Well I posted this at bimmer.info already, so I'll quote a few of my posts and see what you guys have to say.

I currently drive a 90 535iM, my father is selling is 91 alpine white, and being the enthusiast I am he really wants me to have it. I can't afford to keep both however, so I'm torn.

The M30 is such a good daily driver for me and aside from a few pesky problems (LKM, rear door panels, etc.) has always treated me right. She's at 198k right now and needs an oil change and a coolant top off

The s38 is amazing, for those who havent driven/riden its honestly something you must do! after driving the car for the whole weekend and making my VW buddies extremely envious, of course I fell in love. Only problems I noticed were the LKM, a few front end clunks, and a pretty lumpy idle. The idle is strong, just shakes the car pretty bad... possibly a motor/tranny mount or something?

I'm really looking for your opinion on this situation as I don't want this M5 to go!

Thanks,
- jeremy

It currently has 147k, he's had for several years but its basically been a garage queen. He's probably put 5k miles or less on it since he's owned it, and the body is basically flawless. I was extremely impressed by the car after having it for the weekend and the only problems I noted are listed above

http://jk.underwoodisland.com/new/m501.jpg
http://jk.underwoodisland.com/new/m502.jpg

I appreciate your guys comments, the M5 currently has 147k miles. My father bought it for $16k with an enormous stack of maintenence history. He is the third owner, and has already put several thousand into it to make it right.

I know the S38 is a different beast, but what I also know is how incredible german engineering is. With this high mileage the car still manages to simply amaze me when you get on it, and puts a smile on your face regardless. I think the old M has plenty of life in her, and based on these replies and my love for the car I think we might have a rather nice relationship.

Thanks for any comments or input you may have.

- Jeremy :buttrock

My E28 and E34 M5s share DD duty. Though I have an E60 M5 on the way which will ruin that I think.

The S38 has a very lumpy idle. My guess it is simply the fact you are not accustom to the idle, but have a look at the mounts. 147k, possibly time for its 2nd set of mounts. Thats not a bad number either, 147k is prime time for the S38. As long as you get it PPIed by a reliable mechanic who wont screw with you, but thats up to you. Haha, Im sure your dad is going to screw over his own son, so you have a good start already.

Whats the asking price?

My annual expenditures run anywhere from $1k-3k for the E34 M5, all depending on what breaks on the M5 and what extra preventative measures I want to take. My costs have gone down significantly ever since I had a twin post installed and done my work in-house. For example, the timing chain gasket on my AW M5 failed this april and that cost about $450. Same thing at a dealer or indy (which tend to be no less greedy or shysters than a dealer) would have been well into the $1100-1300 range. Another example, my fuel pump on the AW failed when I was on the road in Michigan. Luckily there was a dealer in Okemos MI. They charged me $170 for a diagnostic test, came back saying it was the ICV. I told them not to screw around and check the fuel pump. Sure nuff, fuel pump was out. Then they had the gall to try tocharge me the diagnostic test. These jackasses had never seen an E34 M5 in all of their years of business.

As far as some of the particulars of this car goes, it looks cosmetically fine. Nothing wrong as far as I can see, though the centers of the M System wheels are not OEM color, but big deal, they look great in silver.

I dont know if I like 5k mileage over his ownership, I think these cars succumb to italian car syndrome, so more annual mileage is good. The more time the engine spends running at a moderate rpm and low load is important to the longevity. Revs are good for the engine, as long as you dont hit 7800rpms and let the crank reach its primary resonance and snap. Ive had minimal problems throughout my decade plus of ownership of these cars with running them hard. The thrust arms and the steering system are the real negative points with the car, but keeping the steering system maintained and getting blown thrust arms replaced keeps it tight. Never had any engine problems other than the front timing gasket and my luck was probably running with the fuel pump.

As these cars age, more things will fail. Ive noticed my AW alternator is starting to read a little lower voltage than normal. So that will be another $300 or so, but it is a very easy DIY fix.

LKMs are easy to source and replace.

The more information you can provide about this car, the better.

I have one that I will use as a DD, except for the going 1.2 miles to work. For that Im going to get something cheap, like a bike or a chevy.

Mine was my DD. But im selling simply because im going to need a car at school in the fall. In Indiana, it snows and im not going to drive a pristine, prime example E34 M5 in the snow. The lack of traction control im sure will make winter driving interesting...

Depending on what you mean by "lumpy" I'd think about a few things - valve adjustment, AFM, plugs/cap/rotor, etc. The idle should be throaty, but have that sewing machine sound.

I just had my vavles adjusted, and it made a huge difference.

As for the M5 as a DD, I'd really keep a beater car - especially since you live in a snow-state where you'll need winter tires to play, plus subject the car to bad weather. My 325iX is a great companion for the M635...

Horrible decision

Now, what's your dads phone number and address so I can talk some sense into him?:devillook

Depending on what you mean by "lumpy" I'd think about a few things - valve adjustment, AFM, plugs/cap/rotor, etc. The idle should be throaty, but have that sewing machine sound.

I just had my vavles adjusted, and it made a huge difference.

As for the M5 as a DD, I'd really keep a beater car - especially since you live in a snow-state where you'll need winter tires to play, plus subject the car to bad weather. My 325iX is a great companion for the M635...

Heh, the E34 M5 has the MAF which allows for a little bit smoother idle. It should be lumpy enough to rock the car and make people wonder if there is something wrong with your car. It should not be rough. Big difference. Sewing machine sound is accurate, though I think the S38B35/M88/3 have a slightly more whiney sound due to the lack of a tuned resonance chamber.

As far as winter driving goes, it all depends on your situation. I bought a beater E34 M5 for winters in Michigan. I run Dunlop Graspics and Ive had no problems with 1 foot dumps of snow. Driving in the snow is an art, particularly if you want to avoid other dumbasses on the road hitting you. But I agree, if it is your primary car, then maybe rethink the winter situation. It will put more wear and tear on the car.

Yup.

This probably wont help really, but I'm planning on doing exactly what your asking: Daily driven e34 M5 with some good level of milage. Auto X, DD and maybe a track day or two. Whats my point? I think, as long as your willing to do most of your own maintainace work - or at least as much as you are comfortable with - and I think the M5 is just about as easy to maintain as any other e34. It just might cost a bit more. . .

Drive it as much as you can.

Yup.

This probably wont help really, but I'm planning on doing exactly what your asking: Daily driven e34 M5 with some good level of milage. Auto X, DD and maybe a track day or two. Whats my point? I think, as long as your willing to do most of your own maintainace work - or at least as much as you are comfortable with - and I think the M5 is just about as easy to maintain as any other e34. It just might cost a bit more. . .

Good plan, cant disagree with a nice mileaged and regularly driven E34 M5 that is going to see some personal TLC.

AutoXing the E34 M5 is hard. It doesnt work out too hot if you are itching for a trophy place, mainly due to engine characteristics which basically is zero torque and all high end hp. The resonance flap of the S38B36 is a tremendous improvement over the S38B35, but the 88 M5 has the advantage in weight, which is where the E34 M5 loses out. It just doesnt do well in the BMW CCA standard classing system, which places it in CS stock. Thats dangerous territory because of E30 M3s, which generally win these things.

Regardless, autoX the E34 M5 and youll have a great time. People love to see and hear rare BMWs and who knows, maybe youll get a fast track.

Whoa, love what you did with your M-Systems!

E34 M5s make great daily drivers if driven far enough to properly warm up and also given a proper chance to clear the throat ;) every couple drives. I think it all boils down to preventative care and maintenance and the general understanding that certain parts on M5s DO cost more. With that knowledge comes respect for fixing related worn parts because an M5 can eat through worn parts like a feeding great white. I have daily driven my M5 some 3 to 4 month stretches. My only downside to this is certain 3.8 and EDC parts have to come from Germany so preventative maintenance is key to minimal down time.

Go for it. Dad should give you a great deal!