1991 BMW M5

The E39 M5, for all its amazing performance and quiet aggression, is fairly ubiquitous, especially here in top-of-the-line hungry Silicon Valley. The E34 M5 has its detractors, but it is still a rare, fast, and attractive sports sedan that will hide from those who don’t know and is searched for by those who do. Today’s comes from an owner who clearly knows his stuff and has enjoyed the car for 16 years while making (mostly) tasteful upgrades. The performance pieces all make sense and it’s surely a hoot, giving the singing inline-6 more juice and the chassis greater ability to hang with it. It has covered a lot of miles, but there’s always the chance that this is one of the “extra-special” S38s that can go for 300k+ miles. There’s also the chance that it’s not, meaning it’ll need a rebuild in the next 20k miles, and that’ll set you back nearly its current list price. The price is right though, and the owner is indeed being completely reasonable.

Click for details: 1991 BMW M5 on eBay

Year: 1991
Model: M5
Engine: S38B36 3.6 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 185,000 mi
Price: $10,500 OBO

Red Exterior, Black w/Red Leather accents interior, 185K miles. I will entertain any reasonable offers. It is more important for me to find a collector who can appreciate the car, then wait for the highest and best offer. Meaning . . . I am completely reasonable about the value of the car and will let the market decide.

I have owned the car for 16 years, and I have done my best to keep it as close to showroom condition, but drive it as well. It moves like a bat out of hell, and I have done some very tasteful mods all detailed here:

I have all my service records in a folder about an inch thick, and can email summaries to anyone interested.

The highlights:

MECHANICAL:
– AC Schnitzer suspension (load leveling intact) with Koni adjustable Sport shocks in the front
– Completely rebuilt AC (every component replaced including AC lines)
– Eisenmann Race Exhaust, cats removed
– Lightened Fly Wheel, race clutch
– Racing Dynamics strut tower brace
– EAT Mark D-Sylva chip
– S38 B38 Cam Sprockets
– 20mm rear anti-roll bar
– UUC short shift kit
– Fresh tires

INTERIOR:
– Custom Interior door panels with Red Leather accents (to repair the issue with Vinyl not adhering to panels with age)
– UUC RK Magnum stainless steel shift knob
– UUC stainless steel e-brake handle

EXTERIOR:
– Rear Spoiler
– M mirrors
– 1993 M5 hood with wider double-kidney
– professionally detailed, ding free, rust free

ELECTRONICS:
– Upgraded HID lights
– Alpine head unit with iPod connectivity, upgraded speakers
– Integrated K40 Front and Rear Radar/Blinder Laser Jammer (can be removed, will reduce asking price to $12,500.00)

Working from home I just do not drive her as much as I used to, shame to see her sit in a garage.
I have loved this car in a way that only a car enthusiast can understand, and I just think she is
better in someone else’s hand that can really drive it and appreciate it.

It is a fantastic touring car, great for long trips, and it turns heads and gets “thumbs up” all the time.

Save for a few styling choices I wouldn’t make (spoiler, red interior accents), this is an extremely sexy E34 that has been well-loved and presumably well taken care of. The performance mods will make the sound and power plenty for all but the most aggressive, though lightened flywheels on S38s are often a regretted decision due to the engine revving and dropping faster than shifts can be made. The laser jammer line shows that he clearly used to have it listed for a bit more, but I think $10,500 is a good place to begin negotiations. If you love M-cars and dig the E34, he might entrust you with stewarding this final hand-built M for less than $10k.

-NR