2001 BMW E39 M5 Road Test and Review

Описание: Here is our online review of the 2001 E39 BMW M5.
Specs: $90k new, $15-20,000 now
400hp
369lb-ft torque
5.0L V8
0-60: 4.7 seconds
1/4 mile 13.2 seconds

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We at Vehicle-Virgins™ are a dedicated group of college students here to help you make one of the most important decisions of your life: buying your first car. What sets us apart from other consumer review organizations is our perspective of review; we approach the cars as any kid would, not only as a professional automotive journalist would. We take into account real-world decision factors such as budget, reliability, safety, and maintenance, but we also rate cars on their appeal to a younger market. At 19 and 20 years old, we have spent lots of time looking for our first cars, and we know what appeals to us as well as our friends.
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Our mission is to guide individuals in the right direction for their first car. Vehicle-Virgins reviews popular cars that young buyers are in the market for and helps them decide if the car they are looking at is a good choice.

We are lighthearted individuals who are passionate about cars and hope you find our reviews both informative and funny.

Cheers.

Written Review:

Exterior
"Would you look at it? I mean really, just look at it." While some of you probably didn't understand the Youtube parody reference, the elegance, aggressive fascia, and sex appeal of the E39 M5 can be comprehended, and appreciated by almost any onlooker. The thing looks expensive, and fast, which it is. In 2001, the sticker price for our test vehicle was just over $85,000. But depreciation has taken its toll. Fast-forward 10 years and 120,000 miles later and this brute can be found for a meager $15,000. Coupled with a 405hp V8, the BMW M5 is one of the best deals out there, period.

Would you just look at the front bumper? Ok, sorry, enough with that. But seriously, if a grisly bear had wheels for legs, guzzled down gasoline, and could run much, much faster than a cheetah, this is what it would look like.

Pardon my French, but this car has a nice ass. With 4 chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, new updated rear headlights (as of 2001), and a tri-colored M5 badge, "the back of [this thing] is ridiculous." The M5 must hit the gym daily, because it's in phenomenal shape.

Interior:
The interior is incredibly spacious. Even if you are 6'6, 250lbs, you'll have enough leg and headroom to "kick it in the back seat." Every aspect of the interior finds a striking balance between luxury and performance, without any compromise whatsoever. What do I mean by all that? The standard navigation, leather and alcantara seats (a material more expensive than leather), suede roof lining, and beautiful wood trim really make you feel like you're in a limousine. In fact, while traveling in Egypt, the word M5 seemed to be synonymous with "limo," as on several accounts we were picked up in an M5 after calling for a "stretch." I took a liking to that. On the other hand, the interior screams, "I'm a beast," no matter where in the cabin you are. The tachometer boasts multi-colored shift lights that warn the driver when the engine hasn't fully warmed up not to punch the pedal through the floor. Trust me, with such mind-blowing acceleration it'll be difficult to wait till this baby is fully heated. With a button labeled sport, and another that quickly gauges tire pressure on the fly, it becomes clear that the M5 is a purpose built track star.

Driving Characteristics:
This 405hp sedan earned its infamous name "the beast" for a reason. Prior to launching Vehicle-Virgins, I thought anything with a 0-60 time of over 4 seconds, and an engine with less than 500hp couldn't possibly by all that exciting. After test-driving the M5 however, I spent several hours trying to come up with a tactile analogy for others to comprehend what driving the beast felt like. Have you ever ridden "The Gravitron" at your local fair? (If not, it is a ride that spins in a circle so fast you experience 4G's.) It's basically like that, except you control the ride, and can whip around corners faster than most 2500lb sport coupes.