How to find older BMWs?

WTF82 · 07-31-2024, 12:12 PM

As a kid who was in high school during BMW's golden era, I've always dreamed about owning an E39 M5. I've never really been in a position to do so when I was younger, but now that I'm able to, I'm not sure where to start looking.

I want to avoid auction sites since most of the listings are not local, and for a 20+ year old car, I really want to be able to do a PPI at my local trusted mechanic. I've read mixed experiences with C&B and BaT, and arranging PPIs seems like a hassle, and even if you go through the trouble, you still have to win the auction.

Craigslist/FB Marketplace will occasionally have something, but most of the time, especially for cars this old, they're clapped out. I'm just wondering where else I can look for "classic" BMWs.

erickonphoenix · 07-31-2024, 12:36 PM

Are you on the E39 forum? I reckon some nice samples trade on there from time to time.

John in VA · 07-31-2024, 12:57 PM

BMW Car Club of America's classified section is a place to find well-loved models. You might need to be a member to view it. https://www.bmwcca.org/classifieds

E39 M5s have been increasing in value, especially low-mileage examples.

BMW M5
$25,000
• UPDATED07/13/2024
Carbon Black w/ Grey Sport Seats CD Changer replaced with Grom Bluetooth Muffler Delete (not overbearing, it’s just enough) A/C Blows Cold Rear Seats are the fixed seats with the ski pass through No dead Pixels in display Rearview Mirror has been refurbished
Transmission: 6-speed
Mileage: 119 000
Exterior Color: Black
Interior: Black

2002 BMW M5
$20,500
Location: MD
• UPDATED07/11/2024
Thank you for looking at my listing. The car is in good condition and has been a pleasure to drive. There are no mechanical issues with the car. I am selling it since it is now an extra car that I no longer can keep due to space limitations. I bought it privately from a fellow car enthusiast in North Carolina who is now a good friend.
Transmission: 6-speed
Mileage: 142 840
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior: Black

Original Owner BMW e39 M5
$38,000
Location: MD
• UPDATED07/02/2024
Custom ordered Titanium Silver with Caramel Extended Leather Interior combination. New Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires mounted on refinished Style 65 wheels. This is a one owner exceptionally well-maintained example of the classic M5 with 127,500 miles. Dinan upgrades include Stage 3 Software, Cold Air Intake and Exhaust systems as well as front and rear suspension braces and adjustable anti-roll bar...
Transmission: 6-speed
Mileage: 127 500
Exterior Color: Titanium Silver
Interior: Caramel Extended Leather

Almuliman · 07-31-2024, 02:36 PM

And https://www.m5board.com. There are regularly E39 M5s for sale and the forums are supremely helpful to learn what's what, what to look out for, what to actually worry about, etc.

T0RM3NT · 07-31-2024, 03:39 PM

May or may not be helpful...

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...tedEntity=d391

Almuliman · 07-31-2024, 03:55 PM

And, of course, AutoTempest.

(I'm getting a sense we all suffer from The Sickness: always shopping, always keeping an eye out for What's Next. Or more.)

Hagasan41 · 08-01-2024, 10:06 AM

It's just like buying any other car. So any of the auction sites, websites, forums, etc. The key is do your research on the E39 and you'll know what to look for. Keep in mind you're also buying the seller so one that won't do a PPI, send photos, videos or answer questions is a hard pass. I purchased my E36 M3 from out of state on BAT and it was smooth and professional. Good luck! The E39 M5 is the GOAT M5 and one I wouldn't mind adding to the stable.

WTF82 · 08-01-2024, 02:19 PM

I've definitely tried Autotempest/Autotrader/Cargurus, and it's one of those things that just requires consistency. Sometimes I'll see something but most of the time there's like one result within 100 miles. In my experience those sites are better for newer cars, and was how I found my newer BMWs.

Appreciate all the responses so far. I'll check out m5board and BMW CCA.

BlkGS · 08-02-2024, 03:35 PM

The cars on M5Board are way out of line price wise. I e been slowly looking for an E39 as well, and honestly, pricing is all over. Some of these guys see $200k cars at EAG and think their 100k mile car must be worth a ton, and they're wrong.

Some of the guys on M5Board are helpful, but some of them drank a bit too much of the Kool aid so to speak.

07-31-2024, 12:12 PM	#1
WTF82 Second Lieutenant 48 Rep 200 Posts Drives: E46 M3 // F82 M4 // F90 M5 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	How to find older BMWs? As a kid who was in high school during BMW's golden era, I've always dreamed about owning an E39 M5. I've never really been in a position to do so when I was younger, but now that I'm able to, I'm not sure where to start looking. I want to avoid auction sites since most of the listings are not local, and for a 20+ year old car, I really want to be able to do a PPI at my local trusted mechanic. I've read mixed experiences with C&B and BaT, and arranging PPIs seems like a hassle, and even if you go through the trouble, you still have to win the auction. Craigslist/FB Marketplace will occasionally have something, but most of the time, especially for cars this old, they're clapped out. I'm just wondering where else I can look for "classic" BMWs.
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07-31-2024, 12:36 PM	#2
erickonphoenix Captain 2054 Rep 653 Posts Drives: 2014 Gray 328xi Touring Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	Are you on the E39 forum? I reckon some nice samples trade on there from time to time. __________________
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07-31-2024, 12:57 PM	#3
John in VA Colonel 1170 Rep 2,412 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	BMW Car Club of America's classified section is a place to find well-loved models. You might need to be a member to view it. https://www.bmwcca.org/classifieds E39 M5s have been increasing in value, especially low-mileage examples. BMW M5 $25,000 • UPDATED07/13/2024 Carbon Black w/ Grey Sport Seats CD Changer replaced with Grom Bluetooth Muffler Delete (not overbearing, it’s just enough) A/C Blows Cold Rear Seats are the fixed seats with the ski pass through No dead Pixels in display Rearview Mirror has been refurbished Transmission: 6-speed Mileage: 119 000 Exterior Color: Black Interior: Black 2002 BMW M5 $20,500 Location: MD • UPDATED07/11/2024 Thank you for looking at my listing. The car is in good condition and has been a pleasure to drive. There are no mechanical issues with the car. I am selling it since it is now an extra car that I no longer can keep due to space limitations. I bought it privately from a fellow car enthusiast in North Carolina who is now a good friend. Transmission: 6-speed Mileage: 142 840 Exterior Color: Silver Interior: Black Original Owner BMW e39 M5 $38,000 Location: MD • UPDATED07/02/2024 Custom ordered Titanium Silver with Caramel Extended Leather Interior combination. New Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires mounted on refinished Style 65 wheels. This is a one owner exceptionally well-maintained example of the classic M5 with 127,500 miles. Dinan upgrades include Stage 3 Software, Cold Air Intake and Exhaust systems as well as front and rear suspension braces and adjustable anti-roll bar... Transmission: 6-speed Mileage: 127 500 Exterior Color: Titanium Silver Interior: Caramel Extended Leather __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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07-31-2024, 02:36 PM	#4
Almuliman Lieutenant 561 Rep 599 Posts Drives: 2013 LMB 6MT 128i, 2000 M5 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Outside Seattle iTrader: (0)	And https://www.m5board.com. There are regularly E39 M5s for sale and the forums are supremely helpful to learn what's what, what to look out for, what to actually worry about, etc.
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07-31-2024, 03:39 PM	#5
T0RM3NT Mr. Irrelevant 4554 Rep 694 Posts Drives: '23 G80M3CX Dravit/Silverstone Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Denver'ish iTrader: (0)	May or may not be helpful... https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...tedEntity=d391 __________________ Past results aren't a guarantee of future performance.
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07-31-2024, 03:55 PM	#6
Almuliman Lieutenant 561 Rep 599 Posts Drives: 2013 LMB 6MT 128i, 2000 M5 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Outside Seattle iTrader: (0)	And, of course, AutoTempest. (I'm getting a sense we all suffer from The Sickness: always shopping, always keeping an eye out for What's Next. Or more.)
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08-01-2024, 10:06 AM	#7
Hagasan41 First Lieutenant 334 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 ///M3, 1999 E36 ///M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	It's just like buying any other car. So any of the auction sites, websites, forums, etc. The key is do your research on the E39 and you'll know what to look for. Keep in mind you're also buying the seller so one that won't do a PPI, send photos, videos or answer questions is a hard pass. I purchased my E36 M3 from out of state on BAT and it was smooth and professional. Good luck! The E39 M5 is the GOAT M5 and one I wouldn't mind adding to the stable. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 \|Space Grey \| Fox Red \| Manual 1999 E36 M3 \|Hellrot Red \| Black \| Manual IG: @moya_M3
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08-01-2024, 02:19 PM	#8
WTF82 Second Lieutenant 48 Rep 200 Posts Drives: E46 M3 // F82 M4 // F90 M5 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	I've definitely tried Autotempest/Autotrader/Cargurus, and it's one of those things that just requires consistency. Sometimes I'll see something but most of the time there's like one result within 100 miles. In my experience those sites are better for newer cars, and was how I found my newer BMWs. Appreciate all the responses so far. I'll check out m5board and BMW CCA.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2024, 03:35 PM	#9
BlkGS Colonel 3230 Rep 2,560 Posts Drives: BMW X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Chevrolet Trai ... [0.00] 2012 Chevrolet Corv ... [7.62] 2021 BMW X5 M50i [0.00]	The cars on M5Board are way out of line price wise. I e been slowly looking for an E39 as well, and honestly, pricing is all over. Some of these guys see $200k cars at EAG and think their 100k mile car must be worth a ton, and they're wrong. Some of the guys on M5Board are helpful, but some of them drank a bit too much of the Kool aid so to speak.
	Appreciate 0 Quote