Like everyone else here says these are the best 5 series and I agree. I just bought a 2002 525i for my daughter about 3 months ago. Great service history and I can work on some basic stuff myself. My brother bought a 530i M Package new in 2003 and I always thought it was about the best looking sedan ever. Fast forward now we have a $7,000 garage queen for my daughter and her sister and my wife and I to use.
If it had the big 3.8 inline six cylinder motor with six independent throttle bodies, tucked away beneath the forward opening hood like the charismatic E34 M5 does yes it would be a true masterpiece of design, like the E34 M5 is. The E39 is a very close second.
I would say this is the most elegant and tasteful 5-series to date. The clean lines and subtle curves have stood the test of time very well, you'd not think this car was over 20 years old already! They also take the miles very well, better than some of the newer ones!
5 years later and I can only agree with you..its just timeless, especially with the facelift headlights Edit: and European spec blinkers (the silver ones)
mochammad andrianto If u ever wrenched on an e39 it's a pain sometimes.... Coolant hoses through the front bumper, heaps of plastic parts.. But.. Why?? To save a few pounds.. Ill take my battle tank e34 lol
GuamanianBlood619 I admited for the plastic parts weakness. But this car has the first using a lifetime oil for automatic transmission (but I preffer to change the oil every 75k Km's.) and the first BMW car with Steptronic Transmission which make this car really fun to drive at that time n till now. As long as the car always in a good maintenance.
GuamanianBlood619 I wrench on them all the time. If you have trouble working on a e46 or e39, you probably shouldn't own a BMW to begin with. They're very easy to work on. That's embarrassing actually.
Commercial Page If you read my comment correctly I noted "sometimes" as with any vehicle they are a pain to wrench more so due to their plastic components. I also noted that i own an E34 and im looking to purchase an E46 in the near future. Hey maybe I'll ask you if i ever encounter an issue since you have much experience with this model, difference is I respect all BMW's and would never discourage someone from purchasing one, you shouldnt either. Have a good day Sir or Mam "Commercial page" isnt very specific on gender sorry.
E32, E34, E38, E39 are for me the best BMW´s ever made. I have an E39 and my father is driving the E34 with the same engine (525tds). Lovley machines which are even nowadays, getting alot of attention. It happens sooo often that I get talked to by random people about my car at the gas station. Once an old man told me he had the exactly same car as me (E39, 525, oxford green) and drove it to 1.200.000 km !! He even showed me a picture of the speedometer. When I told him that I´m currently at 215.000 km he laughed and said: You have got a brandnew car my friend.
I don't think you're right at all. When you overview Nagashima's works, you can tell he is not that talented, he's the guy who makes others' ideas into reality. E90 was Bangle's, E39 was... someone other's too. When you look at E39 you can see self-sufficient European rational design. Clearly it is the evolution of E36 style with 8-series heavy influence. So these facts obviously lead to ask: who was responsible for both of these two projects? And the answer is -- Claus Luthe, a genius from Germany. He may have been retired long before the production of the car, but his design is what made BMW legendary cool cars. Sadly not that cool today.
You may believe what you want. The fact is that the style direction is defined by chief designer, not the project designer. And I see that many project designers as Fisker or here Nagashima -- aren't as good as designers on their own. And as you don't see the E39 and E31 resemblance -- I believe we won't find an agreement here. And I also think the facelifted Z3 - where the legacy links were finally lost - looked straight horrible. So when people praise or blame a specific car -- usually it's the fault of chief designer, not particular project team...
Ike N How are you so caught up with the designer nationalities? The car is still german. Only if it was designed by a French guy would it not qualify as German car :) cos’ it would have looked like a renault :)
I bough a 528i three weeks ago...99..with the double vanos...almost 400k on the clock drives like on clouds...I've driven tons of cars...and the build quality of this is beyond belief...and it is hands down of the the best looking BMWs and cars ever made, not to mention one of the last true BMWs...when the I-drive was intruduced the cars became ipods...its ridiculous.
Ryan Corneliusen never had a problem with it, runs good. the only thing i have had to do is replace a $4 plastic screw, i must have just gotten lucky i guise.
Ryan Corneliusen the only unexpected thing that happened to me was a spark plug shot out, stripped the threads threads clean off the head. but a $20 helicoil fixed that.
Ryan Corneliusen its a 97. I did have a heater hose blow on me after a... "demanding drive" but i was able to make it home before i lost all my coolant luckily. thats my own fault though. i ordered all new cooling replacement hoses and put them on. i have been lucky with finding very cheap and working parts from scrapped E39s at the salvage yards. my biggest worry is the radiator fan. they have a history of not disengaging and from its drive belt and exploding, often damaging the hood and ripping up nearby hoses and wiring. but popping the hood and rotating it by hand will tell you if the clutch is still in working order.
I love daily driving my 2003 e39 525i M sport. Truly has a ton going for it. Great to drive to school and work then back on the weekdays, and just sporty enough to keep up with my fathers M5 and my grandfathers M6 Competition on the weekend drives. Never ceases to amaze them and myself time and time again, both in performance and in luxury and styling!
Bar none, the best driving 5 series to date. Also, my first time ever got to test drive a BMW, my friend's 99 528 M Sport pack. It was so impressive, planted and composed feel thorough out. The corona ring(not as eye-catching as Audi's since wasn't an LED era) added on 01 and on was really creative and first of any kind. Love this car!!
I love these videos that gives a brief look and some details of BMW cars that are becoming classics. I just wish they would last much longer and had even more information. Using BMW designers and workers to tell the stories makes it feel personal. Excellent work.
BMW is a car maker like no other! With its own design philosophy and incredible engineering, it is a company of pure emotion and true driving pleasure!
A true car for everything you need as a driver.... Even if you are not interested about cars, and you had the chance to be a passenger in an e39 you realize that there is something special about this car.
I love these little documentations about past BMW cars but I always have to smile when they describe the design. Basically it's "more sporty and/or more aggressive" everytime. That's the description of any BMW that came since 2000. As if they can't find any other words to describe it. I'd love to see the next 5 and 7 series to be "more elegant and less sporty".
As an E39 owner ('02 530dA sedan), these cars still have real presence today. I got to see the light green 528i featured in this video at the museum, and it was stunning!
I have an E39!!! 1997 540i sport, absolutely love it. Similar options as to what is found in an E38, but with a manual and slightly lighter. All around perfect car for daily driving, long trips, and having a little fun ;)
E39 is truly the best BMW design ever. The second best is the E38 7 series and the legendary 8 series. Chris Bangle destroyed BMW as they still have not been able to recover from his poison.
Fadi El Attar I own both, a 2002 E39 540i and a 2001 E38 740i Sport. While the E39 is timeless design and it’s a good looking car, parked side by side to the E38 it doesn’t look so good! The E38 just looks that bit better from every angle.
Owen Beattie I also own a 540i E39 and a 750iL E38 and i like the E38 more especially because in 2019 the 39 is a bit small for a 5 series, but i’m still not giving up the E39. Ever.
sold my 2011 audi a5 sline and just bought a 1999 523i... with wood trim and 2.5 v6 petrol. the running costs will be shocking but i dont know why im more excited about driving the beemer than i was with the audi. i love the design and the smooth ride. and the fact there is so little in ways of electronic interference. best beemers ever made (e39) and therefore best all round car ever. my opinion
5-7 years ago everybody told E34 was the best 5 series ever, now it's E39? :) Seems like "the best" is more like "most common" in this case, cause most of E39's are still not dead enough :)
I still daily my 1998 528i and still love it like when I first got it.. silver with 17" style 5 rims, 5 speed, black leather with the cubic trim.... 282k no check engine lights doesn't leak any fluid and A.C. still works... car is stunning. Absolutely gorgeous from every possible angle. Of course I'm biased to the car that I have but I don't think I would still have it if I didn't think it was the best-looking 5-series BMW of all time....
Also drives and handles like it looks, amazing true driver's car. Just under 200 horsepower factory but will carry speed very well though the corners and just overall amazing car 10/10 would recommend
almost made me cry, i have such a nice car, and will have more, love BMW always best looking and driving, and the fact that i live close to Munich makes me so proud and happy, can't wait to buy another one and have 2 or more.
I found a 525i with just under 70000km and had to buy it. Almost perfect condition inside and out. It’s my third and oldest BMW I’ve ever owned and I love it.
Let's not mince words. Perfection in every aspect and metric. With all of the splendid machines out there, how is it possible to rate one as the best of the best? Many of us will prudently hold back from expressing that bold opinion for fear of being wrong or shouted down by the owner of some other great automobile of renown. Nevertheless, those of us with vast experience with many other commendable and much sought after gems of automotive excellence, understand instinctually when we stand before something special. Something that is sublime. Something, dare I say, is sacred? The lovers of the e39 understand. As of this writing at the end of 2022, these cars are still affordable to own. And one would be well advised to acquire one now. We see no other better investment anywhere across the entire spectrum of investment products that'll most certainly yield an historic appreciation in value as the great e39!
215,000 miles on my '99 e39 Sport Touring, and the car is easy enough for me to maintain. Finding good German mfg. parts is essential and readily available on AMAZON. Of the 3 bimmers I own, it's my favorite. Thanks BMW!
If you're lucky enough to have an E39 540 with some miles, consider doing the timing chains/guides and rebuild the vanos units. Well worth the time and effort.
I still have my 2000 BMW 528i. After 20 yrs, it’s timeless and priceless...
Like everyone else here says these are the best 5 series and I agree. I just bought a 2002 525i for my daughter about 3 months ago. Great service history and I can work on some basic stuff myself. My brother bought a 530i M Package new in 2003 and I always thought it was about the best looking sedan ever. Fast forward now we have a $7,000 garage queen for my daughter and her sister and my wife and I to use.
I have a 1999.
This is the most beautiful BMW ever. Legendary E39.
If it had the big 3.8 inline six cylinder motor with six independent throttle bodies, tucked away beneath the forward opening hood like the charismatic E34 M5 does yes it would be a true masterpiece of design, like the E34 M5 is.
The E39 is a very close second.
Sorry but the chassis stiffness of the e39 puts the e39 on top.
If they built one with an s54 that would be perfection.
The one before this is the legend
If you know you know
@@rockers2rockers616 I don't know I think he is right the E39 looks amazing from every possible angle. Truly a gorgeous automobile
I would say this is the most elegant and tasteful 5-series to date. The clean lines and subtle curves have stood the test of time very well, you'd not think this car was over 20 years old already! They also take the miles very well, better than some of the newer ones!
5 years later and I can only agree with you..its just timeless, especially with the facelift headlights
Edit: and European spec blinkers (the silver ones)
Finally.....E39 is the best 5 series ever.....
Over engineerd for 90's car. :D
Thank you BMW
mochammad andrianto If u ever wrenched on an e39 it's a pain sometimes.... Coolant hoses through the front bumper, heaps of plastic parts.. But.. Why?? To save a few pounds.. Ill take my battle tank e34 lol
GuamanianBlood619 E34 FTW!
GuamanianBlood619 I admited for the plastic parts weakness. But this car has the first using a lifetime oil for automatic transmission (but I preffer to change the oil every 75k Km's.) and the first BMW car with Steptronic Transmission which make this car really fun to drive at that time n till now. As long as the car always in a good maintenance.
GuamanianBlood619 I wrench on them all the time. If you have trouble working on a e46 or e39, you probably shouldn't own a BMW to begin with. They're very easy to work on. That's embarrassing actually.
Commercial Page If you read my comment correctly I noted "sometimes" as with any vehicle they are a pain to wrench more so due to their plastic components. I also noted that i own an E34 and im looking to purchase an E46 in the near future. Hey maybe I'll ask you if i ever encounter an issue since you have much experience with this model, difference is I respect all BMW's and would never discourage someone from purchasing one, you shouldnt either. Have a good day Sir or Mam "Commercial page" isnt very specific on gender sorry.
This is, hands down, the best 5 Series ever built.
E32, E34, E38, E39 are for me the best BMW´s ever made. I have an E39 and my father is driving the E34 with the same engine (525tds). Lovley machines which are even nowadays, getting alot of attention. It happens sooo often that I get talked to by random people about my car at the gas station. Once an old man told me he had the exactly same car as me (E39, 525, oxford green) and drove it to 1.200.000 km !! He even showed me a picture of the speedometer. When I told him that I´m currently at 215.000 km he laughed and said: You have got a brandnew car my friend.
The last truly German 5-series
I don't think you're right at all.
When you overview Nagashima's works, you can tell he is not that talented, he's the guy who makes others' ideas into reality. E90 was Bangle's, E39 was... someone other's too.
When you look at E39 you can see self-sufficient European rational design.
Clearly it is the evolution of E36 style with 8-series heavy influence.
So these facts obviously lead to ask: who was responsible for both of these two projects?
And the answer is -- Claus Luthe, a genius from Germany. He may have been retired long before the production of the car, but his design is what made BMW legendary cool cars. Sadly not that cool today.
You may believe what you want.
The fact is that the style direction is defined by chief designer, not the project designer.
And I see that many project designers as Fisker or here Nagashima -- aren't as good as designers on their own.
And as you don't see the E39 and E31 resemblance -- I believe we won't find an agreement here.
And I also think the facelifted Z3 - where the legacy links were finally lost - looked straight horrible.
So when people praise or blame a specific car -- usually it's the fault of chief designer, not particular project team...
Yes, this is the LAST truly German and a great car, E60 is not the same thing anymore
Ike N How are you so caught up with the designer nationalities? The car is still german. Only if it was designed by a French guy would it not qualify as German car :) cos’ it would have looked like a renault :)
Finally. Yes, E39 still looks great on the road. Beautiful.
I bough a 528i three weeks ago...99..with the double vanos...almost 400k on the clock drives like on clouds...I've driven tons of cars...and the build quality of this is beyond belief...and it is hands down of the the best looking BMWs and cars ever made, not to mention one of the last true BMWs...when the I-drive was intruduced the cars became ipods...its ridiculous.
Still the best looking 5 Series! What a classy, timeless design.
This and E38 are the best BMWs ever.
The best BMW ever! We still have our 528i E39 and he is doing his job very good 👌👍
Drilon Ibraimi *her job
Thabiso Tsotetsi his, my 528i is a men's car so do not come along with her anymore!
BMW E39 528i is the best car ever!
Exhaust Pipe agree
i dunno, 530d gave 528i performance but 30% more fuel efficiency ;)
In my opinion, this is the best looking and timeless 5 Series ever built by BMW. The built quality is second to none!
Sounds like you have great taste 🤝 This one really does hit different.
Best Five Series Ever!
+DONALD TRUMP get out of here
Just because something is old doesn’t mean it lacks style and class. My 2001 530i looks better than 99% of what’s out there today.
I have a 97 540i, best car ever.
Just Games I have a 540 as well. Love that car!!!
Just Games same here. 6speed manual. almost 200,000mi and still kicking
Ryan Corneliusen never had a problem with it, runs good. the only thing i have had to do is replace a $4 plastic screw, i must have just gotten lucky i guise.
Ryan Corneliusen the only unexpected thing that happened to me was a spark plug shot out, stripped the threads threads clean off the head. but a $20 helicoil fixed that.
Ryan Corneliusen its a 97. I did have a heater hose blow on me after a... "demanding drive" but i was able to make it home before i lost all my coolant luckily. thats my own fault though. i ordered all new cooling replacement hoses and put them on. i have been lucky with finding very cheap and working parts from scrapped E39s at the salvage yards. my biggest worry is the radiator fan. they have a history of not disengaging and from its drive belt and exploding, often damaging the hood and ripping up nearby hoses and wiring. but popping the hood and rotating it by hand will tell you if the clutch is still in working order.
I absolutely love how iconic the E39 looks. Definition of success.
Hey, thank you very much for sharing your praise and passion with us! :)
My pleasure thanks.
If Aliens landed on earth and asked what a car is, i'd show them a picture of an E39
I love daily driving my 2003 e39 525i M sport. Truly has a ton going for it. Great to drive to school and work then back on the weekdays, and just sporty enough to keep up with my fathers M5 and my grandfathers M6 Competition on the weekend drives. Never ceases to amaze them and myself time and time again, both in performance and in luxury and styling!
Bar none, the best driving 5 series to date. Also, my first time ever got to test drive a BMW, my friend's 99 528 M Sport pack. It was so impressive, planted and composed feel thorough out. The corona ring(not as eye-catching as Audi's since wasn't an LED era) added on 01 and on was really creative and first of any kind. Love this car!!
I love these videos that gives a brief look and some details of BMW cars that are becoming classics. I just wish they would last much longer and had even more information. Using BMW designers and workers to tell the stories makes it feel personal. Excellent work.
Recently visited Munchen, the E39 is the only car that is over 8 years old that I saw driving very regularly!
BMW is a car maker like no other! With its own design philosophy and incredible engineering, it is a company of pure emotion and true driving pleasure!
Yes finally! been waiting for weeks! thx BMW
I love the simple lines of the E39.
who the hell disliked this badass perfection
Erwin Schrödinger audi fanboys
wow must be a great experience
YaC InE Fuck you moron
I like E60
Ma
BMW E39 One Love
A true car for everything you need as a driver.... Even if you are not interested about cars, and you had the chance to be a passenger in an e39 you realize that there is something special about this car.
Most beautiful BMW that ever exist, really the best one, congratulations for designers of BMW 5 Series E39
I really love how BMW make archive videos of their cars.
Next up, BMW 5 series e60!
the most beautiful design ever
E39 BMW's best car ever. The LEGEND.
I love BMW "the ultimate driving machine"
E39 is the best generation imho. The E60, whilst impressive, went too far with the electronics that it hindered it's reliability.
The e60 was unreliable, bloated and ugly.
I had an E39 540i M-Sport. Great car but not very reliable, lot's of electronics failures. Now I have an F10 LCI 550i.
This is the best-looking 5 ever in my opinion.
With face-lift and m-package, the design still holds up today. Such a beautiful machine.
I love these little documentations about past BMW cars but I always have to smile when they describe the design. Basically it's "more sporty and/or more aggressive" everytime. That's the description of any BMW that came since 2000. As if they can't find any other words to describe it. I'd love to see the next 5 and 7 series to be "more elegant and less sporty".
As an E39 owner ('02 530dA sedan), these cars still have real presence today.
I got to see the light green 528i featured in this video at the museum, and it was stunning!
I have an E39!!! 1997 540i sport, absolutely love it. Similar options as to what is found in an E38, but with a manual and slightly lighter. All around perfect car for daily driving, long trips, and having a little fun ;)
4DIYers same specs here. i dont want to sell it. almost 200,000mi
Bmw 525i e39 1996 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003
best 5er till date aesthetically. also it handled like a dream !!
Love the E39, it's just perfect!
The first BMW I've ever driven. It was a 2002 black 520i. Sure it only has 2000cc, but the sound of 6 cylinders is still part of sweet memories
always loved the E39 & E60 5 series
undoubtedly the best 5-series of all time
E39 is truly the best BMW design ever. The second best is the E38 7 series and the legendary 8 series. Chris Bangle destroyed BMW as they still have not been able to recover from his poison.
Fadi El Attar
I own both, a 2002 E39 540i and a 2001 E38 740i Sport. While the E39 is timeless design and it’s a good looking car, parked side by side to the E38 it doesn’t look so good! The E38 just looks that bit better from every angle.
Owen Beattie I also own a 540i E39 and a 750iL E38 and i like the E38 more especially because in 2019 the 39 is a bit small for a 5 series, but i’m still not giving up the E39. Ever.
Definitely the most timeless modern BMW
My geographical teacher were still own and drives around in one of these E39 5 Series.
My dad has a 1997 with 400k km, went trough the inspection without any problem! Amazing car!
sold my 2011 audi a5 sline and just bought a 1999 523i... with wood trim and 2.5 v6 petrol. the running costs will be shocking but i dont know why im more excited about driving the beemer than i was with the audi. i love the design and the smooth ride. and the fact there is so little in ways of electronic interference. best beemers ever made (e39) and therefore best all round car ever. my opinion
Thanks for sharing your passion and for being our fan! :)
BMW technology was way ahead of its time!!!
BMW please create episode about E38!!! Best BMW for me ever produced.
My baby right there ! Till this day I`ve felt as impressed with any modern car as I did the first time I drove an e39
5-7 years ago everybody told E34 was the best 5 series ever, now it's E39? :) Seems like "the best" is more like "most common" in this case, cause most of E39's are still not dead enough :)
Ofc poor idiots always consider their Bmw as the best one
After 5-6 years everyone will say e60 is the best 5 series?
Im happy with my m pack e39 3.0 diesel
It's about time! E39 above all!
Thank you for this kind of videos BMW ! I really appreciate it ! I am so hyped for E60 :)
I own an E28 but the greatest BMW ever is the E39 for sure guys !!
Im proud to say the least that uve promised and youve delivered.
This car will outlast the Universe.
Anyone watching in 2020?
3:14 Corona rings don't sound as good anymore.
The best 5 series ever ! E39 !
Oh yes! The beast! E39 M5!
I owned a ‘97 528i saloon and i freaking love it!
It still looks sporty and luxurious to me!
Big love for the E39 ❤️😘
Why no m-sport equipped in the video? So good looking and timeless design.
The cars at :29 (exterior) and 2:59 (interior) are the M-Sport. Notice the 3-Spoke steering wheel and shadowline trim.
I still daily my 1998 528i and still love it like when I first got it.. silver with 17" style 5 rims, 5 speed, black leather with the cubic trim.... 282k no check engine lights doesn't leak any fluid and A.C. still works... car is stunning. Absolutely gorgeous from every possible angle. Of course I'm biased to the car that I have but I don't think I would still have it if I didn't think it was the best-looking 5-series BMW of all time....
Also drives and handles like it looks, amazing true driver's car. Just under 200 horsepower factory but will carry speed very well though the corners and just overall amazing car 10/10 would recommend
This was the car that developed Bmw fan base outside its mainstay countries..
This single car with its looks spearheaded a new era for bmw.
an absolute thrill driving my 02 E39 M sport..
my Dad owned one in the 2002 M Package, It was the best car I have ever seen, sat, and driven!!!
+i_camaro That's great to hear! ❤️
Current 5 series is g30. To me, e39 is still the best car in the world.........
Best bmw ever made.
almost made me cry, i have such a nice car, and will have more, love BMW always best looking and driving, and the fact that i live close to Munich makes me so proud and happy, can't wait to buy another one and have 2 or more.
This one looks classic !
I found a 525i with just under 70000km and had to buy it. Almost perfect condition inside and out. It’s my third and oldest BMW I’ve ever owned and I love it.
That's awesome Istvan 🔥 We appreciate your passion and love for vehicles always! 🙌
Still keeping my 2002 530i in garage... just can't let it go :)
Don't!! Take it for a restoration if you ever have to. Munich Legends are amazing for that.
you better give it to me
Why be rid of the best car ever built?
This is the greatest BMW ever made I still really don’t know how they made the
perfect car.
I live in Russia, drive a BMW E39, a car’s mileage of 427,000 kilometers, a factory motor, even a native motor circuit. Very happy with the machine.
We are really happy to hear this. We wish you Sheer Driving Pleasure at all times.
The Best car ever built, Timeless
Good Morning Good Night BMW BMW
Let's not mince words.
Perfection in every aspect and metric.
With all of the splendid machines out there, how is it possible to rate one as the best of the best? Many of us will prudently hold back from expressing that bold opinion for fear of being wrong or shouted down by the owner of some other great automobile of renown. Nevertheless, those of us with vast experience with many other commendable and much sought after gems of automotive excellence, understand instinctually when we stand before something special. Something that is sublime. Something, dare I say, is sacred?
The lovers of the e39 understand.
As of this writing at the end of 2022, these cars are still affordable to own. And one would be well advised to acquire one now. We see no other better investment anywhere across the entire spectrum of investment products that'll most certainly yield an historic appreciation in value as the great e39!
One of the best sedan ever made!
Truly the ultimate driving machine. Best they ever made.
Great machine, I still miss mine.
my favourite bmw of all time
Would've been nice to see info about the M5 too though...
What a beauty !!
That LCI touring looks incredible
215,000 miles on my '99 e39 Sport Touring, and the car is easy enough for me to maintain. Finding good German mfg. parts is essential and readily available on AMAZON. Of the 3 bimmers I own, it's my favorite. Thanks BMW!
Best car that BMW made!!
25 years driving bmw here and still is.
E39 one of the Best!
Forever timeless form ;)
great historical video!!! here on my garage the 540iA E39 still running.
Thanks BMW for this Masterpiece 😍 🔥 e39 is perfect car in the 95 - 00s and Now is legend.
Thank you for the kind words, Elizabeth 😎 We are truly grateful for your passion in what we do! 🙌
SUPER AUTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Legendary
Reliable } Just Perfect 😎
Solid
E39 and E60 Remain beautiful as years go on
This was my very first car, god i loved it and i still do...
Yup.. bought my third one!
Best generation of BMW and last.
If you're lucky enough to have an E39 540 with some miles, consider doing the timing chains/guides and rebuild the vanos units. Well worth the time and effort.
BMW E39 is the best 5er ever. BMW E39 M5. You don't need more than this.