Thinking about selling the swap for an E34 M5

[bdi_fc]

I'm a car whore, so it's pretty hard for me to stick with a car for any period of time greater than a year.

This is the car I'm looking at:

1991 E34 M5, Alpine White/Black Leather. I am the 3rd owner of this immaculate M5 and have all records. I'm on deployment and willing to have a family member sell it for me. This car has been exclusively maintained by Apex Motor Sports, located in San Diego, CA. Complete with AC Schnitzer 17" wheels. The car is rock solid. Recent work/upgrades include: Front Rotors / Cross Drilled, Ceramic brake pads, Front Brake Sensor, Coolant system expansion tank/sensor, Euro turn signals (photos show old, Nakamichi CD Stereo w/Aux adapter for MP3 (ipod), MTX Amplifier, MTX 10/ Thunder 5500 subwoofer / removable, A/C Evaporator/expansion valve, Good Year Eagle GT Tires w/ warranty, Viper keyless entry /Alarm, Flywheel / Pressure Plate / Clutch, Rear Main Seal Trust rod arms w/ bushings, Clutch slave valve A/C Condenser, Water pump, Rear Struts, All Coolant Hoses, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, Hood liner, New Cover. The car looks and sounds great. It runs really strong and really pulls through the 4500-6500 RPM range. True M5 performance. Only imperfections include a crack in the front winshield and a disconnected electrical motor for the drivers side head rest (up/down).

http://picasaweb.google.com/gengap67...ey=5b5Ia8z9Jn4

Reason: I want a bigger car.

Any thoughts?

[PiercedE30]

I wouldn't mind an M5.......just becareful because the S38 is an expensive girlfriend.

[BDSax]

i personally dont like e34s, but do what you think youd like the best

[bdi_fc]

i personally dont like e34s, but do what you think youd like the best

Any reasons?

[BDSax]

i like the engine, but im just not a fan of the look of the e34, i love e28s and e39s. but dont get me wrong, if i saw a e34 m5 for a good price, i would deffinatly think about it

[e30sd]

e34 is a great car. only downside is the cost of maintaining an s38, and finding someone competent to service it. the STEP techs arent getting training on the older cars, so you probably have to go find some dude thats been around forever.

[e30sd]

btw im interested in your car, i read your site but do you have any more info on the car? suspension? mods? stuff replaced? etc...

[bdi_fc]

Suspension is as it was when I bought it, but I'm pretty sure it was replaced.

Any specific concerns?

[WillisE30]

I haven't finished my DOHC swap yet, I'm a few days from starting it up, but I still long for another M5. Can't beat the space and performance combo.

[hugh jass]

how many miles on it? that is a very expensive motor to own.

[dougsic]

I have an e28 M5 and it's a blast to drive but I cannot deny that S38 ownership is ungodly expensive.

And finding someone that truly knows these motors is another hurdle. I know several dissatisfied owners that trusted their cars to shops only to regret it later (including myself, more than once.)

For an s38 car, the engine is everything. The cost of a decent rebuild can easily exceed the value of the car.

Also, be aware that I've never, ever lost to an e34. It's not uncommon to see e28 and e39 M5s on the track but rarely do you find e34s there.

If you really have your heart set on an e34 M5, the only one I would consider would be a 3.8l one.

[euroshark]

E34s are sexy as hell. I'd take an E34 M5 over pretty much any other BMW in the same price range... IMO they are a bargain. If you have to rebuild the motor though, you will spend about $5k or more if you have a shop do all of it for you...

[bdi_fc]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Yesterday I was 100% convinced that I had to get the M5. Now I'm thinking that the potential for engine costs outweighs the value of the car.

Great car to drive, but I think I'm going to keep the swap and wait for the diesels to come to the US.