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BMW E34 M5 UK LE
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BMW E34 M5 UK LE | £12,495
Mileage: 117,803Model 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.
To celebrate the end of E34 M5 production, BMW of Great Britain requested that the final 50 right-hand drive examples of the model were produced with BMW Individual paint and interior trim. Though this special series was initially going to be called the "Steve Soper Edition" (after the legendary BMW race driver), the idea was abandoned at the last minute and the cars simply became known as the "E34 M5 UK Limited Edition".
All 50 examples were produced between March and June of 1995 in one of two unique color and trim combinations: Rosso Red metallic (369) with a Champagne extended Nappa leather interior and Natural Poplar wood trim (15 built) or Orinoco metallic (406) with a Bi-color Petrol + Mint extended Nappa leather interior and Graphite Birds-Eye Maple wood trim (35 built). All were equipped with a storage net in the passenger footwell and a special wood shift knob + parking brake handle, as well as a unique numbered plaque on the center console.
Equipment
Shadowline exterior trim, Green-tinted windscreen, Electric sunroof, windows and door mirrors, Auto-dimming interior mirror, headlight washers, Electric front seats, Air conditioning, PAS, Central locking, ABS, Adjustable suspension.
Exterior
This UK limited edition M5 is finished in one of the two choices of BMW individual colours, a gorgeous shade of Orinoco Metallic that shimmers with an oily petrol type effect. The paintwork is in good shape and sparkles under the studio lights which pulls out the Individual metallic flake in the paint. There are some light stone chips to the front of the car and some light marks on the door edges which are more in keeping with a car with half the mileage. The waist moldings and bumper plastic are all scuff free and remain in excellent dark black condition. The shadowline trim defys its age with only a small mark on the drivers side A pillar giving any clues of use. The lights both front and rear remain in excellent condition, clear, clean and crack free.
Interior
The interior in this car is outstanding, perfectly clean and mark free with no wear to the leather or the usual drivers bolster. The BMW individual stitched leather extends over the door card, centre console and the lower parts of the dash board, beautifully stitched and a contrasting darker shade to the seat leather. All of the Graphite Birds-Eye Maple wood trim remains in excellent mark free condition, it is only the gearknob that is showing some light evidence of the car being used. The steering wheel has been updated to a later spec wheel and is in excellent condition wrapped in soft leather with the M tri colour stitching clean and bright.
Engine & Transmission
With a full BMW service history up to 100K miles and two more subsequent independent services, the last at 116K, the mechanical condition of this car is excellent. The engine fires into life with the first turn of the key and the gearbox is still tight and precise. The diff oil was changed at the last service, an inspection two service carried out at 110K miles with the clutch renewed at the same time.
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
The polished face 18 inch wheels are in excellent condition with no kerb marks or lacquer peel. They are wrapped in Michelin PS2 tyres all round with plenty of tread. The front and rear brakes equally showing plenty of life with the fluid changed last year.
History File
Supplied new by BMW (GB) Ltd Distribution centre on the 01.09.1995 this Limited Edition E34 M5 was serviced by BMW main dealers right through to 100K miles. Subsequently the car visited a specialist dealer, once in 2011 for an inspection two service, new clutch and all fluids flushed and replaced (Coolant, Gearbox, Diff and brake fluid) and secondly in 2012 for an oil service.
There is a huge file packed full of invoices, a spare set of keys and the original owners pack including the original service book, fully stamped.