Pick of the Day: 2002 BMW M5, an all-time great luxury-performance sedan

This low-mileage example is in immaculate well-maintained condition

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BMW
The M5 has a 400-horsepower V8 under its shapely hood

In a 1999 road test, Motor Trend magazine called it “Simply the greatest super-sedan ever produced.” Having driven a number of third-generation BMW M5s, I would have to agree; it became the absolute measuring stick for all sports sedans that followed.

The Pick of the Day is a 2002 BMW M5 sedan finished in Jet Black over a Black Nappa Heritage leather interior.

BMW

The Farmingdale, New York, dealer advertising this BMW on ClassicCars.com describes it as one of lowest-mileage E39 M5 cars in the US, having only covered 30,529 miles from new. The car has its complete service history from authorized BMW dealers and is absolutely immaculate, the seller says.

Of equal importance, the dealer states, this M5 was thoroughly gone through by the experts at Enthusiast Auto Group before being purchased by the second owner. This is notable because the Cincinnati-based company is considered the best expert service facility for BMW M cars in the United States.

BMW

When launched, the third-generation M5 was the absolute fastest sports sedan ever produced. The BMW S62 4.2-liter DOHC dry-sump V8 generates 400 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm.

This engine is capable of propelling the 3,976-pound M5 from rest to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and of covering the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds, times that even today are quite respectable. Top speed is limited to 155 mph; with the limiter is removed, the BMW could reach as high as 180 mph. Doubt that? Then take a look at this marketing video of an M5 being used as a camera car during a dry-lake run by a rocket car.

Yes, this was produced as a commercial, but according to BMW, the video is not a set up with the rocket car holding back. This M5 had the limiter removed and BMW estimates that it was traveling as fast as 180. Pretty serious stuff for a sedan introduced in 1999.

Of course, creature comforts abound in this luxury-performance car. Options on this M5 include an M Sport steering wheel, heated power seats, navigation, CD changer, park distance control, fog lights, rain sensor wipers, Xenon headlights, automatic air conditioning, On-Board Computer V with remote control, dynamic stability control, wood trim and a headliner in Anthracite  Alcantara.

The E39 M5 is considered one of the all-time great BMW models and this car, with its low miles, two-owner history and immaculate service records is well worth the asking price of $64,900.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

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Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

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