Butler's E34 M5 Restoration Thread

[disguy]

What was original purchase price if you are willing to share? Looking at buying a fixer upper eventually.

i dont think he wants to give that information out if hes trying to make a profit selling it. alrdy tried asking before he posted it for sale.

[Red Shirt KRT]

I get that. Not that anyone will be surprised seeing how much work he put into it.


This got me thinking. Would a similar restoration on a 540 cost roughly the same?

Most of the stuff he fixed isn’t m5 specific right? So it would be a similar price in parts if this were a 540?

[BleedsBlue]

This got me thinking. Would a similar restoration on a 540 cost roughly the same?

Most of the stuff he fixed isn’t m5 specific right? So it would be a similar price in parts if this were a 540?

That's a tough question to answer in general terms, but essentially, a similar restoration would cost roughly the same, yes. The M5 of this generation can share interior, suspension components (M5s had rear SLS from the factory, but that is rarely still around in 2018), most body work, brakes and other chassis bits.

The money is almost always in the S38; these days, that extra cost has unfortunately morphed into the transmission (which is typically not rebuildable, and worth way more than makes sense) and even the diff. 540s share the large diff case but have different ratios.

For a budget-conscious performance build, it's never made more sense to stick with a 540. I'd go so far as to find an auto and swap in a 6 speed, because the cost of entry is even lower and automatics have the reputation of leading easier lives in general.

[Red Shirt KRT]

You mean swap a 6 speed in a m5 right yea I see your point.

[katit2]

No, he meant for performance build 540 will be much cheaper. And auto can be bought cheaper in much better condition. And 540 will be faster. M5 (to me) make sense to keep original and preserve as is.
I bought my 525 auto in great condition, low miles, no rust, etc. It took me less that $1k to get conversion kit to do manual swap. Considering everything it's cheaper.

[BleedsBlue]

And 540 will be faster.

Incorrect.

[katit2]

Incorrect.

From a stop light. Corrected.

[Red Shirt KRT]

Ive never driven either but thought the consensus was they are even through 60 then m5 wins

[BleedsBlue]

From a stop light. Corrected.

I'll allow it

Ive never driven either but thought the consensus was they are even through 60 then m5 wins

It's an internet debate as old as time (ok, as old as the internet at least), but that's never been the point of the E34 M5. People forget that the E30 M3 sat like a turd on dealer lots because the 325i existed!

I think it's common, particularly in 2018, for 540s to have a healthier drivetrain than many M5s. The S38 has many systems that can hamper performance when not maintained, and stock for stock the M5 is quite a porker! The M60 is relatively simple and bulletproof, even when slightly deferring maintenance. For instance, the variable resonance valve in the S38's airbox is responsible for about 40tq below ~4000 RPM. Those fail quite easily and then you feel like you've got a 535 at stoplights... they are NLA, so good thing Angry Ass is producing an upgraded replacement

[CarterH]

A little late to post it but BMW Blog posted about your car Butler!

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/11/17/c...udget-classic/

[GregT53]

For instance, the variable resonance valve in the S38's airbox is responsible for about 40tq at the wheels below ~4000 RPM. Those fail quite easily and then you feel like you've got a 535 at stoplights... they are NLA, so good thing Angry Ass is producing an upgraded replacement

This is welcome news!

[Butler]

Wanted to post a quick good bye for you gentlemen and ladies - its been a fun a wild ride with an E34 M5. Thanks for all the support and guidance along the way. The new owner is a great guy with a LONG history of E34 ownership. He was over the moon to finally have an M5 of his own.

Here are some highlights

M5_barnfind by Nick Butler, on Flickr
M Cloth Seats-10 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr
M5s day out-6 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
M5s day out-7 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
BlackInteriorTrim-6 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
BaT_E34M5-74 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
BaT_E34M5-73 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
BaT_E34M5-51 by Nick Butler, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr








For those that are interested, here is my new ride. 2011 E90 M3. Beyond excited about this little gem.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Build thread here: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1564962

Cheers!
Nick

[theBMWbeast]

Great thread, great news to hear the car is going to a true enthusiast.

[BleedsBlue]

E90s are pretty depreciated right now but I think they are a great, natural evolution of the E34 M! Much closer in size and weight to the E34 than the E60 M5, and more of a traditional M revver than the E39. Great color, too.

Is the M5’s new owner online, on IG, anything?

[Butler]

E90s are pretty depreciated right now but I think they are a great, natural evolution of the E34 M! Much closer in size and weight to the E34 than the E60 M5, and more of a traditional M revver than the E39. Great color, too.

Is the M5’s new owner online, on IG, anything?

Nothing from the new owner, except we are texting pals now. Hes an older gent who isn't into any social media. D: