My local BMW dealership has a '93 M5 for sale. I test drove it and well...F*** ME! This is the first time I've driven a Bimmer since this is the first time I've realistically looked at buying one. I've been in a friend's '99 GS400 and being almost 7 yrs older, this thing is far more impressive. It's been about 7 hours since I drove it and my back still remembers the sweet feel of the seats. The Lexus' are nice but far worse than these and I'm a big guy. The car looks, feels and drives 100% like what I've always wanted. It has better looking wheels than stock, it's a very nice colour (inside and out). It has 98k km on it. It seems to be well maintained (clean, no scratches, tares in the leather etc.), one owner, dealer inspected and so on. They want 39,900 Canadian for it, so about 26 US. BTW, is this the 310 or 340 motor? It sure felt stronger than my friend's 4 Litre, leading edge technology 300hp Lexus.
So, what's the good word? Is this a good price? Is it a troublesome year? If I do decide to go for it, should I take it to another dealer to have them check it? What should I look for when I take "the" test drive? Overall, how reliable is this car?
Hi Dmitry-I love the color-it'd quite rare!
I agree 100% with John-also check for any oil leaks.Are there complete records with the car?Is the dealer prepared to give you some sort of a warranty?Major repairs on these cars are expensive!
If the car checks out,the price seems fair for an M5 with <60k miles (98k km).As you are dealing with a dealer-I'm sure if you show them the green stuff they'll be flexible with the price.They most probably have about $22000 in the car.
I'll find out about the vin number on Monday but the ad has the stock number whatever that is. If it helps, it's 6186A. The ad says 2.8 litre 6. They either have no idea or they meant 3.8. The salesman did say it's a european spec car. I asked him if it's a 310 or 340 and he said 340 but he might simply have no idea.
The car has complete service records. He said they can offer a warranty at extra cost and I will definitely go for that. It's very nice that I can now get the car of my dreams from 7 years ago (which still embarasses most cars) and pay a fraction of the price but the I've heard the parts have a "new" cost to them...ie bankrupcy. :-)
With regards to price, they say 39,900 FIRM. Not sure precisely what that means in car dealership terms?
Also, I'm not positive but I think when I took the steering wheel all the way over to one side, there was a howl. I'm not sure because at the same time I was getting the clutch to catch and I wasn't used to the sound of the engine so it could have been it but I don't think so. Is this normal or a sign of bad power steering (if the sound is really there)?
It is easy to distinct the 3,6ltr from the 3,8ltr versions. Just take a look at the engine. The 3,6ltr version (315hp) has complete black valve cover. Also there is a high voltage unit (bobine) mounted on the right fender and a plastic sleeve over the etire valve cover to cover the HV wiring harnass.
The 3,8ltr version (340hp) has a metallic grey valve cover with a black plastic plate to cover the 6 individual high voltage coils. The 3,8ltr therefore does not have the HV wiring.
Hi Dmitry-maybe they won't negotiate because they just got the car in trade-if it's been there a while-more than 30 days-you have more negotiating power.Dealers hate paying floorplan interest.Maybe once the car checks out you can get them to throw in the warranty.I work for a car dealership so I know the games "some" dealers play.BTW when negotiating the price-deal with the sales manager (not the salesperson) if at all possible.
6186A is their inventory stock number-you'll need the vin number to see if it's a 3.6 or 3.8.If it's a 3.8 and it checks out OK-the price is not bad keeping in mind the unusual color,low miles,excellent cosmetic condition and being a 3.8.
Good luck,
Mel A
Assuming that the car was an official import by BMW, it will be the 310hp motor. The 3.8 litre 340hp motor was only available in Europe, although some of them made their way over the atlantic via private importers. If you can get the VIN number, it's easy enough to tell.
Definately get the car checked out by a dealler or independent that is familiar with the M5. It will save you a lot of money in the long run, ask me how I know :-(
The only thing I can really tell from the pictures is that the wheels are aftermarket, not that there is anything wrong with that, just an observation. The mirrors appear to be the M3 style mirrors, not sure if they were available as a mod in NA, or if they were fitted aftermarket. Fairly common mod in any case.
A car with nearly 100k miles on it would have at least had the guibo and waterpump replaced, just make sure.
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