- LSX Magazine - https://www.lsxmag.com -

Check out this 800 RWHP Turbo LS1-Powered ’99 BMW 528i 6-Speed

Resale values for the near-legendary E39 M5 are getting hitting the elbow curve in a big way. BMW’s turn-of-the-century executive express was a performance steal just three or four years ago, but with well-kept, low mileage examples disappearing, alternatives like the 540i M-sport are getting attention. Think of this car as a 562i M Super Sport.

[1]

If it’s a bargain M5 you’re seeking, this project 528i checks all the boxes. V8 power and then some comes from a boosted LS1 complete with forged internals and connected to the rear wheels through a transplanted and beefed-up 6-speed Tremec manual. It might not have the M5 pedigree, but who needs it with twice the horsepower.

[2]

American Bahnstormer

Make that more than twice. An M5 was powerful when this car was built, but this produces a supercars-only 801 horses at the rear wheels. That means it’s making somewhere in the vicinity of 930 horses at the crank. Taking a look at the build sheet for this monster motor, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Richard Rawling’s Christmas list. And the VANOS will never fail.

  • [3]
  • [4]

The car is currently listed on Bringatrailer at under $20,000 [5], so what’s the catch? If you’re looking for a pristine interior and flawless cosmetics, there might be a few nits to pick here. The description mentions a few tired seams, pixels are failing in the odometer which reads around 100k, and the clean black paint is said to display a few of the typical blemishes you’d expect from an 18-year old car.

[6]

However, that’s not to say the vehicle is poorly kept. Inside it features 18-way power seats borrowed from a 7-series, a 7-inch touchscreen Android head unit, and multiple engine-management accessories including a methanol injection controller.

Could you endure an airbag light and a few missing pixels for the sleeper to end all sleepers? You’ve got 24 hours to decide.