Cheap E34 M5 needing engine rebuild?

Cheap E34 M5 needing engine rebuild?

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Discussion

blanc

Original Poster:

221 posts

246 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
quotequote all
Hi

I have the opportunity to buy a to buy E34 M5 for £500 as a mate is moving house and needs it gone from his driveway. I'm told that the only problem is it needs a new cylinder block which is currently sitting in it's boot.

Although I've yet to see the car, apart from the engine it's supposed to be in nice condition.

Does anybody have any sort of idea what it would cost to have the engine built up?

I'm wondering about turning it into a cheap trackday car. Does anyone have any views on how suitable an old M5 would be and is it worth the trouble?

Any views very much appreciated.







Edited by blanc on Tuesday 20th February 14:40



Edited by blanc on Tuesday 20th February 16:35

baggio850

419 posts

240 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
quotequote all
I just bought an e34 M5 with a head problem and my idea is to turn it into a cheap track day car as well. Just be careful though as the costs on these cars can escalate rapidly and before you know it you could have bought a mint one for the money you spend repairing a shabby example. Note the EDC shocks are £600 each, the exhaust is £1200 and the head gasket set is £350 from BMW.

What else does the car need? Is it a 3.8, what year?

blanc

Original Poster:

221 posts

246 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
quotequote all
It's on an F plate I'm don't think it will be a 3.8.

I've yet to see it, but it's been standing for a year so it's bound to need a bit of fettling which like you say may make it not really worthwhile.

Ashok

607 posts

266 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
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These guys should be able to help you out:

www.m5board.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=4

M5Dave

829 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
quotequote all
Sounds like it could be a bargain, if the rest of it is in nice condition.

Although before you part with your cash make sure it's the real thing, as the first UK right hand drive E34 M5s were built in November 1989 and registered in 1990 on 'G' plates, although left hand drive cars were built from late 1988.

If it's a car of this age it will be a 3.6 litre and won't have EDC shocks. If you go for it, my advice would be to try and get a good secondhand engine from one of the specialist breakers, rather than trying to rebuild a knackered one. Unless you can do the rebuild yourself it probably won't cost any more.


Edited by M5Dave on Tuesday 20th February 19:47



Edited by M5Dave on Tuesday 20th February 19:47

dp400

313 posts

257 months

Wednesday 21st February 2007
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If you decide not to go for it, would you mind forwarding my email address on to your mate as i might be interested.

david@chartershire.com

Thanks

blanc

Original Poster:

221 posts

246 months

Wednesday 21st February 2007
quotequote all
dp400 said:
If you decide not to go for it, would you mind forwarding my email address on to your mate as i might be interested.

david@chartershire.com

Thanks


Sure, I'll try and find out a bit more about it.

bmgm3

10,480 posts

250 months

Wednesday 21st February 2007
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Worth a lot more in parts value alone.

Belleair302

6,921 posts

214 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
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As an E34 M5 owner myself (3.8 LE) No M5 is ever going to be cheap and they do not make good track day cars either...way too heavy even when stripped down. I would walk away and spend my money elsewhere on something that can be worked on effectively, will not owe me money forever and ticks al my boxes. Running at E34 M5 be it a 3.6 or a 3.8 is not cheap.