The BMW M5 (E60) is the wildest super-sedan ever built—a 507hp V10 with a 7-speed SMG gearbox, 8,250rpm redline, and F1-inspired engineering. More raw than modern M5s and rarer than an E39, it’s now a depreciation-proof legend.

1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)

Standard E60 M5 (5.0L V10, 507hp)

• High-Mileage/Modified (150,000+ km): €25,000 – €35,000
  (Check for SMG pump failures, rod bearing wear, and neglected maintenance.)
• Well-Maintained (80,000–150,000 km): €40,000 – €60,000
  (Full BMW history, recent rod bearings/SMG service, no rust.)
• Collector-Grade (<50,000 km): €70,000 – €100,000+
  (Garage-kept, unmodified, rare colors like "Interlagos Blue".)

Key Variants

• 6-Speed Manual (Rare!): +€15,000 – €25,000 (Only ~15% of production.)
• Individual Paint (e.g., "Ruby Black"): +€5,000
• "20 Jahre M5" Edition (2005): €80,000+ (Limited run, unique badging.)

2. Key Factors Affecting Value

✅ Last-of-Its-Kind V10

• BMW’s only production V10—S85 engine shares DNA with F1 cars.
• Manual cars appreciating fastest (3x rarer than SMG).

✅ Options That Matter

• Extended Leather (Full Merino): +€3,000
• EDC Suspension (Working!): +€2,000 (€5k to repair if faulty.)
• Cold Weather Pack (Heated Rear Seats): +€1,500

✅ Mileage Sensitivity

• Every 20,000 km reduces value by ~€3,000–5,000.
• Over 200,000 km? Expect €15k+ in engine/transmission work.

⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs

• Rod Bearing Failure (Mandatory replacement every 80,000 km—€5k job.)
• SMG Pump Failures (€3k repair—conversions to manual cost €10k+.)
• Rust (Check jacking points, rear subframe, and trunk seams.)

3. Where to Buy in the EU?

Official Channels:

• BMW Classic Certified (Select Dealers) (Rare—mostly for low-mileage cars.)
• Specialists (e.g., AC Schnitzer, M Division Experts)

Private Sales:

• Mobile.de / Autoscout24 (Filter for "Full History".)
• BMW M5 Forums (Best for unmodified examples.)

Pro Tip:
Buy the best manual you can afford—they’re rising 10% annually in value.

4. Market Trends

📈 Manual Mania

• Manual E60 M5s now €80k+ for <50,000km examples.
• SMG cars stable at €30k–50k for good condition.

⚠️ Trap Warning

• "Cheap" sub-€20k cars often need €20k+ in deferred repairs.
• US Imports (Lack EU headlights/paperwork—avoid.)

5. Must-Do Checks

🔧 Mechanical:

• Cold Start Vanos Test (Rattles = €4k repair.)
• SMG Gear Changes (Should be crisp—delays indicate pump issues.)

📄 Paperwork:

• BMW VIN Decoder (Verify original spec.)
• Rod Bearing Service Records (Non-negotiable!)

Fun Fact:
The V10’s throttle response was so sharp that BMW had to detune it for production cars. Prototypes could hit 60mph in 3.9s!