2002 BMW M5 Wagon

BMW introduced its first (E28) M5 in 1985 at the Amsterdam Automobile Salon, equipped with a 268 horsepower six-cylinder engine installed in a relatively lightweight bodyshell. BMW updated its 5-Series in 1989 to E34 specification, with the M5 gaining a 3.535cc engine, which boosted output to 315 horsepower, allowing the German company to claim that it was 'the most powerful production saloon in the world.'

The E39 iteration arrived in 1998, with the previous inline six-cylinder engine giving way to a new 4.9-liter V8 (Type S62) with 394 horsepower and paired to a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. The suspension was modified to cope with the M5's increase in power and performance. The anti-lock brakes were updated, and an EML ('drive by wire') throttle control system was standard, along with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and speed-sensitive Servotronic power assisted. The top speed was limited to 155 mph, but without restrictions, it could achieve 300 km/h (186 mph).

This E39 wagon began live as a 2002 540i Touring that had 130,000 miles on the odometer in June 2015. Using a salvaged 2003 M5 donor car with under 29,000 original miles, many of the interior and drivetrain components were installed into the 540i. The conversion took over a year, and upon completion, it wore a Jet Black exterior over a black leather interior. The front and rear bumpers were matched to the sedan, and so were the mirrors, side marker lights, M-sport steering wheels and seats, M5 gauges, and the sill plates in the doors. The total sum for this conversion was in excess of $66,000. An additional $9,000 in service and routine maintenance has been performed over the years, and approximately 4,000 miles have been added to the odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023