An Executive Decision.

I’ve always loved a saloon. Alfa Romeo 159, Lexus IS300 and of course, the Ford Mondeo ST24, the greatest car ever made (source. a Scale Electric set I had in 1997). How intrigued I was when a volunteer was needed to collect an E39 M5. Oh, go on then…

The E39 M5 had been a car that had slipped me by until now. With plenty of opportunity to take out the E28 and E34 generations, availability and favourable weather had simply not lined up, until now…

Despite its big machismo reputation, the V8 engined 4.9 litre saloon ‘for businessmen’, is actually rather modest in size. A reminder of just how bulbous the M5, and cars in general these days have become. Mind you, it’s still 16 feet long, so there’s no risk of it cat-fishing anyone in Tesco’s car park (it’s always a sodding Fiat, isn’t it…)

Keys in hand, I fire up the engine and am greeted by a smooth snarl from the engine before it settles into a gentle warble. Plush, electric leather pews and genuine wood trim cradle the driver, the controls and layout reminiscent of the E46 3-Series in its presentation.

Getting down the road in the M5 is almost effortless, almost. The steering is weighty in comparison to the latest M cars, but you get the sense the car is working with you rather than trying to deceive with feather-light electronically aided shenanigans -to wit, as is well documented, I shall be having no truck with.    

Power delivery is, as expected, continent shifting. Changing between 3rd and 4th is addictive with power always ready on tap. Even in 5th and 6th, the V8 has plenty more to give than our humble roads will allow without a stern talking to by the local constabulary. 

The E39 M5, much like the E46 M3, hits the sweet spot and tows the line between modern and analogue. It’s got all the toys you would want, electric seats, air conditioning, a sport button (not that you will use it), yet retains elements of analogue haptics. A proper manual gearbox, hydraulic assisted steering and this strange big flat button under my right foot that I seem to keep pushing down on unnecessarily, it goes BBWWOOORRRPPPHHH!

I think it’s safe to say, I’m a fan.

-Callum