What 5 would you buy & why?

[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]

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

[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?

[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]

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.

[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.