The E39 BMW M5 has finally reached cult classic status and it needed less than 30 years to do so. This exact car, a 2002 M5 in Le Mans Blue Metallic sold for $60,000 at auction back in 2017, yet today, it’s worth more than twice that amount. This is no ordinary M5 though, and the price is... as Timothy Olyphant would say, justified.
Believe it or not, development for the E35 5 Series started all the way back in 1989, with the final design being selected in June of 1992. The M5 took a while to get here (1998 debut), but it was well worth the wait. It was the first-ever M5 to feature a V8 engine (4.9L unit), and it packed a serious punch thanks to its 394 horsepower (400 ps) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque.
This thing could get to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, before maxing out at an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 kph). In unrestricted form, it could surpass 186 mph (300 kph) easily.
Anyway, the car we’re looking at here is a 2002 example, which means that it features a facelift to go with various interior upgrades over the original car. That’s not what matters most though. What we should be focusing on is the reason why it just fetched $130,000 at auction – and that reason resides within the realm of aftermarket wizardry.
This is a Dinan-tuned M5, and for those who don’t know, Dinan (formerly from California but now an Alabama-based tuner) specializes in aftermarket performance parts for BMW automobiles. They’ve been in business since 1979, so there’s a lot of heritage there.
Visually, highlights include the powered glass sunroof, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, Dinan badging, quad exhaust outlets (also courtesy of Dinan), plus the Dinan 18” forged wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and red-finished, Dinan-branded Brembo calipers.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
Meanwhile, inside is where you’ll find the black Nappa leather seats with Le Mans Blue inserts (BMW Individual), brushed aluminum trim throughout the cabin, an Anthracite Alcantara headliner, dual-zone automatic climate control, a factory-standard sat-nav system, plus the M Sport steering wheel with its iconic design.
As for performance, the previously mentioned 4.9-liter S62 V8 engine boasts a Dinan S3 centrifugal supercharger to go with the appropriate engine management software. It also packs a custom carbon fiber air intake system, tuned velocity stacks, high-flow throttle bodies, and a Dinan-specific flywheel and clutch assembly.
According to the seller, this vehicle produces over 600 horsepower, and he compared it to a C7 Z06 Corvette in terms of acceleration. It’s hard to speculate with regards to an exact 0-60 time, but it’s probably in the high 3-second range, maybe something like 3.8 or 3.9 seconds. I’m pretty sure a Z06 would still win in a drag race.
Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration. Full profile
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