What 5 would you buy & why?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I have yet to see a M5 for under 15k as well.

I picked mine up for under $9k, just needed some a/c work

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

I guess I'm a BMW guy. I have a BMW motorcycle (R75/6) for those interested, and I have a 94 740il that I'm tired of. It has 174k on it and still going strong except for the rusted door panel. New engine at 65k, new tranny at 97k. But I am tired of it.

I'm looking for a 5 series. The pro's are it is not as big, smaller engine is ok but still need power to fly up the hill to go skiing and I need something newer. I will work from this car. Price range 15k or less.

Best engine, best year etc.

Thanks for your two cents.

Buy an early non-vanos M5 from UK,export to NZ, still cheap and the most reliable quick BM made.£1800-3000 plus $875 transit, taxes? but the ultimate tool.

[e34.535i.sport]

First of all e34 beats the e39 hands down in the looks department... No competition.

I might be biased here but the 535i seems to be a good compromise. There's a lot of power there in my opinion but it's still reasonably cheap to run and maintain (particuarly if you do your own work). Yes it's a bit thirsty but if you've currently got a 740iL then it shouldn't be any worse than that.

When I was looking for an e34 I didn't really have an engine in mind. I test drove the 520i, 525i, 540i and finally the 535i (couldn't insure or afford an m5... yet!). After considering the boring stuff (MPG/maintenance costs/insurance/etc) and then the good stuff (power/spec/etc) the 535i won out. I also must admit out of the ones I found it had by far the most comprehensive service history and seemed well looked after. This is probably the most important thing you should be looking for. I've done a lot of work to my car (and still am!) and thats always going to be necessary with the age of these cars, but its worth it.

Although the V8's are apparently more 'temperamental' than the straight six's, the 540i is a beast and if I could afford to run one I probably would... Anyway your best bet is probably to try a few different models and see what you like best and what best suits your needs. Happy hunting.

[Paul in NZ]

the e34 m5 didnt have vanos in either guise...3.6 or 3.8...and i dont know how NZ comes into it.SparkDaddy started the thread I dont know where he is located

[repenttokyo]

Cheers Dave... Makes sense! So why would someone say buy a NON-vanos m5? It seems that the vanos has lots of pro's, without the con's? I know my car hasn't got it but I think my friend's e36 has... His does seem a lot smoother than mine on idle, but mine feels more powerful (that is prob due to mine being 3.5L and his being 2L admittedly.)

Downsides?

the cons are it is complicated and breaks much more readily than a non-vanos motor.

[e34.535i.sport]

Buy an early non-vanos M5 from UK,export to NZ, still cheap and the most reliable quick BM made.£1800-3000 plus $875 transit, taxes? but the ultimate tool.

I've heard this mentioned many times but never known what 'vanos' and 'non-vanos' is? Apologies if this is a noobiiiiish question (which I am sure it is). I have assumed it's to do with the injection system?! What are the pro's and con's and what BM's come with it?

[Dave M]

I've heard this mentioned many times but never known what 'vanos' and 'non-vanos' is? Apologies if this is a noobiiiiish question (which I am sure it is). I have assumed it's to do with the injection system?! What are the pro's and con's and what BM's come with it?

vanos........by wikipedia

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I've heard this mentioned many times but never known what 'vanos' and 'non-vanos' is? Apologies if this is a noobiiiiish question (which I am sure it is). I have assumed it's to do with the injection system?! What are the pro's and con's and what BM's come with it?

E34 ///M5 S38 motor never came with a vanos (variable cam).


The regular M50TU motors on the 525 have that charm.

[e34.535i.sport]

vanos........by wikipedia

Cheers Dave... Makes sense! So why would someone say buy a NON-vanos m5? It seems that the vanos has lots of pro's, without the con's? I know my car hasn't got it but I think my friend's e36 has... His does seem a lot smoother than mine on idle, but mine feels more powerful (that is prob due to mine being 3.5L and his being 2L admittedly.)

Downsides?

[e34.535i.sport]

the cons are it is complicated and breaks much more readily than a non-vanos motor.

I see. More complicated = more to go wrong. I like the way my motor is quite simple... Simple good.