Should I buy a e34 91 M5 or a like e39 5 series same price arround 17k

[e34]

Im planning of getting a new bmw changing mine, so I am able to afford a e34 M5 or to go with a e39 5 series. I have arround $17,000.00 to spend.(credit)

[Phil M]

youll definatly have less problems with an e39. altho you can find a nice M5 for $17k. You'll stand out more with an e34 M5 and look like every other joe schmo with an e39.

heres one, asking for $16,800. alpine white/black leather. 75k miles(!)
autotrader (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=152627178&dealer_id=567372&car_year=1991&make=BMW&distance=any&max_price=17000&model=M5&advcd_on=n&end_year=1995&min_price=&certified=n&address=40515&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1991&color=&cardist=2040)

or a nice black/black for 16,800. dinan upgrades, records, etc. 106k miles.
autotrader (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=143123765&dealer_id=&car_year=1991&make=BMW&distance=any&max_price=17000&model=M5&advcd_on=n&end_year=1995&min_price=&certified=n&address=40515&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1991&color=&cardist=2035)

hope this helps!

(by the way i have no affiliation with those sellers.)

[winfred]

i've never maintained a e34 m5, but i have done a fair amount of work on 528's and am not impressed, oh they ride ok and look nice, horrible stereo quality (freekin thing's huge, it's like 2.5 din what gonna fit) hohum handling, the ones i've driven are quick, gives my 535 a run for it's money up to a point :) LOTS of shitty plastic bits to break, real crappy window regulators (done at least one on each e39 we work on). so so build quality just kinda cheep

[Kennan]

I'd go with an e39. You could get a 97-98 540 for around that price.

[Brandon J]

Depends on what fits you and your budget. You will have to worry and maintain a lot less with the e39. If you get an e39, make sure you get one that is at least a '99 b/c that is when BMW made its first big production changes (i.e double vanos 2.8L, seat heater switches, standard options, etc.) and the quality control was much much better than the '97 and '98 models. If you can get an e39 with the premium stereo it is sooo much better than the standard stereo (I bet you will change any stereo and speakers you get anyways). It is nice to have rack and pinion steering as well as the sport seats that come with the sport package. Would be nice with an M3 engine and supercharger. Just an updated design with aluminum suspension, tighter body and less weight.

With the M5, when you have to fix something, it is big bucks. You have to do valve work with valve shims about every 15k miles and watch out for the self-leveling. One SLS rear shock costs more than a whole spring/shock set-up for an e34 or e39. Rotors cost more than the e39 528. Less to improve on with the motor unless you spend about $10k+ on a rebuild/stroker.

Forget your current credit with what you can afford right now. Also look down the road if you can afford to upkeep these cars. Then see if there is any room to do any mods that you want. Budget well. Godd Luck!

[bahnstormer]

if i wanted an E34 M5, i wouldn't spend less than 25k...i want it to be 100%

[Warren N.CA]

Im planning of getting a new bmw changing mine, so I am able to afford a e34 M5 or to go with a e39 5 series. I have arround $17,000.00 to spend.(credit)

[Stacy (Sydney)]

i've never maintained a e34 m5, but i have done a fair amount of work on 528's and am not impressed, oh they ride ok and look nice, horrible stereo quality (freekin thing's huge, it's like 2.5 din what gonna fit) hohum handling, the ones i've driven are quick, gives my 535 a run for it's money up to a point :) LOTS of shitty plastic bits to break, real crappy window regulators (done at least one on each e39 we work on). so so build quality just kinda cheep

Hey Winfred,

Noticed your comments about the 528i e39. As for as my e34 '88 ( 170/- miles) , I've broken lots of plastic bits ( to be fair I think this is mostly plastic+many years + my DIY skills ). Have you driven e39's with suspension upgrades / do you think they can perform at the track ???? ( my e34 always surprises me - and thats with tyres that I'm not that happy with and 15" basketwaves)

[Tiger]

Go for E39 540i

[e34]

Thanks for the Info. but as I see it a 540i may be a V8 and newer, But a M5 is still a M5 and people respect that. If u drive a 540i most people will not even look, But a M5 will turn heads. So in the end it looks more like I will be going more towards the M5 91. I will try to work my ass off so i can pay in cash. And after that I could be able to pay for the little things that go wrong. Sence I dont have to pay for room and food (still live with perents only 18) so i would be able to save there. THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPINION :D

[Phil M]

My E34 540i turns heads...altho when I blow by, there's just way too much dust in their faces to tell what that black blur was.. M5 or not. ;) If you're 17, 18, 19 like me then I think the E34 M5 is a better fit. the E39 lines/shape is more 'family-ish', or at least I think so. And if you want to deal with the maintenence, then go for it.

[G Feller]

Perhaps Phil has some insight on this - have you thought about the astronomical insurance you will have to pay for a car that powerful at your age? Unless someone else is footing the bill (and even if they are), I highly recommend that you look in to the insurance cost for either of these before you take the plunge.

Am M5 is not the kind of car for which you want to be checking all of your pockets for loose change to pay for the ongoing maintenance and repair. A $17k M5 is going to cost you plenty on both counts.

[mike wong]

remember when buying any used car, you will be paying for maintenance as if you were buying a $50K car; not a 17K car. make sure you get a pre-sale inspection and in the case of the M5, a compression and leakdown test.

with any 80+K e34, the front end suspension pieces and struts may R&R. Also check the rear suspension if it still has the self leveling mechanism ($$$).

take lots of time to study these FAQ's:
http://bmwe34m5.com/faqs/

good luck!

[AZ_Jason_S]

Who really knows the difference anyway? People on this list and thats about it. I mean do you really think an e34 m5 turns heads??? I seriously doubt it, and I think you would be gravely disappointed in the shock and awe factor. I bet 99.9% of the people in the street don't know an m5 from 525. So are you buying this car for you, or the 0.1% of the people who know? If you are buying for the 0.1% then buy an ///M badge on ebay(don't tell anyone here you did) and now only 99.99% of people in the street will know the difference. The point is are you buying the badge or are you buying the car? BTW do you wear a Von Dutch hat too?

[e34]

I dont ware the V dutch hat, but I love the M5 its not the M5 part of it, its the great German machinery. I love every part of the car. And yes I can get the badge, and yea i did buy one, but the only reason I have it on my car is to mess with people. And i liked how the M and the 5 looked. I didnt get the badge so people can say wow u have a m5 sence i thought people are going to figure thats its a 525 from the wheels, body, and non of the M5 little things. And yea I did get allot of crap from people that told me 'Y'. But it was just for the hell of it. But I would like to have a M5 e34 sence I love the e34 and i know allot about them. In the end im not one of the people that buy a car just for its name, but for what the car stands and means to me, plus its a good car incase of a accident (god forbid).

[AZ_Jason_S]

Good answer, I say get the car you want. You should drive them both and decide which you really enjoyed. You could always look for one of the pre-M e39 540 sports. Its close to having a real ///M, probably without the cost. You know what I would buy if I were you.... I would get an older M3 I think e36? Thats a sharp car in a 2 door, and can be had for your $.

[e34]

yea the M3 is a good car and my friend has 2 same color 95 exept one has a turbo. But i like the M5 sence of its bogger size, im 6ft 3in so i need a car that i can feel fine in. But thats a good idea about trying the cars before i decide, thanks.

[nico65]

depend of you and only you !!

personnaly, regarding to the difference of the price, I would buy a 540i (gorgeous V8). Unfortunately all the 540i in Sweden have an automatic gearbox :(

on the other hand, M5 is cheap enough here and I could get a '91 M5 for 12000$ :). But the fuel IS very expensive, it, so I can't afford both of them :(

the M5 IS a sport car, the 540 is not (by default)