If we had to curate a collection of rare and desirable future classics from BMW's extensive back catalogue, we would probably skip the obvious sports coupés and roadsters and focus on the power wagons instead. After all, BMW M only built a handful of Touring versions for the iconic M3 and M5 model ranges. And naturally, they are becoming more and more desirable. In 1992, BMW launched the M5 E34 Touring as the first-ever wagon carrying the M label. Powered by a hand-built S38 inline-six engine sporting 340 horsepower and built in less than 900 units, the iconic family shuttle is getting more expensive by the minute. After skipping the E39 M5, BMW introduced the second M5 Touring in 2007 for the E60/E61 generation 5 Series. Equipped with a 5-litre, 507 horsepower S85 V10 engine coupled with a 7-speed SMG-III gearbox, the inconspicuous estate car was in fact a rocket in disguise. After all, the engine had been inspired by the V10 used by the BMW-Williams Formula 1 team. Individual throttle bodies, an 8,250 rpm redline, and dry-sump-style oiling made it one of the most motorsport-inspired engines ever put in a road car. Soon, the V10 was borrowed by various low-volume boutique manufakturers like Ascari, Panoz, Veritas and Wiesmann to boost their high-performance sports cars.
In 2024, BMW revived the Touring concept for the third time for the G61-generation M5. The hybrid system combining a 4.4 L twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission promises an otherworldly output of 727 hp and 1,000 Nm — but at least to us, the unassuming exterior and overengineered V10 engine still makes the E61 M5 Touring the most desirable power wagons of them all. This subtle Dutch back-on-black 2007 BMW M5 is one of around only 1,000 cars built, and despite the 66,000 miles on the odometer and the slightly worn leather seats, we would love to try out the famous Launch Control mode in the supermarket parking lot after our next weekend shopping trip. “A V10 Station is a happy place,” the test driving legend and Top Gear veteran Chris Harris once said. And who are we to disagree?
