looking at '91 M5

[ajmcauley]

I currently own an '87 325is and was considering getting a M5, (for the kids sake). i really like the styling of the '91, well really love the '96's, but i can afford and like the 91's. how have the '91 model held up concerning reliability. any information and opinion concerning this model year v. '93 ( with the v8) to '97 would be appreciated.

Thanks...

[Bruce]

No such thing as a 96 or 97 M5. The 93 is still an I6, not a V8.

As far as E34 M5s go....purchase is usually the least of your worries. Make sure to have any car checked out well before you buy. Engine rebuilds are very high.

[ajmcauley]

Sorry about the misinformation. there is a '93 M5 that states it has an 8 cylinder engine. i should have done some more research. Second, are the few '95-97 M5's i have found grey market maybe? Anyhow, i will have Hansa motors in HB check out the car. but what i was really getting at was the '91-'93 years model great running tractors like the E30 that i have or are they not. i have 240k on my origional trans and engine and it runs like a champ. thanks again for any usefull information.

:)

[Bruce]

No E34 M5 had a V8...period. There was a 95 540i Sport that was essentially an M5 with the 4L V8. Very rare car.

THe E34 M5 was sold in the US from 91 thru the 93 model year IIRC. Only the 3.6L engine was imported. There are a number of grey market E34 M5s running around (most notably the M5 tourings). There are some in the US that have the 3.8L engine. The 94 and 95 M5s around are grey market for sure.

No, you will not have the reliability from the M5 engine that you do from your E30. The M5 engine is essentially the same engine as the S14 in the E30 M3 only it has 6 cylinders instead of 4.

I would not buy and E34 M5 without a compression test and leakdown done on the motor. You could be a very unhappy camper. You can easily spend $15k on a rebuild (which should be about the price you should be paying for an E34 M5.