Who has driven an E34 M5?

[Low Level]

What are they like?

Is it a car you have to really rev to move? Is it like a big momentum car, basically?

Is it “fun to drive” ? Or is it just a big car with power?

[katit2]

What cars do you have? What did you drive? I had e39 540i6, now I have 525i e34 and I have new M3. I can tell you that each generation cars become more refined and more advanced. I drive e34 just because I like it a lot. I like looks, history and feeling that I can drive this car and there is no one around in a same car. But e39 was way better "car". M3 is just different universe. To me e34 M5 is a piece of history. Very cool car, I'd like to have it. But it will not be a car to impress someone on a road this days. There is many many cars faster than e34 M5 this days. Why do you consider it? Answer this question and we will help you out. Back in a days it was luxury performance sedan. Today there is no luxury and no performance left, so why do you think about it?

[mottati]

I drive one every day. The US spec / 3.6 has a decent amount of torque, but it really comes alive over 4k rpm, so if you putt around at low revs, it doesn't feel quick.

The 3.8 has more torque, is 'easier' to drive around town, but still comes on strong at 4k rpm.

Both are fun to drive. The e39 M5 is faster, but i prefer the e34.

[Low Level]

Wow, you have 3 of ‘em. That’s awesome. Very cool. I need one...!!

[Jackson42]

We've got both a 3.8 M5 and a 535i/5 in the stable. They are completely different beasts. As mottati said, the M5 (even in 3.8 trim) is not hugely torquey down low, but once you get to around 4k RPM, things start happening very quickly. The 535 is all bottom-end grunt. If you have a lot of open-road driving to do, the M5 is an immensely satisfying, although challenging, car to drive (at least ours is - it demands absolute precision with the clutch, gearbox and throttle to get the best out of it). The 535 is a whole lot of fun if you do a lot of in-town driving.

[Low Level]

What about driving on something like the Tail of the Dragon? Good choice or too heavy and fast?

[David9999999]

The M5 is not "too fast" for anything, it's a 6+ second 0-60 car and will not blow you away with outright speed (no street car from 25 years ago will, either). My car is a mostly stock 3.6 with only a MarkD chip and staggered M-Systems for upgrades. I haven't driven a ton of cars, but the E34 M5 is my favorite car that I have ever driven. I love the engine, steering/handling, and ergonomics of the car. It's extremely well balanced and easy to drive "on the limit." I have also had a 540/6 and while the acceleration may have been similar, it's a completely different beast. The high-revving straight 6s are what made BMW famous for a reason. I'd highly recommend getting into one while the prices are still somewhat reasonable!

[Low Level]

PM’ed you, David99999999.

[84318i]

Driven one, the steering response is still behind many other cars with steering racks. Don't expect it to be the best canyon carver, many cars will beat it but overall package is good .

[Kingpin025]

My favorite of the M cars I've owned, E34 M5, E36 M3 and E39 M5. It is not the torque monster or as refined as the E39. It is a very raw car in comparison which is why I love it so much. It's rare while driving the E39 that anyone even notices or acknowledges it as an M car on the street or at meets. In the E34 though there are thumbs up, crowds and questions just about any time I'm in the car.

[93FIM5]

Driven a few in different states of tune. As a stock car they're capable, exploitable (very important), and comfortable. Modified in the correct way they start coming alive and the engines character is even more evident without sacrificing the comfort aspect of the overall package. I can't say enough good things about the E34 M5, I've had the chance to drive lots of different M cars and other high performance cars and wouldn't trade the E34 M5 for any of them. Yes there are faster, more comfortable, and newer cars but they don't quite scratch that itch. I had the chance a couple months ago to borrow a new M3 from BMW and drive the Autobahn and head up Stelvio pass and do my best Clarkson impression and the entire time I was wanting my M5. . . So yea its worth it.

-Greg