Rare Imola Red 2002 BMW M5 E39 with 6-Speed Manual
About this vehicle
Imola Red on an E39 M5 is genuinely scarce — around 200 examples left the factory wearing it, full stop. Finding one that's been kept with this level of care is a different matter entirely. NHTSA VIN records confirm a genuine 2002 BMW M5, body style Sedan, carrying the 4.9L eight-cylinder S62 under its hood. That engine pairs with a 6-speed manual and a limited-slip differential, which is precisely the combination that earned this generation its reputation.
Visually, the E39 M5 departs from the standard 5-Series through flared fenders, deeper bumper covers, Shadowline exterior trim, quad exhaust outlets, and those side gills with integrated M badging. This particular car wears black kidney grilles, Euro-spec headlamps with LED high beams, and Morimoto LED fog lamps alongside the Imola Red paint. Autobahn i3 ceramic window tint covers the glass. A carbon fiber rear diffuser insert finishes the tail, and the factory 18" M double-spoke wheels have been refinished in black. Front tires were replaced in 2024; rears came in 2022. Clear paint protection film covers the hood, front bumper, and headlights, and under the current seller the car has lived in a garage.
One thing worth stating plainly: CARFAX records an accident involving minor-to-moderate front-end damage in 2014. The seller states the previous owner had the front bumper, hood, and fenders refinished at that time. A detailed gallery is provided so buyers can assess the bodywork themselves.
The cabin is Black, dressed with an Alcantara headliner and Imola Red embossed leather inserts on the seat centers and door panels. Brushed aluminum trim runs throughout the interior. Heated, power-adjustable front sport seats include lumbar support. The steering wheel is a custom thickened M Sport multifunction unit with M-color stitching, and a Euro-spec center console lid carries matching stitching. M5-branded door sills, an M shift knob, an aluminum M footrest, and M5-specific instrumentation with variable tachometer redline indicator lights handle the remaining M appointments.
Equipment on the comfort side covers automatic climate control, cruise control, an onboard computer, factory navigation, an electric glass sunroof, Park Distance Control, rear window sunshades, upgraded LED interior lighting, and a BlueBus Bluetooth audio module. The seller describes leather upholstery, carpeting, and interior trim as being in excellent condition. A new driver's seatbelt was fitted in 2024, and OEM rubber floor mats are included. On the CARFAX mileage inconsistency — the seller believes a service facility entered the mileage of a different M5 by mistake and attests the odometer reading is accurate.
BMW's 4.9-liter S62 V8 breathes through individual throttle bodies, runs double-VANOS variable valve timing, and produces 394 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque at the top of its rev range. A SuperSprint cat-back exhaust system has been fitted, along with a Turner Motorsports intake air temperature relocation kit. Power goes rearward through the 6-speed manual and limited-slip differential.
Between 2022 and 2025, the car received a VANOS reseal, multiple oil services, a coolant flush with a new expansion tank, brake fluid flush, transmission service, replacement valve cover gaskets, upper and front timing cover gaskets, a front crankshaft seal, thermostat, water pump, differential reseal with CV joint service, new rear shocks, front control arms, belt tensioner, spark plugs, battery replacement, cabin and engine air filters, a washer tank line, and a new fuel tank vent valve. The odometer reads 108,552 miles.
Owner's manuals, a toolkit, a car cover, and a clean, clear title come with the sale.
