OT: For the lovers of the old M5
11-20-2009, 06:12 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
The styling has aged very well. Its just a stunning car from a visual perspective.
The interiors do tend to wear, but no more than any other period-BMW, frankly. The E36's, for example, have the same wear issues; on the seat bolsters, especially.
However, whatever the M5 lacks inside the cabin is made up for under the hood. Ignoring the entertainment value of the engine; its absolutely bulletproof. High mileage means nothing and, for such a high-strung engine, that's mighty impressive.
There is also the pedigree. The later versions are faster, for sure, in all aspects, and the first generation has its own slot, but the E34 M5 is, in my opinion, solely responsible for creating the "super-sedan" segment of the market.
After its introduction, everyone started shoving the biggest engines they could find into otherwise unsuspecting saloons. Hell, AMG should probably be paying royalties to BMW for creating demand for their product, you know, since everyone needs a 500HP grocery-getter.
11-21-2009, 01:45 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Thanks for the video. I hadn't seen that one. Interesting the M5 won every test but one of the writers would pick the E55 because it's an automatic. 
I just hit 100k on my 2003 M5 BB (before Bangle). The only change from stock is the Dinan exhaust; really brings the engine sound out.
It still runs great and makes a great DD and stablemate to the Porsches. Knock on wood, the interior really shows very little wear, although I'm careful how I get in and out over the bolsters.
Here's mine undergoing a little PM along with the SC and 993.
I just hit 100k on my 2003 M5 BB (before Bangle). The only change from stock is the Dinan exhaust; really brings the engine sound out.
It still runs great and makes a great DD and stablemate to the Porsches. Knock on wood, the interior really shows very little wear, although I'm careful how I get in and out over the bolsters.
Here's mine undergoing a little PM along with the SC and 993.
Last edited by autobonrun; 12-24-2014 at 04:30 PM.
11-21-2009, 02:53 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
11-21-2009, 02:55 PM
#24
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Toronto, Ontario
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The e34 and e39 series are both great cars - I would agree that the e34 (and selfishly the e24 M6) started the super sedan/coupe segments.
I had a '98 540 6-speed - carved up the roads incredibly. The driving is obviously different from the 993 with a near-perfect weight distribution - different but rewarding all the same.
I had a '98 540 6-speed - carved up the roads incredibly. The driving is obviously different from the 993 with a near-perfect weight distribution - different but rewarding all the same.
11-22-2009, 01:15 AM
#29
Rennlist Member
My 2000 E39 M5 is current DD ,except it's receiving a 2500 mile eng/trans
transplant almost completed..
Hmmm where do I put a rebuilt 4.5 litre 32 valve M motor...M3, CS still looking!
this is my third M car ,second M5 ,first was a 88 E24 M6 ! Helluva car..
The E34 M5 is my all time fave 150 MPH 4 dr sedan grocery getter!!!!! Bert
transplant almost completed..
Hmmm where do I put a rebuilt 4.5 litre 32 valve M motor...M3, CS still looking!
this is my third M car ,second M5 ,first was a 88 E24 M6 ! Helluva car..
The E34 M5 is my all time fave 150 MPH 4 dr sedan grocery getter!!!!! Bert
11-22-2009, 02:00 AM
#30
Rennlist Member
Nice MB. I recently tried out an E63 AMG on a mixed circuit that included an obstacle course with pylons. I must admit it had great balance, excellent brakes, and didn't push as much as I thought it would. I thought the active seat bolsters that keep you in place through hard turns was pretty cool. Oh yeah, it's plenty fast. I'd consider it, but I'd like to keep the M5 as well.