RE: PH Carpool: BMW M5 (E34) Touring

RE: PH Carpool: BMW M5 (E34) Touring

Monday 7th January 2013

PH Carpool: BMW M5 (E34) Touring

Paul Bridges introduces a rare beast - his E34 BMW M5 Touring



Name:
Paul Bridges
Car:
1994 BMW E34 M5 Touring
Owned since:
May 2010
Previously owned:
Various, from Porsche to Prius! Highlights were Peugeots, including a 205 XS and 306 Rallye, and of course BMWs, including various M5s, the splendid E46 M3 and a delightful red 'round tail light' 2002. A previously owned E34 M5 saloon was one of my all time favourites - in my opinion, BMW Motorsport at their best.

Pace & space for five and their luggage
Pace & space for five and their luggage
Why I bought it:
After owning many an incarnation of BMW M-car, including the mighty E39 variant, I wanted something different that would still transport a family of five in comfort. I'm fascinated by the idea of a single car that meets conflicting requirements - particularly the combination of driving fun down a winding B-road with the ability to hold all the family and our holiday clutter, roof boxes and bikes on epic drives across the continent. After deciding on a fast estate I looked at Audi RS Avants, Mercedes AMGs and others, but driving them left me feeling somehow 'distant from the action' and reinforced my taste for older M-cars. After 18 months of searching I found this car in Belgium and realised it was perfect.

What I wish I'd known:
I waited a long time to find one in the condition I wanted. With full service history and lots of pro-active maintenance done, I thought it would be enough to hold off the gremlins and significant costs for a little while. I was almost right! Let's just say I've spent a lot to get her mechanically perfect.

The perfect car for all occasions
The perfect car for all occasions
Things I love:
I most appreciate driving the car - which has two characters: Pottering about, the electrical dampers stay relatively compliant and the big capacity engine will waft the car along firmly in any of the long gears - perfect for transporting a family around in comfort. However, find yourself alone in the car, drop it cog or two, swing it around a few corners and suddenly it's like you're driving a different vehicle. The dampers stiffen, steering feel increases (an option) and, above 4,000 rpm, the 3.8-litre straight six combines instantaneous throttle response with a brutal spine-tingling howl. The balance between suspension, brakes, chassis and engine is perfect and even in touring form gives nothing away. Considering it was the world's quickest estate, the packaging is laughably subtle - it doesn't even have quad exhausts or M-mirrors - but it's exclusive, and engineered the way only the 90s German automotive industry knew how. Most people don't give it a second glance, but those that know clock the huge floating disks, or hear the burbling (standard) exhaust, and give a knowing nod.

Black leather interior offers plenty of toys
Black leather interior offers plenty of toys
Things I hate:
Nothing. If I was being picky, there are a few internal rattles when passing over pot-holes, but she's over 150,000 miles and 18 years old! Of course the bills could annoy, but to own a car like this you need to ignore the usual financial logic. Set aside some funds for the worst and enjoy every day.

Costs:
Er... this is an E34 M5 with Electronic Damper Control, so let's just say my wife has to be pretty understanding about the bills. To add insult to grievous bodily harm, this is a Touring with full electric and heated seats, mirrors, split-opening tail-gate and the brilliant twin sunroof, so there's lots to go wrong! Most of the M-related parts need importing from Germany; however, now that I've replaced most of the expensive mechanical components I'm expecting (hoping for) a few years of trouble free motoring! After trying BMW dealers and so-called specialists, I've actually found my local garage, Hutfields in Botley, to be very good indeed. Fuel is OK on the motorway at over 25mpg, but put your foot down on a twisty B-road and you'll quickly be in the low teens - we average just over 18mpg.

One satisfied owner!
One satisfied owner!
Where I've been:
I don't track her; I don't see the point. After all, I'd rather go on a track in a Ferrari 360, Porsche GT3 or any Lotus. However, we've been on some epic road trips through the UK, France, Switzerland and Spain. A recent highlight was driving through the night from Calais, through France and Switzerland, to Tuscany, Italy, and, because of the huge 90-litre tank, only had to refill once. I know the car has rubbed off on the family: They regularly ask to wind down the windows when we approach a tunnel!

What next?
Nothing needs doing to the car - it's important to me that she's mechanically perfect and every gadget works (even the electro-mechanical system which applies additional wiper force at higher speeds!). She's no garage queen; I believe cars are for driving and should wear their patina with pride. I have no plans to sell - I honestly can't think of a car to replace it. It's not for lack of looking, but modern equivalents still leave me cold. Retro is good, though, so I really like the E28 M5 - if BMW had made a touring version, I might swap! Our other vehicle is an '89 VW Westfalia Vanagon Camper, the 'Swiss army knife' of transport. With two vehicles like this, we don't need another car!

Author
Discussion

Erwin1978

Original Poster:

97 posts

145 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Brilliant car, great write up. You seem to be the perfect owner for this car. Cheers!

Wolands Advocate

2,493 posts

215 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Great write-up. I love these cars. Would be very tempted if I was in the family way.

V8 FOU

2,970 posts

146 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Electric thing that increases wiper pressure at speed? For that reason alone I want one! Always admired these - good on yer!

rich_b

694 posts

245 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
I remember test driving the saloon version many years ago. It probably wasn't the best example but the handling and noise were amazing. On the way back pulling away from some lights only about 100 yards from the dealer entrance, I just had mash the pedal for one last listen to that howl cloud9

off_again

12,252 posts

233 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
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.

Six Fiend

6,067 posts

214 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
V8 FOU said:
Electric thing that increases wiper pressure at speed? For that reason alone I want one! Always admired these - good on yer!
My 540 had it too smile

E34s do like to munch money (SLS etc) as they get on (heck, they're all old now!) but they are a joy with the bigger engines.

I want another!

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Absolutely love this. Would have an e34 as a daily like a shot but they are just a bit too long in the tooth to run like that IMHO (without big bills waiting in the wings).

Only thing I would change is to fit throwing stars.

Six Fiend

6,067 posts

214 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
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.
How about an E34 540i with a 6-speed manual? Rare now but fabulously capable...



NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Six Fiend said:
How about an E34 540i with a 6-speed manual? Rare now but fabulously capable...
Missed out on an e34 540 6-speed touring a couple of years ago. God knows how much money you'd have to spend to get one tip top though...

mat205125

17,790 posts

212 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Lovely cloud9

Gravy

2,067 posts

233 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Enjoyed that, great write-up!
I particularly concur with "above 4,000 rpm, the 3.8-litre straight six combines instantaneous throttle response with a brutal spine-tingling howl"
Spot on thumbup

Kemlo

61 posts

139 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Love it.

Would love to have an older M5, possibly the E39 for me though.

Currently I run an e30 325 and a VW T3 wetfalia camper. Perfect pairing of fun and family.

Good work.

scholesy

143 posts

161 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
This shape m4 is brilliantly aggressive looks wise, I'd be interested to know if the e34 m5 is actually more or less expensive to maintain than an e39 m5, which I have considered for ages!

Alex Gurr

420 posts

246 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
They are great old barges arent they?

I bought mine 5 years ago and have cherished it ever since. I have never had a car longer than 2 years before, but these old things really get under your skin. They are so well made, have pretty impressive performance and so much character that it is hard to know what other car could do the same job so well. Like you I have looked all over for a replacement, but decided just to put up with some pretty steep bills and keep the car forever. Over time costs average out and I can honestly see me keeping mine for the next 30 years!

Hammerhead

2,698 posts

253 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Massive thumbs up! E34 - full of natural goodness smile

Loplop

1,937 posts

184 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
scholesy said:
This shape m4 is brilliantly aggressive looks wise, I'd be interested to know if the e34 m5 is actually more or less expensive to maintain than an e39 m5, which I have considered for ages!
General consensus is that the E34 is one of the most expensive to run, a lot of it was unique to the M5 and the car was handbuilt etc...

Having said that, we've been quite lucky as most of the consumables that have gone have been shared bits with the 535i Sport. Definitely not the scariest cars in the world to run if you're handy with a set of spanners.

Chris Harris

494 posts

152 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Mine was identical colour inside and out. Loved it to use, sadly bills just came at a furious rate and then it was dinged.

Still a lesson in subtle agression, and the quality of the materials in the cabin make an E61 Touring look v.shabby.

You're doing the world a service keeping one in good health and regularly used.


vetrof

2,466 posts

172 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
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.

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
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.
Do the M5 Tourings have different brakes to the saloons? I thought the saloons came on the throwing stars, or was that the earlier ones?

vetrof

2,466 posts

172 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
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.