Took the M5 to work this morning for the first time

"n54 & s38" (straight6)
10/10/2014 at 11:39 • Filed to: E34, M5, E34 M5, S38

Instead of taking the train. The drive was worth the exorbitant $37 it cost me to park downtown for the day.

" !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " target="_blank"> Kinja'd!!!

Although I love this car, she's not totally perfect. The main issue is a clunk and squeak from the rear end if I abruptly stomp the throttle, especially in 4th gear. Wondering whether it's the subframe bushings, although I know that the guy I bought it from had replaced them. There's also a fair bit of driveline lash compared to my 335xi. Oh well, I'll get it dealt with. Eventually. Just gotta be smooth with throttle tip in.

Also, the fact that the car just screams above 4000 rpms, combined with the tall autobahn gearing makes it so easy to not realize how fast you're going. I'm pretty sure I got a speed camera ticket the first day I got it :( Also, the S38 has a thirst for gasoline that rivals Charlie Sheen's lust for cocaine and hookers. It's got a huge, autobahn-sized tank of 80 liters. Cost me over $100 to fill with premium.

Still, no regrets. I'll try to post a full Oppositelock review of my impressions this weekend. Have a great long weekend to my fellow Canadians.

DISCUSSION (28)

Brian Silvestro > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:42

For at least a day, you can look down on the peasants as you use your ultra classy car to get to where you need to go.

Coty > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:42

US Citizen feels snubbed by that last sentence.

macanamera > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:43

This thing is super nice. What's the mileage?

n54 & s38 > Coty
10/10/2014 at 11:44

Have a nice, regular weekend to you US folks. See? I'm nothing if not inclusive!

Coty > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:46

I'm going to get a new car. IT WILL BE NICE. I'LL SHOW YOU.

n54 & s38 > macanamera
10/10/2014 at 11:46

280,000 kms (174K miles). But as mentioned elsewhere, it's had a full engine rebuild, full respray, all exterior, interior bits replaced/updated, all hoses/pumps/suspension bits, etc. replaced. So it's a young 280K kms :)

macanamera > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:48

It's lovely.

BarryDanger > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:48

The clunking might be from driveline slop, in my GTO I know we have a soft rubber guibo that is the primary culprit for rear end clunking.

n54 & s38 > BarryDanger
10/10/2014 at 11:50

GTO? Nice! New or old one?

BarryDanger > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:53

It's a new one, I've had it for about a year. I actually considered a pristine e34 before purchasing my car. Classy ride you got there.

n54 & s38 > BarryDanger
10/10/2014 at 11:57

Thank you. YEah, I love it but I'm kinda glad I'm not using it as a daily driver. I have a 2008 335xi 6MT for DD duties. This one just has so much character though.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:57

Downtown Calgary I assume from the $37? I know lots of people who have to take the train for over an hour so they don't have to pay.

FromCanadaWithLove > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 11:59

Shit, where does it cost $37 to park for a day in Alberta? That's crazy expensive.

n54 & s38 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
10/10/2014 at 12:11

Yup, DT Calgary. I usually take the train too. But it was such a nice morning and I wanted to hear the exhaust bellow through parking garage, haha.

n54 & s38 > FromCanadaWithLove
10/10/2014 at 12:12

Downtown Calgary. We have some of the highest parking rates anywhere in North America downtown. Worse than Vancouver or Toronto. Yeah, it sucks. I could have found a cheaper lot. Also, if I'd gotten there before 9 AM, it would have "only" been $32.

FromCanadaWithLove > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 12:17

Man, that's ridiculous. Nice M5, by the way.

n54 & s38 > FromCanadaWithLove
10/10/2014 at 12:23

Thanks! Where in Canada are you? Pumped for the long weekend? I know I am...

FromCanadaWithLove > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 12:26

Halifax, but I used to live in Ottawa. Desperately ready for the weekend.

BJ > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 12:31

The next time I'm out west, I'm going to have to find a reason to go to Calgary... You got a great deal and a beauty of a car.

n54 & s38 > BJ
10/10/2014 at 12:44

Thanks man. Stop by if you're ever in town and come take her for a spin!

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 13:22

NICE ride, man!

As to the clunk and driveline play, check out your diff mount bushings. Then guibo, then driveshaft uni joints.

n54 & s38 > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
10/10/2014 at 13:41

Thanks for the advice. I'll look into it. IT's really the only thing that mars an otherwise awesome ride.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 13:52

No prob, hope it helps! Are those M-System II's original? So many replicas out there, if those are original, many props, sir. I'd love a set of M-System I's. Might even roll without the covers.

n54 & s38 > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
10/10/2014 at 14:20

I don't think that they're the original ones: these ones were purchased new (for major $) by one of the previous owners. I do, however, have a set of the turbine fan covers in my garage that came with the car. There's also a set of brand new winter tires mounted on BBS RC090 wheels. Still trying to find hub rings for those.

n54 & s38 > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
10/10/2014 at 14:42

Sorry, just re-read your question. Yeah, they're original in the sense that they're OEM BMW factory "throwing stars". I think this car must have originally come with the turbine covers.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 15:10

Very cool. The turbines look a little funny, almost like white walls, but I love how "function over form" they are.

Kinja'd!!!

n54 & s38 > Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken
10/10/2014 at 15:13

Yeah, they're period-correct but I just hate the look compared to the throwing stars. Also so glad that mine doesn't have the horrible, North American-spec airbag wheel. The M-Tech II wheel in mine feels amazing!

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > n54 & s38
10/10/2014 at 15:19

Thowing Stars really do look ace, but a little to aggro for the e28. Any yea, that wheel is the sex. Car looks da bidness, yo!