Witness exhibit C in my anti-E30 M3 campaign. Like yesterday’s 1988 635CSi, this is another clean and tidy, well presented E24. But unlike yesterday’s end of the run car, this is a mid-year non-M spec car that I would generally consider the least appealing of the bunch. So what’s special about this one? Well, it’s a 5-speed car, always a plus amongst the big 6s. It’s got lower miles, too – only 68,000 in this case; that’s less than 2,500 on average if you’re counting. It’s all original, too – right down to the TRX wheels and tires. It has the unique Buffalo hide leather – an interior usually seen in the M cars but less frequently in normal production models. But in my mind I love it because it’s a Euro-spec car with a documented history, and an interesting one at that:
Tag: euro
I recently read a report by Esurance which indicated that green cars were the least common amongst all cars owned. Now, truth be told I’m not sure how much accuracy or scientific research there was to this study. Perhaps my skepticism is rooted in my history with British cars and my family’s history of having green cars; I count 6 that I remember. Or it could be that my automotive youth matured in the early 1990s, when it seemed that only green cars were produced. Either way, it’s rather irrelevant, because if owning a green car sets you apart from the beigeness that is the normal family sedan I’ll gladly accept the most usual tone in the automotive world. Further, there are some great greens out there to enjoy; Viper, Mint and Signal from Porsche, Ragusa Metallic from Audi, Oak and Montana from Volkswagen, Tiaga, Java and Urban from BMW, and from Mercedes-Benz there were some neat tones available on the 450SEL – colors like Citris Green, Nickle Green and what I think is Moss Green on this model:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 on eBay
3 CommentsNot many people would dare to accuse the E28 M5 of having faults, but I will. First, the engine was turned down for the U.S. market. That’s a reality of the 1970s and 1980s, I know, but it’s still a gripe. Second, it only came in black to U.S. shores. And that too is a shame, because the E24 M6 really shows what a little color does to those classic lines. Third, on top of the black-only stance, it had bumpers that easily double as benches – for Americans, even. Fourth, though wide 16″ wheels were pretty advanced for the day, the reality is that there are increasingly limited good options for filling out those rims. Fifth has to be the interior. My dad has an 88 M5, and it’s a very nice car – but the seats are well worn and look nearly double the mileage they actually are. It’s often the case when I look at an E28 M5 that the seats either look completely redone or wrecked. Sixth has to do with the engine again – because the reality is that 25 plus years on, keeping the S38s running in top condition can be an expensive proposition. Okay, so maybe I’m overstating my gripes a bit, but it just goes to show that there’s at least room for improvement with the U.S. spec M5. How do you fix my list of gripes? Well, buying this car would be a pretty good start: