There are fast saloons, and then there is the BMW E39 M5; a car that sits comfortably at the head of the table of analogue performance icons.

Widely regarded as one of BMW M’s finest creations, the E39 M5 blends understated design, naturally aspirated power, and genuine everyday usability in a way few cars before or since have managed to replicate.

Finished in the ever-desirable Carbon Black Metallic, a colour that shifts beautifully between deep navy and jet black depending on the light, this particular E39 is paired with the elegant two-tone Silverstone grey and black leather interior.

The beating heart of the E39 M5 is BMW’s legendary 4.9-litre S62 V8, producing 394bhp delivered exclusively through a 6-speed manual gearbox.

It’s a drivetrain that defines the era: immediate throttle response, linear power delivery, and a soundtrack that leaves today's more modern offerings in a state of bother.

Showing 131,000 miles, this is a well-enjoyed and properly run-in example of a model ...