M5 Prices

[1st 5er]

My journey:

First Bimmer was a 1990 325is black on black automatic. Fell in love with the e30's originally but am now obsessed with the e28 models. Both my sons still drive e30's though.

My current daily driver is a 1985 528e, for economy, and my wife drives a 1988 735i, for comfort, soon to be replaced by the 1987 535is automatic I'm working on, which when finished will allow me to turn my attention to the purpose of this post.

Picked up my, 2 owner, US e28 M5 07-04-08 paying $4,000 cash plus another $300+ in travel expenses driving to Dallas to meet the seller who brought it down from Lexington, Kentucky en-route to picking up an e32 for a friend of his.

Interior is probably a 4/10. The original owner's son was the last real driver and he had cut holes in the front door panels to install speakers and pretty much treated the rest of the car the same. And the exterior, well I think he must have taken out a mailbox or something similar as there is a crease down about half the passenger side doors and rear fender making it a probable 7/10 externally. Mechanically though it is a 9+/10 needing only the rear sub-frame differential mounts to make it road worthy. It came with a dinan chip, sprocket, etc. and most all, I think, service records since new. I felt really good about that as the original owner had always had the car serviced by dealerships in his area.

Here's a pic, of at least the good side, the BMW M registry:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=6366

Looking forward to conversations, help, etc. in the future and even meeting some other e28 enthusiast at events down the road.

If ever in H-town make contact.

I'm quite happy with my purchase even though I've got quite a bit of work to do, but the way I look at it, doing what you really enjoy doing literally takes the work out it.

[STAMPER]

I just paid $24,000 for a great M5. All the details are well presented at http://web.me.com/tobyport/Site/M5.html .
I sold this car to the seller in February of this year for $26,500 and he then changed out the SLS suspension.

I sure didn't think I would have another M5 in my life so soon but I couldn't resist the chance to buy my former M5 back for $2500.00 less than what I sold it for earlier this year - plus she now has the SLS deleted and new suspension. I guess I have found the cure for seller's remorse.

I hope my M5 hasn't been too spoiled by the super lux garage at Toby's house. Toby, you should post a picture of your auto palace/man cave. Really the coolest home garage I have ever seen.

On the downside, I really do have too many car projects going at the moment. I am certainly going to have to sell something soon. I will be posting my e34 540 MSport if anyone is interested. Also have a Benz G500 and Bentley Turbo R - hey, I know they aren't BMWs but they do have round headlights. Let's make a deal!!

At any rate, I'm happy to be back in the e28 fold, if a bit sooner than expected!! Hmm, now the question is what upgrade is left to do - euro bumpers?

Cheers, george

[bibaboon]

can anyone tell me how i can check if an 87 m5 is really a m5 and not a 535 that someone put all the fancies on?..is there a database on VINs or something..? any help is apppreciated..somebody is selling something with 239000 miles on it claiming its an m5..i know nothing so i have no idea
except if it is and price is 5000 seem slike a good buy?

[wkohler]

US M5s were made for the '88 model year, but production began as early as late 1986. If it's really an M5, the VIN should begin with WBS (instead of WBA) and if it's a US M5 have DC93 in the VIN as well. You could just post the VIN and we'll tell you exactly what it is.

[M5BB]

You can look here.
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/index.php

But this is only people that bothered to register their cars.
If you know the previous owner then it might be on here.

You can also try this VIN decoder.
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
Not sure how good this is.

[M5BB]

Just tried the VIN decoder with my VIN and it worked fine.
See previous post.

[1st 5er]

can anyone tell me how i can check if an 87 m5 is really a m5 and not a 535 that someone put all the fancies on?..is there a database on VINs or something..? any help is apppreciated..

Try this link to RealOEM.COM and insert the last 7 digits of the VIN and it'll show you the Series: Body: Model: Region: Prod Month: Engine:, etc. of the car.

You could just post the VIN and we'll tell you exactly what it is.

Post the VIN. We won't die satisfying our curiosity.

[buzby]

Is an 1988 E28 M5 with blown engine and not so good interior worth $3000? Any comments gratefully accepted.

[RonP]

Is an 1988 E28 M5 with blown engine and not so good interior worth $3000? Any comments gratefully accepted.

Having owned 6 M5's from $500 to $15,000, I would have to say that is kind of an opend ended question. If the body is in good shape, and you have access to another motor, then yes it's a good deal, especially if you plan to do the work yourself. It would also depend on the miles on the chassis. There is an M5 in the FS section for $9000, if your costs are more than that for a motor and interior, then you should not buy this car.

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $500 for the car, but that is just me.

[M5BB]

Kind of a vague question????

If you have 5k for the motor if you do it yourself or 10-12k if you pay someone and another 3-5k or so for the interior then go for it.

[buzby]

I plan to do the engine work myself. The car has original paint, etc, no accidents or rust, etc, but drivers seat worn.
So should I offer less? What is real value if only a parts car? I just purchased a driveable rust free 1989 E30 325is with body damage for its 5 speed, engine, windshield and other parts for $800? Car will be used to convert my son's 325is from auto to manual. Sounds like that was to much?
Thanks for input.

[photopark]

Blown engine and a ratty interior... I wouldn't pay over $1500 for it.

Natur is not my favorite color, I would find a complete black interior out of an 535is, search craigslist and this forum, it shouldn't cost you more then $800.

Also good long blocks can be found. I paid $3500 for an S38 long block with only 73k miles on it last year, it was in exceptional condition.

Doug

[buzby]

Thanks for the info. on S38 engines, this might be way to go.
OK, I did purchase the car yesterday. Body, front air dam, wheels and paint in great shape. Only interior issues are dash (cracked) and drivers seat.
I know these are dumb questions but I am fairly new to understanding all the BMW M5 technicalities:
1. Is the M30 crank the same as the S38 crank, technical journals seem to say it is? Understand that pistons and con-rods are different.
2. Just to get the car on the road can you drop an M30 535i engine in to an E28 M5. I can then rebuild engine when time and $$ allow?

[1st 5er]

OK, I did purchase the car yesterday. Body, front air dam, wheels and paint in great shape. Only interior issues are dash (cracked) and drivers seat.

Welcome and

[buzby]

Thanks for the welcome, I am sure I will be bugging you guys all the time for information!

I will post pics next week when I get it home.

Question-can it be towed on dolly or is it best to trailer?

If on a dolly does the drive shaft have to be removed?

Distance about 300 miles.

[1st 5er]

Thanks for the welcome, I am sure I will be bugging you guys all the time for information!

I will post pics next week when I get it home.

Question-can it be towed on dolly or is it best to trailer?

If on a dolly does the drive shaft have to be removed?

Distance about 300 miles.

Tow with front wheels on the ground and you'll be OK.
Actually since it's a manual, I think either way will be OK.
Rear wheels on the ground for an autotragic is bad.

[M5BB]

Busby,
Congratulations
Now that you purchased the car you might want to start a new thread for questions as this thread should be for prices.
You'll also get more answers to your questions because this thread is also a sticky and remains at the top of the page and people don't notice new posts as easily.
I would not use a tow dolly for my M5 for that many miles.
Put it on a flatbed or tow with front wheels on the ground as suggested.
What is wrong with the engine?
I've never heard that an M30 crank is the same.
Similar maybe.

[rustwrks]

I bought mine in San Jose a year and a half ago from a great owner. Paid 13k and no regrets. Engine - 9/10, body 8/10 interior 7/10 - getting it ready for euro front treatment and bumpers. Such a fun car - I 've learned a ton from all of you at the forum. It was worth every penny.

[buzby]

Paid $2800 for my recent M5. I was looking at auto and 5-speed 535is's for $2000-2500 and this M5 came along so decided this was the car for me. Some of the 535is's were OK but would have needed $$ to get them to my standards. I probably paid to much but if I did not decide to rebuild engine I could always break it up for parts. Even though engine has run a big-end bearing it will not take much to get it operating again.
Mileage 150K. Paint very good except for odd parking scratches, etc. No rust or accident damage what so ever. Interior not perfect but once drivers seat redone will be 7 out of 10. Dash is cracked. Tires have half tread. Have all records including original window sticker. Original southern car, no aftermarket accessories fitted.

[dcdubs]

i just bought this one for 5200.00
250k, bilsteins, all panels have stickers, tool kit and owners manual, some service records not very comprehensive.also gave me a glass sunroof/moonroof

assed out driver seat/pass seat cracking
worn shifter bushings and related parts
needs both front lower arms
paint cracking a little in some places
one P/O removed the decklid spoiler
broken grill fasteners
misc interior bulbs out
needs C.V. joints
overall not bad at all wish the miles were lower but it runs strong and i've already fixed some stuff, i love it and when i'm not driving it i want to be


By skivw67, shot with X100,D540Z,C310Z at 2009-04-04

By skivw67, shot with X100,D540Z,C310Z at 2009-04-04

[Machtig]

I just bought a very clean US spec M5 (#740), all original save the alarm system, recovered front seats, recent timing chain et al, all service records, probably 9/10 condition overall, 113k miles. I paid $13k. A few months ago the seller had it in Roundel for $16.9k. I found it on autotrader.com listed at $13.9k. I asked if he'd take $13k and he said yes. I think I got a good deal. I'll post photos when I go pick it up next week.

[Rich in Tupelo]

Bought one over the holiday weekend. Good body(normal road rash from 21 years but easily fixed, no rust), good interior (replacement driver seat was done, minor dash crack at front vent, will need a redye). Motor has compression loss in two cylinders (30% in one and 33% in another). Spoke with the shop that had done the work on the car for the past several years. They had boroscoped the engine and did not see any head damage, just in the block. Picked up a known good block with pistons and crank when I got the car. Currently in it for $3,100. Will pull the motor this winter and see what needs to be done in addition to the block. Worse case, source a good used S38.

Car does need other minor odds and ends, but no major items. Figure I will sort the minor stuff out as time and $$ permits this fall.

Car came with a stack of records covering many years. It is a great project car in my opinion.




http://www.cardomain.com/ride/353952/20

[Speedmaster]

and that could have been a shill. It has over 200,000 miles.

Another one is currently at $2500 and it has less than 200,000 miles.

Not bashing but it looks like it supports the argument of high mileage is a significant influencer of price.

[GHasley]

Just picked up a 1 owner e28 M5 with 42,000 miles. They were asking $22,000....I didn't pay that but......

[RonP]

Just picked up a 1 owner e28 M5 with 42,000 miles. They were asking $22,000....I didn't pay that but......

Was that car in your area? Did you run a CarFax on it? I had a client looking at a car in the Desert and he ran a CarFax on it and the car (this year!) had over 90,000 on it. I hope that isn't the same car. If it is, that is fraud!

[GHasley]

Ron, same car and excellent observation. The car was located in Indian Wells, CA and I am local.

The 90k on carfax was incorrect especially in light of the fact that BMW Palm Springs always serviced the car and they worked on it just 2 months prior at 41k miles..hard to cover 50k miles in 2 months with the owner not among the living..I spoke to Paul, the service writer at BMW Palm Springs where I have my cars serviced, he made the mistake and typed a 9 instead of a 4. I have all the receipts so luckily no fraud. If that caused your client to pause, I am ever so grateful as I wouldv'e missed out.

Warm regards,

[wkohler]

I was thinking it was most-likely a typo. Haha. I had a similar thing happen at the emissions testing stations here in Phoenix.

[m-racer]

I closed today on the sale of my 1985 Euro M5. It sold at the asking price of 38.5k. Ron P did a terrific job on the cosmetics and the mechanicals were carefully restored/ improved over the last 3 yrs. of my ownership. The car is going to St. Paul to it's new owner who I am am satisfied will give it the right home. Many thanks for the help and advice I have received from the M5 enthusiasts on this over the yrs. Tim Jones

[funfunfer]

Bought mine in Connecticut for $5k to keep it from going to the crusher as a trade in. Probably should have paid $3k more for a much better car that showed up on CL in Houston the day I got home.

[grbbenny]

Just purchased US version. Approximately 88,000 miles, no accidents, no paintwork, no rust. Highlights include:
-timing chain done
-Euro headlights
-SLS delete with Bilstein Sports and MTechnic springs
-Fahey crank hub and cam gear
-New radiator, water pump, etc.
-Dinan chip
-New windshield, leather dash and door caps
-Rear sun blind
-Euro headers and Fahey track pipe

Car sound familiar to anyone?

$22K