Let Me See What I Can Do, Sir - Ottomobile 1/18 BMW M5 (E39)

If you grew up in the early 2000s and liked BMW, odds are you’ll remember their “The Hire” short films starring Clive Owen. I discussed them briefly in my previous review of the Minichamps 1/43 E85 Z4, so naturally, I figured I should follow that up with another favorite of mine.

I will openly admit I was never big on resin models until I actually took the plunge and bought one to see what was up. This Ottomobile 1/18 BMW M5 (E39) was one of my first and it holds a very special place in my heart.

I paid nearly $200 for this model almost a year ago after it had been out for almost a year and a half. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I remember watching the “Star” film from the aforementioned series and immediately hopped on eBay to find one. This was the least expensive sealed one I could find and a week or two later, it arrived.

In the film, Madonna’s diva character utters the words “I’m so over black. This’ll do.”, which is fitting given the lovely Titanium Silver Metallic (354) on both the film car as well as this model. I’m inclined to believe this exact specification was chosen by Otto to reflect the car in it just as their D2 S8 matches the car from Ronin.

The Style 65M wheels look perfect on this one, but more importantly, the wheels roll nicely for a resin model.

Although this one didn’t include a 1/18 Madonna with a piping hot coffee to spill, it makes up for it with exquisite detailing.

This actually might be my nicest Otto model in retrospect. The proportions and details are perfect. I cannot say that about all of their models, but this one really is something else.

I genuinely wish we’d get more models like this from Otto. There are so many pop culture icons from that era I’m dying to see as models such as the S-Type from Sting’s “Desert Rose” music video and even other cars from “The Hire” like the E53 X5 from “Powder Keg.”

To top it all off, the interior is truly exquisite and features the same Black and Silverstone two-tone interior from the car in the film.

Although I’m aware others have reviewed this model further in-depth than I have, it’s nice to take a stroll down memory lane every once in a while. Ottomobile did an excellent job with this M5 and I genuinely cannot regret having spent that money on this car. If you can find one at a price you can stomach (and like the car, most importantly), it’s worth it.