Early 90s M5s

[Dazren]

Anyone have any experience of high milers.

You can currently buy a LHD one from germany with 200k km for about £5,000. I was thinking of buying one to use for 8 or 9 trips to the Nurburg ring each year (yes I am a nutter, but this will keep the mileage off my porsche).

I will only buy one with a full Service history and am aware it'll be advisable to change the cam chain. I obviously will do oil changes, tyres, discs and pads but is there anything else I should be aware of? particular expensive problems with the mechanicals?

I'm not to bothered about how the interior ages etc.

TIA

DAZ

[theboymoon]

Hi Daz

My Dad had one up until a couple of years ago. It was one of the early e34's as they are called in BMW speak, with the 3.6 engine and a 5 speed box. He loved but it ate rear tyres and brake discs at quite a high rate! Maybe that had something to do with the driver tho....

I believe that the later 3.8s with the 6 speed box are quicker. Some also come with a 'nuremberg' (sp?) suspension option with tightens up the handling. However, IIRC the dampers and shocks on the nuremberg pack are special jobbies and are MUCH more expensive to replace than the more normal ones on the 3.6.

Just my 2ps worth.

Moonie

[Dazren]

Cheers Moonie.

I've heard about the Nurburgring suspension option, before buying I think I'll have to look at the replacement costs of these units.

Back in 1996 a mate (ClioV6 owner incidently!!) had a M5 touring, the repalcement cost of rear shockers was £1,500 per side because they were hydrualic. If thats the same thing I'll stay clear or if they ever need replacing bang on some schnitzers or something.

DAZ

[theboymoon]

quote:

I've heard about the Nurburgring suspension option,

I knew i had spelt it wrong!!!

I think all the M5 tourings had the Nurburgring option so i assume it would be around the same price for the same job on the saloon. Why not a first generation M5, from the late 80s - the e28? These are raved about by everyone for their 'honest real wheel drive handling.. blah blah..'

If you can find one maybe that would be the way to go? The e28 also had a better power-to-weight ratio than the 3.6 e34s...

arrhhh im beginning to sound like a :geek: now!

Cheers

moonie

[m-five]

I've just had my fronts replaced on a 1994 six-speed 3.8 M5 and it cost £760 per side . . . plus all the other bits they need to do in the process such as 2 KDS alignment checks, replace wheel bearings, replac thrust arms.

Total cost was about £2000.

Waiting for the rear to go now, which I have been told will cost about half.
The other option is to replace the whole set-up with the Hartge kit from Birds UK for about £1600 all in.

[Dazren]

quote:
I've just had my fronts replaced on a 1994 six-speed 3.8 M5 and it cost £760 per side . . . plus all the other bits they need to do in the process such as 2 KDS alignment checks, replace wheel bearings, replac thrust arms.

Total cost was about £2000.

Waiting for the rear to go now, which I have been told will cost about half.
The other option is to replace the whole set-up with the Hartge kit from Birds UK for about £1600 all in.

Thanks M-five.

The suspension seems to be an issue on the high milers. I assume your vehicle being the 3.8ltr had the hydraulic suspension? Having just looked at your profile and seen a picture of the car I can see why you carried on to fit OE parts. It looks a beaut.

If my plans come off spending £5k in germany on a high miler, when the suspension needs attention I think I'll go the route of Hartge/schnitzer (being half price and not concerned about resale value due to the purchase price!!)

Thanks for your comments.

DAZ

[m-five]

The M5 to get if you want the best handling version is the E28 model. It is a lot cheaper to buy, run and maintain (i.e. no expensive electronic gizmos).

For £5k you would probably get a good E28 rather than a poor E34.

[Dazren]

quote:
The M5 to get if you want the best handling version is the E28 model. It is a lot cheaper to buy, run and maintain (i.e. no expensive electronic gizmos).

For £5k you would probably get a good E28 rather than a poor E34.

Hmmmm something else to consider as a cheap "ringtoy", I like the idea of loosing the electronic gizmos and sticking to basic engineering, reliability and cost.

cheers

DAZ

[apguy]

I can probably help with some of these questions as we run 2 E34 M5's in the Kumho BMW Championship. I run a 3.8 and my race team partner has a 3.6. If its breakable then we've broken it! 3 engines this season so far.

BTW The Nurburgring suspension was NOT standard on M5 Tourings and was an optional extra. The 20mm rear ARB on that package is however a worthwhile retro fit onto any M5.

If any ones's interested I have a DME engine management system for the 3.8 available along with a custom Superchip to suit. (1 of only 2 that they produced)

[Dazren]

Thanks for the pointers apguy.

I'll let this board know if/when I proceed with the purchase complete with full details etc.

cheers

DAZ

[theboymoon]

quote:

BTW The Nurburgring suspension was NOT standard on M5 Tourings and was an optional extra.

I stand corrected!

moonie

[NDT]

afternoon all,
thought I'd resurrect this thread as I'm beginning to get interested in a mid 90s M5 as a practical day to day car....
suggestions?
pointers?
what to watch out for?

[beemer]

NDT

sorry probably a bit late, but I have experience of running an E34 M5 Touring for the last 18 months.

Great car. I have done Nordschleife and Le Mans trips in last 2 years, only problems have been:

- NSF subframe required minor weld for MOT (bolt pulled through chassis box section)
- Air con fix was £700!!
- Bushes and wishbones needed doing last year
- regular servicing allow £1000 per year (plus tyres)

Speak to the experts - Barney at Munich Legends on 01825 740456 before you buy anything

hope this helps (if still relevant!!)

Sean

[trackdemon]

Daz,

How about an E30 M3 as a ring toy? OK they are about equal price to the M5 but possibly a touch cheaper to run. Best of all you will get your hands on possibly the best handling front-engine / rear drive car of all time! (Don't let anyone know I said that as a TVR driver!)

[dazren]

Excellent point Steve.

As yet I've not bothered getting a BMW M5 as due to work and bloody social commitments I won't be getting 8/9 trips in 2003, more like 2 or at the most 3. On this basis I'll be hooning the Porker, which is currently feeling a little neglected living in the Scamerashire of Avon & Somerset.

The reason for getting the M5 over the M3 was due to my height and build and the ability to get a few passengers in the back turning the vehicle into an unofficial RingTaxi for the Lads on tour.

cheers

DAZ

[andrewh]

Daz what is your hight and build if you don't mind me asking?

are porkers generally alright for those above 6ft 2?

[dazren]

andrewh said: Daz what is your hight and build if you don't mind me asking?

are porkers generally alright for those above 6ft 2?

6'4" with a highly developed waistline. Tall in torso as opposed to legs so with some cars I do occasionally get problems with in car head room. The 996 is probably one of the best in it's class for headroom and interior cabin space.

The only gripe I have is with a sunroof in my car I can't fit into the car wearing a crash helmet. Hence my certain fascination with a little village called Nurburg, where during public days you are not required to where helmets on track.

DAZ

Call into a garage and see how you get on!