Highlights

'Body double' of the famous Team Polizei 144 Gumball M5 used by Alex Roy
Built 15 years ago for the UK launch of Alex Roy’s book The Driver
Low mileage car with lots of ongoing history and servicing
Recent £4,500 servicing and recommissioning work
KW race suspension, part roll cage and competition B6 brake upgrade
MOT to November 2025 with no advisories
Low mileage of under 75,000 miles from new

The Appeal

For diehard M5 enthusiasts, this car will likely need no introduction. For the rest, here’s a quick resume. It is a detail-perfect 'body double' of the car that Gumball Rally specialist and all-round motoring personality Alex Roy and entrepreneur Michael Ross used to criss-cross continents in pursuit of records and trophies. That car was known as the M5 ‘Team Polizei 144’ car.

Alex recorded his extensive motoring exploits in the 2013 book "The Driver," which gave the M5 a starring role. When the book was launched in the UK, the publishers used this car as the focal point for a 'lively' Mayfair party and subsequently for other events in Spain and around the UK. The car was also used by the seller and Alex Roy for European and UK events whilst the 'original' M5 remained in the USA. The duo's exploits included competing in the 2006 and 2007 Gumballs and are captured in six 30 minute episodes on Channel 4 and Extreme Sports channels.

The vendor is a well-known Gumball competitor and friend of Alex Roy. He has partnered Roy in several Gumball and other international events in various cars. He acquired this car 15 years ago. He has kept it ‘as is’ so the buyer gets a fascinating one-off car based on BMW’s superlative E39 M5.

Beyond the graphics, this car is a low-mileage European LHD 1998 M5, with under 75,000 miles, in largely factory-standard specification. Alterations are limited to a rear roll cage, KW race suspension, competition B6 brake upgrade and RET Sport exhaust system. The engine and gearbox are standard, but, as enthusiasts know, they don't need improvement.

The history file indicates that it has been well-maintained, with regular attention provided by Munich Legends since its arrival in the UK in 2002. In November 2024, £4,500 was invested across servicing and other mechanical work, including brakes and electrics. There are a few minor points to note in the photos, but the car comes to market with a valid MOT until November 2025, with no advisories.

Alex Roy and his globe-trotting BMW are a fascinating part of the M5 diaspora. For fans of Gumball, Roy, M5s and sporting saloons, this is a great opportunity.

The vendor says:

“I bought it around 15 years ago when my close friend and Gumball 3000 co-driver Alex Roy was launching his book “The Driver” in Park Lane, London and the infamous E39 M5 “Team Polizei 144” car was in the US, so an identical car was needed here. I therefore bought this M5 which conveniently was fully set to be "Team Polizei 144R".

“The car has some modifications from a standard E39 M5, KW race suspension, half roll-cage, Comp-B6 brake upgrade and exhaust upgrade. Engine and gearbox remain standard. It is UK road legal and current MOT.

History and Paperwork

First registered in Germany in 1998
Factory built 25th November 1998
First UK registered July 2002
Two registered keepers since arriving in the UK
Current keeper since December 2012
Team Polizei 144 'body double' car created for UK launch of The Driver by Alex Roy in 2013
The vendor is a well known Gumball entrant who drove with Alex Roy on 2006 and 2007 Gumball Rallies
Their exploits were featured in six 30 minute programmes on Channel 4 and Extreme Sports
Acquired by seller 15 years ago
Seller co-drove the above rallies with Alex Roy and features in the book The Driver
Alex campaigned the original car across the world including Europe and USA
You can read about his exploits in The Driver or by googling the car’s name
A copy of the book is included with the sale
Original car features extensively in The Driver
Lots of history with highlights shown in photos
Original bill of sale shown in photos and included in history file
Handbooks and service books included as shown
Service book shows regular stamps to 109,212 km (67,861 miles) in 2006
This and some previous servicing work by Munich Legends
£4,499 invoice for servicing and other repair work in November 2024
This invoice is shown in photos and worth inspecting
M5NFB registration plate included
MOT to 15th November 2025 with no advisories
74,812 miles on MOT test and showing 74,951 miles in photos

BMW specification:

Prod. Date 1998-11-25
Type M5
Series E39 (M Series)
Body Type Sedan
Engine S62
Drive rwd
Colour carbon-schwarz
Upholstery Embossleather"Strauss"/Basic/Silverstone
S710 M Sports steering wheel, multifunction
S785 White direction indicator lights
S403 Glass roof, electrical
S415 Sun-blind, rear
S423 Floor mats velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430 Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S441 Smoker package
S459 Seat adjustment, electric, with memory
S464 Ski bag
S465 Through-loading system
S473 Armrest front
S488 Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S602 On-board monitor withTV
S609 Navigation system Professional
S620 Voice control
S629 Car telephone (GSM) w card reader, front
S670 Radio BMW Professional RDS
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S676 HiFi speaker system
S694 Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S500 Headl.washer system/intensive cleaning
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S520 Fog lights
S522 Xenon Light
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S548 Kilometre speedo
S555 On-board computer V with remote control
S210 Dynamic stability control
S216 Hydro steering-servotronic
S261 Side airbags for rear passengers
S302 Alarm system
S358 Climate comfort windscreen
S801 German version
S818 Battery master switch
S863 Dealer List Europe
S879 On-board literature, German
S775 Headlining anthracite

The Condition

Original Carbon Schwarz metallic black paintwork
Team Polizei 144 decals and original Gumball decals for 2007 Gumball 3000 Rally
Careful replica of the original Gumball car showing some age to decals
Paintwork is presentable but worth close checking in photos due to extensive decals
Bodywork presents well across usual E39 check areas
There is a small area of light deterioration to leading edge of bonnet to note
Fitted with factory grey anodised multispoke alloys in fair condition
Alloys show with some kerbing and marks
Underside presents well in photos with no structural advisories on current MOT
Headlight are presentable but show some light misting in photos
Panelwork appears to be generally straight and well kept with no accident damage reported
Two-tone grey and black interior in good order with modifications as shown
Leather seats remain presentable with some light marks to note
Rear roll cage bolted in place as shown, which can be easily removed if required
Upholstered sections to fit if removing roll cage are supplied with car and reported to be in very good condition
Door cards, headlining and black carpets in good order with light age to note
Dashboard and switchgear present well with minor aging to note
Aluminium dashboard and door trim with light scuffs shown in photos
Retains factory features like a fitted phone and quality sound system
Some damage to note to seals and trim including on door sills as shown
No faults advised for electrics, lighting, switchgear or dials
No dashboard warning lights visible in photos or notified

The Mechanics

Standard E39 M5 with some modifications detailed below
4,941cc S62 M5 engine
6spd manual gearbox
Engine and gearbox are unmodified and factory standard
Upgraded engine hoses as shown
RET Sport exhaust system
KW race suspension set up
Competition B6 brake upgrade
Some tools but other missing as shown
Well maintained car with regular servicing by specialists like Munich Legends
Recent £4,500 mechanical work including servicing as shown
No mechanical or running gear faults advised
No advisories on current MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

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