I loved commuting in my first S2000, I did this for 2 years. It was great fun going through the Dartford tunnel everyday hearing that F20c shriek! I loved showing off in it, it was only 2 or 3 years into its production back then.
Oddly, when I got my second one and grew up a bit, I hated it on the motorways. They are rather tiresome on the longer straight roads for some - I am one of them now. Ideally, being presented with a country road everyday on commute would bring me back to one in a flash.

The big 5er's much miles - they feel much smaller than they are and handle really well for a big car. You would excuse it for being wallowy and feeling like a cruise ship. However, they don't - they are one of BMW's best model efforts. The M5 was always the tempting option and a few have dropped down to under 5k (even on BMW5.co.uk - some owners cars hitting 200k with FSH and all the expensive consumables done). They are dear though in terms of parts, the only downside. Who would want a horsepower shedding shed these days? Probably destined to be a classic (M5's) and sharply rise in the distant future. A true great the E39.

 

I really dont understand fake M badges of all the stupid things to do to a car. The only people who know what they mean... know it isnt an M5 and that the driver is infact an absolute bell end.

 

 

The E39 was the best saloon on the planet for most of its production run

Search out my thread on E39 M5 ownership (I ran one for four years) for warts and all

Still one of my top three cars owned but many are now a time bomb in terms of expense, the youngest being circa ten years old

 

Still the best looker. Nicely understated. I toyed with getting an E39 but they were already 5 years into stopped production and I didn't need a big car. That said, with the usual H&S bloating that goes on I can only just get the M3 in my garage.

Got a genuine M3 badge here if you want to complete your set If that grill one won't come off I guess you could spray it black?

edit: here's gaddafi's thread https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/376...w+m5+ownership

 

I saw an E46 the other day with 2 large M Sport transfers on the bonnet and a couple on the sides. I think it was a 320i .... he was obviously pleased though

 

I think my main thread was called "A car for five years" or something like that and it was just after my 348 was destroyed, so about 2006

I would find if myself but can't search on the tablet I'm using

 

Superb thread. Probably written better by you, than what I already learned on BMW5.co.uk, although after wafting around in a 530d Sport for 2 and a half years I became accustomed to the E39's habits (despite it being an oil burner). Like yourself, when I sold my E39 I felt a bit gutted. It was fabulous and had so much history, I had a ring binder file for everything in its life, in date order.
I longed to have an M5 but seeing some of the ridiculous consumables that crop up unexpectedly, it's wallet busting for even your above average earner. Some real dogs out there now and they really aren't worth it unless you like oily hands (which I do). The great things about them though, for the competent DIYer - they are dead easy to work on. Parts are silly prices, almost unjust. You have to certainly have a couple grand lying in excess for that worrying service/EML occasion. And patience to find a weird rare part on a crashed example. MPG isn't an issue on the shorter hauls, its actually good at 19/20mpg for a 4.9 litre.

Great cars as you've written. Extremely jealous - one day I'll be "allowed" one