Beautiful E60 BMW M5 Rides on Airbags

The airbag lift system, as well as a host of other upgrades, make this BMW M5 a true standout.

In terms of automotive legend status, the E60 is damn near the upper echelon of the all-time greats. While it is somewhat unassuming to any non-enthusiast, a true fan of the BMW nameplate can spot one in a matter of seconds. For good reason, too. The E60 M5 uses what should be (and is) considered one of the very best performance engines of all time: a glorious 500-horsepower V10, rumored to have direct correlation with the company’s Formula One racing engine.

Even today, years and years after the E60 M5 hit showroom floors, the engine sticks out as a true hero, loud and brash in its performance. Notice that we say engine, not powertrain. Even with a screaming V10 under the hood, the M5 loses some major points with its transmission, an automatic known as the SMG. And although three-pedal examples of the E60 M5 are indeed out there, they are in extremely low numbers. So most are now stuck with a sluggish, unresponsive automatic that was designed and developed long before the days of the dual clutch.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Sweet Bimmer

This particular example of the E60, driven by Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire, is an SMG car, something that Farah notices within one minute of driving. Aside from the gearbox, the car also features upgraded exhaust headers, mufflers, and a bodykit. However, its party piece is an AccuAir airbag system, making the car’s ride height extremely adjustable.

Watch the video above and see Farah’s driving impressions of one of the best cars to ever come out of Germany. Even with the SMG transmission, the E60 M5 is a performance icon, and will forever be in the hearts of BMW enthusiasts.