BMW 5 Series - 1990 E34 M5

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1990 E34 M5 - new purchase

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=7937
Printed Date: 18-June-2024 at 13:18

Topic: 1990 E34 M5 - new purchase

Posted By: J7 VNK
Subject: 1990 E34 M5 - new purchase
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 15:33

Hello, Just joined as a member of the BMW Car Club GB and awaiting my membership details, thought I'd raise some queries I have here on this board!!

Ok, I just bought a 1990 E34 M5 (not my 1st BMW, I have 3 now, and have owned 6 so far!!). It's a Hight Miler in most peoples eyes although I've had other makes with higher miles the highest of my BMW's was 134,000, this M5 has 152,000, it's in Macaoblau with full cream electric leather, the 2 colours go well together.

Ok, for those with M5 experience, should the M Power engine be a bit lumpy on tickover and run at about 950 rpm? (my other BMW factory engines are smooth, but I realise this has 6 throttle bodies!)

Secondly, the gearbox crunches into 3rd unless I change slowly (knackered synromesh on 3rd??) what's the remedy? cost? (do i need a new box and if so should I go 5 speed or upgrade to 6?)

Another issue is the steering, it's very loose, and wanders a bit on roads, do these cars have an adjustable steering box? or do they wear?

Anyone with any experience in any of these issues, all information will be greatly appreciated, It's my 1st M car

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1999 528iA Sport Pack,Aspen Silver,17" MTech's.
1994 525i Sport, Avus Blue,SOLD (BMWCC Member)
1999 323i SE E46, Black, man, Sports Leather. http://www.geocities.com/avusbmw -
My Cars

"BMW's are for life, not just for Christmas"

Replies:

Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 15:56

Welcome, both to the club and the fellowship of M5 owners, your M5 sounds nice, can't wait to see some photos.

This http://bmwe34m5.com/faqs/ - site should be a useful resource for you. As well as all the input you will receive here.

The steering vagueness is covered in the above site. I have a 3.8 so will leave those with 3.6's to cover the idle speed and lumpiness. Mine is slightly lumpy but that is normal, idle is about 750 rpm but does vary slightly if the aircon is on.

On the gearbox issue try changing the oil in it. It has been covered here before, I think. So a search might help.

Where in the country are you?

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Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
�95 E34 M5
�89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)

Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:03

Kevin, I'm in North West London (well Harrow, which is Middlesex)

I have some pics of the last owner, but they're not too good, doesn't show the colour at all!! it looks grey! how do I post pics on here?

I'll check the site out, thanks

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Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:19

Macau can be a difficult colour to photograph with it's habit of changing according to the lighting conditions.

There is a thread http://www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5485&PN=1 - here in the forum faqs on how to post photos etc.

Harrow, that's not too far from Uxbridge for the rolling road session I've organised for 19 June.

If you want to join in it �40 per car. Hopefully I will have both my M5 and the M3 there and it would be good to have a 3.6. The selection of cars is quite wide.

Cheers

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Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
�95 E34 M5
�89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)

Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:41

A replacement gearbox is about �3500 fitted so i would try changing the oil first, i wouldn't worry about the mileage to much as mine had over 200k on it when i sold it and it was still going strong

.

Miles

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1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">

Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:43

Sounds good!! I'll try but have a trip to NEwcastle around then!! if it doesn't clash then I'm up for it!! (providing I don't blow the box with it's crunching 3rd gear!! the most crucial one too!!

)

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Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:52

�3500!! nice!! what's the cost of the box itself?? and has anyone attempted such a feat? I'm quite handy with a spanner, have done a few engine conversions etc but nothing this big or specialised!!

Would the oil cause the crunch in 3rd alone? rather than all the gears?

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Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 16:57

Some people have reported that changing the gearbox oil can make a huge difference. Mine was much smoother after a change. Is it only when it is cold? Worse or better when warm.

I probably don't need to say this but keep the revs below 4k until the oil is nice and warm otherwise the bill will be much bigger

I'll try and find some posts for you to look at.

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Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
�95 E34 M5
�89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)

Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 24-May-2004 at 17:50

Sorry i made a mistake, the new Getrag 280 Gearbox for my 3.8 M5 was �2,273.96+fitting+vat.

Miles

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1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">

Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 25-May-2004 at 12:10

Miles, at what mileage did your car require a gearbox if you don't mind me asking? and why?

I hope the oil will make a difference, but if not I can't hold of the inevitable!! out the motor comes!

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Posted By: e34m5
Date Posted: 25-May-2004 at 17:53

The gearbox was changed at 185K Miles after it had been "rebuilt" previously at 175K Miles, fortunately i didn't pay for either

. I think the main reason for repair/replacement was that it would not go in to gear smoothly and would jump out of gear.

Hope that helps.

Miles

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1991 525i Sport Manual

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3552&st=0">

Posted By: J7 VNK
Date Posted: 25-May-2004 at 18:15

Thanks! I thought mine was high mileage, I suppose that's a testament to the BMW M 'Bombproofness' I suppose.

Jon

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