Let's face it, you get four hundred horsepower, xenon lights and impressive zero to 60 times - somewhere around four seconds. The 1999 model year has the same tire footprint that all other model years have: 18 inches in the back...per side.
Keeping those steamrollers on the pavement is also another m5 engineering marvel: BMW's DSC or Dynamic Stability control software. As soon as it detects a slide, the throttle is retarded by some very aware and sensitive software.
Many drivers have said that the DSC feature in all model years is too sensitive and it should have increments from super safe to off. In later model years (2000 and up) BMW M5 engineers included the ability for DSC to also provide braking input in the event of a more serious slide. Either way you cut it, the e39 m5 has terrific handling characteristcs with or without the DSC button on.
For a real blast however, turn it off and go play with the M5 to really feel what those four hundred horses are all about.
Some have said on forums that the e39 is the strongest M5 ever built by BMW. Better than the current design for its 'hot-rod' like qualities and manual shifting.

One of the greatest joys in buying and owning a used e39 1999 bmw m5 is the ability to manually transfer and control all that power with a clutch and stick. There's something primal about driving this highly refined car with complete manual control.

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