M5 Sedan

Make
BMW
Segment
Sedan

The E60 BMW M5 was unlike any other M5 for one vital reason: its naturally aspirated all-aluminum 5.0-liter S85 V10. That engine came directly from the BMW Sauber Formula 1 program and never again has it been used in a series-production BMW model. All told, it produced 500 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The E60 M5 definitely wasn't for everyone, particularly as its flame-surface styling didn't have mass appeal - cue the Chris Bangle haters.

But there was another key reason why the E60 M5 was, in a word, nuts: the optional six-speed manual available for North America only. Yes, an NA V10 combined with a manual was not a regular occurrence even back in 2004 when the mighty sedan premiered. Love the styling or not, this M5 delivered the performance goods.

It officially made the 0-62 mph dash in 4.7 seconds, although some managed to get that time down to 4.1 seconds. Regardless, the E60 M5 was the fastest sedan on the planet beginning in 2004. Although its top speed, like that of all current BMWs, was electronically limited to 155 mph, the optional M-driver's package saw that figure increased to 190 mph.

Think of it like this: this M5 is a four-door supercar. Today's F90 M5, just to compare, gets to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, but no manual is available. Total output: up to 617 hp and 553 lb-ft. Still, there's no replacement for displacement and now there's a manual-equipped E60 M5 up for sale on Bring A Trailer.

With just 69,000 miles on its odometer, this 2007 M5 has a current top bid of $13,000. The bidding will end this coming Friday but given the high depreciation German vehicles typically experience, we don't expect the final price tag to be extremely expensive. If someone can snag a V10-powered, manual-equipped M5 for less than $25k or so, then that's one hell of a deal. This Silverstone II Metallic M5 also has an aftermarket exhaust, adaptive xenon headlights, a power sunroof, factory 19-inch wheels, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

The interior has black Merino leather seats with Shadow-aluminum trim. There's no history of accidents or significant damage, though the seller admits there's a dent in the dashboard trim above the glove box. Anyone who's interested in owning an M5 generation unlike any other for a likely decent price now's your chance.