RE: PH Carpool: BMW M5 (E34) Touring

[nicknoo]

10 out of 10 for effort and commitement!

The E34 M5 was what I consider to be the last of the 'physical' Motorsport 5 series cars, after that things became evermore reliant on electronic engine/gearbox/suspension/brakes to control this and that and it seemed to make the driver more distant to the original concept of an M5 - a stonking big engine in an 'average' saloon.

[hi court]

i had a e34 525i for a year a couple of years ago, it was awesome, such a well built car that drove so well, it was my daily driver and did everything effortlessly. I bought it on about 128k miles and sold it with 132k ish miles, didn't loose a penny on it either, and all it cost me was 2 tyres, 2 subframe bushes and an anti-roll bar link. Cheap motoring all round, it even did 30+mpg - one of the most economical cars i've ever had, lol!

Would love a 540i manual as the 525i was a bit sluggish for my liking....

[E24man]

toxicfrog said:

off_again said:

If only they did them RHD. Shame. Tried relatively posh estates with big engines, but I would go for something that is special. Merc E class V8's are great but lack the fiz. BMW M cars have the fiz but no real demand to make estate or 4 door models in RHD. Shame. Oh well.

There is 1 RHD about.........

E24man said:

There are two E34 M5 Tourings that were converted from lhd to rhd, one in Avus blue and one in purple - the purple one is presently for sale. There were/are also two rhd 525i Tourings that were converted to 3.6 M5 Tourings with a full powertrain transplant.

[urquattro]

Here is one I have nearly finished restoring, E34 M5 3.8, 5 speed,conventional suspension now.





Here is the other, E39 540 V8 touring, and auto but with excellent steptronic for manual changes

Fine cars

[Baddie]

My saloon is just about my favourite driving car in the world. There are many more capable cars, but I've driven nothing else that makes you feel so comfortable on the limit. And throttle bodies / straight through exhaust box in a comfortable family car is just nuts. Mine even did ok in snow thanks to a proper slippy diff. Doesn't have driver aids, doesn't need them.

[LordFlathead]

Written with passion! This is the reason that I come here for articles like this.

Great car, great write up. Do keep us updated on Readers Cars

[m5wagon]

I've been busy in the office today and just realised this has been uploaded. Thanks for the comments and feedback.

Paul

[F1GTRUeno]

The more of these cars being kept in absolutely top condition by proper enthusiasts the better.

Great write up and glad to see it's in good hands.

[predding]

Nice car indeed but...18mpg average in this climate as yr daily car - no way Jose...

[7ss]

vetrof said:

Great write up. (But I'm a bit biased)

NiceCupOfTea said:

Only thing I would change is to fit throwing stars.

Don't fit over the 4 pots and 345mm discs, I think.

Throwing stars / turbines fit just fine. Most aftermarket 17" won't though.

[M666 EVO]

I did a similar road trip to southern Italy but in my Lancia Delta. Epic.

Slightly OT but the M5 Touring is one BMW I would have, great write up too

[pSyCoSiS]

An excellent article.

Well done Paul - you have a stunning car!

The E34 M5 was always one of my dream cars, a dream which I realised around 4 years ago.

Purchased an E34 M5 3.6 in Macau Blue. An ex-Jersey car, with low miles.

Currently been off the road, but will be sorted within the next few months to use at my sister's wedding.

Question is: original 17" Throwing Stars (staggered fitment)

OR

A set of Genuine 17" Alpina, with 10j rears (removed from a B12 Alpina)?

[pSyCoSiS]

These are superbly engineered machines and truly built to last.

A beautiful note from the straight six engine.

And as someone as already said, there isn't much that needs changing on the car: it's pure and perfect!

[Loplop]

pSyCoSiS said:

An excellent article.

Well done Paul - you have a stunning car!

The E34 M5 was always one of my dream cars, a dream which I realised around 4 years ago.

Purchased an E34 M5 3.6 in Macau Blue. An ex-Jersey car, with low miles.

Currently been off the road, but will be sorted within the next few months to use at my sister's wedding.

Question is: original 17" Throwing Stars (staggered fitment)

OR

A set of Genuine 17" Alpina, with 10j rears (removed from a B12 Alpina)?

Alpina's look great on E34's, as do Throwing Stars. But there's something about the turbines - knowing that they're functional - and the rare 'knowing nod' you'd get with them, even if they aren't the most aesthetically pleasing...

[g3org3y]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing

[Adrian E]

Loplop said:

Alpina's look great on E34's, as do Throwing Stars. But there's something about the turbines - knowing that they're functional - and the rare 'knowing nod' you'd get with them, even if they aren't the most aesthetically pleasing...

+1 - also if you stick Alpina rims on it those in the know will probably assume it's trying to be something its not, which just wouldn't be right lol

[KrisP]

E24man said:

There are two E34 M5 Tourings that were converted from lhd to rhd, one in Avus blue and one in purple - the purple one is presently for sale. There were/are also two rhd 525i Tourings that were converted to 3.6 M5 Tourings with a full powertrain transplant.

The E34's are becoming the timeless and affordable classic now so grab one while you can. I've had a 540i six speed Touring, an M5 Touring and now an Alpina Touring all in E34 flavour and they are lovely and reliable things to behold and run.

Good article too.

I saw a pic of that when it was on the auction website, do you know how much it is up for or any other details that you can share please? It would be a pleasant companion to my E36M (PM me if the information is not suitable for public consumption)

Cheers

[vetrof]

7ss said:

Throwing stars / turbines fit just fine. Most aftermarket 17" won't though.

Cheers.

[pSyCoSiS]

Adrian E said:

+1 - also if you stick Alpina rims on it those in the know will probably assume it's trying to be something its not, which just wouldn't be right lol

I agree with the turbines - they do look stunning, and very 'Ronin'! They almost make the tyre appear as if it has a white line around it!

But, disagree with Alpinas trying to make it something it is not.

If anything, the M5 is a far superior car to the equivalent B10 (non-turbo), and therefore, the addition of Aplinas won't falsify it's image. I think they would look nice, especially with the colour being Macau Blue.

Either way, I searched long and hard to find a set of staggered throwing star wheels, so might just get them fully refurbished and leave them on!

Edited by pSyCoSiS on Tuesday 8th January 10:37

[pSyCoSiS]

vetrof said:

First cars had 17" Turbines (all sedans), later cars has different covers; the T stars you like.

The later cars which had 6 speed gearbox, 4 pot brakes and 345mm discs all came on 18" M Pars.

Aren't the T-Stars and Turbines essentailly the same wheels, just with different attachments?

i.e. the T Star and Turbine parts can be removed,to reveal the black ally behind it?