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BMW E34 M5

Mileage: 73,066 Top Speed: 170 Year: 1993 0 - 60: 5.8 MOT Expiry: 12 Months BHP: 340 Tax Expiry: September 2012 Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Exterior Colour: Avus Metallic Blue Engine Capacity: 3795cc Interior Colour: Light Silvergrey Nappa Leather Engine Configuration: Inline 6

BMW E34 M5 | £Sold

Mileage: 73,066

Model History

To many the E34 is the greatest incarnation of the M5. The car it replaced (E28 M5) had been a huge hit and the E34 M5 carried on its success. Its understated body did without the outlandish spoilers of its competitors; instead the engineers had concentrated solely on creating a serious driving machine that just happened to have a few extra seats.

 

Expectations for the new E34 M5 were high but by the time it went on sale in September 1988 few were disappointed. At its heart was the largest straight-six that Bavarian Motor Works had yet produced - 3.6 litres of pure muscle that could trace its ancestry back to the M1 supercar of the late 70's. The result was 315bhp and 266lb ft of torque.
In keeping with the E28 M5 BMW kept the styling modifications to a minimum, if you look hard you'll notice a pair of extra ducts in the front spoiler and while the wheels on the early E34's where 5 spoke alloys they had vented magnesium covers to direct air towards the brakes for increased cooling but understated looks.

 

Underneath was a different story. Suspension, steering and brakes were all developed during punishing laps of the Nurburgring and it shows. The car sits 20mm lower than the 535i on 25% harder springs, huge 315mm ventilated front discs provide incredible stopping power yet still retain progression and feel. The previous M5 had an oversteer bias, BMW set this new version up with a small amount of under steer to reduce its snappy tendency to put you sideways in the wet. The steering is super sharp with a 15:6:1 direct ratio that is weighted against the engine speed to offer more feel as the cornering load builds.

 

In 1992 things got even better as the engine was stroked and bored to 3795cc to increase power to 340bhp and torque to 295lb ft at 4750rpm. The engine management system was also upgraded to a Motronic 3.3 system. There where wider inlet and exhaust valves and both water and oil cooling were improved. It all worked beautifully bringing the 0-60 dash down in the sub-6-second supercar zone and the derestricted top speed was in the region of 170mph.

Equipment

Central locking, Electric door mirrors, Cruise control, Trip computer, Air conditioning, Heated rear windscreen, Electric windows, Kenwood cassette and 10 disc CD changer, Kenwood amplifier and rear speakers, Electric sunroof, Electric rear headrests, Rear window blind, Luggage net, Tool kit, Auto-dim rear view mirror, Electric memory seats, Spare key, Spare alloy wheel.

Exterior

This iconic E34 M5 looks simply superb in its Avus blue metallic paintwork which is all in stunning condition with virtually no stone chips to be found, even the front aero panel and door mirrors remain blemish free. The only negative to be found is a minor chip at the bottom of the off-side front wheel arch. The metallic silver lower aero panels are also in perfect condition still looking like new. All of the black trim on the M5 is unmarked, fits properly and retains its colour. This is quite easily the cleanest M5 we have seen.

Interior

Sitting in the M5 it is awash with Light Silvergrey Nappa leather which extends to the door panels and glove box. All of the leather is in great condition still looking extremely fresh and clean. Towards the dashboard all the surfaces look very tidy, the dash gadgets and switch gear still feel solid to the touch and work as they should. The pale grey carpets are clean and still protected with the original over-mats. Opening the boot there is a handy luggage net attached to the carpet under which is sitting the spare alloy wheel. As expected the boot also houses a complete tool kit and jack.

Engine & Transmission

This E34 M5 has the later 3.8L (S38 B38) engine which was the largest six-cylinder BMW engine of the time and produced 340 bhp. Pop the bonnet and you are faced with a beautifully clean engine bay, combine this with the paperwork that comes with the car and it is evident that it has been maintained to only the highest standard. The M5 comes equipped with a Getrag 5 five-speed manual gearbox which shifts through the gears smoothly with precision and no whines or problems.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The 17" M-System II alloy wheels known as the 'Throwing stars' are all in great condition, gleaming alongside the pristine bodywork. They are shod in matching Pirelli P zero tyres which all have an ample amount of tread.

History File

The M5 was first registered in April 1993 and supplied new by the BMW dealer Derek Woodman Ltd. It had its running-in inspection a month later at 1187 miles. The original service handbook has been stamped 21 times by either BMW main dealers or BMW specialists. The last service was carried out by a BMW specialist at 71k miles.

 

Every MOT certificate has been kept to verify the cars mileage and many invoices and old tax discs are present in the history file.