearing failure, which can cost anywhere from $3k to $6k in repairs. Other common problems are VANOS system failure, electrical gremlins, and the rest will also cost you thousands of dollars in repair. Not to forget, parts are scarce.
Imperfect But Still An Automotive Icon
Keeping the high running costs aside, the M5 E60 isn’t perfect in other areas. Models with the SMG transmission don’t handle stop-and-go traffic well; the car has a tendency to lurch forward. The suspension, despite being sporty, is still tuned for comfort, and the near 4k-pound curb weight can be felt during spirited driving sessions. To play the devil’s advocate, these things mattered when the car was new and meant to be driven daily. Today, it’s purely a weekend toy, and these are the imperfections an enthusiast would be willing to live with for the V-10 craziness this sedan offers.
That’s what makes the M5 E60, despite its imperfections, such a steal in the used market today. It’s a true icon, and it’s one of the last naturally-aspirated V-10-powered cars in the world. Yes, it’s not as sharp as other M5 cars, has high running costs, and it isn’t the most reliable car in the lot. Still, the M5 makes a case for itself as the underdog M5, featuring an F1-derived V-10 engine, saloon comfort, and sleeper styling. It’s a package that we’re unlikely to see anywhere else, especially at this price point.
Source: BMW, Classic.com, RepairPal, EPA