Performance Review: BMW 5 Series M5 E39 - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular BMW 5 Series has a 4941cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 5 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1720 kgs (3791 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 in the same weight category as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 4941cc 32V V8 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 Quattro (257.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 232.5 bhp per ton and 214.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 5 Series competing with the 2010 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 Quattro (257.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Ferrari 456 M GT 5.5 GT (257.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 214.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 V10 Spyder (239.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This BMW 5 Series M5 E39 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.26 secs @ 103.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (13.21 secs), the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (13.21 secs), and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Turbo (13.21 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 5 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 BMW 5 Series M5 E39 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1999 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison