V10 SMG: 2006 BMW M5 E60

I know what you'll say. Another BMW...sheesh, you DT guys must have some kind of sponsorship from Bavaria.  Not quite (although we'd love to get some kick back from BMW if you guys are reading this...send unmarked cash in brown paper envelopes care of the crazy cat lady down the street)..but if you can find another company that sells nicely styled manual transmission equipped sports sedans and V10 powered hoonmobiles, I'll become a fan boy for that OE too.  Deal?  Anyway, BMW M division's first bruiser sedan was the 1988 BMW M5; they had previously dabbled in the M1 supercar and 4-cylinder powered E30 M3 but it was the E28 M5 that set the standard for a fast M-sedan.  Multiple generations later that formula had outgrown its inline-6 roots and by the E60 generation the M5 was powered by an F1 inspired V10 with a screaming high 8250 rpm redline.  Today these M5s are out of factory warranty and can be purchased for less than a new Honda Accord. Find this 2006 BMW M5 E60 starting bid at $1000 with estimated value $17k here on SecondDaily.com.

E60 Blues:2006 BMW M5

Someone once told me that every Porsche 928 is a $25k car, its just that the $5k examples will cost you $20k in maintenance.  That might be true for those fancy-pants cars from Stuttgart, but what about a nice Bavarian family sedan? Will this M5 be the ultimate money eating machine? Or, as tipper Jeff S puts it: Is there such a thing as a cheap M5?  If so, how many arms and legs will it eventually cost you and your family? Find this E60 2006 BMW M5 offered for $12000 in Hagerstown, MD via craigslist.

Six Speeds, No Excuses: 2007 BMW 550i E60

The 6-speed equipped Mercedes-Benz C320 was the interesting choice for someone who wants a self shifted German luxury sedan, but doesn't want a BMW -- but DT commenter Tom McGuire hit the nail on the head when he wrote:  "Can Have" and "Not Want" sum up my view of this era of MB. Buy a BMW.  Can't argue with that kind of logic -- but what if you don't want to be yet another poseur in a black 3-series?  You could pickup a used 6-speed equipped 5-series, like this 2007 BMW 550i here on eBay with opening bid of $9,900 reserve-not-met located in New Rochelle, NY.

7-Speeds & 10 Cylinders: 2006 BMW M5 E60

The E60 generation M5 introduced the world to BMW's first (and only) production V10 powerplant, inspired by the V10 engine used in the BMW Sauber Formula 1 car.  The production engine shared nothing in common with the racing machine, (other than cylinder count) but that didn't stop BMW from selling it as a racing inspired beast complete with quick shifting electro-hydraulic gearbox.  Find this 2006 BMW M5 offered for $13,800 located in Hebron, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

2004 BMW 545i 6 Speed Manual E60

 BMW launched the Davide Arcangelo designed E60 generation 5-series in 2004 as a replacement for the aging E39 5er.  The new 5-series was thankfully spared the nauseating Bangle-butt of the E65 7-series but it was given a thorough massaging with flame surfacing and other 2000s BMW design language.  Find this 2004 BMW 545i offered for $13,300 CAD ($10,627 in USD at time of printing) located in Vancouver, BC, Canada via craigslist.

10k: High Miles: 2004 BMW 545i 6spd E60

The N62 powered BMW 635Ci posted yesterday was met with some concern from folks who understand the difference between a good deal and a low initial purchase price.   Furthermore, the van Hooydonk styled E63 was also universally liked for its smooth front bumper to rear glass shape, but panned for its prominent Bangle butt -- so what about another N62 powered BMW, this time from the E60 family?  Find this 2004 BMW 545i 6spd E60 offered for $10,000 here on craigslist, located in Irvine, CA.

Monday Morning ///M5 Madness: Top 5 BMW E39s For Sale

It's 5am on a fine Monday morning, time to raise your hands in the air and count those digits.  Unless you are some kind of polydactyly freak, like Anne Boleyn or Antonio "El Pulpo" Alfonseca, you will see a magic number, which in the world of BMW's M-cars, means only one thing: speed.  Well...maybe speed and power...and...don't forget repair costs.  Fine.  Take off your shoe and smack yourself in the face for each time you have purchased something other than an E39 (1998-2003) BMW M5.  Don't do it again.

15k: Clutch Player: 2004 BMW 545i 6-spd E60

By the early 2000s most mid-sized luxury sedans were equipped with automatic-only gearboxes, unless it was an expensive and finicky motorsports edition (such as BMW's M-cars, Audi's S-line etc).  The notable exception to the torque convertor brigade was the BMW 5-series that offered a V8 mated to a manual gearbox in a large sedan, starting as far back we can remember and continuing to 540i, 545i, 550i, etc.  Find this 2004 BMW 545i 6-spd for sale in Baldwin, NY for $13,000 or best offer via ebay.

20k: VTenor: 2007 BMW M5 E60 6-spd

The E60 generation BMW M5 was powered by a motorsports derived  V10, intended to link the BMW Formula 1 powerplant with something street driven, although in reality it shared zero components and architecture.   The E60 M5 was the fastest 4-door sedan available when new and it continues to be a brutally fast automobile even when compared to the latest from Germany.  Find this 2007 BMW M5 with 6-speed for sale in Phoenix, AZ for $23,900 or best offer via craigslist.