Jay Leno Drives A Manual BMW M5 Now Worth More Than A Brand-New Cadillac Blackwing
Jay Leno has driven just about every exotic machine capable of turning gasoline into noise and poor financial decisions. Yet one boxy German sedan with four doors, a five-speed manual, and nearly 40 years behind it managed to leave him completely smitten.
Donald Osborne brought a 1988 BMW M5 and a 2020 Mercedes Maybach S560 4MATIC to Jay Leno’s Garage for an analog versus digital showdown. Both are fast, luxurious sedans, but they approach that mission from opposite ends of the technological universe.
The Maybach surrounds its occupants with screens, insulation, and enough leather to furnish a private jet. The BMW gives its driver a clutch pedal, hydraulic steering, and an engine that makes turning on the radio feel unnecessary.
This Manual BMW M5 Still Feels Modern
Jay immediately praises the E28 M5’s clean styling and simple proportions before taking a small swing at modern BMW design. He says he is not a fan of the company’s current oversized grilles, memorably describing the look as “Bucky the Beaver.”
The original M5 came from BMW’s Motorsport division at a time when American buyers could not easily find a comfortable four-door sedan with a manual transmission. Jay compares its mission with today’s Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, another large performance sedan that lets adults enjoy rear seats while the driver enjoys three pedals.
Only around 2,300 E28 M5s were reportedly built. Beneath the restrained bodywork sits a smooth inline-six connected to a five-speed manual gearbox, along with four-wheel disc brakes and a chassis engineered for genuine performance. It was not a regular sedan wearing aggressive wheels and an optimistic badge.
Once Jay gets behind the wheel, the M5 quickly proves its reputation is deserved. He praises the steering, clutch, balance, comfort, and immediate throttle response. It feels old enough to be interesting but modern enough to drive every day, assuming its air conditioning button has actually been pressed.
The Mercedes Maybach Lost $55,000 In Five Years
The Maybach represents the digital side of this comparison. Its cabin is quieter, more luxurious, and better equipped than the BMW, while its rear seats offer an experience Donald compares with first class on an airplane.
Jay also explains why the original Maybach revival struggled. Mercedes attempted to position Maybach above its own flagship cars, required special ordering spaces, and expected wealthy Americans to wait for heavily customized vehicles. Jay compares it with the New Coke disaster, only with considerably more leather.
The later Mercedes Maybach S560 solved much of that confusion by making Maybach the highest trim level of the familiar S-Class. It delivers enormous comfort and surprising performance without pretending it came from an entirely separate manufacturer.
That technical sophistication has not protected its value. Donald estimates that a well-preserved 2020 Maybach worth around $175,000 five years ago may now command approximately $120,000. Jay believes some examples could sell for even less, especially when mileage and maintenance history enter the conversation.
Jay Leno Cannot Believe This BMW Is Worth $190,000
The M5 has traveled in the opposite direction. Donald estimates that the BMW was worth around $130,000 five years ago but could now command approximately $190,000. Jay is stunned by that figure, especially because the price moves it dangerously close to new performance cars with warranties and readily available parts.
He asks whether an enthusiast should buy the classic M5 or save roughly $60,000 and purchase a manual Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Donald argues that the BMW offers history, rarity, and future collectability. Jay counters that the Cadillac can be driven hard without its owner hearing imaginary repair bills every time something rattles.
That debate becomes increasingly difficult once the BMW reaches the road. Jay says it feels right, calls it fabulous, and praises how easily its performance can be enjoyed at real-world speeds. Unlike many modern super sedans, the M5 does not require triple-digit speeds before it begins feeling alive.
The 1988 M5 wins the value contest easily, but the episode reveals something more important. Nearly four decades later, the BMW remains comfortable, fast, involving, and completely usable.
The only disappointing thing about it is the price. The people desperate to own one may no longer be able to afford it, while those capable of spending $190,000 may simply buy something newer.
Jay still finishes the drive completely won over. The original M5 did not need enormous screens, a 900-hp hybrid system, or a grille visible from space. It just needed a brilliant engine, a manual gearbox, and a chassis that still knows exactly what BMW once meant by the ultimate driving machine.
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