Car values are a strange thing. Some models depreciate so fast they practically become disposable, while others, once overlooked, suddenly surge in price and catch collectors by surprise.
For many years, the early 2000s sedan market was filled with practical family cars, daily drivers, and commuter machines that blended reliability with affordability but rarely offered the flash of a sports car.
They were functional, often bland, and designed more for durability than for excitement. Yet, as the collector car market continues to evolve in 2025, one 2000s sedan has broken all expectations it’s now commanding more money than some respected sports cars from the same era.
That sedan is the 2006-2010 BMW M5, powered by its legendary Formula 1-inspired V10 engine, a machine that was once criticized for its complexity but is now celebrated as one of the wildest sedans ever made.
The BMW M5 has always been the understated flagship of the German automaker’s M division. For decades, it has walked the line between executive luxury sedan and high-performance track machine, offering both comfort and blistering speed.
But the mid-2000s generation, known internally as the E60 M5, was different. It wasn’t just another M car it was an engineering statement.
At the heart of this sedan was a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 producing 500 horsepower, an engine that drew direct influence from BMW’s involvement in Formula 1 racing.
It revved to a screaming 8,250 rpm, a sound unlike anything else on the road at the time. This wasn’t just a sedan; it was a four-door supercar disguised as a business executive’s car.
At its debut, the idea of a V10 sedan seemed absurd, and many enthusiasts dismissed it as overly complicated. But two decades later, it’s that exact absurdity that has made the car so valuable.
When new, the E60 M5 carried a sticker price just over $80,000 steep for a sedan in the mid-2000s, but far less than many exotic sports cars.
Today, low-mileage examples are trading hands for upwards of $90,000 to $120,000 at auction, and rare, well-preserved models with manual transmissions can push well beyond $150,000.
That means this once “unloved” sedan is now worth more than contemporary sports cars like the C6 Corvette Z06, the Porsche Cayman S, and even some entry-level 911s from the same era.
It’s a shocking turn of events, especially considering that for years, these cars could be found on used car lots for under $20,000.
What’s fueling this surge in value? Part of it comes down to scarcity. The E60 M5 was not produced in massive numbers, and while plenty were sold in the United States, many have since been driven hard, neglected, or scrapped due to expensive maintenance.
The complexity of its engine and transmission scared away casual owners, leading to high attrition rates.
Finding a clean, low-mileage example today is nearly impossible, and collectors have started to recognize that survival rates will only continue to decline. In short, the pool of “good” cars is shrinking fast, and that scarcity drives demand.
Another factor is nostalgia. The mid-2000s represent a fascinating era in the automotive world, a kind of bridge between analog driving purity and the digital control we see today.
The E60 M5 came before turbocharging and electrification took over performance cars. It was raw, unfiltered, and mechanical traits modern enthusiasts crave in a world increasingly dominated by hybrids and EVs.
Its high-revving V10 is something you simply can’t buy new anymore. Even BMW has admitted they’ll never build another engine like it. That “last of its kind” status always elevates collector value, and the M5 fits the bill perfectly.
Interestingly, the car’s once-criticized flaws are now part of its charm. The single-clutch SMG automated manual transmission was clunky at low speeds and hated in stop-and-go traffic.
Owners complained, reviewers complained, and depreciation hit hard because of it. But now, enthusiasts look past those quirks. In fact, some even seek them out, because they reflect the era’s imperfect experimentation with technology.
Meanwhile, the rare six-speed manual versions sold in the US only about 1,300 units—have become holy grail cars, commanding massive premiums at auction. The same “flaw” that doomed the M5’s resale value 10 years ago is now part of the car’s mystique.
The price spike also reflects a broader trend in the collector market: high-performance sedans are gaining respect. For years, sedans were ignored in favor of coupes and sports cars.
Collectors wanted two doors, light weight, and obvious speed. But as car culture changes, enthusiasts are beginning to celebrate the “sleeper” appeal of fast four-doors.
Cars like the Audi RS6, Cadillac CTS-V, and Mercedes E55 AMG are also rising in value, but none have skyrocketed like the M5. It’s a perfect storm of unique engineering, rarity, and cultural timing that has turned this 2000s sedan into a bona fide collector’s item.
The US market plays a special role in this story. American buyers have long had a love affair with big engines, and while Europe limited manual options, the US got the rare stick-shift M5s that are now the most valuable of all.
On top of that, American car enthusiasts have been quick to embrace nostalgia for the 2000s era an era many younger collectors grew up idolizing through video games like Gran Turismo and Need for Speed.
Seeing the M5 dominate in those digital worlds has translated into real-world desirability, now that those same gamers are adults with disposable income.
It’s also worth noting how this rise compares to sports cars of the same era. A C6 Corvette Z06 with a 7.0-liter V8, once hailed as the performance bargain of the century, can still be found for around $40,000 to $60,000 in good condition.
Even the Porsche Cayman S, a car loved for its balance and handling, trades for less than $50,000 on average. The fact that a German sedan once mocked for its fussy transmission and high repair bills is now more expensive than those cars highlights how much the collector market has shifted.
It’s no longer just about performance numbers on paper; it’s about story, rarity, and emotional connection. The E60 M5 checks all those boxes.
Of course, ownership today isn’t for the faint of heart. The E60 M5 is notorious for maintenance costs. Rod bearing replacements, throttle actuator issues, and transmission failures are all common and can cost thousands.
A well-maintained car is almost always one that’s had tens of thousands of dollars spent on upkeep. But instead of scaring buyers away, that reality has become part of the exclusivity.
Collectors now view it as a badge of honor to own and maintain such a demanding machine, much like owning a Ferrari or Lamborghini. It’s proof that even sedans can reach the realm of exotic ownership experiences.
Looking forward, it’s unlikely that this trend will slow anytime soon. With electrification dominating the future of performance cars, engines like the M5’s V10 are now relics of a bygone era.
The car represents a peak of engineering excess a time when manufacturers could experiment wildly with engine design before emissions and efficiency regulations tightened.
As a result, its cultural and historical significance only grows with time. Just as muscle cars from the 1960s became valuable for their unique engines, the E60 M5 will likely hold a similar place in the collector market of the 21st century.
So yes, the 2000s did give us a sedan that’s suddenly worth more than a sports car, and it’s not because of its practicality, comfort, or family-friendly design. It’s because it dared to be something utterly ridiculous: a four-door luxury car with a Formula 1-inspired V10 under the hood.
That combination of audacity, rarity, and nostalgia has turned the once-depreciating BMW M5 into one of the most sought-after vehicles of its era.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it serves as a reminder that the most valuable cars aren’t always the ones you expect. Sometimes, it’s the sedan parked quietly in the corner of history that ends up stealing the spotlight.
