Price: SOLD
Mileage: 148,000 Miles TMU
Engine: S38B36 In-Line 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed G280 Transmission
Exterior color: Black Exterior
Interior: Black Leather Interior (0438)
Additional features:
Early E34 M5
3-Spoke 370mm M Tech II Steering Wheel
M Leather Shift Knob
Performance Chip
Cup Holder
Power Sport Seats
Auto IKHA Climate Control
BMW Pioneer KE-83ZBM Stereo
BMW CD Changer
On Board Computer
Tape Deck Holder Center Console
2+2 “Bread Box” Rear Seats
Carpet BMW Front Floor Mats
Rear Plate Filler
Style 20 17” M System Wheels (no covers)
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Tires
Clean Carfax
California/Colorado Car
Recent Mx and Upgrades
The E34 was the end of an era for the BMW M5. It was the last hand-built M5, assembled by the same M GmbH technicians from start to finish once taken to Garching from the standard E34 assembly line in Dingolfing. It was the last 6-cylinder S38-powered BMW, an engine based directly on the fire-breathing, high revving, high compression, individual throttle-bodied architecture that helped BMW dominate Motorsport for the previous two decades. It was the last M5 to retain the classic and iconic 3-box BMW design language—and the best evolution in this enthusiast’s opinion. It is one of the best buys in the classic BMW market.
This Black on Black leather 1991 M5 is one of the best entry-level E34 M5s on the market. It is an early build (5/30/1990) featuring the 2+2 “bread box” rear seats. Other notable options include the small-diameter 370mm M Tech II steering wheel, IKHA automatic climate controls, the early Pioneer tape deck, and naked (no covers) forged M System wheels. The Carfax shows the first ping in Palmdale, California, at 1,152 miles in November of 1990. In 1999, it moved to Alameda, California, with 40K miles and remained there for the next two decades and 100K miles. In 2019, it came to Colorado under the current owner, for whom we are selling it on consignment. The Carfax documents the mileage at regular maintenance intervals prior to the current ownership. It reports damage to the passenger front fender in 2007, which has been repainted along with the hood.
Notable maintenance before the current owner shows the clutch slave cylinder, fuel pump and filter, timing chain tensioner, oxygen sensor, and cam seals being replaced. Under the current owner, the instrument cluster was replaced at 141K miles, with a unit with 13K fewer miles, which puts the actual mileage around 148K. Recent notable maintenance includes front control arm bushings, the water pump, cooling fan, and fan clutch, a valve adjustment and valve cover gasket, spark plugs, drive belts, transmission mounts, transmission and differential fluids, sway bar end links, fuel filter, and an S50 timing chain tensioner. Outstanding maintenance issues include moderate oil leaks from the oil pan gasket and front timing cover, torn front control arm ball joints, transmission output and shift selector seal leaks, and a slow AC compressor leak (the AC still blows cold). When it arrived, the replacement instrument cluster had no working gauges. We replaced the motherboard in that cluster with a non-M5 E34 motherboard. That brought the instruments to life (although they are not calibrated correctly) but shows that cluster’s mileage (over 200K). The M5 cluster motherboard is included in the sale, and the best solution would be to source a good used E34 M5 instrument cluster.
The Black paint is in fair, but presentable condition for an entry-level E34 M5. Flaws consist of moderate rock chips, swirls, scratches, etching, and faded areas. There is a large deep scratch on the passenger side fender and some moderate scuffs and cracking on the lower front bumper cover. There is a small dent in the hood, a larger dent in the passenger rear quarter panel, and several smaller dents around the car. That said, the paint is all original, except for the passenger front fender and hood, which were repainted in 2007 due to a sideswipe, and the driver’s door, which was repainted at some point. The original paint gauges at 3-4 mils, and the painted areas gauge at 5 to 8 mils. The other exceptional thing about this M5 is there is no rust. Common areas like the bottom of the doors, floor pans, battery tray, and front cowling are rust-free. All VIN tags except the passenger front fender and the driver’s door are in place. Virtually all trim, including the tow hook covers, is in place, and there is some UV fade. The windshield glass has light pitting, and the rest of the glass is very nice. The headlight glass is good, with Hella US projectors. The driver’s side fog light is loose; the indicators and taillights are in good shape. The wheels are genuine forged BMW style 20 M Systems, and the right front one has been refinished. They have light to moderate curb rash and some paint chips; there are no covers. They are wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 tires with 9/32nds remaining and 2018 DOT dates.
The interior is in lovely survivor condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is free of stains and tears and is protected by carpet floor mats. The headliner is sagging slightly in the rear and the rear parcel shelf is faded with wrinkles. The leather seats are in good shape, with typical age-related wear, the worst being on the outer bolsters. The power seat adjustments work as they should, and there is no seat twist. The rear seats are the desirable 2+2 configuration. They have consistent age-related wear, with moderate scuffing on the center console cover. The dashboard is crack-free, and the center vent cover is slightly warped. The M Tech II leather steering wheel is in good shape with age-related wear. The instrument cluster works, but the motherboard is from a non-M5 instrument cluster. The mileage is incorrect, and the instruments read slightly off, but they are better than nothing, which was how the M5 cluster was. A replacement working cluster could fix this. The onboard computer functions correctly and shows no check items, but a bulb is out on the computer. The HVAC control panel works as it should; the heat blows warm, and the AC blows cold. The factory stereo functions correctly, and other than being a little scratchy when adjusting the volume, the speakers sound great. The shifter has consistent wear with the rest of the interior. The center console is in good condition and features the tape deck holder. All switches, power windows, the sunroof, and door locks work correctly. The factory keyless entry does not work; we have not tried to replace the battery. The trunk carpet is nice, the CD changer is present, and the original front floor mats are included. The tool kit is complete, including the S38 spark plug tool and a Euro hazard triangle. A genuine M system wheel is the spare. Three keys and a 1991 BMW M5 owner’s manual set are included.
This E34 M5 has benefited from significant recent maintenance and has been driven regularly over the last five years. Open maintenance squawks are moderate oil leaks from the oil pan and timing cover and minor transmission leaks from the output and shift selector seal. It leaves a few coin-sized drops under the oil pan when parked. The AC blows cold, but the condenser has a slow leak. The front control arm ball joints are torn, but the joints are tight. The S38 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. There is no timing chain or valvetrain rattle, and the tensioner has been upgraded to the S50B32 unit. The clutch take-up is correct, the shifter is crisp, and the gearbox shifts smoothly. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations, the suspension is firm, but compliant, and the brakes are good. The steering box has a slight dead spot, typical of E34s. The brake rotors are lipped; the brake pads have good life left in them. It passes emissions.
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