M535i (Euro M5) info.

[GG Allin]

I'm new here. I've been trying to figure out what my next daily driver will be. Currently I drive a 1989 535i. It's not a car that I've ever been very passionate about. The only interesting thing about the car to me is that it's an auto to manual conversion. I did that about three years ago. I bought the car back in 99 and it's been extremely reliable. But it's getting a little long in the tooth. Two years ago I bought a Porsche 911 and it's the first car I've had in a long time that I'm interested in learning everything there is to know about it. I want my daily driver to be a car like that. My short list is down to three cars, an E28 M5 (euro). They just look better than the U.S. 88 M5's. An E34 M5 or an E36 M3 Sedan. Because the E28's don't come up for sale all the time I have no clue what a good price would be for one. Will 10k get me a nice car? What type of maintainence problems are these cars known for? My previous cars include a 1983 533i and a 1995 M3. I'm fairly familiar with BMW's

[Vinny Fins]

Let me get this straight, and I mean no disregard, but you're looking to buy an E28 M5, one of 1370 made for N. Amer., to use as a daily driver?:confused

Not that it couldn't handle the task but man.....:eyecrazy


*edit*
That's what I get for not reading correctly...You're looking for a euro model...
Forgive me, I went to public school!

[4500 RPM]

If you will settle for U.S. there was a guy in N.O. selling his E28 M5, probably a U.S. spec.

I would go for the E34 M5, amazing cars.

[GG Allin]

The U.S. E28 M5 is not out of the question. I'd probably try to convert it to the euro look, at least the bumpers. The E34 is also not out of the question.

[xatlas0]

I'm new here. I've been trying to figure out what my next daily driver will be. Currently I drive a 1989 535i. It's not a car that I've ever been very passionate about. The only interesting thing about the car to me is that it's an auto to manual conversion. I did that about three years ago. I bought the car back in 99 and it's been extremely reliable. But it's getting a little long in the tooth. Two years ago I bought a Porsche 911 and it's the first car I've had in a long time that I'm interested in learning everything there is to know about it. I want my daily driver to be a car like that. My short list is down to three cars, an E28 M5 (euro). They just look better than the U.S. 88 M5's. An E34 M5 or an E36 M3 Sedan. Because the E28's don't come up for sale all the time I have no clue what a good price would be for one. Will 10k get me a nice car? What type of maintainence problems are these cars known for? My previous cars include a 1983 533i and a 1995 M3. I'm fairly familiar with BMW's

Since you have a manual 535, why not turbocharge it, rather than try to find a good S38 powered car? The 535 turbo will give more power than the S38.

Parts for the S38 are becoming more and more expensive every day, while M30 parts are still very cheap.

[GG Allin]

Turbocharging sounds like fun but this car is getting rusty and has 165k miles. It's time to move on to another car. Just curious though is that a common upgrade? What type of hp does that yeild? What's the price?

[xatlas0]

Turbocharging sounds like fun but this car is getting rusty and has 165k miles. It's time to move on to another car. Just curious though is that a common upgrade? What type of hp does that yeild? What's the price?

One board member has the TCD stage 2 kit, and he is pushing 360rwhp and 380ft-lbs on stock internals for the last year or so. The cost runs about 5k for the S2 kit. Google turbocharging dynamics to see the kit and specifics.

[The Beastmaster]

FYI. A M535i is not the same as a M5. The euro M5 will have 286hp while the M535 is basically a stock M30 motor with 218 hp.

[GG Allin]

Thanks, What years had the 286 hp motors? Does anyone know what these cars sell for in the U.S.?

[Mblaster]

. Will 10k get me a nice car?


If you are talking about E28 and E34 M5's then no.
Unless you are very patient, extremely lucky,
and fast with your wallet.

[xatlas0]

Thanks, What years had the 286 hp motors? Does anyone know what these cars sell for in the U.S.?

There is the M5 and the 535. The two cars have different drivetrains. The M5, M6, and the south african 745 are the only ones to get the DOHC 3.xL motor, the S38.

The M535 was (if I recall right) an E12 only model, pushed about 218hp and had a M30 with 3.5L.

They are two distinct vehicles.

All in all, there were probably less than 30,000 S38s ever made, compared to the literally millions of M30s. This means parts costs are high, as well as scarce. I have seen people waiting for gaskets, for crying out loud.

The only way I would buy a M5 is if I had 25k to blow. That would get me a good example to start with, then allow for the inevitable 2-4k in immediate fixes, a good 5k for basic mods, and the rest for a nice repair egg, as if the motor goes, I am out 10k. I love the M5, but I wouldn't buy one with less money that that because I have too much repect for the car. I don't want to buy one and force it to limp along.

They are excellent vehicles, but you have to stay on top of the upkeep, no bones about it.

A good E28 M5 (US version has 256hp) will run about 15-20k, once the inevitable upkeep has been done. A good E34 M5 (US hp was 310) will run about the same. The engine and collectability will keep the price high. Heck, I've had people try to sell me a blown S38 for 3k.

They only made the E28 M5 for one year for the US, and in only one color combo, black and tan. If it is some other color, it has been repainted or is a grey market car. The E34 M5 was from (based on production data) 90-93.

[xatlas0]

If you are talking about E28 and E34 M5's then no.
Unless you are very patient, extremely lucky,
and fast with your wallet.

Hey, MBlaster, that puts the "I want an e34 M5" thread count for the last two weeks up to 4. :banghead:

It can only be good for your car's value.

[RANDY P]

Another vote for the E34 M5. Easier to find, still nimble, better styling IMHO.

PS - the RSA rocks - I want one for myself!

rjp

[GG Allin]

Bottom line the E28 would be a bad daily driver. No BS, down the road I might sell the Porsche and look for a real nice Euro E28. This Porsche is killing me. Parts are insane and for no reason. Example : PSS9 Bilsteins for a 964 are around $2700. The same set up for an E36 M3 is under $1500. I find every corner I turn the price to fix this Porsche in ridiculous. The engine had to come out when I did the clutch and flywheel! The other side of the coin though the car is pretty reliable.

[Mblaster]

Hey, MBlaster, that puts the "I want an e34 M5" thread count for the last two weeks up to 4. :banghead:

It can only be good for your car's value.

Its good to see more interest in the cars for sure. They are really fun cars to own and drive. I think they are very reliable once dialed in. Its not a complex car compared to today cars. BMW engineered the S38 to a very high standard, and the E34 is a great chassis. Thats why we see the high mile great examples still running and driving strong. I think people are a bit scared to own one because of the high costs of a complete engine rebuild. With the proper precautions and a good valvetrain thats rarely needed. There are less and less good ones out there, so its getting harder to find really nice cars for sale.
My advise to people looking for a E34M5 is to get the best example money can buy. The 20K rule applys.


PS my buddy is selling probably the best US 93 in the country. 1 of around 200 imported absolute mint showroom condition, 43K miles. 30K obo. If you saw the car you'd say thats a steal.

[VentoGT]

From what a few people have said, combined with what I have read, that $20K rule is definitely correct. Same rule as with the Porsche 911SC cars and early 80s Carreras--you may get a car for $13K, but you'll spend $6-7K making it perfect.

As far as your RSA goes, dropping an engine is par for the course for just about every minor to moderate repair. A good knowledgeable shop should be able to drop the engine in very very little time. Yes, parts can tend to be expensive, and with respect to the suspension, the costs of tooling go down for the manufacturers as production increases [how many people buy PSS9 for a 3 series BMW versus a Porsche 964?]

Anyhow, if you are looking for a cheap car to maintain, an e34 or e28 M5 is not one of them. It might even remind you a little bit of your 964 servicing costs even, but you will probably get hooked on learning more about it--the S38 Motor in the M5 is incredible--BMW is to straight sixes what Porsche is to Flat Air cooled [and now water cooled] engines.

[RANDY P]

I find every corner I turn the price to fix this Porsche in ridiculous. The engine had to come out when I did the clutch and flywheel! The other side of the coin though the car is pretty reliable.

have you been here?

www.pelicanparts.com - you can get a good reccomendation for a decent wrench, DIY and parts and pieces there - used section is pretty good as well. Go to the 911 BBS section, and prepared to be sidetracked for a month or two.

Don't sell your RSA. If you do, let me know - I might be in the market <6 mos. or so - may be interested if the price is right.

My email sectn_32 AT yahoo . c o m

rjp