This is my third E34 M5. They've all been great cars. Costly but great. But, they feel their age, don't you think? You can't show a clean pair of heels to 99% of other cars on the road like you could when the car was current.
And, this is the big 'and', I need new EDC dampers all round. Is it worth £2500 to keep this car going. It still brings a smile to my face ... the 4 car overtaking manoeuvers on the A road going to work in the morning ... the mechanical whir of the straight six when it's on cam ...... the fact that an E39 M5 can't lose me in the wet no matter how hard it tries.
And its running up 190k kms now. There's the rattles and squeaks which drive me mad. The auto air con is noisey and takes half an hour to heat up the car in the winter. The appalling steering box contraption which makes the car feel so woolley in a straight line (but it always did didn't it ... why couldn't they have put rack and pinion in the car?).
But, I've just put new rear rubber on. I was running slicks and never knew. And, the car pulls oh so sweetly again. The engine's still so strong and tight.
But, I need dampers. I've forgotten what a good M5 feels like. Was it as good as I remember? The decay had been so gradual that I've forgotten what one feels like when its on song, being able to throw it around with abandon.
This is my third E34 M5. They've all been great cars. Costly but great. But, they feel their age, don't you think? You can't show a clean pair of heels to 99% of other cars on the road like you could when the car was current.
And, this is the big 'and', I need new EDC dampers all round. Is it worth £2500 to keep this car going. It still brings a smile to my face ... the 4 car overtaking manoeuvers on the A road going to work in the morning ... the mechanical whir of the straight six when it's on cam ...... the fact that an E39 M5 can't lose me in the wet no matter how hard it tries.
And its running up 190k kms now. There's the rattles and squeaks which drive me mad. The auto air con is noisey and takes half an hour to heat up the car in the winter. The appalling steering box contraption which makes the car feel so woolley in a straight line (but it always did didn't it ... why couldn't they have put rack and pinion in the car?).
But, I've just put new rear rubber on. I was running slicks and never knew. And, the car pulls oh so sweetly again. The engine's still so strong and tight.
But, I need dampers. I've forgotten what a good M5 feels like. Was it as good as I remember? The decay had been so gradual that I've forgotten what one feels like when its on song, being able to throw it around with abandon.
What should I do? Is it worth it? I need help!
I need reasons to spend this money!
Well I may be a little biased as I purchased a Touring in Sep 04 and I think the cars are great.
I also need to replace the dampers at one point as well as the brakes but then that is the price that I am prepared to pay for a discret supercar - estate.
The ventalation problem could be down to the "famous microfilter" issue which I got to change late last year over the Christmas break. Since then the ventlation in the car has been great, also the speed with which the car heats up is almost instant also the noisy climate is probably due to the fan pulling through a blocked microfilter as I and others have had the same thing - now with a new filter most of the time I only use the lowest or no fan to ventilate the car.
For the squeaks and rattles even newer cars have these a guy I know with an RS4 has squeaks and rattles and that is a car about 5 -7 years younger than our cars.
As for the speed there may be another issues which is beyond my knowledge but I would get it checked out by a specialist, not a "stealership" as there are a number of very good one's out there......
Good luck with your decision.....also one other question what would replace it with ....RS4 - fast but too bland, RS6 - Better but expensive (and if you think the BMW is expensive just try an Audi!) E55 estate .... old mans car IMHO auto only (new version around £60,000+).
I'm feeling slighly better. You're right, of course. What do I replace it with?
Anyone else out there with reasons to keep this car?
If the car is generally good & not requiring other suspension & bodywork then dump the EDC in its entirety & fit a conventional aftermarket performance suspension kit like Hartge, Dinan & Eibach have made or currently make.
Kurt Ramsden & many others have trod this path & it appears to be a smart move.
The car will have generally firm damper rates but you will half your costs including fitting & that is just compared to the parts cost of EDC. Add labour to fit & it is a no brainer.
I would have gone this route if I had more than one damper fail at any time.
Unfortunately, it has always been one at a time..
I'd personally stick with the original EDC setup, it really is a superb suspension set up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by farrell
If the car is generally good & not requiring other suspension & bodywork then dump the EDC in its entirety & fit a conventional aftermarket performance suspension kit like Hartge, Dinan & Eibach have made or currently make.
Kurt Ramsden & many others have trod this path & it appears to be a smart move.
The car will have generally firm damper rates but you will half your costs including fitting & that is just compared to the parts cost of EDC. Add labour to fit & it is a no brainer.
I would have gone this route if I had more than one damper fail at any time.
Unfortunately, it has always been one at a time..
I'd personally stick with the original EDC setup, it really is a superb suspension set up.
I think my choice is for the original dampers but I think it is very much personal choice Kurt, another board member, and although I have not driven the car by all accounts it is very good on the "fixed" suspension.
For my choice I will stick with the standard EDC but I think it is only about choice there is no wrong way or right way...IMHO
This is my third E34 M5. They've all been great cars. Costly but great. But, they feel their age, don't you think? You can't show a clean pair of heels to 99% of other cars on the road like you could when the car was current.
And, this is the big 'and', I need new EDC dampers all round. Is it worth £2500 to keep this car going. It still brings a smile to my face ... the 4 car overtaking manoeuvers on the A road going to work in the morning ... the mechanical whir of the straight six when it's on cam ...... the fact that an E39 M5 can't lose me in the wet no matter how hard it tries.
And its running up 190k kms now. There's the rattles and squeaks which drive me mad. The auto air con is noisey and takes half an hour to heat up the car in the winter. The appalling steering box contraption which makes the car feel so woolley in a straight line (but it always did didn't it ... why couldn't they have put rack and pinion in the car?).
But, I've just put new rear rubber on. I was running slicks and never knew. And, the car pulls oh so sweetly again. The engine's still so strong and tight.
But, I need dampers. I've forgotten what a good M5 feels like. Was it as good as I remember? The decay had been so gradual that I've forgotten what one feels like when its on song, being able to throw it around with abandon.
What should I do? Is it worth it? I need help!
I need reasons to spend this money!
Hi!!!
How about having a totally unique car which is hand-built in only 891 examples. (and it still DOES blow away a lot of the cars on the road, just not with completely the same confidence as in 92-95).
Cheers
Sakke
(A fellow touring owner)
__________________
"You can´t afford cheap things if you´re poor"
This is helping ... oh yes! I'm nearly there. I might just order up some new front dampers at Munich Legends and see how it goes. The car is getting dangerous now.
See if we can't just conjure up some of that old majic!!!!!
This is helping ... oh yes! I'm nearly there. I might just order up some new front dampers at Munich Legends and see how it goes. The car is getting dangerous now.
See if we can't just conjure up some of that old majic!!!!!
Smokestack
By all means let ML order them, but you will pay full retail plus vat...!
You can get better prices from a BMW dealer than ML.
As for fitting, ML has lower labour rates but it seems to take them longer to do things & then its wrong or something else gets damaged in the process.
I am not a fan, I am not impartial.... But I have been at the receiving end of their antics.
Keep the Touring but consider steering clear of ML.
I can get the front dampers for £399 + VAT from William Jacks BMW (Sunningdale) ask for Steve Edwards tel: 01344 630420 and mention me, Brian, fellow E34 M5 enthusiasts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by farrell
Smokestack
By all means let ML order them, but you will pay full retail plus vat...!
You can get better prices from a BMW dealer than ML.
As for fitting, ML has lower labour rates but it seems to take them longer to do things & then its wrong or something else gets damaged in the process.
I am not a fan, I am not impartial.... But I have been at the receiving end of their antics.
Keep the Touring but consider steering clear of ML.
Linear Mode
