It's rare to happen, but every now and then an automaker absolutely nails a particular car from the get-go. There really is only a small handful of cars in this prestigious category, and we happen to think the E39 BMW M5 is one of them. Launched in 1998, the E39 M5 was the ultimate super sedan for its time. Powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 400 hp and 369 lb-ft, it clocked a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds and, once the electronic limiter was removed, top seed was 186 mph.

Better still was that BMW offered only a single transmission: a six-speed manual. It was as smooth as butter. Design wise, both exterior and interior were simplistic wonderfulness. It even featured smart airbags as well as being surprisingly fuel efficient for its time. There's really nothing wrong with the E39 M5; it might just be the greatest sports sedan of all time.