Vehicle Class:
High-performance luxury sedan
Target Audience:
Enthusiasts, owners seeking to perform their own maintenance and repairs, independent repair shops specializing in BMW.
Competitors Era:
Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG, Audi S6, Porsche Panamera (later models), Jaguar XJ-R
Manual Advantage 1:
Vehicle-Specific (Not Generic)
Manual Advantage 2:
Technician-Level Detail
Manual Advantage 3:
Comprehensive Electrical Schematics
Manual Advantage 4:
Digital Format (Printable, Scalable, Portable)
Value Proposition:
Empowers owners to maintain and repair their M5 E39 with the same factory-level information used by BMW technicians, saving time and money.
Powertrain:
Engine, Fuel System, Intake/Exhaust, Cooling, Lubrication, Ignition, Starting, Charging, Automatic Transmission, Manual Transmission, Transfer Case, Drive Shaft, Differential, Axles
Chassis And Suspension:
Suspension, Steering, Power Steering, Brakes (Control, Standard, Parking), Wheels, Tires
Body And Interior:
Body & Chassis, Exterior & Interior Trim, Doors, Hood, Windows, Mirrors, Seat Belts, Air Conditioning, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), Seats, Instrument Panel, Door Locks
Electrical And Electronics:
Electrical System, Wiring Schematics, Engine Control System, Cruise Control, Engine Immobilizer, Wiper & Washer, Horn, Meter, Audio/Visual Systems, Multiplex/CAN Communication
Maintenance Procedures:
Scheduled maintenance, fluid changes, filter replacements, inspections
Diagnostic Procedures:
Troubleshooting guides, symptom-based diagnostics, fault code interpretation
Repair Procedures:
Step-by-step instructions for component removal, installation, adjustment, and rebuilding
Calibration And Adjustment:
Specific calibration procedures for electronic systems and mechanical components
Depth Of Coverage:
Comprehensive: Covers basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including complex electronic diagnostics.
Diagnostic Tools Reference:
Implied reference to BMW's diagnostic tools (e.g., DIS, ISTA) and procedures for using them.
Wiring Diagrams:
Complete, detailed wiring schematics for all vehicle systems.
Illustrations And Diagrams:
High-quality illustrations and exploded view diagrams for component identification and assembly.
Software Requirements:
Adobe PDF Reader, Winzip (both free online)
Operating System Compatibility:
Windows (Vista 32/64, XP, ME, 98, NT, 2000), MAC
Printability:
Fully Printable (individual pages or full manual)
Image Scalability:
Scalable Images (allows for enlarged printing of diagrams)
Binding:
N/A (Digital format, no physical binding)
Paper Quality:
N/A (Digital format, print on demand)
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated V8
Displacement:
4.9 Liters (4941 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
94.0 mm x 89.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
11.0:1
Horsepower:
400 hp @ 6600 rpm (DIN)
Torque:
368 lb-ft (500 Nm) @ 3800 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (Multi-point)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91-98 RON)
Valvetrain:
Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 4 Valves per Cylinder, VANOS (Variable Valve Timing)
Engine Management:
Bosch Motronic ME 7.2
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
5-Star (for E39 platform generally)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
5-Star (for E39 platform generally)
Braking System:
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Traction Control:
Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC+T)
Airbags:
Frontal airbags (driver & passenger), Side airbags (front door mounted), Head Protection System (HPS)
Seat Belts:
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters
Chassis Construction:
Reinforced safety cell, crumple zones
Navigation System:
Optional BMW Professional Navigation System with CD-ROM based maps.
Audio System:
BMW Business or Professional CD radios, optional Harman Kardon sound system.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Parking Assistance:
Optional rear park distance control (PDC).
Telematics:
Optional Tele Aid or BMW Assist telematics system (functionality may be limited due to network obsolescence).
Climate Control System:
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 7,500 - 10,000 miles or annually, depending on driving conditions (refer to manual for specific guidance).
Brake Fluid Flush Interval:
Every 2 years
Coolant Flush Interval:
Every 2-3 years or as per BMW specifications
Spark Plug Replacement:
Typically around 60,000 miles (refer to manual for specific plug type and interval)
Engine Oil Type And Viscosity:
BMW Longlife-01 approved synthetic oil, typically SAE 0W-40 or 5W-30 (check manual for precise BMW LL-01 specification).
Coolant Type:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48 ethylene glycol-based)
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 (BMW Super-DOT 4 recommended)
Transmission Fluid Type:
MTF LT-2 (Manual Transmission Fluid) - specific BMW fluid is crucial.
Rod Bearings:
Potential for wear on rod bearings due to high-performance use; requires proactive inspection and potential replacement.
Rear Main Seal Leaks:
Common leak point, especially with age and mileage.
S62 Throttle Bodies:
Individual throttle bodies can become sticky or develop vacuum leaks, affecting performance and idle quality.
Cooling System:
Plastic expansion tanks can become brittle and crack; water pump and thermostat are also wear items.
Vanos System:
Seals within the VANOS system can degrade, leading to a loss of low-RPM torque and potential rattles.
Bmw M Division:
BMW M GmbH (Motorsport) division, renowned for creating high-performance versions of BMW's standard road cars.
E39 M5 Introduction:
Introduced in 1998 (as a 1999 model in Europe, 2000 in North America), the E39 M5 represented the pinnacle of the 5 Series performance for its generation.
E39 M5 Engine Development:
The S62 engine was a development of the M62 V8, heavily modified by BMW M with individual throttle bodies, a unique crank, and upgraded internals for enhanced performance.
Production Years:
1998-2003
Production Location:
Dingolfing, Germany
Total Production Numbers:
Approximately 20,484 units worldwide
Car And Driver Award:
Car and Driver's 10Best list multiple times (for the E39 generation generally, with M5 variants being highly acclaimed).
Motor Trend Award:
Highly praised by automotive journalists for its performance and handling.
Manual Quality Certification:
Factory authorized and produced for dealership use, indicating adherence to BMW's internal technical documentation standards.