Discussion
Hi guys
I went to look at a 1990 e34 M5 today. It looked pretty good, had only done 86k miles and has the champagne leather which I like (although it is rather dirty) for £4995.
Two things that concerned me were (1) quite a pronounced wheel vibration from the front, which the salesman said may just be the alignment and (2) the oil temp guage didn;t seem to move in the 15 minute test drive - does it takes ages to get up to temp, or is it broken?.
Also, there was a bit of a rattle from the back which may just be the exhaust.
Here are some pics below. It I got it I would be keen to return the car to original spec, so please can you advise me if my thoughts are correct - I don't want to ruin a special edition or anything!
I think the M5 badge should be there on the front. Shouldn't it have orange indicator lenses though?
It's missing the Turbine wheels, which is a shame, but I think these are the 1992 spec ones? I would get them refurbished in original silver.
Also (but not quite visible in this shot) there is a "coachline" type stripe running down the side of the car which I think looks a bit naff and I think is not original. Also, there are "M" badges on the plastic protections strips on the front doors which I don't think are original.
Not too keen on the rear spoiler, but if it is original I would keep it:
I love the Champagne extended leather (and the period Racal car phone and Kenwood stereo!)
Finally, it has two individual seats in the back instead of the bench, which I rather like.
I would be keen to hear your thoughts!
I went to look at a 1990 e34 M5 today. It looked pretty good, had only done 86k miles and has the champagne leather which I like (although it is rather dirty) for £4995.
Two things that concerned me were (1) quite a pronounced wheel vibration from the front, which the salesman said may just be the alignment and (2) the oil temp guage didn;t seem to move in the 15 minute test drive - does it takes ages to get up to temp, or is it broken?.
Also, there was a bit of a rattle from the back which may just be the exhaust.
Here are some pics below. It I got it I would be keen to return the car to original spec, so please can you advise me if my thoughts are correct - I don't want to ruin a special edition or anything!
I think the M5 badge should be there on the front. Shouldn't it have orange indicator lenses though?
It's missing the Turbine wheels, which is a shame, but I think these are the 1992 spec ones? I would get them refurbished in original silver.
Also (but not quite visible in this shot) there is a "coachline" type stripe running down the side of the car which I think looks a bit naff and I think is not original. Also, there are "M" badges on the plastic protections strips on the front doors which I don't think are original.
Not too keen on the rear spoiler, but if it is original I would keep it:
I love the Champagne extended leather (and the period Racal car phone and Kenwood stereo!)
Finally, it has two individual seats in the back instead of the bench, which I rather like.
I would be keen to hear your thoughts!
Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Saturday 2nd August 16:57
Vibration from the front could be any number of things on these cars, there are lots of bushes and links on the front suspension, so you really need to get that checked out to see if there is play in any of them.
Likewise the rear, could be a loose exhaust, but could also be the suspension bushes or top mounts, which are prone to wear, although if they were worn to the point of rattling the handling would feel quite sloppy as well. The oil temp guage should be up to normal within 15 mins, so I suspect it's not working.
The car should have turbine wheels if it's a 1990 model. The centre part of the wheels on these cars are covers, so the grey throwing star section of the wheel should come off, and you can buy turbine covers to put on in their place.
It should have M5 logos on the sill plates, and an M5 logo on the grill, the rear spoiler is standard, however I don't know about the coachline.
If it's a 1990 car then it should have orange indicator lenses. I can't remember if the E34 has M5 badges on the side rubbing strips, the E39 does.
Likewise the rear, could be a loose exhaust, but could also be the suspension bushes or top mounts, which are prone to wear, although if they were worn to the point of rattling the handling would feel quite sloppy as well. The oil temp guage should be up to normal within 15 mins, so I suspect it's not working.
The car should have turbine wheels if it's a 1990 model. The centre part of the wheels on these cars are covers, so the grey throwing star section of the wheel should come off, and you can buy turbine covers to put on in their place.
It should have M5 logos on the sill plates, and an M5 logo on the grill, the rear spoiler is standard, however I don't know about the coachline.
If it's a 1990 car then it should have orange indicator lenses. I can't remember if the E34 has M5 badges on the side rubbing strips, the E39 does.
Edited by M5Dave on Saturday 2nd August 17:34
Vixpy1 said:
I think thats too much for a 3.6. What's the service history like?
I concur. Plus it looks like a circus-masters wet dream with all those different shades and strips going on.Also, is the mileage genuine? The seats in the pictures look a lot more worn than mine an it's done 109k (it also has extended champagne leather).
Make sure there is a stack of bills with it or else walk away.
The most important issue now with these things IMO is rust. They are expensive to maintain (potentially ridiculously so) and so you should expect expensive engine, brake and suspension repairs, but unless the car has been garaged most its life or nas been based in the south of the country (i.e not on the salt infested roads of Scotland), then rust could quite easily write off the entire car.
Ignore the all the reports of solidity you've heard about the E34. The bottom line is that it's now 20 years old. It will have rust issues somewhere, you just need to hope it's limited to things like the bottoms of the doors and fuel filler surround. Make sure you get underneath the car and have a really good poke at it with something sharp to ensure the chassis isn't now made of rust.
If you are unhappy about anything, walk away at this price. There are plenty other examples out there.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Thanks guys.
The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
Get yourself over to the M5 board & ask about any cars for sale , plenty of the the cars for sale will be known to members , good buys & ones to avoid !The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e34-m5-discussion...
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Thanks guys.
The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
Good idea to walk away The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
Vixpy1 said:
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Thanks guys.
The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
Good idea to walk away The servce history wasn;t great - most of it had been lost.
After giving it some thought I am going to pass on that one, as it is not perfect and there seems to be better ones out there for the same cash (I may even get a 3.8 model!).
Many thanks for allyour help.
There really are planty more of these things about. Good ones wiull be harder to find but they're there.
Good choice - there are loads for sale in the PH classifieds at the moment, plus (as has been mentioned) get over to the M5board and get yourself familiar with the car.
It's an absolute peach of a car, I thoroughly reccomend them, but a lemon will be a wallet drain to say the least!
Good luck
It's an absolute peach of a car, I thoroughly reccomend them, but a lemon will be a wallet drain to say the least!
Good luck
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