1998 BMW M5 Photos, engines & full specs

Three years after the introduction of the E39 5 Series, BMW launched the most potent version of it, the M5, which was the first of its kind to ditch the inline-six powerplant.

The third generation of vehicles wearing the M5 badge was the first to be mass-produced on an assembly line instead of hand-crafted by the wizards from BMW Motorsport. The automaker introduced it at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998 and refreshed it for the 2000 model year. It was the kind of vehicle that could set your hair on fire and extinguish it in a controlled drift around a corner. And it did all that while it was still a comfortable, elegant, and slightly luxurious four-door sedan. Moreover, it was the last analog M5, fitted with a six-speed manual and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Even though the M5s that followed were faster than it, some considered the E39 M5 as the best of them all. And it was not just about the engine. It was the entire package that helped it achieve that status.

Judged from the front, the majestic look of the E39 M5, beautifully designed by Joji Nagashima, featured lenses that covered the four headlights, like the rest of the E39 5 Series range. The bumper underneath them was different than those installed on the rest of the range. Its circular daytime running lights, often called “angel eyes,” were amber, so they didn’t appear to be that angelic. Quite the opposite. Underneath them, the M5 featured a broad air intake shaped like a smiling mouth, flanked by a pair of scoops that housed the fog lamps.

From its profile, it was obvious that it was not a regular E 39 5 Series. Its 18-inch light alloy wheels sported a unique, multi-spoke design. In addition, the pulled-out side sills resembled the ones installed on the previous generation of the M5, the E34. Furthermore, at the back, the automaker placed a tiny lip spoiler on the deck. But the most obvious change was for its exhaust. While its E39 brothers had a single or twin exhaust on one side, the M5 boasted four exhausts that flanked a diffuser under the rear bumper.

Inside, the leather-wrapped interior was luxurious but still with a sporty touch. Its high-bolstered front seats were a promise that their occupants wouldn’t slide out during high-speed cornering maneuvers. Moreover, the automaker offered an option for a mix of Alcantara and leather upholstery. On the center stack, BMW installed a premium sound system while a navigation unit was available. Furthermore, after the facelift, an analog TV was available.

Under the hood, BMW installed the famous S62B50 V8 gasoline engine. It put out 400 PS (394 hp) from the five-liter displacement. All the oomph went to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual only. The car could rocket from naught to sixty mph (0-97 kph) in less than five seconds, which was supercar territory back then. As expected, BMW capped the M5’s top speed at around 155 mph (250 kph).