1999 BMW 5 Series M5 E39 Review and Performance Comparison

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1999 BMW 5 Series M5 E39 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2000 Ultima GTR 720 and the 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12.

This particular BMW 5 Series has a 4941cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the BMW Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 5 Series shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1720 kgs (3791 lbs) places the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Turbo Convertible and the excellent 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8, give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 43 (416 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 4941cc 32 valve, V 8 engine produces around 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 6600 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 43 (416 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport (409 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (369 lb-ft) or the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 43 (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1999 BMW 5 Series in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1998 Ferrari 456 M GT 5.5 GT (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. Bhp per ton figures of the 1999 5 Series M5 E39 means you're competing with the 1998 Ferrari 456 M GT 5.5 GT (257.3 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2010 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 Quattro (257.3 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The BMW 5 Series M5 E39 generates around 214.5 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 (239.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The BMW 5 Series M5 E39 can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 5.1 secs. Acceleration rivals to the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 include the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs).

The V 8 engine of the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) and the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the BMW 5 Series M5 E39 and the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1999 BMW 5 Series can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.20 secs with a trap speed around 103.2 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V (13.21 seconds @ 103.1 mph) and a close race between the Audi A7 S7 (13.21 seconds @ 103.1 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. 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 Ford Focus Wagon ST (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1999 BMW 5 Series M5 E39 then there's the slightly slower the Ford Focus Wagon ST (154 mph) or how about the impressive Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1999 5 Series Rivals List.
• 1999 5 Series: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of BMW
• Compare the 1999 BMW 5 Series