The last hand-built M-car, and the last M5 with a race-derived inline-six. This car has all the makings of a classic
The E34 is usually overshadowed by its contemporary E39 brother, but is in its own right, a stonking great car.
It was bigger, roomier and more polished than the ground-breaking E28 M5, and similarly had the performance capabilities to hold its own against the Porsche 964 and 993 during its time, but could carry five people and a boot full of luggage.
Some even hold the E34 M5 as the last true BMW M-car, as it was the last vehicle to be hand-built by BMW Motorsport technicians at BMW’s Garching Facility. Ever M-badged Bimmer since has been assembled on the regular production line since.
Aussie open-wheel and touring car legend Kevin Bartlett in a 1990 Wheels Magazine comparo touted the E34 M5 as “the best road car [he’s] ever driven – close to perfect”.
Originally released in 1989, it put Mercedes-Benz on their heels, and took Benz until 1991’s 500E to surpass the Bavarian bahnstormer’s 235kW power output from its BMW M1-derived 3.5lt inline-six.
1992 saw the M5’s engine swell in displacement to 3.8lts, and a power increase to 250kW, enabling the uber sedan to sprint to 100kph in just 5.9 seconds.
This 1991 Calypso Red example, bears the earlier 3.5lt six. And has 171254kms indicated on the odometer.
One of only 47 Australian-delivered cars fitted with a manual gearbox, the car has since been fitted with a number of OEM+ upgrades, such as M3 mirrors, and M-Parallel rims.
The car has since had its suspension and brakes upgraded and a BMW woodgrain steering wheel fitted inside. The seller claims a perfect maintenance record.
The car is listed for $39,990 at Pennant Hills Auto Trader in NSW. You can check out the full listing here!
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