M5 As daily driver? Whats your opinion?

[ILoveMPower]

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

[repenttokyo]

i have been considering the same problem - would the e34 m5 make as good a daily driver as my m50 525?

[Macv]

How reliable has the m5 been to your father, and how long has he had/maintained it?

[ILoveMPower]

How reliable has the m5 been to your father, and how long has he had/maintained it?

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

[Macv]

My instinct would be take it. But you can't just leave a car you feel comfortable with.

Tough decision ahead of you, go with what you'll feel happiest with.

[califblue]

if you don't take it you will regret it...my.02;)

[Tiger]

Yes, make that M5 your daily driver. It is not about whether it can be or not... that's what it is for! For those who wants extra oomph and excitement. Do it... buy it and let your car serve other people/family... the long ranger who will provide safety to others who takes care of him/her.

LKM are easy fix and many of us can do it for you as long you pay for shipping and a bit of a tip.

[Qube]

I'd do it :)

[BFEINZIMER]

I've got the perfect solution!!!

I'll give you my green 90 535 for the M5

see we can all win!

[Ross]

Swap the LKM from the other car , fix the front end and mounts and drive the M. I'm thinkin' pops will give you a special deal too, so not much thinking really.
Plus if something craps you can make him feel guilty and fix it.

[Ferret]

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 was reading something a couple of weeks ago that said S38's are prone to inbalances in their throttle bodies. This causes slight vaccuum leaks, but if you see a specialist they can usually rebalance them with less than an hours labour...

However I may be waay off the mark and it could just need new service parts etc and a general tune-up...?

[Elekta]

Drive your car, shift up to 3rd, low rpms, and then git on it.

Do the same in the M 3.6. I believe you will find your answer after that little excercise.

The fact that you know the previous owner should be enough in any M purchase. Add that to the fact that your 535 is rare enough on it's own to get a decent price for it.

[Evan]

do not do it... you will regret it.

what's your dad's email & phone number?

[Ferret]

do not do it... you will regret it.

what's your dad's email & phone number?

Hahahahahaha, that just made me burst out laughing in front of the wife, who's now got the best 'What the ****?' look on her face I've seen in a while...

[Zeuk in Oz]

Do it !

If it doesn't work out, it is much easier to find another 535i than it is to find a genuine M5.

You only live once !

[ILoveMPower]

do not do it... you will regret it.

what's your dad's email & phone number?

LOL, even had my mom laughing at this one :)

Ahh, you guys aren't making this easy to say no :P

I'd still love to here other people's input even though as of now I'm really tempted

[MTechnik540i]

$$$$$$


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

[markus]

id do it.

[Macv]

Just do it. Zeuk said it best...


f it doesn't work out, it is much easier to find another 535i than it is to find a genuine M5.

[Paul in NZ]

yes...a nice M5 wil be very rare now.If i was in your position i would do it,but would think about NOT using the M5 as a daily

[Mitch90535im]

I'd probably jerk his arm out of socket taking the keys out of his hand. Go for it man, especially since you know the car and its history.

[wjbell]

Well, I hate to be negative, but for the last 7 years it's only had 5K miles... and now you want to turn it into a DD. If anything's going to break I think it would after that transition. Be prepared to spend lots of $$$$.

Like someone once said here... An M5 is going to cost you 20K. You can either spend it now on a perfect one or later on maintenance. I don't know how correct that figure is but they are WAY more expensive to maintain... and that's one of the reasons I think they should be kept in a garage and driven once in a while. This is a rare car, I wouldn't think of using it for my DD.

Don't get me wrong though, if you have the rare opportunity to get a deal on a M5 go for it. But I'd leave it right where it is in dads garage and go buy a hoopti for a DD. Why beat up a M5 just to own one?

[BMWDriver]

I drive my 525 with great passion, and I get a real thrill out of it when I rev' her up. But I specially get a kick out of it's cornering capabilities, on stock suspension and 225 15 inch wheels. I can't imagine what it would be like to have an M, but that must be precious.

I feel no guilt in the pleasures I get from my car. It's not perfect, and I know it won't last forever. So she needs some TLC from me and my mechanic.

My car is a dream come true. I hope it lasts very long.

[Paul in NZ]

Well, I hate to be negative, but for the last 7 years it's only had 5K miles... and now you want to turn it into a DD. If anything's going to break I think it would after that transition. Be prepared to spend lots of $$$$.

Like someone once said here... An M5 is going to cost you 20K. You can either spend it now on a perfect one or later on maintenance. I don't know how correct that figure is but they are WAY more expensive to maintain... and that's one of the reasons I think they should be kept in a garage and driven once in a while. This is a rare car, I wouldn't think of using it for my DD.

Don't get me wrong though, if you have the rare opportunity to get a deal on a M5 go for it. But I'd leave it right where it is in dads garage and go buy a hoopti for a DD. Why beat up a M5 just to own one?

M5s arent THAT expensive to run are they???I know they are expensive if they break.Why would the "transition to a DD be hard,as long as its had proper maintenance in the meantime ..its a machine.....it doesnt know....
I do agree with your last paragraph tho...

[Paul in NZ]

I drive my 525 with great passion, and I get a real thrill out of it when I rev' her up. But I specially get a kick out of it's cornering capabilities, on stock suspension and 225 15 inch wheels. I can't imagine what it would be like to have an M, but that must be precious.

I feel no guilt in the pleasures I get from my car. It's not perfect, and I know it won't last forever. So she needs some TLC from me and my mechanic.

My car is a dream come true. I hope it lasts very long.

although the M5 has bigger tyres and more grip than your 525 there is realy only one BIG difference....and in your case its about two hundred of them

[ILoveMPower]

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.

[markus]

would u want to trade your 535im for a nice 540i? :)