For the past 18 years his BMW M5 E39 has carried Justin Kuruvilla across Europe on multiple occasions and given him a whole new community of friends to share in his continued passion for BMW M. We caught up with Justin ahead of the iconic BMW M5 Meeting at the BMW Welt and Museum.
Justin, nice to have you here. Tell us, what's a unique ownership experience you can share with your M5?
I never imagined having the opportunity to live outside the US, yet I have had the extreme fortune of being able to live in the UK on two separate occasions.
Both times, I was able to bring the M5 with me. During this most recent occasion, I was posted to the US Embassy in London and the car was registered with diplomatic plates.
While that afforded many great benefits, despite what most people think, diplomats do still have to pay speeding fines!
From English B-roads to the Autobahn, Swiss mountain passes to the Nürburgring, and Welsh ruins to beer-brewing Belgian abbeys, the M5 has provided my friends and family with unforgettable and exhilarating experiences.
I consider myself quite fortunate; while these opportunities are feasible for many Europeans, being able to experience them as an American – and in my M5! – has been a dream come true.
What is your earliest memory of BMW M and what impact did this have on you growing up?
My first memory of BMW M would be reading about the E30 M3 in car magazines. My best friend’s father purchased a brand new E30 325i when I was a kid. I loved that car, and to see a car looking like this in race car form was very cool. I rarely saw real M3s on the street, but when I did, it was quite the sight.
What was the first BMW M car you owned and how did this affect you at the time?
The first, and so far, only M car I’ve owned is my E39 M5 that I’ve had for almost 18 years. When the E39 M5 first debuted in the late 90s, I thought it was pure perfection. It was - and still is - my dream car. At the time, I never thought it was attainable, so I just put the thought away. However, at the height of the US housing market bubble in 2006, I was about to purchase a new-build house. Thankfully, I came to my senses and cancelled the purchase after the house finished construction. I took the deposit to buy my M5. As they say, you can sleep in your car, but you can’t drive a house! I’ve never regretted it.
Why do you think in-person car meets are important for the community, and what are some Do’s and Don’ts for your first car meet?
These events are important to help people truly connect over a shared love of automotive culture. We all find joy in experiencing the sights, sounds, and feel of these machines - something that simply cannot be done remotely.
Do: Talk to everyone and ask them why they're passionate about their car.
Don’t: Be a snob. There are many aspects of car culture that people love. You don’t have to necessarily agree, but I think it’s important to appreciate someone else’s enthusiasm.
Car meets are coming under increased scrutiny, so don’t give anyone an excuse to try to shut them down.
Can you share any insights into the lifestyle and culture around owning a BMW M in the UK? And how does it differ from US car culture?
There’s a strong appreciation for BMW M in the UK; I always run into people excited to see my car. Especially now that my M5 is getting on to “classic” status, people often come up and say that they appreciate seeing this type of car being driven and used and not just stuck in a garage. One difference is size. In the UK, it’s actually feasible to arrange national meets and - even better - meets with many of our European friends. This is the second time that a European meet has brought us here to Munich.
You mentioned your car often turns heads for its US number plate, what’s your favourite story of the times people have knocked on your door or stopped to marvel at your M5?
It’s definitely unusual to see a left-hand drive E39 M5 in London - especially when I had diplomatic plates! - and it tends to be a real conversation starter.
People buzz my flat all the time wanting to ask about or buy my car.
Once, I was just selling some used furniture and the topic came to cars - it turned out the guy I was selling to had already seen my car around the area and had shared pictures of it with all his work mates.
Which BMW M car has always stuck in your memory as being something special?
The E39 M5 of course! To a non-enthusiast, it’s just an old sedan. Yet it can comfortably bring four passengers across the continent at supercar speeds.
In your opinion, how does BMW M maintain its relevance and appeal among automotive enthusiasts in the UK?
As long as BMW M focuses on the drivers and the unique driving experience they can provide over other performance vehicles, that enthusiasm from current owners will spread to enthusiasts across the spectrum.
It’s clear you have a love for BMW M models old and new. If you could pick one model from our current lineup, what would it be, and why?
I would have to say the M3 Touring. While I would love an E39 Touring, the current M3 Touring is similar in size and power/weight to the E39.
How do you envision the future of high-performance cars, and where do you see BMW M fitting into an electric future?
EVs have some great advantages, but one of the challenges is that many of them feel and/or drive the same; this seems to be due to the nature of the EV drivetrain. I think, BMW M should ensure that many of the things that bring excitement, engagement, dynamics, sound, etc. can be kept in their DNA while they incorporate new tech.
If you could sum up BMW M in three adjectives, what would they be?
Engaging. To be honest, I'm struggling to come up with adjectives that aren't just synonyms of this!
If you could give anyone that was keen on joining the BMW M community some advice, what would it be?
It’s a really close-knit community that tries to help everyone through sharing advice, knowledge, and help on all topics and questions. You’ll never be alone in your ownership of an M car. Just don't ask what type of engine oil to use!
