One to Buy: 2900 mile Alpine White 2006 BMW E60 M5 Sedan
Having employed straight six engines for its range-topping Motorposrt-tuned 5-series since the 1970s, BMW broke with convention and shoehorned a five-litre V8 into the E39 M5 launched in 1998. It was therefore reasonable to expect that the subsequent E60 M5 Sedan unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2004 would utilise a further evolution of the V8 theme, however, BMW instead upped the ante with arguably its most spectacular road car power unit yet.
Famously, the E60 M5 (along with the subsequent E61 M5 Touring released in 2007) used a brand new F1-inspired BMW Motorsport-designed five-litre normally aspirated V10 in order to capitalise on the firm’s engine supply deal with the Williams Formula 1 team.
At 500bhp, the Type S85 B50 motor (which was hooked up to seven-speed semi-automatic SMG gearbox) became the most powerful production engine in BMW’s history.
While most E60 and E61 M5s were pressed into daily driver duty and accordingly racked up intergalactic mileage, an incredibly well-preserved example of BMW’s V10-powered super saloon will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s January 18th sale in Kissimmee, Florida.
Chassis ‘581866’ was configured in the rarely seen combination of Alpine White with Sepang Bronze perforated leather upholstery, black carpet, a Madeira wood trim interior package and charcoal alcantara headliner. An electric sunroof along with heated front and rear seats were also fitted.
Remarkably, this sensational 2006 M5 Sedan has accumulated just over 2900 miles from new and must rank among the best preserved examples of an E60 M5 extant.
Reprinted below is Mecum’s description:
VIN / Serial: WBSNB93536B581866
Odometer reads 2,906 miles
Alpine White exterior
Sepang Bronze perforated leather interior
Walnut wood interior trim
5.0L DOHC 40-valve V-10 engine
Automatic transmission
Power glass moonroof
Memory package
Power tilt and telescopic steering column
Heated and ventilated M front sport seats with power lumbar support
Heated rear seats
Automatic climate control
Universal garage door opener
Navigation
Logic 7 AM/FM/CD stereo
SiriusXM satellite radio
Power windows, locks and mirrors
Rear electric sunshade
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Xenon adaptive headlights
Park distance control
Traction control
Power steering
4-wheel ventilated cross-drilled ABS brakes