Am I mad to consider E34 M5?
Friday 17th July 2009
i have been looking at E36s but have seen this and my heart is tugging me in the general direction:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1015232.htm
it would be used as a second car and garaged, I would primarily use it for longer journeys...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1015232.htm
it would be used as a second car and garaged, I would primarily use it for longer journeys...
Friday 17th July 2009
Thats a nice looking car.
Whats the deal with these (i.e things to look for when considering a purchase)? Don't know much about them.
Whats the deal with these (i.e things to look for when considering a purchase)? Don't know much about them.
Friday 17th July 2009
Steering System for BMW 5-Series E34 (1989-1996): Power Steering Filters, Power Steering Pumps, Steering Racks. M5 Sedan (1991-93) Brand Rating $ 10.00 $ Power Steering Filters. That's thanks to your power steering pump. If you are finding it getting hard to turn your wheel then your pump may be starting to go, and Pelican has a new. BMW E34 5 series, Tuning, repairs, troubleshooting. The Bmw E34 power steering system consists of a hydraulic pump, a re-circulation ball type steering gearbox and connecting linkage to the road wheels.
Try this site for everything e34,
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/
also the m5 board.com but the links not working at the moment
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/
also the m5 board.com but the links not working at the moment
Friday 17th July 2009
You are quite sane in wanting one! Or I'm mad as well! They can be complicated (expensive to fix!), particularly the EDC suspension. There is a good online community m5board.com where there is loads of info.
Maybe when I finish my E30 M3, I'll look for one.
Steve
Maybe when I finish my E30 M3, I'll look for one.
Steve
Friday 17th July 2009
I had a 3.8 and I really like it, it went like a train but it was very thirsty, 13/14 around town. That said they are very good value for the the performance.
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Friday 17th July 2009
I nearly swapped my E36 evo for an M5 touring
Barney at munich legends let me take his out, To me it felt like a much bigger car, this along with the possible EDC suspension cost put me off.
Barney at munich legends let me take his out, To me it felt like a much bigger car, this along with the possible EDC suspension cost put me off.
Friday 17th July 2009
Friday 17th July 2009
Friday 17th July 2009
I run an E34 M5 3.8 and the facts are simple. An earlier 3.6 is a less complex car to own, but finding a good one with history is difficult and these cars are now 16-17 years old and many on a 5th or 6th owner. Just remember when new these cars cost over £50K and will cost you on average excluding insurance, fuel and tyres well over £1,400 per annum on bills today. Bodywork is standard E34 but the engines ec were hand built in Garching and are pieces of art.
The 3.8's are just wonderful. Any E34 M5 will be durable, the 3.8's do have a reputation regarding EDC suspension but the options are simple. Some owners have replaced a somewhat dated suspension system with very moren K&W coilovers or similar. Some owners have had the system rebuilt, very successfully and yes some of us have spent serious money on buying brand new front and rear dampers, self levelling suspension and associated parts.
First and formost check the car for accident damage and rust.
What history and bills does the car have?
When did the owner have the valve clearances checked and what are the readings?
What oil does the car run on and how often is is changed?
Has the owner had a KDS alignment done recently re geometry?
Check the a/c, all electrics especially seats!
If the owner looks like he is running the car on the cheap just walk away. A bad car will bankrupt you.
Fuel economy is not an issue. I get around 24/25 mpg out on the motorways and around 18-19 driving around central London.
The performance when on cam is amazing, the handling is sublime, the noise is spine tingling and if fitted with the Nurburgring anti roll bars and floating rotors the cornering and stopping abilities are outrageous.
Tyres may not last that long and make sure you have a specialist near by....not a BMW generalist but an E34 M5 specialist....there are a number dotted around.
For more info PM me on here.
The 3.8's are just wonderful. Any E34 M5 will be durable, the 3.8's do have a reputation regarding EDC suspension but the options are simple. Some owners have replaced a somewhat dated suspension system with very moren K&W coilovers or similar. Some owners have had the system rebuilt, very successfully and yes some of us have spent serious money on buying brand new front and rear dampers, self levelling suspension and associated parts.
First and formost check the car for accident damage and rust.
What history and bills does the car have?
When did the owner have the valve clearances checked and what are the readings?
What oil does the car run on and how often is is changed?
Has the owner had a KDS alignment done recently re geometry?
Check the a/c, all electrics especially seats!
If the owner looks like he is running the car on the cheap just walk away. A bad car will bankrupt you.
Fuel economy is not an issue. I get around 24/25 mpg out on the motorways and around 18-19 driving around central London.
The performance when on cam is amazing, the handling is sublime, the noise is spine tingling and if fitted with the Nurburgring anti roll bars and floating rotors the cornering and stopping abilities are outrageous.
Tyres may not last that long and make sure you have a specialist near by....not a BMW generalist but an E34 M5 specialist....there are a number dotted around.
For more info PM me on here.
Friday 17th July 2009
I am amazed you get that mpg from a 3.8..............
Friday 17th July 2009
Friday 17th July 2009
I am amazed you get that mpg from a 3.8..............
My 3.8 (5 speed) averaged 24mpg too, seems to be about correct for most of them.Bear in mind that it also only needs standard 95 RON unlike the E36 M3. It doesn't run with knock sensors so going with super won't have any real performance benefits.
I loved my M5, great motor, a real laugh on the track too, easy to get the back out and catch it. Other than the roll and brakes you wouldn't think it was such a large car by the way it handles.
As mentioned by others, rust and EDC (on the 3.8's) are the real killers of these.
I renewed the EDC dampers on mine and it wasn't cheap (£1200 for the front pair which are the ones that cause most problems) but worth it, I think the dampers have gone up in price since although according to BMW if you have issues with only one they can be changed singularly (the only dampers I know of that you can).
The rear dampers are plumbed into a pressurized Self Levelling System and that can give some problems with leaks, it shares the fluid source with the power steering. The fronts are self contained and are only electrically connnected. The 3.6 has conventional dampers on the front and SLS at the rear.
The engines are strong (technically updated M1 engine) and are capable of 200k miles if looked after. It's a superb unit that once over 5krpm just pulls and pulls where smaller turbo units would run out of puff (as they found out haha!).
![E34 M5 Power Steering Pump E34 M5 Power Steering Pump](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/201925952183_/BMW-E28-528e-E30-E34-M5-Drive-Belt.jpg)
Like the E30 M3 it's a car any true petrol head should at least drive if not own at one point.
Friday 17th July 2009
I am amazed you get that mpg from a 3.8..............
My 3.8 (5 speed) averaged 24mpg too, seems to be about correct for most of them.Bear in mind that it also only needs standard 95 RON unlike the E36 M3. It doesn't run with knock sensors so going with super won't have any real performance benefits.
I loved my M5, great motor, a real laugh on the track too, easy to get the back out and catch it. Other than the roll and brakes you wouldn't think it was such a large car by the way it handles.
As mentioned by others, rust and EDC (on the 3.8's) are the real killers of these.
I renewed the EDC dampers on mine and it wasn't cheap (£1200 for the front pair which are the ones that cause most problems) but worth it, I think the dampers have gone up in price since although according to BMW if you have issues with only one they can be changed singularly (the only dampers I know of that you can).
The rear dampers are plumbed into a pressurized Self Levelling System and that can give some problems with leaks, it shares the fluid source with the power steering. The fronts are self contained and are only electrically connnected. The 3.6 has conventional dampers on the front and SLS at the rear.
The engines are strong (technically updated M1 engine) and are capable of 200k miles if looked after. It's a superb unit that once over 5krpm just pulls and pulls where smaller turbo units would run out of puff (as they found out haha!).
Gearboxes and diffs are strong too.
Like the E30 M3 it's a car any true petrol head should at least drive if not own at one point.having owned a Cecotto for 5 years I know what you mean, this just seems a natural progression for me and a car that i have yearned to own at some point just been and still being put off by the scary stories of running costs...
Friday 24th July 2009
I've had mine (3.8 with 170k) for 2 months and 1,000 miles of trouble free motoring now. I use it for commuting when it's raining and can't use the bike and also use it for occasional long trips.
I didn't pay loads for mine and my view is that at their current pricings (there are several on PH for around £3K) you can't afford NOT to try one if you are a enthusiast.
Mine's actually up for sale now (PM if interested), for no reason other than I change my cars regularly and have spotted a rather tasty Alfa 75 V6..........
I didn't pay loads for mine and my view is that at their current pricings (there are several on PH for around £3K) you can't afford NOT to try one if you are a enthusiast.
Mine's actually up for sale now (PM if interested), for no reason other than I change my cars regularly and have spotted a rather tasty Alfa 75 V6..........
Friday 24th July 2009
![Troubleshooting Troubleshooting](http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92/slovert/STA70383_zpsc2cb54a1.jpg)
Think it was total BMW who had a buying guide on these and it gave the impression the 3.8's are not a strong engine. Is this rhubarb? They said the 3.6's were as strong as any BMW engine but the 3.8 was less than bullitproof?
Saturday 25th July 2009
I've had mine (3.8 with 170k) for 2 months and 1,000 miles of trouble free motoring now. I use it for commuting when it's raining and can't use the bike and also use it for occasional long trips.
I didn't pay loads for mine and my view is that at their current pricings (there are several on PH for around £3K) you can't afford NOT to try one if you are a enthusiast.
Mine's actually up for sale now (PM if interested), for no reason other than I change my cars regularly and have spotted a rather tasty Alfa 75 V6..........
So, the old girl's going ok is she ;o) I didn't pay loads for mine and my view is that at their current pricings (there are several on PH for around £3K) you can't afford NOT to try one if you are a enthusiast.
Mine's actually up for sale now (PM if interested), for no reason other than I change my cars regularly and have spotted a rather tasty Alfa 75 V6..........
I've owned an Alfa 75 and they just aint in the same league!
Cheers, Chris.
Saturday 25th July 2009
Personal thought is that the E34 5 series is thee nicest looking 5 ever to be built - the E60 is growing on me now - having worked on a few and driven them - they are awesome machines.
I just sold my E34 525TD in january with 285k miles on the clock on its original engine and box/dif ect - still pulled like a train - as does any bm
In my eyes - look past the possibilites of spend money on suspension - because after that u have a bloody amazing car.
Well serviced by specialists is a MUST have with any M powered Bm - a badly looked after car is a money pot - shop around and you will get the right car with good mileage and service for good money. cant go far wrong with any Bm though lol
I just sold my E34 525TD in january with 285k miles on the clock on its original engine and box/dif ect - still pulled like a train - as does any bm
In my eyes - look past the possibilites of spend money on suspension - because after that u have a bloody amazing car.
Well serviced by specialists is a MUST have with any M powered Bm - a badly looked after car is a money pot - shop around and you will get the right car with good mileage and service for good money. cant go far wrong with any Bm though lol
Saturday 25th July 2009
Think it was total BMW who had a buying guide on these and it gave the impression the 3.8's are not a strong engine. Is this rhubarb? They said the 3.6's were as strong as any BMW engine but the 3.8 was less than bullitproof?
They used my car for that article I think. The most impotant things to consider with either engine is condition of the water pump, a weak spot on the car and the valve clearances. Who did these and when!My 3.8 puts out around 336bhp on a decent rolling road and yes at 68,000 had an expensive rebuild, before I bought the car but this was down to weak servicing not engine build quality.
Both engines if looked after are strong, just use a good quality oil and let it really warm ubefore exploring the engines upper rev band....some people drive for 10-12 miles before hitting the loud pedal.
Saturday 25th July 2009
Go on, you owe it to yourself. I'm 31 and spent far too much of my youth with my head in magazines like Car, Evo and Performance Car. As much as i loved the supercars it was always the big fast saloons that caught my attention-yes a Ferrari is nice but you can't take 3 mates with you at 155mph (400's don't count)
I picked up mine in March-I swapped a Saab for it after a bit of trading so it was nice and cheap.
It's a car with split personalitys-both in the way it drives and the maintenance. In some ways (mechanical obviously) it's a handbuilt £50k when new car and needs to be treated as such. For example valve clearances need to be checked and adjusted regularly and I would only trust a specialist-NOT a main dealer. Main dealers aren't interested and most of the mechanics probably haven't seen one in their life so are liable to screw it up and charge extortionate amounts for this.
There's a handy guide to BMW specialists on this site-look for good garage guide down the side http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html
In others (trim and other annoying wee things) it's a 19 year old BMW so parts can be picked up cheap from scrappys and things can be fixed the old fashioned way(Example-dodgy wiper linkages are common-pay £400+ from a dealer or fix it permanantly with a drill and a self tapper;) ) Parts prices vary-I've put 4 discs and pads(all good quality-zimmerman/ferodo/ate) on mine for just over £100, just by shopping about and being patient on the 'bay. It's all about finding the balance and spending your money wisely.
To drive it's glorious-sounds gorgeous and really shrinks around you on the twisty stuff. Handling is sublime-unlike any other e34 with much better steering. Yet it'll also cruise all day long with four people(although the rear isn't that big) Plus it sounds gorgeous.
Join BMW5 and M5board for more info-remember any problems you have someone will have had before-and on M5board someone is bound to have paid a dealer through the nose to fix it;)
Here's mine
As Ferris Bueller once said 'It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up'
Brian
I picked up mine in March-I swapped a Saab for it after a bit of trading so it was nice and cheap.
It's a car with split personalitys-both in the way it drives and the maintenance. In some ways (mechanical obviously) it's a handbuilt £50k when new car and needs to be treated as such. For example valve clearances need to be checked and adjusted regularly and I would only trust a specialist-NOT a main dealer. Main dealers aren't interested and most of the mechanics probably haven't seen one in their life so are liable to screw it up and charge extortionate amounts for this.
There's a handy guide to BMW specialists on this site-look for good garage guide down the side http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html
In others (trim and other annoying wee things) it's a 19 year old BMW so parts can be picked up cheap from scrappys and things can be fixed the old fashioned way(Example-dodgy wiper linkages are common-pay £400+ from a dealer or fix it permanantly with a drill and a self tapper;) ) Parts prices vary-I've put 4 discs and pads(all good quality-zimmerman/ferodo/ate) on mine for just over £100, just by shopping about and being patient on the 'bay. It's all about finding the balance and spending your money wisely.
To drive it's glorious-sounds gorgeous and really shrinks around you on the twisty stuff. Handling is sublime-unlike any other e34 with much better steering. Yet it'll also cruise all day long with four people(although the rear isn't that big) Plus it sounds gorgeous.
Join BMW5 and M5board for more info-remember any problems you have someone will have had before-and on M5board someone is bound to have paid a dealer through the nose to fix it;)
Here's mine
As Ferris Bueller once said 'It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up'
Brian
Sunday 26th July 2009
Go on, you owe it to yourself. I'm 31 and spent far too much of my youth with my head in magazines like Car, Evo and Performance Car. As much as i loved the supercars it was always the big fast saloons that caught my attention-yes a Ferrari is nice but you can't take 3 mates with you at 155mph (400's don't count)
I picked up mine in March-I swapped a Saab for it after a bit of trading so it was nice and cheap.
It's a car with split personalitys-both in the way it drives and the maintenance. In some ways (mechanical obviously) it's a handbuilt £50k when new car and needs to be treated as such. For example valve clearances need to be checked and adjusted regularly and I would only trust a specialist-NOT a main dealer. Main dealers aren't interested and most of the mechanics probably haven't seen one in their life so are liable to screw it up and charge extortionate amounts for this.
There's a handy guide to BMW specialists on this site-look for good garage guide down the side http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html
In others (trim and other annoying wee things) it's a 19 year old BMW so parts can be picked up cheap from scrappys and things can be fixed the old fashioned way(Example-dodgy wiper linkages are common-pay £400+ from a dealer or fix it permanantly with a drill and a self tapper;) ) Parts prices vary-I've put 4 discs and pads(all good quality-zimmerman/ferodo/ate) on mine for just over £100, just by shopping about and being patient on the 'bay. It's all about finding the balance and spending your money wisely.
To drive it's glorious-sounds gorgeous and really shrinks around you on the twisty stuff. Handling is sublime-unlike any other e34 with much better steering. Yet it'll also cruise all day long with four people(although the rear isn't that big) Plus it sounds gorgeous.
Join BMW5 and M5board for more info-remember any problems you have someone will have had before-and on M5board someone is bound to have paid a dealer through the nose to fix it;)
Here's mine
As Ferris Bueller once said 'It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up'
Brian
Brian that's stunning I picked up mine in March-I swapped a Saab for it after a bit of trading so it was nice and cheap.
It's a car with split personalitys-both in the way it drives and the maintenance. In some ways (mechanical obviously) it's a handbuilt £50k when new car and needs to be treated as such. For example valve clearances need to be checked and adjusted regularly and I would only trust a specialist-NOT a main dealer. Main dealers aren't interested and most of the mechanics probably haven't seen one in their life so are liable to screw it up and charge extortionate amounts for this.
There's a handy guide to BMW specialists on this site-look for good garage guide down the side http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html
In others (trim and other annoying wee things) it's a 19 year old BMW so parts can be picked up cheap from scrappys and things can be fixed the old fashioned way(Example-dodgy wiper linkages are common-pay £400+ from a dealer or fix it permanantly with a drill and a self tapper;) ) Parts prices vary-I've put 4 discs and pads(all good quality-zimmerman/ferodo/ate) on mine for just over £100, just by shopping about and being patient on the 'bay. It's all about finding the balance and spending your money wisely.
To drive it's glorious-sounds gorgeous and really shrinks around you on the twisty stuff. Handling is sublime-unlike any other e34 with much better steering. Yet it'll also cruise all day long with four people(although the rear isn't that big) Plus it sounds gorgeous.
Join BMW5 and M5board for more info-remember any problems you have someone will have had before-and on M5board someone is bound to have paid a dealer through the nose to fix it;)
Here's mine
As Ferris Bueller once said 'It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up'
Brian
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