Taylor's BMW E39 540i touring isn't just rare, it's genuinely unique. With only 16 manual V8 tourings left in the UK, this particular example stands alone thanks to its extraordinary original specification.

When Taylor first saw his BMW E39 540i touring back in August 2020, it wasn't exactly love at first sight. Half the damn thing was buried in a bush, covered in moss and crap, looking more like some forgotten relic than a future project. But you know how it is with barn finds—the best ones always look the worst initially.

His mate Anthony from the BMW club had rung him up about an available E39 touring. No details whatsoever, engine size, gearbox type, color, nothing. Just "trust me on this one." What Taylor discovered was one of those moments that makes car hunting so bloody addictive.

Pop the bonnet: BMW's 4.4-liter V8 sitting there. Open the door: six-speed manual gearbox staring back at you. Right there, that combination makes for something pretty special—only about 16 E39 540i manual tourings remain in the UK. But Taylor had stumbled onto something way more significant than he initially realized.

A Motorsport Man's Vision

The real story came out during Taylor's post-purchase research. The original owner wasn't some regular BMW buyer, it was Stuart Goodridge, who bought this thing brand new in 1998 for fifty grand (that's over £100k today). Goodridge? Yeah, the company behind braided brake lines and fuel systems for F1 teams and professional motorsport. Stuart wasn't just running the business either; he was out there racing himself, so he knew exactly what he wanted from a road car.

Look at the spec sheet and Stuart's motorsport background jumps right out at you. This isn't your typical exec barge stuffed with luxury bits. This is a proper driver's tool masquerading as a family wagon.

The paint is Aspen Silver, but it's not your garden-variety silver. Catch it in the right light and you'll spot these purpley-pink undertones dancing across the panels. Factory sport boot spoiler, Shadow line trim—subtle but purposeful touches. It's got the M Sport package too, though being pre-facelift means no M Sport bumpers.

Step inside and that Obergene leather hits you immediately. This deep plum purple creates an atmosphere that's both posh and focused. Wood trim throughout, M Sport seats and wheel, everything screaming "built for enthusiasts."

What Makes It Actually Unique

Here's where this E39 becomes genuinely special: Stuart ticked the box for factory AC Schnitzer suspension. Not just any suspension either, the full works including optional thicker anti-roll bars with factory poly bushes. That's the kind of spec that shows someone who really understood what improves handling versus what just sounds impressive in the brochure.

This exact combination, color, interior, suspension setup, drivetrain, creates a specification so specific that research confirms it: genuine one-of-one status in the UK.

Five Years Deep

Taylor's original plan? Buy it, tidy it up, flip it for profit. Standard procedure. But after getting it running with a fresh fuel pump, something shifted. That quick flip became a five-year deep dive touching every major component on the car.

The work reads like an E39 owner's nightmare list: complete suspension rebuild, rear jacking point restoration (Taylor calls it "quite possibly the worst job in the world," anyone who's done it will relate), full doors-off respray, endless hours getting every detail right.

That custom stainless exhaust system doesn't just change the sound, it completely transforms the car's personality. Those 18-inch Alpina B10 Classics with their hollow spoke design? Absolute perfection after professional refurbishment, wrapped in fresh Michelin Pilot Sport 5s.

Even modern conveniences got sorted properly. The original "wooden telly" now runs Apple CarPlay, proving you can blend new tech with period charm when you do it right.

Behind the Wheel

Driving this thing immediately shows why Stuart spec'd it this way. Normal mode: smooth, quiet, refined, proper long-distance cruiser that won't beat you up over hundreds of miles.

Hit that exhaust button though? Complete transformation. The V8 fills the cabin with sounds that modern turbo engines just can't match. Pure automotive theater.

Chassis-wise, it's set up like a touring should be, comfort first, but those AC Schnitzer bars keep things controlled when you're having a go. Taylor's Quaife limited-slip diff swap (replacing the factory open diff) totally changes how it puts power down. Much more engaging.

That 32-valve V8 remains one of BMW's greatest hits. All-aluminum block keeps weight sensible while pumping out just under 300 horses with torque delivery that makes everyday driving effortless. Pull away at two grand and it just surges forward while sounding absolutely magnificent.

What's Next

Five years in, countless miles covered, restoration complete, what do you do with a one-off E39? If you're Taylor, you make it even more special. Enter the VF M62 supercharger kit, promising over 400 horsepower from that V8.

Rather than dropping seven grand on a new kit, Taylor found an E39 535i already running the supercharger for £6,500. Smart move, swap the kit over, sort out the donor car, hopefully recover half the costs. That's the kind of thinking Stuart would've appreciated.

You can follow Taylor on Instagram @TaylorHetherington_ for more of his automotive adventures.

Why This Actually Matters

Cars like Taylor's E39 represent something that's disappearing fast: genuine individual character. This isn't about artificial rarity or limited editions created by marketing departments. This is about someone who knew exactly what they wanted and had the means to create it.

The E39 generation catches BMW at their absolute peak, before regulations and market pressures homogenized everything. Finding one with this level of thoughtful specification, properly maintained and enhanced by someone who gets what makes it special, feels like discovering automotive gold.

Most importantly, it gets used properly. Not locked away in climate-controlled storage or trailered to shows. It's driven, enjoyed, shared with people who understand what makes it tick. That's what cars like this were actually built for.

Taylor's relationship with his E39 proves the best automotive stories often start by accident. But when they click, they create bonds worth preserving and cars worth celebrating for years to come.