Price: SOLD
Mileage: 118,600 Miles
Engine: S38B36 In-Line 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed G280 Transmission
Exterior color: Brilliant Red Exterior (Brillantrot - 308)
Interior: Light Silver-Grey Leather Interior (0438)
Additional features:
Eisenmann Exhaust
H&R OE Sport Springs
Koni Yellow Sport Shocks
SLS Delete
JB Racing Lightweight Flywheel
M Tech II Steering Wheel
BMW Business CD43 Stereo
ZHP Shift Knob
Dinan Short Shifter
Clear Indicators
Lightly Tinted Windows
High Quality Re-Paint
Two-Tone Trim Delete
Recovered Front Seats
R134 Air Conditioning Conversion
18” Style 37 E34 (not E38) M Parallel Wheels
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
Clean Carfax
Florida / Texax Car
Recent Mx and Upgrades
Timing Chain Components Inspected
S50B30 Timing Chain Tensioner
Rear Main Seal
Oil Pan Gasket
Cylinder Head Breather Gasket
Valve Cover Gasket
Oil Change w/ Brad Penn 20W-50
Cooling System Refresh
Fresh Clutch Kit
JB Racing Lightweight Flywheel
Koni Yellow Sport Shocks
H&R Springs
Shock Mounts
Front and Rear Control Arms
Suspension Bushings
Swaybar End Links
Subframe Mount
Center Link
Exhaust Hangar
Clutch Kit
Transmission Reseal
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 normal 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 of it in this enthusiast’s opinion. Currently, it is one of the best buys in the classic BMW market. The population of clean E34 M5s is likely smaller than its predecessor the E28 M5, even though more E34s were produced (1,239 E28 US examples vs 1,484) because most E34s had the wheels driven off of them—literally in some cases. Yet, a sorted E34 M5 can be had for half of the price of a proportionally sorted E28 and is a better car in virtually every way without giving up any of the classic BMW experience.
This 1991 E34 M5 is one of those properly sorted examples. In Brilliantrot over Silver Grey leather and sitting on genuine E34 M Parallel wheels, it checks all of the right boxes. With only 118K miles, it has plenty of investment potential, but does not command the premium of ultra-low mileage examples and can be enjoyed without guilt. The paint is in excellent condition thanks to a high-quality repaint in the original Brillantrot. The interior is likewise in excellent condition with a crack-free dashboard, M Tech II steering wheel, CD-43 stereo, and ZHP shift knob. The front seats have been recovered and look great. It was originally sold in Florida in 1992 and remained there until going to Texas in 2011. It came to me in Colorado after spending 5 summer months in Pennsylvania. Maintenance records trace back to 2011 and show proper service history. At 109K miles a major service was done including a valve adjustment, the distributor cap, rotor, and wires were replaced, the differential was resealed, the transmission was serviced, and the timing chain was inspected and the tensioner was upgraded to the S50B32 tensioner. The records also show regular oil changes fuild flushes, and replacement of consumables. In preparation for sale we a significant round of maintenance and upgrades including: valve cover gasket, cam seal, cylinder head breather gaskets, oil pan gasket, rear main seal, fresh oil change w/ Brad Penn 20W-50, thermostat, coolant flush, a fresh clutch kit, JB Racing lightweight flywheel, H&R sport springs, Koni Yellow adjustable sport shocks, and front and rear suspension bushings. The Carfax is clean, all VIN tags are in place except for the left front fender, and there are no indications of any accidents.
The Brilliantrot paint is in excellent condition and presents fantastically. It has clearly lived in friendly Southern climates of Florida and Texas. The quality of the paint job is clear and its finish is glossy, not the faded matte that Brilliantrot cars succumb to due to UV exposure. There are no glaring defects, but close inspection reveals a few minor paint chips on the lower front spoiler. There is one small impression on the left side of the hood, likely it being closed on a tool. It isn’t glaring and would only show up if photographed in very flat light (pics are on our website if you are reading this elsewhere). The clear coat is not lifting in any spots, but there are very minor sap spots and swirl marks that could be easily addressed if desired. The only notable imperfection in the re-paint is a run at the bottom of the passenger side door trim. All body panels appear to be original and all VIN tags are in place except for the left front fender, which was painted over. There is no rust; all common E34 areas are clean, including the lower door trim strips. All trim is in place, including the M5-specific bits. Extra tow hook covers are included with the sale. The windshield glass is crack-free, and has no pitting. The side and rear window glass are lightly tinted and in excellent shape. The headlights lenses are crack-free and aftermarket clear marker lights are installed (the original orange makers are included with the sale). The fog lights, indicators, markers, and brake light lenses are clear and crack-free. The M Parallel wheels are true and straight with only minimal curb rash. They are genuine E34 Style 37s, not the more common E38 Style 37s. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are worn evenly, but will need replacing in the not too distant future.
The interior is likewise in excellent condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is free of stains and tears, and is protected by rubber and carpet floor mats. The headliner does not sag and the rear parcel tray fabric is not wrinkled. The leather seats are in excellent shape, thanks to being recovered in perfectly matched light silver-grey leather. There are no wear areas on the seat bottom or backrest bolsters. The power seat adjustments work as they should and there is no seat twist. The rear seats are optioned with adjustable headrests, a center arm rest, and ski pass-through. The rear seat leather does show some creasing and there is a crack on the top of the seat back cushion between the head rests. The dashboard is crack-free and the center vent cover is not warped. All dashboard and center console leather is in very good shape with no failed stitching. The M Tech II leather steering wheel is also in excellent shape. The original 4-spoke airbag steering wheel is included with the sale. The instrument cluster has no failed bulbs or pixels and shows no warning lights. The SRS light has been deactivated. The onboard computer functions correctly and shows no check items. The HVAC control panel works as it should, the heat blows warm and the AC blows cold—it has been converted to R134 and has recently been resealed. The original stereo was replaced with a CD-43 (a very desirable upgrade). It appears to be a Land Rover, not BMW CD-43, indicated by the M sticker. It has perfectly matched illumination and looks factory correct. The shifter surround has been replaced with a matte black cover, the original leather covered surround is included with the sale. The records show a Dinan short shifter being installed and a ZHP weighted shift knob replaces the original. All switches, power windows, the sunroof, and door locks work correctly. The trunk carpet has a faint discoloration and the ski-bag cover does not latch completely shut. The tool kit is missing the screw drivers, and a generic BMW spare tire resides under the trunk floor. Two keys are included with the sale.
This is a turn-key M5 that needs nothing. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it across country or make it my daily driver. The list of recent maintenance is outlined in the summary paragraph.
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 with 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 strong. The front and rear brake pads and rotors were all recently replaced and have plenty of life left as a result.
This M5 is a blank canvas. It is a virtually stock example that drives and presents fantastically. It can be enjoyed exactly as it is, delivering that iconic classic BMW M car experience, or we would be happy to enhance it as we have done with other E34 M5s at the buyer’s discretion. Personally, I wouldn’t touch a thing. E34 M5s have not undergone the stratosphereic appreciation that their predesessor M cars have, but they are poised to, thanks to the old-school BMW recipe that the E34 still delivers. There is no better buy in the classic BMW market than the E34, and we would like to find a new owner for this one who will appreciate and care for it for the next chapter of its life.
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