my cheating heart - BMW E28 M5

[sand_man]

This is perhaps a plea to be talked down off of the proverbial ledge. I do this from time to time. However, this particular Bimmer has been on my short list ALMOST as long as my desires for the 930. Even though I'm only 39, I think the impracticality of using a 930 as daily transportation - with a family - is finally sinking in after four years. I have a small house with only a two car garage, and my family is on one income, kids in private school, so it's just not financially possible/feasible to own more than two cars. In addition, I buy cars to drive, not drool over in my garage.

I dunno, maybe it has something to do with my car being in pieces scattered around my garage as I tend to some winter projects/maintenence. However, I realize the BMW will be no Accord or Camery in the reliability and cheap maintenence departments. Although the majority of these Bimmers seem to have many more miles than Porsches of the same year?!?!?

Am I jumping from the frying pan into the fire with an E28 M5? The extra doors and roomy rear seating sure are nice. Are there any experiences amongst my Pelican Turbo extended family regarding this particular M5? Is this an "old man" car?

To be honest, it has never been in my nature to keep a car for long! I think the 930 is a record for me. Maybe baby is just getting on my nerves and I'm acting out. It's just getting harder and harder for me to find enough garage time.

Lastly, I'm posting this here instead of OT, because I've noticed that - in general - we seem to share the same taste in cars.

Talk to me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___BMW-M5-E28-LOW-MILES-HIGH-PRICE-BREMBO-BBS-DINAN_W0QQitemZ290279433469QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Truc ksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash =item290279433469&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[rsrmike]

Daaaaamn. That's a nice M5. I have to admit I love that car too, and that is a nice one. I think the wheels are too modern and out of place on that one though. I would have to have some old school gold BBS wheels on it personaly

You sure have put a lot of time and effort in your turbo Jeff, I love the stories of dropping your kids off at school and indulging in the horrified looks of the soccer moms!!

I would think that there are a lot more parts available for your 930 than an older M5. I'm by no means a BMW expert (or Porsche expert, in reality) but I do know that M-spec parts prices can make Porsche parts look cheap.

Granted your turbo would probably fetch a lot more than you would spend for that car, in a normal market, BUT, It might be a bad time to try to get top dollar for your turbo...

Step away from the ledge, it will all be OK, seriously. Put it back together and indulge in the superior heater these cars have through the winter, if you still have heat exchanger exhaust... Tell me you've got heat...

[sand_man]

LOL...you had to mention the heat!!!!

[onboost]

Sand_man.. you cheat!

You should be ashamed of yourself for lusting after another.. whilst you have that sexy wide-bottom girl in pieces!!

Don't do it man.,.. I know it's tempting but they're is no substitute for the boost!

I've always owned Bimmers as daily drivers, although I've used a 911 as a daily in the past. I also have a dark past as a service mgr for BMW, and Porsche & Audi. Thanks God that's the past!

The E28 M5 is a nice option with the power it offers along with the extra doors. Keep in mind, she ain't exactly cheap to maintain either.

This particular car looks like it's in fantastic condition for its mileage. However, if your intent is not to have it as a garage queen.. as it has obviously been pampered, then I would pass.

Again, with the current mileage, asking price, and the fact that you plan to press this into daily use with a foot that has been boost bitten.. you asking for trouble.
Should you need it down the road, a rebuild on the S38 motor is equal to the cost of a 911 engine build.
Also, at that price you could buy a clean E34 M5.. (91-93) better overall car for the money.

Understanding your dollars vs. additional car vs. practicality issue, I could suggest a number of other cheaper, more practical BMW purchases that would probably allow you to purchase and maintain the current boost addiction. Wouldn't Moma be happy!

Paul

[rsrmike]

I'M SORRY!! I'm not helping am I? Hell, throw your stock heat exchangers back on, it's realy not that hard... Or

Did I mention I am a terrible counselor??

[full quack]

I'll chime in,
I have owned 41 cars{not counting parts cars}, most I'm glad are gone. However........there are a couple that I REALLY wish I did not get rid of "in a spur of the moment decision".
I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that your wife has a car, and I bet it has 4 doors and a trunk, right?
Furthermore, work can be a stress maker, family can be a stress maker, hell life can be a stress maker. I personally find that my 930 is the absolute best stress reliever ever devised on this planet!!
So you have to ask yourself....sanity.....or 4doors, a soccer ball & old McDonald's fries in the back seat.....hummm that's a tough one.

Mark

[AngM018]

well well well. is it time for early retirement already???

The boost pipe is very addictive. You wont be nearly as happy with that NA car. Not to mention Porsche's don't have all those bells, and whistles that usually always break. Maybe thats one of the reasons 2/3's of all Porsche's made are still on the streets today. Would be time to sell all your Porsche manuals, and take an electrician class.

hmm one income? wifey can't take the kids to school? maybe trade the durango in for a mini van with a soccer ball sticker on the gas door? tehehehe j/k

I digress....do what makes you happy man. I wont disown you as a friend if you go to the "other side". I will even let you take a wurl in one of our P-cars just so you can remember what your missing

[sand_man]

You guys crack me up!!! Thanks for taking the time. I've stepped in out of the cold, for now. As I said, I go through this from time to time, but in the case of my 930, I'm always able (with the help of you) to keep myself in the seat. In the end, there really is no substitute.

I have a funny story for you guys. Very early on in my 930 experience, right before I rebuilt the engine, I had to take a last minute business trip. I had to drive my oil leaking, smoking, broken header sounding 930 to the airport to catch a plane. It was running soooo poorly and it was pissing me off!!!! Anyway when my trip was over and the plane landed home, I went into the airport parking garage and forgot where I had parked the 930. I went to where I thought it was and couldn't find it. All I can remember feeling was how effing relieved I was that it was gone!!! GOOD RIDDANCE! "Somebody stole the biatch" is all I could think to myself! Then I realized I was on the wrong parking level and there she was - oil spots and all - waiting to deliver another crappy ride home! It was after that trip that I rebuilt the engine and really developed my love for this car. I just can't help looking from time to time.

[WERK I]

C'mon sand_man, bite the bullet and get a beater!
Get something reliable and cheap for a daily driver.....right now, it's a buyers market out there so you have a lot to choose from. I understand your feelings about having an expensive piece of equipment in your garage staring you in the face every time you open the garage door. The cheaper car will pay for itself in a few years in that you're not driving the 930 as often.
If you're convinced the 930 has got to go, be prepared to wait for the right buyer to come around to pay your asking price. Right now, the buyer mentality is lowballing any offers on collector cars. There are buyers out there, just fewer of them. I feel your pain, my friend. In my own situation, if the job market doesn't improve in the next 30 days, it's goodbye slantnose.

[crimson ghost]

I say keep the 930 and pick up an Audi URS4 as a daily. Still have boost !

[A930Rocket]

I have to say, my eye wanders every so often, but my heart is true. It's only because of finances that I consider selling every once in awhile.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by WERK-I

In my own situation, if the job market doesn't improve in the next 30 days, it's goodbye slantnose.

Oh the humanity!

[sand_man]

BTW, you guys have all given excellent advice. Especially about this M5 in question. I'm not sure I can live through another Euro car sorting out period!!! THEY ALL NEED SOMETHING when they change owner hands.

When my wife got home yesterday and saw me dressed like a hobo, covered in grease and grime, with the engine/tranny sitting on her side of the garage...the look on her face was PRICELESS!!!! Alls I knows is that this better be the last time for a LOOOOOONG while that I have to drop the engine.

My hope is that losing 7 pounds of rotational weight from the crank will also be inspiring!

[sand_man]

Hey Paul, for the sake of future reference, what sorts of things can I expect to go wrong with an E28 or E34 M5? Do you mind reliving your deep dark BMW Service Mgr. dayz?

Originally Posted by onboost

I've always owned Bimmers as daily drivers, although I've used a 911 as a daily in the past. I also have a dark past as a service mgr for BMW, and Porsche & Audi. Thanks God that's the past!

The E28 M5 is a nice option with the power it offers along with the extra doors. Keep in mind, she ain't exactly cheap to maintain either.

Again, with the current mileage, asking price, and the fact that you plan to press this into daily use with a foot that has been boost bitten.. you asking for trouble.
Should you need it down the road, a rebuild on the S38 motor is equal to the cost of a 911 engine build.
Also, at that price you could buy a clean E34 M5.. (91-93) better overall car for the money.

[onboost]

Hey Sand_man..

Overall they're both pretty solid cars.. I can't say a whole lot negative about them except when they do begin to need stuff.. ouch! The cost is usually 2-3 times as much on an M-car as on it's standard counterpart. With over 125k miles, depeding upon who the owner is.. it may need guides.. with a tha DOHC motor it's not a cheap undertaking. They have a tendancy to somtimes shear crank pulley bolts, and or cam gears when the chain, sproket, wears or tensioner loses pressure. BMW bottom ends are pretty solid and you almost have to do something stupid or just totally neglect it to casue a failure.

- Water pumps tend to fail,
- Raditors if plastic have a tendancy to crack at the neck where the hose clamp was tightened, or just beyond that point.
- A/C like Porsche's system tends to be an aventure.. not quite as bad though. Once you chase down the issues and get'm squared away you've got good a/c.

Suspension:

- upper control arm bushings get weak and cause slop (replace with Poly and your done)
- have seen a few power steering boxes rip the mounting points off the frame, that's a fun repair
- also seen a few diff mounts ripped out
(keep in mind that some of these examples are from cars that have been flogged)
Uhhh, kinda like the way you would end up beating on it due to withdrawls from boost addiction.

No real electrical problems unless some Einstien did an ill stereo or alarm install (we've all seen that before).

More simply put, stay away from that big body M-stuff unless you've just got to have another sex toy..
If you're looking for more economy/depndable and a nice bimmer.. check around for a well maintained 528e or 525i manual.

If you want some pep.. p/u either an E28 or E34 535i 5spd. Nice cars & a lot of them available for sale. Most are high milers but still have a lot of life left in them. Many have had some suspension or performance mods and are fun to drive!

Another of my favorites is the 525i Touring.. that's the wagon. Decent looks and you can make them handle well. You ain't gonna win many races with it, a front spoiler and some wheels will sure make it look fast.

You might want to look at the 735 & 740s as well lotta car for the money 90-93 735,
94 740i or iL. The latter are V8s, more costly to run and repair.. but some good ones out there.

Notice I've only mentioned the older stuff.. that's becuase it's hard to beat a BMW inline 6 for a car that you can beat on and still rely on it to get you there.. even when it needs stuff.
Oh, and you can pick any of this stuff up for $5-7K and have a nice one.

Not a sermon, just a thought..

P-

[Miguel Antonett]

Listen sand_man, don't get rid of the 930. You'll regret it as soon as it leaves the garage. And don't get the M5; I've owned BMWs from series 3 to 7 and guess what - all gone. Somehow after 75K miles they ALL become ill. The 930 seems them come and go... and everytime you drive the sucker it makes you realized that there is no substitute - as somebody said above. If you need something bigger/4 door get a daily driver, like a Taurus :-( or so knowing what you have in the garage for the weekend. I understand the lack of time also to work on the 930 but the M5 will be the same shortly - don't do it. Unless you want to have TWO cars to work on. M2c.

[David]

I REALLY liked those when new. I'd be temped but you could probably get into a nice a e34 or e39 manual straight 6 for less than $22K. The newer car probably wouldn't be as much fun as the M, but maintenance would probably be better.

[zcoker]

Just got rid of a euro M car....dam nice car and so much fun to drive. Thing about it was that it was always so very reliable. You could take it for long distances, track it hard and still drive it from state-to-state without issues, day in and day out, year after year. On the Euro cars, just must make sure the standard upgrades were done: dual valve springs, timing chain and rails. This is an expensive project to do now if not completed at the time of recall by BMW. Those euro motors had a nasty habit of letting go without these upgrades, and if that happens, well, you'll be building up an M motor instead of a Porsche motor. Even still, not that bad to build. I've built quite a few and with turbos, man, they haul.

[pavulon]

I'd bet a fair bit you can find that car's previous owner and things he may have wrote in an online community/registry such as:

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/models.php?id=2
and/or
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e28m5/
and/or
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/s38-m88/

But personally, I think the euro e28 M5's that made it state side are REALLY cool.

[jwasbury]

Lots of good advice here but I will add my two cents:

You know you would miss the 930...a lot. The e28 5 series and e30 3 series are the ones that pull my heart strings too, so I totally get it. But...you'll miss the 930...a lot.

I think the "get a beater" suggestion is the best one. If you have no hassle street or driveway parking at your home, that would work well. Takes the pressure off your DIY work on the 930.