Photos provided by the vendor

Highlights

Highly original and rare to find in this condition
One of only 91 Macau Blue cars built
Long MOT to August 2024 with no advisories
The E34 was the last M5 hand built in BMW’s dedicated M factory
2+2 seat option
Desirable manual gearbox

The Appeal

Dropping a powerful engine into an executive saloon wasn’t a new idea. What made the M5 special is that BMW went much further than adding power, it re-engineered the whole car around the idea of a very fast sporting saloon. The work was so extensive that the first two generations of M5 were built in a dedicated factory for M cars.

The E34 was the last of those two M5s to be built that way. As quick as any exotic sports car yet with space for four and luxury to spare, the E34 M5 was also as rare as many exotica. Just 8,344 3.6 M5 E34 saloons were built.

All of which makes the car we have here somewhat special. A rare Macau Blue 3.6 - just 91 were built we are told - and entirely factory standard with manual gearbox, this car is quite a find. Whether weekend show star or distinctive daily, this is one not to miss.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 3rd August 1990
VIN records confirm this M5 was built on 11th April 1990
The vendor informs us and MOT records confirm that it was stored between 2010 and 2023
Current owner since 20th August 2022
Light recommissioned recently by the current owner to put the M5 back on the road, with:
Clutch fluid changed
- Diff oil changed
- Brake master cylinder rebuilt
- Rear brake pads and sensors changed and tyres changed
MOT to 3rd August 2024 with no advisories
Appears to have also been stored between 2006 and 2010 according to MOT records
E34 M5 were assembled as bare shells at the BMW Dingalfing factory
Then assembled by hand to M5 specification at the dedicated M factory at Garching, a process that took two weeks for each car
12,254 E34 M5s were built of which 8,344 were 3.6 litre models like this car
Original handbook and service booklet present with 2 sets of keys
Some old mots and a few invoices

- Please note: MOT record in 2006 entry was an error by the tester. This is supported by history documentation. Mileage of 115,900 is correct

The Interior

Very original cloth and leather interior that nicely underplays its M-car status
Well preserved interior with few signs of wear, even on the front seat bolsters
There are some opportunities to improve but they are surprisingly minor and mostly cosmetic considering the car’s age
Highly specified when new including optional electric steel sunroof, front and heated rear seats
The vendor advises that some minor electrics do not work such as the passenger's seat leg extension
He also advises that the heater blower is weak but a replacement is supplied with the car fitting
Factory tool kit in boot and appears to be complete and unused
Rear bucket type seats with central armrest and optional ‘ski hatch’
Fire extinguisher under driver’s seat
Clean carpets with no obvious signs of stains, marks or wear
The car was factory supplied with a BMW HiFi system
Light marks on the grey trim on the centre console but not unsightly
Dashboard in very good condition with no visible cracks or marks
Auto dipping rear view mirror
Trip computer
Some wear visible on some of the door grab handles but not unsightly
Nearside rear passenger door trim lightly loose

The Exterior

Rare Macau Blue paintwork in original and well kept condition with only minor marks and scuffs
The bodywork could be improved if the car is to be shown but the age-related marks are certainly not significant
Original 3 piece Style 20 M System alloy wheels in very good condition
Alloys recently refurbished with only very minor marks visible
There are a few cosmetic marks around the car
These include the offside rear corner, small dent in the top of the boot and a shallow dent in the nearside front arch
As one might expect of a car of this age there are some stone chips on the front and mirrors
Small area of delamination on passenger wing mirror
Area of corrosion on the front passenger door at the base
Marks on the black window trim on both sides of the car
Small chip under the offside headlight
Very small area of corrosion on edge of driver’s door at base
Underside in good condition and no structural advisories on recent MOT
Equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres on the front
The rear tyres are Falken and Toyo Proxes
Fuel flap shows some paint delamination

The Mechanics

3,535cc S38B36 306bhp straight six BMW engine fettled by the firm’s M division
5spf Getrag 250 manual gearbox
0-60mph in 6.3secs
Rare SLS (Self levelling suspension) which is working in fine tune
Standard exhaust system that the vendor suggests could do with being upgraded
The vendor recently recommissioned the car including the brake lines and other work
At the time of writing unfortunately we did not have sight of this car’s history file or service record
The vendor tells us: although the car has had a degree of light recommissioning for road use and is drivable. It can do with being completely recommissioned which won’t take much

Summary

The E34 built on the reputation of the original M5, delivering an altogether maturer and luxurious executive express. But it lost none of the engagement and urgency of the original, as those scintillating 0-60 figures show.

It is rare to find a highly original, unmolested Es34 M5 such as this. Whether used as is or gradually improved, this is a fascinating opportunity to own a seriously capable classic BMW super saloon.

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