Patrick

Hello! I am looking to purchase a 3.8 M5 6Spd... ideally a 1995 model (to go with my newly purchased number plate - M5 KYD - My Surname is Kydd!!). I currently own a Late 94 540i Touring which the M5 would be replacing as my daily driver!

My budget would allow a car with about 50-60k Miles - (£14000 to £15000).

Now my main quarm is what the owning costs are going to be. Now obviously I am pretty familiar to massive Insurance costs and Petrol consumption, as I already have the 540i V8. However (touch wood) the 540i has been remarkably reliable, and only really needed "standard" maintainance - brakes, air con recharge, and the standard servicing.

What can I expect with an M5? A couple of people I have spoken to have said that the M5 is madly expensive, and the 540i 6 Spd, is a better alternative. Whereas, other people I have spoken to have said that the M5 is as cheap to run as almost the 540i, and they very rarely need anything more than "standard maintainance"!

The mileage I would cover is approx. 6000 - 7000 Miles a year, and I would plan to keep the car for about 2 - 3 years.

Can anybody (specifically UK M5 Owners!) tell me that an M5 is an affordable car to own (considering that I would be using my local dealer, L & C of Tunbridge Wells)!

My daily drives, very rarely include town centres etc, and its just basically a host of deserted country lanes - which is why I think the M5 would be such a joy to own, especially down here!

Many thanks for any replies!

Kind Regards
Patrick

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 14 March 2001).]

Parkerfe

I owned a 1991 e34 M5 for several years and put over 50,000 miles on the car. It was very reliable. The only problem I had was replacing brake rotors every so often because of warpage. That was caused by the many track events I used the car in though. All and all a great daily driver. Go for it !

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KKelly

Not cheap to maintain but such a joy to drive. Much different car than the 540i and I only have a 3.6. No regrets at all.

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Kevin Kelly
91 M5
Dinan chip
Dinan Stage III
Racing Dynamics sway bars
18" BBS RC's
turbines for the track
345mm Euro M5 brakes w/4 piston ATE calipers

Mmm-Five

I have a 1994 M5 - it was one of the first to have the standard 6-speed box and Nurburgring suspension as standard.

It costs me no more to run than any BMW I have had, except for the fact that I use it on track days as well so the brake wear is a lot higher.

I got mine for £15000 about 6 months ago and is in the beautiful Avus Blue paint scheme with the BMW Motorsport half leather interior. It had 89k on the clock, but had had a new engine, gearbox and exhaust system at 59k due to a BMW technician not securing something in the engine when it was in for a diagnostic. BMW warranty paid the full amount for the repair at a cost of £22k.

I have seen some of the early 6-speed M5's going for as little as £12k, and Glass's guide also states that you should be able to get an average mileage one from a dealer for £12 - just try though - it took me 4 months to find this one and I nearly took the seller's hand off.



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Late 1994 6-speed
(e34) M5
18" double 5-spoke
wheels
Nurburgring
suspension
www.santa.demon.
co.uk