Does anyone know anything about the E34 M5? 

"E90M3" (e90m3) 03/26/2018 at 16:21 • Filed to: necessary car shopping with E90M3

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I’m thinking about adding one to my fleet. I’ve got the money and it’s been one of the cars I’ve always lusted after. Would have to figure out where I’d park it, as neither the M3 nor 328i are going anywhere, but that’s a problem for a later date. Anyone know of any common problems with these or have any experience with them or have owned one?

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I might have to contact the owner. The car looks a little tired, but that engine looks like its had some work done to it recently.

AM3R, lost another burner > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:32

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Last hand built M car!

Noah - Now with more boost. > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:32

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I see your M5, and present the 540i which you surely know about:

I’m all about E34s but prefer the wide kidneys of the V8 models:

Nearly impossible to find with a stick and they’re M5 money when they come up. My typical nutcase solution is that I’m totally going to swap an A/T 540 at some point, if I can. I missed out on a clean southern example when shopping for my car, didn’t seem responsible but the want was very strong. You could also get a 535i and conforti (not dinan) chip it, which would put you at around 240 hp/tq for 1/3 of the price if you could find a nice one. This is one of those obscure platforms that you’ve gotta be really sick with the BMW bug to dig into, so nobody saves them.

E90M3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/26/2018 at 16:36

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I’m good, I would much rather have the M5. I want the straight 6. Plus it would be a lot harder to find a good manual E34.

E90M3 > AM3R, lost another burner 03/26/2018 at 16:36

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That it is!

Noah - Now with more boost. > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:42

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I’ve just been brainwashed by watching that video a few too many times.

Nothing > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:49

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I’ll ask my son’s hockey coach about any common issues he’s had. He has daily driven his ‘92 since he bought it in ‘95.

Textured Soy Protein > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:53

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Instead, you should buy an E24 635CSi and swap in a Nissan RB25DET.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 16:58

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Here are some things I know:

1. I want one.

2. I need one.

3. Pls gib.

4. You want one too.

5. Techno Violet pls.

RallyWrench > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 17:13

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Awesome cars. The engines, though glorious, are spendy to repair. Hopefully the timing chain & guides have been done, and make sure it’s received regular valve adjustments. Make sure it shifts well and that there’s no gear noise, the Getrag 280s are $$ to deal with too, they’re specific to the M5 (E28 & E34). This is the era when BMW started to really add more electronics and comfort functions to their cars, so at this age there are often issues with the climate control and comfort/convenience functions. There’s a General Module under the back seat that’s often the source of issues with interior accessory functions. The seats don’t wear too well, expect split seams and cracks/tears in the leather. Great cars, regardless of issues. Also likely to appreciate, as the last of the S38s, and before M cars started to move away from hand-built hot rods. In short:

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 17:23

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This is a car that will keep you up at night, crying, if you don’t get a PPI.

AM3R, lost another burner > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 17:43

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I actually didn’t realize how cheap they were.. after looking at your link I really may have to try to find one myself.

Discerning > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 17:51

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My understanding is that the drivetrain is stout. The only thing I encountered when I was considering one was that EDC damper issues aren’t uncommon and they aren’t inexpensive - though it can be perceived as an opportunity to switch to coilovers.

kanadanmajava1 > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 18:22

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I have an Euro spec ‘91 M5. It’s an earlier model so it has the S38B36 engine (it’s actually 3.5 l but BMW just wanted a new engine code) and single piston brake calipers. Mine has done ~240,000 km and it’s not in pristine condition. But it’s pretty much fully original minus the BMW stereo, original spark plug wires (replaced with some sporty version) and some trim pieces are missing from the trunk.

Here are some hints but some of them apply to any E34.

That black one looks quite nice. It seems to have manual HVAC system (the automatic is horribly complicated). The center console has some weird attachment as there should be just empty pocket there.

I can only see the throwing star wheel covers in the left side but the right ones should have mirrored versions. Mine should have the turbine covers but they have gone missing. I think the black one too should have the turbines as the throwing stars were introduced in ‘92. Many turbines were replaced with throwing stars as they didn’t look enough sporty.

An early Euro spec has 9" wheels in the rear but the US spec version should have 8" in all corners. But I’m not sure if they should be cast or forged versions. 9" came only as forged but 8" can be cast or forged. The design is slightly different but they cannot be told apart when the covers are on.

The engine compartment looks very nice so I doubt that this has seen much road salt. The rod bearings and the oil pump are somewhat weak links of the engine. The bearings can be (and should be replaced before they actually fail) quite easily without removing the whole engine. If the oil pressure raises slowly this should be done. Despite my car’s rather high mileage the engine pressurizes very quickly. I did have a scary situation though as my oil pressure switch failed and refused to turn on the light.

The oil pump has a small design flaw that can cause the pressure regulation valve to stuck open if the engine is revved suitably that the valve opens more than normally (high revs with too cold engine). The moving part has too sharp corners that can cut into the carbon residue and get stuck. This will cause the pressure to drop near zero and cause damages.

The pump itself is the same part used in the M30 engines but rather surprisingly they are very expensive as there hasn’t been any recent reproduction and BMW seems to be running short of their stock.

The renewal of the timing chain is quite expensive thing too. I counted that just the parts for complete overhaul would be ~1,000 euros if I find them myself.

If the front seats have electric adjustments check if they are crooked. The system uses single electric motors for each movement and the motors have two cables (speedometer style) going to two separate hinges. The internal part of the cable shrinks with age but the outer part extends. And at some point the cable doesn’t reach the ends anymore and hinges go out of sync. The cables are quite easy fix with a hot air gun but getting the hinges synced again is not (my driver’s seat looks still silly). The seats are very heavy and hard to get out (especially if they are crooked and stuck in some silly position.

BMW’s wiring harness hardens with the age and the joints to trunk (around the left hinge) was very bad in mine. The insulation crumbles away and at some point the copper parts also snaps off. I didn’t check how the fuses are connected but this could be a fire hazard issue. If the light monitoring system complains about bulbs that are located in the trunk lid this can be the reason. The wires are visible in the trunk but some back pain is possible while reaching there.

I’m pretty sure that all early E34 M5 left the factory with the self leveling rear suspension. Due this the rear dampers are expensive to replace. One of mine was leaking but I managed to fix it by changing one o-ring. Yes, they can be opened and some parts are available (but not from BMW). But most have been converted to regular dampers. It also has Citroën style suspension spheres under the car. The system is completely mechanical so removing it is somewhat easy. It gets the operating fluid from the power steering pump. The correct fluid (Pentosin CHF 7.1) for the system is poorly available so I converted mine to LHM+ fluid.

The exhaust system is also very expensive. BMW sells both mufflers as a very expensive package. The catalytic converters are also sold as a very expensive pair. Some stainless steel versions are available but even they are also a bit expensive. My exhaust system is falling to pieces (it’s also very loud) and I need to replace the whole thing soon. I’m likely building a new one from universal parts.

M5 shares a lot of parts with it’s lesser brothers but many M5 specific parts are hard to find. The oil pump is of course example that despite being a common part the pricing can be surprisingly high. Here most E34 parts are easy to find from regular car parts stores but M5 stuff is missing very often.

There’s one problem with my M5. It isn’t very suited for Finnish roads especially in the area where I’m circling around. It’s an autobahn eater and not a city car. I have been following a common instruction for any S engine to avoid running the engine above 3000 rpm before the engine oil has warmed up to 50 °C (where the gauge’s scale starts). If I’m commuting to work this happens usually in the last traffic lights. And with my crappy exhaust it’s too loud for our car clubs track days...

MM54 > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 18:26

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All I know about them is that I very much want one (would probably settle for a 540i/6-speed)

RPM esq. > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/26/2018 at 18:47

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For ‘95 even the 525 had the wide kidneys. It’s not that hard to find a manual 540 if you include the earlier ones with the 5-speed, it’s just hard to find the more desirable ‘95 with the 6-speed. And they’re definitely not M5 money, at least where I am—maybe half the price, even for a 6-speed. The only exception is the 540 M-sport, of which real ones certainly go for M5 money if not more.

E90M3 > Discerning 03/26/2018 at 19:17

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As long as there’s a work around, I’m fine with some issues. I’ve had an M car for ~3.5 years, I’m used to expensive repairs.

E90M3 > kanadanmajava1 03/26/2018 at 19:22

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This is exactly what I wanted to hear.

I live in the southeastern US, salt shouldn’t be an issue at all. I need to get the history of this car, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it never saw salt.

I let my engine warm up before I get up into the rev range, this would be a third car, so it would be treated like such.

I need to look into the suspension problems or find a sorted one.

I live a place without emissions, I could run without cats.

The timing chain does scare me a little, but then I would find a car with it done or it would be negotiated out of the price.

E90M3 > AM3R, lost another burner 03/26/2018 at 19:22

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This is one reason I want to get one soon, because I can still afford it.

E90M3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/26/2018 at 19:23

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I’ve bought 3 cars, all without a PPI. That said, something like this would get one.

E90M3 > RallyWrench 03/26/2018 at 19:25

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Sounds like it would be wise to get one with a good service history; issues don’t seem to be too random and can be prevented with correct maintenance.

I was thinking I should get one before they appreciate and I can’t find a decent one for a good price.

E90M3 > Nothing 03/26/2018 at 19:26

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Cool, it sounds like he can’t have too many issues if he’s been daily driving it since I was in kindergarten.

kanadanmajava1 > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 19:33

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Finding a reliable shop to do the fixes should be essential. Unless you have time to do this yourself of course.

I have heard horrible stories about incompetent shops trying to do something that they don’t know how to do properly. Someone here had some horror story about E30 M3 and its engine. I don’t remember what was the story exactly about. But I think the car did revive later on.

E90M3 > kanadanmajava1 03/26/2018 at 19:34

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It would be a third car, so fixing it correctly would be a priority over fixing it quickly. I could find the time to do it myself.

RallyWrench > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 19:35

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Yep, that’s key. These things are easily good for 200k+ if well maintained. My old E28 M5 had over 200k and ran like a train, wish I still had it.

E90M3 > RallyWrench 03/26/2018 at 19:37

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It seems like these early M cars were very well built.

I wish I could afford an E28 M5. I almost prefer the M5s of this generation to similar M3s. I mean I would love both, but the M5s are the ones I want. I think it’s something to do with 4 doors.

RallyWrench > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 19:48

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Very well indeed, they’re amazing. My M5 was far from a perfect example, I bought and sold it for $7k before they started to take off. Wonderful car though, I daily drove it. Something just right about a ripping S38 in an otherwise unassuming sedan. Couldn’t afford another one now though, they’ve appreciated significantly already.

E90M3 > RallyWrench 03/26/2018 at 19:50

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I feel like E34 M5s are going to take off soon. It seems that even E36 M3s have started to climb in value. I want to get one before they become unaffordable. I also figured if I got one and the drive train died on me, I would just but an Euro S38 in it and call it a day.

ihm96 > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 20:07

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I bought a 1995 530 5 speed with the v8 and it’s been an almost perfect daily aside from the lack of an sux cord. Idk much about the m5 but I’m jealous and I’m sure it would be great. Fwiw the car feels much more solidly built than my z3 coupe ever did

E90M3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/26/2018 at 20:08

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Finally was able to watch the video.

The V8 in my M3 sounds much better and I hate the wide kidneys.

RallyWrench > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 20:12

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I feel the same. The US E36 M3 will always sort of be held back, value-wise, by its not so special engine. Nice and torquey though, and simple, they’re pretty bombproof. They’re still a cool car, and good ones are ever harder to find. I think they’ve probably reached full depreciation, a lot of fun for the money.

E90M3 > ihm96 03/26/2018 at 20:15

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I’m sure the M5 is an incredible car, hence why I want one. I really like my V8 manual BMW, but I want a vintage BMW now. It also seems like they built the M cars of that generation really well.

E90M3 > RallyWrench 03/26/2018 at 20:16

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I’m surprised by the fact that they appreciated, given the fact that it’s not a full M engine. They do seem to be pretty bulletproof, so that might have something to do with it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 20:50

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None of the others were hand built.

Noah - Now with more boost. > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 20:53

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To each their own, I enjoy both for different reasons and dislike the E9X M3 power lump

E90M3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/26/2018 at 20:54

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It seems they were actually really well made. The hand built part doesn’t scare me, the fact that it’s as old as I am does.

Noah - Now with more boost. > RPM esq. 03/26/2018 at 20:56

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I was working with a less strict interpretation of “M5 money” as in, you could buy an M5 in slightly worse condition for the same cash.

E90M3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/26/2018 at 20:57

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I think the narrow grill looks so much better. If it was only the wide grill, I think it would be OK; mainly because there wouldn’t be anything to compare it to.

I like the power bulge, I think it’s subtle enough.

Then again, to each their own.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/26/2018 at 21:12

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Wasn’t there some issue with the nikasil engine blocks in those? I seem to recall reading about it on SHOForum of all places.

Nothing > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 21:24

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He doesn’t baby it either. Snow tires go on and it’s his winter car, too. His garage queen, oddly enough, is a Crossfire SRT6. His wife had a ‘98 V70R that bit the dust a couple of years ago and they replaced it with an E350 Wagon.

Noah - Now with more boost. > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 21:28

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Then again, to each their own.

especially on Oppo, which is nice. No arguing over opinions around here for the most part.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 03/26/2018 at 21:31

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Yeah so the general consensus re: Nikasil cars was that if its still around in the USA, the car is probably fine and will continue to be fine. Something to due with lower sulfur content in our gas or something like that. I read this re: the XJ-R though so IDK if this necessarily applies.

Monkey B > E90M3 03/26/2018 at 21:35

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it is the last of the hand built ///M cars.

E90M3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 03/27/2018 at 05:38

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There is really no point in trying to change opinions.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing 03/27/2018 at 13:39

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Wow. This could be me in 17 years with my E90 M3 (minus the hockey part).