E34 M5 3.8 lust
Discussion
Hello all
A couple of weeks ago my E36 328i blew a head gasket due to the busted cooling system and with the list of "I'll do it later" jobs that needing done to it, I decided that it was time for a new car and after surprisingly little deliberation, my heart is set on an E34 M5 (the later 3.8 version to be exact). I've been doing some research on them and I know it will be horrible on fuel and the EDC suspension is a b
h if it goes but apart from that they seem pretty solid cars. What I'm asking about are past experiences and what major stuff I should look out for when I go to look at one of these straight six beasts? plus would a straight through stainless pipe be worth it on one of these? I loved the sound of the M52 2.8 lump in my E36 with a pipe so I am assuming the M5 would be fantastic but I really don't want to ruin the car.
A couple of weeks ago my E36 328i blew a head gasket due to the busted cooling system and with the list of "I'll do it later" jobs that needing done to it, I decided that it was time for a new car and after surprisingly little deliberation, my heart is set on an E34 M5 (the later 3.8 version to be exact). I've been doing some research on them and I know it will be horrible on fuel and the EDC suspension is a b
h if it goes but apart from that they seem pretty solid cars. What I'm asking about are past experiences and what major stuff I should look out for when I go to look at one of these straight six beasts? plus would a straight through stainless pipe be worth it on one of these? I loved the sound of the M52 2.8 lump in my E36 with a pipe so I am assuming the M5 would be fantastic but I really don't want to ruin the car.
Mine has had an engine rebuild & (5-speed) gearbox rebuild in the last few years by the previous owner, but it's still an ongoing battle to keep on top of things. The car is going away for the winter, but it will doubtless need more attention next year by my mechanic to keep it in fine fettle
These things really aren't cheap to keep running in parts (not sure if 500E/RS6/L Carltons are any cheaper), plus they love the petrol, and that's compared to my other cars which aren't exactly teetotallers. Many talk of the E60 M5 getting down into the mid-teens MPG, and that's pretty much where an E34 3.8 is at. So if you've any sense at all you'll forget the idea straightaway! However...
If your heart is made in Munich you'll get one bought, and forgive it any sins. I can't describe how fantastic these cars are, not just in the way they look (subjective I know), but in the way they perform and handle. Forget about the size and weight, an E34 M5 will just come alive when you start to peddle it a bit. The way the S38_B38 opens up at higher revs is magical to me, and the noise from it is superb. Mine is running an Eisenmann Sport, which isn't too intrusive with the windows up and even the sunroof open, but makes a lovely throaty sound. It even has the odd pop on the over-run, which is very un-salooncar-like
Just watch out for too much rot from one that's been abused. Plenty of good specialists over in the UK to check one out and keep it running well - I've a good bit of Darjac service history in mine and talking to the previous owner they're well recommended
These things really aren't cheap to keep running in parts (not sure if 500E/RS6/L Carltons are any cheaper), plus they love the petrol, and that's compared to my other cars which aren't exactly teetotallers. Many talk of the E60 M5 getting down into the mid-teens MPG, and that's pretty much where an E34 3.8 is at. So if you've any sense at all you'll forget the idea straightaway! However...
If your heart is made in Munich you'll get one bought, and forgive it any sins. I can't describe how fantastic these cars are, not just in the way they look (subjective I know), but in the way they perform and handle. Forget about the size and weight, an E34 M5 will just come alive when you start to peddle it a bit. The way the S38_B38 opens up at higher revs is magical to me, and the noise from it is superb. Mine is running an Eisenmann Sport, which isn't too intrusive with the windows up and even the sunroof open, but makes a lovely throaty sound. It even has the odd pop on the over-run, which is very un-salooncar-like
Just watch out for too much rot from one that's been abused. Plenty of good specialists over in the UK to check one out and keep it running well - I've a good bit of Darjac service history in mine and talking to the previous owner they're well recommended
Edited by Leins on Monday 26th August 12:26
Leins said:
Mine has had an engine rebuild & (5-speed) gearbox rebuild in the last few years by the previous owner
Did the previous owner give you any details on the price on the engine rebuild of you don't mind me asking? Edited by Leins on Monday 26th August 12:26
I'm appreciating the advice guys, an E34 525 in black came up behind me a week or so ago and it just looks so cool and you don't seem to see many on the roads anymore. I have looked at the E39 and although its a lot of car for the money, there's something about the E34 that I want.
The E34 M5 is an enchanting car. Once you buy it, you seem to come under its spell and have no problem spending whatever it takes to keep it in top condition. They are reliable, but the (various suspension) bills do mount up if you are in the habit of pressing on. Very solid feeling, with a perfect driver's interior.
I did 55k and averaged 21.9 mpg.
I would buy another. Cant say better than that!
I did 55k and averaged 21.9 mpg.
I would buy another. Cant say better than that!
cozmcrae said:
Did the previous owner give you any details on the price on the engine rebuild of you don't mind me asking?
I'm appreciating the advice guys, an E34 525 in black came up behind me a week or so ago and it just looks so cool and you don't seem to see many on the roads anymore. I have looked at the E39 and although its a lot of car for the money, there's something about the E34 that I want.
I get it too! Whilst the E39 is a lovely car, and probably a better one really, there's just something about E34s that's always done it for me. I think it's slightly prettier myself (I've a thing for quad exposed headlights I'm appreciating the advice guys, an E34 525 in black came up behind me a week or so ago and it just looks so cool and you don't seem to see many on the roads anymore. I have looked at the E39 and although its a lot of car for the money, there's something about the E34 that I want.
), and I feel these are just that little but more rawMy MPG figure is probably a bit out btw, as I only use it for the odd weekend blast, so a steady motorway cruise will probably result in an improvement in the 17MPG I got with the last tank
As for the rebuilds, I think there was the guts of £12k spent on it in a relatively short space of time. The gearbox was supposedly a pig of a job, and I believe many shy away from touching them, but it now works beautifully. The engine wasn't anyway near as bad as expected when it was all taken apart, but the costs of some of the replacement parts are pretty frightening. Saying that, it resulted in it pushing out 321bhp on the dyno afterwards (95 Octane fuel)
While it's a bit of a cliche with all secondhand cars, I would defintiely suggest if you're going to pull the trigger on one of these then get the best you can afford with lots of history. The values are pretty low (for now!
) when compared to its competitors (LC, etc), and exremely low when compared to the E28, so if you try and sort a shed it'll probably end up costing you way more then getting a good one in the first place. But I'm pretty certain it'll still cost you in terms of on-going maintenance either way, as if these are run on the cheap (ie fixing only when stuff breaks) they will die a horrible death. Plenty of fresh oil required too of course, currently using 15W-50 but will be switching to 15W-40 after its hibernation on advice from someone who reckons these 3.8s run slightly better on thatMany say to swap out the EDC suspension for a regular set-up, and many have, but I don't really want to do that, as it feels part of the cars set-up. Plus I like the Nurburgring-pack switch on the dash! I think that's the next thing that's going to need an overhaul now on mine though, as occasionally it's sending up an error
Sorry, don't mean to scare you with all this, it's just that you need your eyes open going into these. The best "man maths" approach I could possibly use to view them is that anything you invest in them you will get back in terms of driving enjoyment, and it's the sort of car that even if it's lashing rain outside and I don't want to take it out, I could just go into the garage and look at it all day long!
Plus only the discerning few will have any idea of what it is - as obviously proper //M-cars always have 4 exhausts! Saying all that, it's not always about the mechanicals either. The radio had been bugging me (why didn't people keep the OEM ones when they swapped them out for fancy new stuff in the early 2000s?), so I've just sourced this from Germany for it:
good pointI feel bad letting the E36 die but I bought that as a fun run around before getting something epic like an M5. It's just not worth getting fixed.
Vixpy1, got any info on your mates car? I'm not looking to buy one for another 2/4 weeks to make sure I've got the money behind me to keep one on the road if anything goes wrong.
Vixpy1, got any info on your mates car? I'm not looking to buy one for another 2/4 weeks to make sure I've got the money behind me to keep one on the road if anything goes wrong.
I feel bad letting the E36 die but I bought that as a fun run around before getting something epic like an M5. It's just not worth getting fixed.
Vixpy1, got any info on your mates car? I'm not looking to buy one for another 2/4 weeks to make sure I've got the money behind me to keep one on the road if anything goes wrong.
Vixpy1, got any info on your mates car? I'm not looking to buy one for another 2/4 weeks to make sure I've got the money behind me to keep one on the road if anything goes wrong.
Do it.
I had a 3.8 (5 speed, Avus(?) Blue, M Cloth/Alcantara, 4 seats) 10 years ago. An incredible car: even now I am always keeping half an eye out for another. Missed out on what looked like an amazingly original 3.6 a while back, still quite upset about that.
It *will* cost you a fortune, but it will be awesome. Even when I was looking in 2003 there were some very worn cars out there, so 10 years on I'd be extremely careful. Get it inspected by someone who really knows these cars inside out. M5board.com is your friend.
I had a 3.8 (5 speed, Avus(?) Blue, M Cloth/Alcantara, 4 seats) 10 years ago. An incredible car: even now I am always keeping half an eye out for another. Missed out on what looked like an amazingly original 3.6 a while back, still quite upset about that.
It *will* cost you a fortune, but it will be awesome. Even when I was looking in 2003 there were some very worn cars out there, so 10 years on I'd be extremely careful. Get it inspected by someone who really knows these cars inside out. M5board.com is your friend.
cozmcrae said:
don't want to ruin the car.
go on, ruin the car http://youtu.be/DiJxgV2bUJY
it's more fun :-)
The blue 3.8 took a year and a big lump of cash to restore from the usual 1992 versus 2012 reality when bought.
Whats it like on the road? superb and someone else did the excellent suspension mod after the n/b ring kit proved troublesome.
3.8 is excellent, i liked the task some much I repeated the work on a sebring grey 3.6 as well. !!
PM me if you want a taste of restore/rebuild/running costs and trouble as I have experienced a few.
1990 sebring grey, 3.6 five speed almost finished !!
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/PpmdUzsw
1992 avus blue, 3.8 five speed
[/url]
Whats it like on the road? superb and someone else did the excellent suspension mod after the n/b ring kit proved troublesome.
3.8 is excellent, i liked the task some much I repeated the work on a sebring grey 3.6 as well. !!
PM me if you want a taste of restore/rebuild/running costs and trouble as I have experienced a few.
1990 sebring grey, 3.6 five speed almost finished !!
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/PpmdUzsw1992 avus blue, 3.8 five speed
[/url]
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