The automotive world is littered with examples of nastily modified cars, many of which are discussed on our forums on a regular basis.
But while attempts to 'improve' upon the products of a company that has spent millions of pounds on R&D are more than a little misguided, any serious petrolhead knows that a spot of well-judged modification can be truly sublime.
This, and the preponderance of 'Youngtimer' neo-classics at the recent Essen show, has drawn us inexorably to
this rather delicious E28 BMW M5
You might argue that such a perfect example of the art of the super-saloon as the needs no tweakery (and you may well have a point), but if you did decide to upgrade, you could surely do a lot worse than getting Hartge to do it.
Back in 1991, the owner of this then-four-year-old M5 was toying with chopping it in for a brand new E34 model. But they obviously couldn't bear to be parted from it. So instead it got treated to a list of juicy Hartge bits longer than Rapunzel's hair (unplaited). Of course, Hartge is better known for lobbing laughably oversized engines into its creations, but this car proves there's more to Hartge than just hilariously large motors.
Soooo.... in addition to an M-Tec body, Shadowline dechroming pack and black leather, this E-plate Lachs silver M5 gets (deep breath): A rebuilt engine with oversized pistons and a fully balanced bottom end, a new clutch, and a new flywheel. There's also new valves and guides, ports for the cylinder head and Hartge cams. Other goodies include A Hartge ECU, raising the the rev limit to 7,500rpm, A Hartge exhaust and a complete Hartge suspension package, this last including Hartge/Bilstein dampers, springs, strut brace, anti-roll bars and negative camber top mounts.
We're not finished, either; the cabin has a Hartge steering wheel, gear knob and foot rest and Hartge instruments to complete the interior.
We haven't even mentioned the more recent upgrades yet: E34 M5 brakes, new wiring for the period Nakamichi stereo, refurbished wheels and an Evo 3 short shift kit just a few of the juicier tweaks.
Honestly, We defy you to call this car anything other than sympathetically modified. We also defy you not to be salivating ever so slightly over this car's spec (although if you don't like BMWs we'll perhaps let you off...)
The only real question is this: is it worth £7k more than this un-fiddled with E28 M5, also for sale by the same dealer? That's a rather tougher call...
BMW M5 (E28)
Engine: 3,453cc straight-six
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 286hp@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 251@4,500rpm
MPG: 29.1mpg at 56mph
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1987
Recorded mileage: 62,000 (after Hartge tuning)
Price new: £34,850
Yours for: £20,995
NB: all figures are before tweaking
Check out the other M5s we have for sale on PH here