RE: An 'M' For All Reasons?
Discussion
I love the E34 M5s. I currently have an E34 3.6 in Macau Blue - superb car in every way. Most enthusiats will state that the 3.6 is a more durable, less problematic unit than the 3.8s.
It still shocks me how something so big and heavy, can be so quick, agile and planted. The steering is like putty in your hands.
Awesome machines. I love the looks and boxy shape of the E34, so the M5 is the perfect car for me! Definitely one of the best-built M Cars. And they are now going up in value.
In terms of running costs, although they don't have Vanos, parts are still pretty expensive, as they are hard to get hold of and alot of parts on the E34 M5 are specific to that car only.
My one is currently off the road, as it needs a new gearbox and exhaust. New exhaust from BMW is 850 + VAT. I got one from a breaker on eBay, for around £200, and it is in near mint condition!
Gearbox is well over £1500 - however, I have managed to source another 3.6 gearbox for under £500.
classic MD Autos (by Dave Olias) is one of the Oracles to go to for any BMW E34 M5 parts / servicing, etc. He really does know his s
t!
The E36 M3s are briliant cars, but I just find that, compared to the M5s, these tend to be more 'chavved up', modified and more common. When is the last time you saw an E30 M3 or E34 M5 on the road? In terms of looks, BMW M cars were perfection when they come out, so I hate seeing them with silly boy racer mods done to them (IMO, of course!). Again, the 3.0 Litre engines are said to be better than the 3.2s, in terms of general robustness.
I have a set of genuine 17" Aplina Alloys with staggered fitment lying around (removed from a B10 Bi-Turbo) which I might chuck on. Apart from that, there is nothing I would want to change on that car!
My ultimate M Car would have to be an E30 M3 Evo Sport II, in Misano Red. Trying finding an immaculate example of one of them for less than £35k!
I agree with the article - there is an M Car for every budget. Just be sure to thoroughly inspect it's ownership and service history, and if it's a straight car, you really can't go wrong. Take someone along with you, who is well-acquainted with them. They are pretty bulletproof engines, just need to have been maintained correctly.
Be aware that they do like a drink, and it's hard not to drive them enthusiastically!
pSyCoSiS
It still shocks me how something so big and heavy, can be so quick, agile and planted. The steering is like putty in your hands.
Awesome machines. I love the looks and boxy shape of the E34, so the M5 is the perfect car for me! Definitely one of the best-built M Cars. And they are now going up in value.
In terms of running costs, although they don't have Vanos, parts are still pretty expensive, as they are hard to get hold of and alot of parts on the E34 M5 are specific to that car only.
My one is currently off the road, as it needs a new gearbox and exhaust. New exhaust from BMW is 850 + VAT. I got one from a breaker on eBay, for around £200, and it is in near mint condition!
Gearbox is well over £1500 - however, I have managed to source another 3.6 gearbox for under £500.
classic MD Autos (by Dave Olias) is one of the Oracles to go to for any BMW E34 M5 parts / servicing, etc. He really does know his s
t!The E36 M3s are briliant cars, but I just find that, compared to the M5s, these tend to be more 'chavved up', modified and more common. When is the last time you saw an E30 M3 or E34 M5 on the road? In terms of looks, BMW M cars were perfection when they come out, so I hate seeing them with silly boy racer mods done to them (IMO, of course!). Again, the 3.0 Litre engines are said to be better than the 3.2s, in terms of general robustness.
I have a set of genuine 17" Aplina Alloys with staggered fitment lying around (removed from a B10 Bi-Turbo) which I might chuck on. Apart from that, there is nothing I would want to change on that car!
My ultimate M Car would have to be an E30 M3 Evo Sport II, in Misano Red. Trying finding an immaculate example of one of them for less than £35k!
I agree with the article - there is an M Car for every budget. Just be sure to thoroughly inspect it's ownership and service history, and if it's a straight car, you really can't go wrong. Take someone along with you, who is well-acquainted with them. They are pretty bulletproof engines, just need to have been maintained correctly.
Be aware that they do like a drink, and it's hard not to drive them enthusiastically!
pSyCoSiS
Edited by pSyCoSiS on Friday 8th April 17:35
Yes the best M car is the e30 M3 Sport Evo, only available in Brilliant Red or Jet Black. Will be taking mine out first thing on Saturday morning for a bit of a blast....
£35k is now cheap for one, some are going for alot more than that. Only car i have bought that has at least doubled in price.
£35k is now cheap for one, some are going for alot more than that. Only car i have bought that has at least doubled in price.
funny thing about the M cars is when they are new not too may poeple can afford them and a lot end up in the hands of flash gits who dont appreciate what a well put together performance car they are driving..
when they reach mid life, they are often driven by oik's and drug dealers..
by the time they beacome really old (10 years plus) they either end up in the srapper or in the hands of a true enthusiast who will take pride in having one of Germany's finest..
big thums up for the E30 M3 EVO and the early nineties M5 (aka the Ronin M5) love em!
There are no other such good all rounders like the M3 M5, old or new they are the best in the class
when they reach mid life, they are often driven by oik's and drug dealers..
by the time they beacome really old (10 years plus) they either end up in the srapper or in the hands of a true enthusiast who will take pride in having one of Germany's finest..
big thums up for the E30 M3 EVO and the early nineties M5 (aka the Ronin M5) love em!
There are no other such good all rounders like the M3 M5, old or new they are the best in the class
Article said:
Surprisingly, while we were talking to Andrew about the E36 M3 he suggested that you might want to look for a later 330 diesel instead. He explained: 'You'd be amazed in real-world driving just how close they are performance-wise. In fact there are some in-gear scenarios where the diesel might actually be quicker than the M3."
Oh god what did you print that for?The diesel bores will be quoting that (or their paraphrased version of it) until the end of bloody time.
EDLT said:
The prices may have come down recently, but a Clutch + Dual Mass Failwheel for a 320d was nearly £1000 in parts when I did one a few years ago.
Dual Mass Fly for an E46 M3.........Genuine LUK exactly the same as BMW branded parts as LUK make the Clutches and Flywheels for BMhttp://www.buypartsby.co.uk/clutch-parts-buy.php
and Clutch Kit:
http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/clutch-parts-buy.php
no where near as bad as people think, but 8 hours labour will sting you!!!
Evo said:
Would a 328i make more sense for a 3k budget or are they alot slower.
Personally I want to look for an E36 328 that I can turn into a trackday car, cage, suspension, brakes cage etc.
yes. for 3k you could buy and do a hell of a lot to a good 328i. unless you're knocking the crap out of it you won't notice a huge amount of difference on a normal day to day drive either.Personally I want to look for an E36 328 that I can turn into a trackday car, cage, suspension, brakes cage etc.
Recently bought my first M-car, should have bought one years ago although I can now afford the running costs.
It delivers an equivalent, if not superior, driving experience to when I had my Mk2 golf GTI at 21 years old. In a straight line, it's almost too linear in power deliver, and I kind of wish the cam was a bit more aggressive in it. Show it come corners, though, and it's just cornering perfection.
As stated above, it's the consumables you have to watch. I've done a lot on just mechanicals/parts on mine to get it up to scratch since I bought it in January, although I'm very fussy when it comes to my cars. I would say now it drives how it should, and how it would have done out the factory.
It delivers an equivalent, if not superior, driving experience to when I had my Mk2 golf GTI at 21 years old. In a straight line, it's almost too linear in power deliver, and I kind of wish the cam was a bit more aggressive in it. Show it come corners, though, and it's just cornering perfection.
As stated above, it's the consumables you have to watch. I've done a lot on just mechanicals/parts on mine to get it up to scratch since I bought it in January, although I'm very fussy when it comes to my cars. I would say now it drives how it should, and how it would have done out the factory.
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