'Old' 3.6 M5's, any good ?
 

Hi all,

Always kinda liked the look of the old 3.6 M5's, (not sure what E model number they are, but around 1990).

These can now be bought quite cheap, but are they a nightmare to maintain ? Anything to look out for ?

I fancy a Macau blue 3.6 for to and from work :D

Any help appreciated !

Cheers


Matt

Is it the E34 ?


Matt

Matt,

You're right, it's the E34. :D They are a great car. My next door neighbour has a J reg one. They are expensive to maintain, but no more so than an Impreza. The 3.6 has IIRC 315bhp, which rose to 340bhp with the later 3.8's. The 3.6 has a 5 speed manual box, which is widely reckond to be better than the 6spd that came later.

The early cars had slightly odd looking turbine style wheels, but these are two piece and have often had the centre part repalced with the later dog leg 5 spoke design. Some had leather, but most had a mixture of cloth and leather.

Watch out for especially noisy engines. They all sound slightly rattly, but you'll know if it's not right. I believe that suspension replacement is the killer, as dampers are a fortune. If a car has FSH, that's great. It doesn't all need to be main dealer, provided a "specialist" has looked after the car. There should be absolutely no smoke and no hesitation throughout the rev range. Check for perished hoses etc.

They sound great, go well, and are certainly better made than anything of equivalent value and performance from japan.

I'd like one of the final run-out cars in Orinoco green or Daytona Violet with the Nurburgring suspension etc, but a good one of those is still around the £15k-£18k mark. Now you can get and E39 for that! Mmmmmm!

Just be careful, don't buy a naff colour, look it over and don't be surprised if it's had a little paint. Take a mate with you to get a non-biased 2nd opinion, and walk away if you're not sure. Follow your gut instinct. :D

Matt

Cheers mate, very useful info :D

Matt

Johnny50 was looking at one of these a while ago.

Lovely motors!

Had the earlier E28 M5 great cars, but watch for cam chains after 100000 mls had mine done by Munich Lengends cost £1500 !!

Hi Matt. I've have a 1991 M5 which i have owned for 3 years now and its a very well put together car. I beleive it is hand made, i think the E34's were the last model to be assembled this way.
The engine is something else. I went from a WRX to the M5. The WRX is like a go cart to drive in comparison but there is still lots of feedback in the E34, most will say that its better balenced than the E39 if your pushing it. The engine feels like its got a turbo, at 4000 rpm the induction roar tells you things are about to silly, especially in the wet. You must have a go in one if you get the chance, you won't be dissapointed. They are very comfortable as well. Mine has electric everything, including memory seats, climate control, computer, full leather, sunroof, even the mirrors dip when you reverse.
Mine is also more economical than my WRX was.
If your near Oxfoirdshire give me a shout and you can have a drive, mines up for sale at the mo.

Cheers Lewegie, unfortunately I'm miles away but offer well appreciated.

Got to sell my other car first, but I can give you a shout when I have if you like, if you've still got yours for sale then who knows...........

Cheers



Matt

Thats fine Matt. We have just moved so we are going to sell all three of our cars and have two cars instead. The girlfriend wants a 4 seater convertible so thats the only reason i'm selling. I enjoy driving it so much that i'm not really bothered if it doesn't sell quickly, but if you find your self looking for an M5 then don't miss this one, its in fantastic condition. I imagine that i've got about 6 weeks before i'll get pressured into changing it.

Cheers

Great car chase in the Film Ronin starring one of these.

M5 AutoundSport
Motorart R 6
Hubraum 3795 ccm
Aufladung Sauger
PS - UMin 340 PS - 6900/Min
Nm - UMin 400 Nm - 4750/Min
Motorlage/Antrieb Frontmotor/Heck
Gänge/Schaltung 5/manuell
Test in sport auto 05/1992
Gewicht 1711 kg
0 - 80 km/h 4,4 s
0 - 100 km/h 5,7 s
0 - 120 km/h 7,7 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 10,0 s
0 - 160 km/h 13,0 s
0 - 180 km/h 16,5 s
0 - 200 km/h 21,1 s

Fast cars, I saw an earlier one at Bruntingthorpe been driven quick