As this issue goes to press, the roof box on the E39 is quivering in anticipation of another load because it’s about to be packed to the rafters for a music festival. However, as I look out of the window at the TBMW offices, the weather is reminiscent of a hurricane, which isn’t ideal when you have a tent to pitch. Taking my mind off a potentially dismal weekend, I had thoughts of a certain ‘bargain’ E34 M5...

As we pencilled-in the E34 M5 Buying Guide for the October issue, I was offered an early 3.6, missing its throttle bodies, for £1,500. A sum that isn’t pocket change, but when it’s placed on a car like this, all of a sudden it becomes more appealing, but with my name already on the V5s of too many cars, I was forced to decline.

However, if you can get yourself into the best example possible, which isn’t missing vital components from the engine, this hand-built M5 is a special car but, as we have described, the conundrum is that decent examples are scarce now and obtaining some of the parts for those in need of restoration can be tricky. And when you do finally locate them, the price tag can make your eyes water slightly. This got me thinking, classified adverts with lots of ‘just’ or ‘would only need’ narratives in them inevitably end up being a heck of a lot more when you get the car home and digest what you’ve just bought. But I am still a sucker for them. On reflection though, if that M5 was missing something vital like throttle bodies, it must have been a crock to have justified losing them. Well, that’s what I keep telling myself anyway.

Adam Tait - Editor

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