1993 BMW M5 Touring

The BMW E34 M5 Touring. Pound for pound this is one of our favorites here at GCFSB and one of the most sought after forbidden fruits for BMW enthusiasts here in the US. A few have made their way stateside, along with a number of clones being created, like the Touring we featured earlier in the month. If people are emulating the original, then it must be good, right? Our reader John has brought this Federalized M5 Touring to our attention, currently on offer in California.

Year: 1993
Model: M5 Touring
Engine: 3.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 157,000 miles
Price: $26,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 BMW M5 Touring on Craigslist Orange County

Standard Features & Currently restored items/modifications:

– Manually adjustable lightweight leather Sport front seats and leather door panels
– Gloss black Shadowline Trim (original was matte black)
– DINAN springs with Bilstein Sport shocks (troublesome and expensive EDC shocks have been removed)
– HELLA “Smiley” original Euro headlights, clear corners, original Euro bumper side moldings,
– Genuine Motorsport electric/heated mirrors (factory option)
– Wider 1995 style hood (factory option in Europe) & blacked out front kidney grill
– Landzer-Motorsport performance chip which increases 15-20 HP (350HP-360HP)
– $5,000 brand NEW 2 Stage paint job, paint prep and material cost only (car was prepped, stripped and re-assembled separately)
– $1,200 spent on Anthracite Alcantara headliner…original headliner was black M Trim which was faded and sagging
– Double sunroof serviced and greased, works flawlessly
– BMW E38 740i forged M Parallel wheels 18 x 8 Front & 18 x 9.5 Rear (original wheels were 17 x 8 & 17 x 9 Throwing Star model)
– E34 M5 3.6 lightweight flywheel and NEW clutch (revs more responsively than the dual mass and a very popular upgrade)
– Original metal substrate European spec catalytic converter was replaced with a US spec E34 M5 3.6 ceramic catalytic converter during the Federalization process. The 3.6 cat is a direct replacement and was used in European spec 3.8 Sedans and Touring sold in Switzerland, Austria, Japan and other LOW emission standard countries…

Most People are unfamiliar with these Euro Spec M cars and speculates lot of theories / stories. My friend and I own (10) Euro Model M5 3.8 Sedans (7) and Tourings (3), we are quite familiar with these cars and have done all the necessary service and updates within the last two years. It passes CA emissions without any issues and cleaner than a US spec 3.6 M5.

Call or Text (949) 254-3923

The seller states that he owns three of these M5 Tourings. Apparently it’s true that you can never have enough of a good thing! I’d love to know more about the backstory on where they all came from. As many Bimmer fans already know, these M5 Tourings are the second rarest M car behind the M1. As such, they are highly prized when found in good, unmolested condition. The asking price of $26,000 is steep for an E34, especially with 157,000 miles. Only the most die-hard wagon nut would probably think of ponying up that kind of cash. But, you don’t come across these special Tourings often, especially on these shores. So, if you have to have one…

-Paul