Value of 95 E34 M-Sport

[360CS]

Newbie to the forum but not to BMW :)

I have been offered an opportunity to trade one of my reliable practical cars for a '95 e34 M-Sport 6sp manual (Silver w/ grey interior). This is a good acquaintance that has limited resources and needs a car that is more economical, so I am trying to establish the fair market value of the car in current state and after I give it some TLC. I have been told it was a low volume model that was the bridge between the 6 cyl and v8 M5 and that is has some of the cosmetic elements and it is sought after in some circles.

The good:
Complete documented car (even has the spare lightbulbs)
All the VIN stickers are present on panels
Decent interior (minus driver bolster)
New clutch
Turbine rims in good shape and correct spare

The meh:
Front suspension replaced (EDC delete - original parts are included)
Not original stereo

The not so good:
High miles 180K
Paint clear is fading in some places
Front spoiler cracked (road rash)
Broken fog lights
Lifter noise on cold start up
drooping headliner
Leaking steering hose (under brake booster)
SRS light (current owner removed pass air as precaution)
Passenger airbag cover warped

I am looking to get feedback on the value in current state and future state assuming I correct all the issues (I would probably respray too).
Thanks!

[Pelican Parts]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I would suggest going on Hagerty and getting a value quote there. They break down the price based on a lot of factors and the price is pretty spot on with the current market. It'll give you a good indicator of the car's value. Hope this helps and best of luck!


-Dmitry

[360CS]

Thanks for the welcome Dmitry. I looked on Hagerty, however; the 540i model is not listed (only early M5). NADA has the vehicle value of 540i between $4-8K (no M-sport option). I have come across older ads but the prices are all over the place ($6k- $20k).

[BleedsBlue]

Right now we're in a pretty wishy-washy value period for these cars, including M5s. A 14k mile E34 M5 just sold for $68k at auction, but it seems many clean M5s and 540s can sit at fair prices for months on the market without moving.

General thoughts/responses:
-Matching body panels, original interior, etc etc are all VERY good for an M Sport. We're talking a much rarer car than an M5, so the more original, the better for long term value
-EDC will cost you quite a bit to get back up and running, since I'm sure it's blown. Basically, there is one guy in Poland that the Euro M5 guys (also w/ EDC) use to rebuild those shocks, but it's not cheap; but again, originality will be key to maximizing value for an M Sport
-It should have Throwing Star covers, not Turbines, but that's easily rectified/shouldn't affect value
-If the engine is original, it could be solid, but it's no spring chicken. Leak-down and compression tests would be key to my valuation of it, and even with good numbers there, the engine will most likely not be making peak power anymore...just something to consider, it wouldn't turn me off of the car. A new clutch is a good sign that the engine health was probably assessed, and determined good to go (most wouldn't invest in a new clutch on a bad/weak motor)
-Most of the issues you cite are very typical E34 issues, particularly at 180k miles. You could figure out value based largely on what it will cost to fix those issues, versus the price of a better-sorted car. Headliners are DIY-able, some of the interior stuff can be replaced with better condition second-hand parts, etc

The M Sport is absolutely NOT the bridge between the E34 and E39 M5s (more like the consolation option for North America when BMW didn't bring the 3.8 M5), but it's still a very special, limited-production, ideally-specced E34. Given the probable respray it'll need, tired interior, and high miles, I couldn't see paying much more than $10k for this car, in this market--and that may be high. I feel I have a unique perspective having owned a 220k+ mile E34 M5, and now a mechanically solid but cosmetically rough 540iT M Sport clone, but this is all subjective nonetheless.

Side note - Hagerty only values "special cars" when they are younger than 25 years old, I think. They value all models at 25+ years old, so we're a few years away from the 540i M Sport making the cut. The only '95 BMW they show is the M3.

[360CS]

Brent, thanks for the detailed response, that's exactly what I needed in terms of perspective. The car is very original so I might go through the motions of fixing the EDC if I like the way is it drives. NB: it does have the "Throwing Stars" wheels (my confusion). I will post some pics of it once it is cleaned up some :)

[ross1]

Right now we're in a pretty wishy-washy value period for these cars, including M5s. A 14k mile E34 M5 just sold for $68k at auction, but it seems many clean M5s and 540s can sit at fair prices for months on the market without moving.

General thoughts/responses:
-Matching body panels, original interior, etc etc are all VERY good for an M Sport. We're talking a much rarer car than an M5, so the more original, the better for long term value
-EDC will cost you quite a bit to get back up and running, since I'm sure it's blown. Basically, there is one guy in Poland that the Euro M5 guys (also w/ EDC) use to rebuild those shocks, but it's not cheap; but again, originality will be key to maximizing value for an M Sport
-It should have Throwing Star covers, not Turbines, but that's easily rectified/shouldn't affect value
-If the engine is original, it could be solid, but it's no spring chicken. Leak-down and compression tests would be key to my valuation of it, and even with good numbers there, the engine will most likely not be making peak power anymore...just something to consider, it wouldn't turn me off of the car. A new clutch is a good sign that the engine health was probably assessed, and determined good to go (most wouldn't invest in a new clutch on a bad/weak motor)
-Most of the issues you cite are very typical E34 issues, particularly at 180k miles. You could figure out value based largely on what it will cost to fix those issues, versus the price of a better-sorted car. Headliners are DIY-able, some of the interior stuff can be replaced with better condition second-hand parts, etc

The M Sport is absolutely NOT the bridge between the E34 and E39 M5s (more like the consolation option for North America when BMW didn't bring the 3.8 M5), but it's still a very special, limited-production, ideally-specced E34. Given the probable respray it'll need, tired interior, and high miles, I couldn't see paying much more than $10k for this car, in this market--and that may be high. I feel I have a unique perspective having owned a 220k+ mile E34 M5, and now a mechanically solid but cosmetically rough 540iT M Sport clone, but this is all subjective nonetheless.

Side note - Hagerty only values "special cars" when they are younger than 25 years old, I think. They value all models at 25+ years old, so we're a few years away from the 540i M Sport making the cut. The only '95 BMW they show is the M3.

TEN GRAND! Yikes!
At the risk of offending the owners I'll remind the OP that the M sport is essentially a gussied up 540 with EDC, which on this example is kaput.
The engine sounds tired, needs a re-spray(priced a quality job lately?),interior needs work and EDC, the most expensive and unique part of the M sport has been deleted(?) plus a bunch of other typical E34 stuff needing attention.
It's a rare model with a very limited appeal/market in needy condition. I'd not give much for it at all.

[Kannackas]

The M5's in Europe are creeping over 20k euros in todays market for average examples and i, from time to time spot a 540i on the market for almost the same.. I Think the sellers are looking at the e30 M3's and start dreaming away. The cars do sitt for a long while and often the ad pops up a couple months later from the same guy and for the same price.

Its easy to forget that the market is small when you're a fan of the cars but its supply and demand like everything else. I paid 7500€ for my M-sport today with 160k miles and in need of a lot less maintenance compared to the one your looking at, and i still think i paid too much but i really wanted a manual e34 with the big v8 to keep for many years and miles. I would say a reasonable price would be 5-6k, 10 is way high if you need to do paint job imo.

[XAlt]

I'd buy to rob the T-Stars and put it back on the market.

Probably a good 6 grand project car for some masochist who should've gotten an M5. Or you can go low and make it a fun car.

Best of luck, it's a buyer's market.

[MMMEAT]

360CS, Can you by chance PM me to report in with the MSport registry? (I may not realize it if I've already talked to you, sorry if so!)

The car is definitely one that is tough to value, and I'd agree, Hagarty isn't real good about this model as they dont' (but need to, and we should request it) place it as any kind of "special" car. Really, though, most all of these cars are pretty original with their engines and transmissions and body panels and even interiors. Of all those documented on the registry (and it is approaching 75-80 cars now) very very few have anything but their original engines or bodies. I can't think of any more than a couple that have been repainted. There are a host of cars with their original EDC (I'd say about a third at least, actually) and many of those are "suspect", may leak etc..but don't be too intimidated by the cost of repair. You have something very unique and fixable there. The Polish folks do a great job always get rave reviews once people decide to go for it. It amounts to about $ 1300.00 plus freight(about $7-800.00) at the most to have all 4 corners done.

The value with these cars is going to be in the future, for sure. But as indicated, the M5s have especially been very strong for clean low mileage examples. And if you can have your motor freshened at all, I'd say it can have a lot of life left in it. I've recently had an owner tell me he's rebuilt the motor with new rings and valvetrain refurbish and bearings and the cylinder walls were still just like new. It is one of the only stories of a "rebuild" I've ever heard of on an M60, actually..but he promises to share some pictures and documentation with us.

Having said all this..the MSport ought to be a car that YOU LOVE and want to have around and drive for your own interest if you want to put the effort and money into it that is realistic. It's not something that will, at least for the next 5-10 years, reward all this work with resale value. Of that I'm pretty sure. The ones that are going to grow in value soon are the ones that are already pretty clean and have had a very low mileage pampered life. And the growth isn't exactly exploding ;)

Welcome to the group and again, if you'd be so kind, please check in with me and the registry. It's an interesting document to review, actually ;)

[360CS]

As I am doing it as a trade for a car that I am not interested in keeping, the price isn't super critical as long as it is in the ballpark. Even at a $6k potential value, it is a fair deal as it is a runner. Honestly the PO came to me since he knows I am always interested in buying stupid projects ;) so I wasn't really looking for a 5 series (M or non-M) and I already have 2 M3s. I have yet to drive it very far (just around the block) so the jury is out as to whether I will keep it but I think it's too nice to part out.

[e34tim]

As I am doing it as a trade for a car that I am not interested in keeping, the price isn't super critical as long as it is in the ballpark. Even at a $6k potential value, it is a fair deal as it is a runner. Honestly the PO came to me since he knows I am always interested in buying stupid projects ;) so I wasn't really looking for a 5 series (M or non-M) and I already have 2 M3s. I have yet to drive it very far (just around the block) so the jury is out as to whether I will keep it but I think it's too nice to part out.


I just purchased my 95 540/6 msport with 214k miles. It has a leaky dif, runs and drives great. Doesnt have an msport front bumper, and paint is in ry good shape. I paid 4500 but the owner really needed to sell and mileage was high. When I was searching around, I couldnt find one for under 8k in manual. Mine is also silver on gray. If you do decide on parting it out, thise parts will be gone in a flash. (I need front bumper fyi lol)

[XAlt]

As I am doing it as a trade for a car that I am not interested in keeping, the price isn't super critical as long as it is in the ballpark. Even at a $6k potential value, it is a fair deal as it is a runner. Honestly the PO came to me since he knows I am always interested in buying stupid projects ;) so I wasn't really looking for a 5 series (M or non-M) and I already have 2 M3s. I have yet to drive it very far (just around the block) so the jury is out as to whether I will keep it but I think it's too nice to part out.Too many people are parting out these days. Keep it on the road, and drive your cars until the wheels fall off.

[BleedsBlue]

TEN GRAND! Yikes!
At the risk of offending the owners I'll remind the OP that the M sport is essentially a gussied up 540 with EDC, which on this example is kaput.
The engine sounds tired, needs a re-spray(priced a quality job lately?),interior needs work and EDC, the most expensive and unique part of the M sport has been deleted(?) plus a bunch of other typical E34 stuff needing attention.
It's a rare model with a very limited appeal/market in needy condition. I'd not give much for it at all.

Rosseroni, the $10k number was definitely being optimistic, and I meant that would be the absolute most I could see for the car depending on important details, such as:
-does it really need a re-spray, or just some good protective detailing?
-rust free?
-is the suspension really all freshly done? EDC or no, that's worth money to me as a buyer
-fresh tires/brakes/etc other consumables?

I could certainly see $6k or less if it needs a paint job badly (objectively speaking, not just a little clear coat fade which can be stopped), a new interior, has rust, etc etc. But if it's a good driver in the stated condition, the rarity and ideal powertrain combo of M60 + 6 speed + LSD means it's worth a certain minimum value to me.

Am I overvaluing/ahead of the market, still? It might not help that Colorado is pretty sparse in terms of availability.

I mentioned the rising values of low mileage Ms tangentially, it's not exactly the harbinger of 540 values skyrocketing since even driver-quality Ms are still very affordable.

[ross1]

Rosseroni,, .


:lol haven't heard that since I was a kid:)