Words Andrew Everett | Pictures Total BMW

Since the final one rolled off the production line 16 years ago, decent examples of the last of the hand-built M5s are now in short supply. Do they make a sensible classic performance car, or a money pit to be avoided at all costs?

HISTORY

The E34 M5 was launched at the 1988 Motor Show but arrived here in 1990 to replace the original E28 which ended production in late 1987. The E34 M5 was hand-built at the Motorsport Garching factory, the last M5 to be built as such. The basis of the M5 was a pretty much the standard E34 shell, supplied from the nearby Dingolfing factory, with just a few brackets here and there for extra bits under the bonnet. The engine was a slightly enlarged version of the old E28 M88 unit, now called S38 and coded B36. The new engine had its capacity increased from 3453cc to 3535cc by a 2mm increase in the stroke, and the engine was further improved with a duplex timing chain set-up, from the Catalyst-equipped M635CSi and a special torque-enhancing inlet manifold, higher compression, longer duration cams and stronger valve springs. The gearbox was a similar five-speed unit to the old E28, a Getrag 280 which is a beefed-up version of the 535i ‘260’ unit. The diff on these is a big ‘210’ casing with a limited slip diff and a 3.91 final drive ratio.

The rest of the M5 was also suitably beefed-up. Bigger brakes utilised unique 315mm front discs and calipers, with 750i V12 rear calipers and stock E34 discs on early cars and 540i discs on later ones. The steering box was a special quicker ratio unit, with the option of Servotronic, which is speed sensitive and not universally loved. Suspension-wise, the 3.6 used standard front legs with uprated springs, anti-roll bars and dampers all round, and self-levelling rear suspension with hydraulic power from the power steering pump. Two-piece alloy wheels with finned magnesium inserts and 235/45ZR17 tyres were used. Full- or half-leather trim was used, along with special M Technic bumpers and sills.

The 315bhp 3.6 was replaced in late 1991, for the 1992 model year, by the 340bhp 3.8. The S38 engine was enlarged to 3795cc with a 1.2mm bigger bore and 4mm longer stroke and further refined with coil pack ignition, bigger valves, lighter pistons and rods and a higher 10.5:1 compression and revised manifolds. Externally, the 3.8 gained new M System 11 ‘throwing star’ alloy wheels, which were the same core wheel as the 3.6 but with new-style magnesium centres. The suspension was further modified with electronic-adaptive M suspension, a computer-controlled system that takes various load readings and alters the damping to suit. The existing final drive was retained, but was changed to 3.23 in May-June 1994, when the M5 had its last revisions. These cars had a six-speed gearbox and 18-inch double spoke wheels (known as M Parallels) with 245/45ZR18 tyres, along with bigger brakes and the wide-grille front end introduced with the 1992 V8 530i and 540i cars. Full-leather is common on these but, as with the previous cars, the standard trim was ‘Amaretta’ Alcantara/cloth.

Tech Spec

MODEL                    M5 3.6    M5 3.8       
ENGINE                   3535/6    3795/6   
POWER (bhp)          315        340   
TORQUE (lb.ft)         265       295   
0-60 mph (secs)      6.4        5.9   
0-100 (mph)            15.6     13.6   
MAX SPEED (mph)   157      155   
ECONOMY  (mpg)    19        18

For the complete buying guide including overall verdict and prices see the October 2011 issue of Total BMW.
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