Magnus Walker has made a name for himself as a semi-heretical Porsche collector whose tastes run directly counter to the wide range of originalists and air-cooled 911 purists. But as much as Walker loves his flat-sixes both old and new, he's also begun branching out and adding cars like a couple of E-Type Jaguars to his menagerie. Clearly, the self-styled "Urban Outlaw" has it in mind to get his hands on some new toys, which perhaps helps to explain why he recently partnered with Hagerty to produce a new YouTube video series titled "The Next Best Thing" that just debuted with a 10-minute clip exploring the E39-generation BMW M5.
Stately Sport Sedan
It may be odd to apply the "Next Big Thing" label to a 20-year old car unless you are thinking in terms of "classic icon", which is exactly what Walker predicts for the E39 M5. As BMW fans lament the brand's transition towards heavy, complex, twin-turbocharged torque monsters, older BMW models have appreciated in value on the used market. While the E30 and E36 M3 generations are prized for their lightweight, nimble driving dynamics, the E39-gen M5 stands out as perhaps BMW's premier naturally aspirated sport sedan.
An Exploration Of Excellence
E39 M5 examples in good shape today typically cost around $20,000 or so, and Walker gets the chance to drive two of them in this episode. The first belongs to collector Paul Zuckerman, who developed his automotive passions while lusting after his friend's Porsches back in the day. Wanting to run a bit counter to their tastes, he got into an E39 M5 and today, his white example benefits from a Dinan Stage 3 ECU upgrade to unlock power gains made possible by high-flow intake and exhaust systems. It results in the 4.9-liter S62 V8's estimated bump up to 440 horsepower or so from the factory rating of 396. Throw on a short shifter and both he and Walker can't sing the car's praises enough.
Out For A Cruise
The second E39 in the clip belongs to Ryan Wild and has over 130,000 miles on the clock. But despite the age, even an aficionado as experienced as Magnus Walker comes away from his E39 M5 drive impressed by the way BMW has perfectly dialed in the driver controls. The engaging experience is enhanced by the S62's 7,000-RPM redline and the lack of a feeling of heft from the not low, but reasonable weight of around 4,000 pounds. These stately sedans may seem reasonably priced for everything they have to offer, but after a feature from a known automotive personality like Magnus Walker, values might begin climbing in the near future.
Sources: youtube.com and hagerty.com.