Buy a BMW E39 M5 on a sorted S62 V8 and a rust-free body first. VANOS seal faults, worn chain guides and salty rockers are the bills that turn a fair asking price into a long winter in the shop.
For this November 5, 2026 guide I read Car Collector International: BMW E39 M5 guide and Road & Track: BMW E39 M5 buyer's guide. The mechanical cautions below come from those pages; the order of checks and the questions for the seller are my own practical recommendations. Any price figures in those sources are market snapshots, not a valuation of the car in front of you. So, compare it with recent sales of the same specification and condition. I also kept the advice to things you can see, hear or ask for on a viewing day.
Confirm it is a manual S62 car
Road & Track notes the E39 M5 only came as a four-door with a Getrag six-speed manual and the 4.9-litre S62 V8. Car Collector International also stresses the manual-only factory fit. If someone offers an automatic story, walk away.
Ask about VANOS and chain guides
Road & Track flags plastic timing-chain guides that wear and VANOS seals that can trigger a check-engine light and a power loss. Car Collector International lists VANOS bolts, throttle actuators and related S62 service items. Get the specialist to read live data and listen on a cold start.
Talk rod bearings without panic
Car Collector International lists rod-bearing service as an advisory item on the S62. Ask what was done and when. A recent bearing service with invoices is a plus, not a scare story by itself.
Look for rocker and trunk rust
Road & Track says cars from salt states often show rust on rocker panels, exhaust and the trunk area. Get it on a lift. Our strut-mount check guide is a different check, but the same lift visit should cover mounts and bushings.
Check suspension bushings and ball joints
Road & Track wants bushings and ball joints inspected as mileage climbs. Note any clunk on turn-in. Ask the shop for a written list rather than a wave at the car.
Read the maintenance folder by date
Both guides put specialist history ahead of a low odometer. Ask for cooling work, valve-cover gasket jobs and any VANOS seal kits. Gaps before a sale need a reason.
Plan colours and facelift carefully
Road & Track says rare colours such as Imola Red, Le Mans Blue and Oxford Green carry a premium, and that facelift cars often cost a few thousand more. Car Collector International also flags lead colours. Decide what you will live with before you chase the last unicorn.
Budget for consumables even on a tidy car
Road & Track reminds buyers these cars are now over twenty years old. Bushings, valve-cover gaskets and cooling parts still age on low-mile examples. Ask what was replaced in the last two years and keep that list with the inspection notes.
Prove the identity before a deposit
Match the chassis number on the E39 M5 to the title, any import papers and the plate on the car before you order a history report. Our VIN verification guide walks through that match, and imported-car report coverage sets expectations for cars that spent years overseas. Older chassis numbers may sit outside modern report databases, so confirm coverage before paying. NMVTIS covers U.S. title history only; it cannot replace foreign records or a physical inspection.
Get the repair scope in writing first
If the VANOS is noisy or the rockers are soft, get a BMW M specialist's written estimate before you agree a price. Look, a seller PDF or a folder of photos is a starting document, not independent proof of condition. Ask the inspector for written findings with local estimates, split into safety work and cosmetic wishes. The NYC consumer-agency used-car guidance tells buyers to have an independent mechanic check the car, and our pre-purchase inspection checklist helps you set the scope. Keep a dated note of the drive, the temperatures and any noises, because a seller who disputes your findings later will ask what you saw and when.
We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Guest reports have been about $5.50, member reports about $4.50 and a two-report bundle about $6.75; confirm the price at checkout because it can change. A report can miss unreported work, so keep the inspection appointment even when the history looks quiet.
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