Introduced at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, the BMW M5 E39 marked a definitive break from its straight-six predecessors. KK Scale's 1:18 scale model car captures the saloon in Avus Blue Metallic, the mid-tone metallic blue that distinguishes the earliest production cars and reads differently under changing light. With a sealed die-cast body and a calculated length of 26.5 cm, this is a display piece built around exterior precision rather than operating features.
The S62 V8 and What Made the E39 Generation Count
The E39 M5 was the first M5 to use a V8 engine. BMW's S62B50 displaced 4,941 cc, breathed through individual throttle bodies for each of its eight cylinders, and deployed double-VANOS variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts. The result was 294 kW (400 PS) at 6,600 rpm and 500 N·m of torque at 3,800 rpm, with a 7,000 rpm redline. A six-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission offered — no paddle-shift alternative was ever listed. Kerb weight stood at 1,795 kg; the 0–97 km/h sprint took 4.8 seconds; top speed was electronically capped at 250 km/h.
Avus Blue Metallic: An Early-Production Colour with Low Build Numbers
BMW paint code 276 — Avus Blue Metallic — was a standard catalogue colour, not an M Individual shade, yet it appeared on a narrow slice of E39 M5 production concentrated in the 1999–2000 model-year window. From 2001 onward it was superseded by Le Mans Blue Metallic (code 381), a visually distinct shade that is frequently confused with its predecessor. The two blues are not interchangeable: Avus reads as a cooler, mid-depth metallic, and its relative scarcity on surviving cars has made it one of the more sought-after standard E39 M5 colours among enthusiasts.
KK Scale's 1:18 Scale Model: Die-Cast Metal, Sealed Construction
KK Scale describes this release as "metal and sealed", which means the body is a one-piece die-cast shell with no opening doors, bonnet, or boot lid. Detail fidelity is concentrated on the exterior surfaces: panel lines, the characteristic quad exhaust outlets, M-specific front and rear aprons, and the metallic blue paintwork itself. The model sits alongside two sibling variants from the same release batch — a Silverstone Blue Metallic example and a Black version — giving collectors a direct point of comparison within a single tooling run. Scheduled availability was set for October 2026.
In the Display Cabinet: Dimensions and Collection Context
At a real-car length of 4,783 mm divided by 18, the model measures approximately 26.5 cm from bumper to bumper — enough to demand a shelf depth of at least 12 cm to sit comfortably. That footprint puts it in natural company with other 1:18 die-cast saloons of the same era: the E34 M5 predecessor, the E60 M5 successor, or the standard E39 5 Series variants on the same KK Scale body tooling. For collectors focused on the analogue M5 lineage — the final generation built without turbocharging or a paddle-shift option — the E39 in Avus Blue is a specific and non-repeatable data point in that sequence.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:18 scale model?
The real BMW M5 E39 measures 4,783 mm in length. Divided by 18, the model is approximately 26.5 cm long and around 10 cm wide. Allow a shelf depth of at least 12 cm and a width of roughly 28–29 cm including any overhang from the mirrors.
Does the model have opening parts?
No. KK Scale describes this release as 'metal and sealed', meaning the doors, bonnet, and boot are fixed in a one-piece die-cast body. All the detail work is on the exterior surfaces — panel shut lines, the M-specific bodywork, quad exhaust tips, and the Avus Blue Metallic paintwork.
What material is the model made from?
The model is die-cast metal throughout. KK Scale's sealed construction prioritises structural solidity and surface finish, positioning it alongside resin models in terms of display fidelity while retaining the weight and feel of a metal casting.
Why does the E39 M5 matter as a collector subject?
The E39 M5 (produced October 1998 – June 2003, 20,482 units) was the first M5 to use a V8 engine — the 4,941 cc S62 with individual throttle bodies and double-VANOS — and also the last M5 built without a turbocharged engine or paddle-shift gearbox. Many observers regard it as the definitive driver-focused M5.
