Some of you must get your E34 M5s sideways from time to time (on track of course officer!) - what are they like to powerslide?
Also, I'm off to look at a a couple of E34 M5s (3.8 and a 3.6) at Munich Legends (specialist M car dealer) in the UK next week - anything in particular I should check or look for?
It sounds like a quote from a magazine but "beautifully balanced" sums it up nicely !!
To be honest any 5series is a well balanced car that can be slid well, but M5's are that little bit sharper, keener, and of course have a shed load more power to play with !!
Prior to my 3.8 i had a 535 sport and i thought the M5 would be a handful, but in truth its easier !!
In the dry, pulling out of turnings you can hang the tail through first gear and get very sideways, also exiting roundabouts if you have the engine in the power (3500+) you can kick out the tail in second as well. It will then hold a lovely slide all the way to the limiter.
In the wet any amount of power in first and moderate in second will have the tail out but its very catchable and balanced.
The steering weighting seems to naturally tell you how much opposite to apply.
I suppose if you've stepped in it from a mini it'll scare you... take your time, find those empty car parks...and enjoy !!
I insist on a slide a journey...otherwise i may as well have a 518i.
This maybe too much detail for you, but the short answer is YES....BIG CAR...BIG FUN !
Thanks for that Alan, exactly the reply I was looking for! Munich Legends have 3 M5s, only one is a 3.8 though - 76k miles, £12500, but LHD. I don't mind LHD (drive a LHD at the moment) but is that a realistic price (considering it will be in v good condition from them)? They also have a RHD 3.6 at 122k miles for £8750 - any opinions on which would make the better buy? Is 122k miles too much, or will it last given a bit of TLC?
I've driven E30 beemers before and found the steering quite slow (about 3.3 turns lock to lock) which made it a bit tricky catching slides - do you find the M5 steering turns fast enough? Also what tyres do you use on your M5?
Hmm, that sounds like top money to me, after all, prices have dipped some what lately. However it's condition that's most important..as a guide i payed 16k two years ago for my '93 3.8nurburg with 50k & one owner...which was top money but tip top condition.
I think it's reasonable to pay over 10k for a nice 3.8ltr, i personally can't see them dropping much further (who knows they may even rise given time..!)
See what munich offer you in terms of a warranty and what work has been done to the car, oh, and by the way..the prices i'm talking are R.H.D not left ok.
As for tyres...i've had Sport pilots & at present i'm on SO2's.
The Michelins are more progressive but reach the limit sooner, SO2's stick like crazy but i find they break away more suddenly at the limit.
SO2's are much cheaper for the bigger rears...(255/40's)
I just thought it to be interesting what the M5 are going for in Europe. I just bought a 1991 M5 here in Southern California with 75K miles on it for $17,900. I guess that's pretty comparable to some of the prices you are finding. Good luck finding the perfect car.