Wondering if I am insane

[dloase]

Several years ago I had a nice M5 (1993, Alpine White). Four years ago my 36 year-old step-son was in need of transportation and I "sold" him my M5. Unfortunately, he did not care for it in the way that it needed or deserved. It ended up sitting for almost 18 months because he couldn't keep it running (it would start and idle, but not stay running). A mechanic did finally get it running again, but told my step-son that there was a patristic power drain and run the car once or twice a week (by this time he had a company vehicle). Once again, my step-son did not follow advice and now the car has sat for another good 6-8 months. Now him and his girlfriend have bought a house and he wants to give me my car back.

Should I take it knowing that it is going to require work of unknown amount to get it back to road worthy condition?

[Sir Montalbon]

Taking the car back at this point sounds pretty risky. Best to load it on a flatbed and send it my way. I'll even pay for the shipping....

[XAlt]

1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
not the 3.8
1993
1993
1993
1993

I think you get it

[Mixzzz]

Take it or send it to me If it's not rusted then it's a pretty nice car and not very common. Easy to work on as well

Sent from my Samshit SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[OGM3]

Yes of course you should get it back. The value of the e34 will continue to rise plus it is an epic car.
Maybe watch the chase scene from Ronin to help persuade.

[kouks]

It's all about money.

How much do you want to spend and are you good with tools?

I'd easily take it back, but then make the decision of keeping it or selling it, depending on how much time and money you have to spend on it. If the body, interior and suspension are in decent shape, an engine re-do may be all that's needed to make it feel great again. I'm betting with less than $1,000 of DIY work you'll be enjoying the car, and if you want to put more into it, you'll have more fun.

[ross1]

Sounds like an irresponsible step son you have there who has demonstrated he can't be trusted to care for the car. The car deserves better, take it back and either give it he attention it needs or sell it on to a good home.

[zubbie]

So let me get this straight. Someone wants to give you an M5 and you are asking whether you should accept it?

This forum is not the kind of help you need.......

[BleedsBlue]

If he's actually giving it to you, he's the one that needs help. I would take it.

1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
3.8
3.8
1993
1993
1993
1993

I think you get it

I don't get this.

[Layne]

1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
3.8
3.8
1993
1993
1993
1993

I think you get it

No 3.8 in the US. 93 is the same 3.6 as all others, but it does have cool door handles.


Yes definitely take the car back, how is that a question?

[XAlt]

Whoops #2 of the week. Thought there was a Euro somewhere in the post.

[BleedsBlue]

No 3.8 in the US. 93 is the same 3.6 as all others, but it does have cool door handles.

And mirrors, bruh.

[bennyg]

If you "sold" for money, then "buy" it back for less money. So the fix cost comes out of his pocket not yours

[GregT53]

I am currently accepting E34 M5s into my central Virginia BMW Rescue so you can send it here where it will get all the love it deserves and then placed with a responsible, new owner.

[Leonator134]

So let me get this straight. Someone wants to give you an M5 and you are asking whether you should accept it?

This forum is not the kind of help you need.......

Yep came to say the same. How is this a question lol.

[cirrusblau]

To answer your question, yes you were kinda insane to sell it to someone who doesn't care about it, but it wouldn't be insane to take it back. Take it! Still could be a future classic.

[Billyj]

I'll buy it, not even joking

[dloase]

Okay, Okay. I'm not insane. Yes I planned on taking it back. Was more of a rant than a serious question. I am somewhat handy with tools and DYI, but I have reached the point in my life where I'll pay someone to do things. I don't have the time that I once had to tinker. I love the car and with some TLC it will once again be tearing up the highways and byways of Virginia and Maryland. With over 200K on the clock she certainly has never been, nor will she ever be a garage queen. She is meant to be driven.

However, I am accepting donations to the Plainview M5 rescue mission.

[ross1]

With over 200K on the clock she certainly has never been, nor will she ever be a garage queen. She is meant to be driven.

However, I am accepting donations to the Plainview M5 rescue mission.

200k uh? Has the engine been apart?
Care couldn't have been too bad. I was under the (false?) impression these have fragile bottom ends.
Welcome aboard, there is a fair cumulative knowledge base here for these old cars.

[e30luv318i]

What's your step sons address he needs a slap

[XAlt]

200k uh? Has the engine been apart?
Care couldn't have been too bad. I was under the (false?) impression these have fragile bottom ends.
Welcome aboard, there is a fair cumulative knowledge base here for these old cars.

Bottom ends were an M30 with some holes in it, stock M10 bottoms that sat in rain (maybe piss) were pulling 1200hp in F1 if that says anything. Top end is another story.

There was a car in DC with 396k, paint trashed and falling apart but it had somehow never been opened up. I'd buy if I were close.

[ross1]

So what is the weak bit of these? I thought bottom end failures, can't remember specifics they don't interest me.

As much as some might like to think the turbo F1 engines were something yanked from the assembly line they weren't. M10 derived, yes.
Those were also the days of grenade motors for qualifying, race spec was less and they didn't last long either.

[Billyj]

'grenade motors' for qualifying. I definitely missed out on the golden age on Motorsports lmao

[BleedsBlue]

So what is the weak bit of these? I thought bottom end failures, can't remember specifics they don't interest me.

Well do you want to know or not?

Bottom ends on B36 (and I suppose, B35) are crazy strong. B38s have thinner cylinder walls than said F1 motors and are understandably more sensitive. But almost all B36 failures are head gasket or top end. My motor (246k now) is very typical and at 220k the bottom end was tight as a drum with perfect cross hatching, etc. Crazy guys in Europe boost them fairly reliably as well.

And yeah, F1 now is hard to watch unless it's live. I'll be at COTA again this year.

[moroza]

Should I take it knowing that it is going to require work of unknown amount to get it back to road worthy condition?

Should you take it? Yes. Should you give him anything in return? That's a different question...