M5 Prices

[Ken H.]

As anyone who has owned one of these things can testify, pricing on an M5 can be a real trip down the Rabbit Hole. At one end, we see examples from EAG getting into six figures; on the other, someone like Mac's buddy scores one for less than 5 Large. Who got the better deal may be in the eye of the beholder.

Having owned mine from new (absent 3103 dealer demo miles) and gone basically nutso on what has been done to it, whatever I am offered for it will not, repeat, not recover the dollar investment. OTOH, it beats serial purchasing of Corvettes. Or Porsches, for that matter.

[Zanzibar996]

I also have been looking at M5’s and just recently learned that one of the first cars I viewed is still for sale at same dealer 4 years latter
This tells me much about the high end of this situation

[M5BB]

I've owned one for 10 years and it's a show level car. Currently insured for $48000.

I think it should be more as I watch the values go up on BAT.

There was an extremely nice car on there last week that sold for low 50's.
I thought it should be more.
The seller didn't have a leak down test posted and I think the engine health and potential rebuild cost is the single factor that keeps the prices down.

There are so few people capable of rebuilding these engines correctly.
I happen to be lucky enough to be one of those people.
Look up my build on here. M5bb.
Gary

[RoyW]

Had some fun getting caught up on this thread (it had been a while)... I especially liked the comments by one poster who likes to spend $10k or even $15k to "restore" these classic cars .. LOL That's a riot! Replacing a few parts isn't restoring a car, it's maintenance! To properly restore a vintage BMW takes many 10's of thousands of dollars. depending upon starting condition and end goal.

RoyW

[prizefighter]

Roy,

Agree. I took over an '85 Euro M that had been well cared for since new. It benefited from good early owners, was a show car from about 2002 to 2005 with an owner who lavished attention and expensive on the externals. It then had a knowledgeable and capable owner from about 2006 to 2009 who had revamped mechanicals with care in intelligence. I took over the car at 106,000 miles in 2009 and have driven it some 20K miles since then.

The car is about 90% of whatever perfect is, there are few things left to do (just sourced some new Euro headlight wiper motors out of Germany and will put them in this Fall, this will bring the car up to 92% - as an example of how I think about this) but it's in pretty good shape. I just threw some recent pictures up in the eye candy section. The car is only driven in the summer and spends probably a good two months every year in the shop (a dealership where I live has a group of people who understand and appreciate the car). I'm a fairly meticulous person by nature and apply a level of attention that I hope is consistent with the energies that went into the creation of these cars. This means something, entropy is constant and if you want to fight it, there will be resources that are needed.

Just the other day after taking the car out of a stay in the shop I totaled all repair, restoration and maintenance bills for this car from 2009 - 2019. A little over 70K during this time period.

Well worth it, in my opinion, the car keeps growing on me. But it's important to have a realistic understanding of what sort of undertaking this can be.

[austin8753]

I won't reveal what I paid for my 107k mile, (formerly) Dinan Turbo M5, but it was a steal, in today's market.

2791066
12/1986
107k miles indicated, which I believe to be accurate
Very presentable interior
Repaint in Lagunengrun-metallic :/
Dinan turbocharger setup and low compression engine (very little remains of the Dinan parts)
Dinan stage 3 suspension setup - sway bars, Bilsteins, blue springs and (I believe) fixed camber plates, strut bar, etc

After finally getting it running decently, the head gasket popped. After tearing it apart, we found that the cylinder head had a few cracks, and wasn't really cost effective to repair.

I pulled the engine and all turbo components out (with no intention of reinstalling) and sourced a 110k mile long block, and am currently (as we speak) doing a basic regasket/refresh so I can install it in the car. The turbo setup was super hacked together, by someone/people who had no idea what they were doing, with very little remaining of the original Dinan setup - my interest in reinstalling those parts was minimal, at best.

Mechanically, it will be very sound, once this engine stuff is all buttoned up. I have a new set of Spax dampers and springs to install, to replace the worn out Dinan setup. Still needs a paint job (big "fuck you" to whoever painted it green), but the body is fairly straight, never been in a collision (wears all its VIN matching original panels); however, the interior is very presentable, which is surprising, given how the car was cared for, over the last 25 years.

I hope to bond with the car this summer, as I really never had a chance to before. Goal is to have it back on the road for 5erWest.

I wouldn't sell it for less than $50k (my "not for sale" price) and it isn't worth anywhere near that. The E28 M5 is the car I lusted after pretty hard, in high school, and now I own one, so it makes a small part of my cold heart happy.

[vandiesel]

Funny I was just discussing your exact car last night with my friend Wes who used to work on when some shysters owned it. I saw it at JJ motorwerks years ago and felt sad to see it in a sad state. I'm glad to hear it is in good hands I hopefully will see you at 5er west.

[austin8753]

Funny I was just discussing your exact car last night with my friend Wes who used to work on when some shysters owned it. I saw it at JJ motorwerks years ago and felt sad to see it in a sad state. I'm glad to hear it is in good hands I hopefully will see you at 5er west.

Lol, I have talked to no less than a dozen people, who have worked on this car over the years. All have shared the sentiment. The previous owner was a really nice guy (to me), but the shop owners have not felt the same way... where did your friend work?

DJM had absolutely zero business working on this car. Still can't believe the PO had them working on it. Loose bolts and orange silicon gasket maker everywhere, on things they touched.

[VZehn]

In all of calendar year 2018 there were 19 E28 M5s on sale on BAT, but only two on BAT so far in 2019 - until now, bang, there have been four for sale in the past three weeks!

Of the 12 that sold on BAT in 2018 the average winning bid was $26,657. The four sold on BAT so far this year run from a $21k higher mileage runner (247k miles) to a well sorted black-on-black example at $45k (126k miles).

With so few examples sold recently, and with several of them at higher mileage, it's hard to judge if the market is stable or something else.

[KRsM5]

Offloaded my rusty example end of August...not sharing price (lower than most I've seen here); the buyer knows what he's doing and I hope it'll bring it some life. Sad to say goodbye but I wasn't able to treat her well anymore.

[boomvader]

Offloaded my rusty example end of August...not sharing price (lower than most I've seen here); the buyer knows what he's doing and I hope it'll bring it some life. Sad to say goodbye but I wasn't able to treat her well anymore.

I think I almost bought it from your buyer. It was rough in the rust/rot category, but otherwise well maintained in other areas. In the end, I was relieved not to take on such a project. I can deal with most anything, but rust/rot is the worst. I was looking at a re-chassis and a 'Clone M5' project at best. If it's the same car, it ended up going to a body repair guy in the end.

[MattyCV]

Bought an M5 with 233k miles (swapped E34 M5 head) with an unoriginal (but from Canadian M5 I believe) black interior. Classic Euro Parts euro bumpers. Some rust here and there, nothing that would tell me to run away, though. Bought it from Asheville, NC. $22k.

[M5BB]

My black on black (Black Betty after the song) continues to give me and her visitors great pleasure.
A little over 180000 now and driven at least a couple times a month.
She lives a sheltered life in my garage with a dehumidifier running in the summer. Atlanta humidity produces mold very quickly.
She is insured with Hagerty for $60k.

If you don't know me I have been a regular on here since 2003 when I owned my white 533i. I bought the M5 in 2007.
I built a pretty amazing engine for mine in 2009 when I burned a piston in her doing DE's at Road Atlanta. Made it to 140 on the back straight.
Currently has 361 HP at the crank, 325 Ft lbs of torque. It's as fast as my DD E46 M3.
Look up my build under M5bb.
Prices are going up and really good clean original cars are getting hard to find. EAG has one for over $100k. Under 50k miles.
Originality is the way to go with this car. Mine is not but tastefully modified. I have NOT done the euro bumpers because of the one of 30 black on black M5's. You can read all about it in the section I started about black interior M5's.
Hope to see you all after this crappy virus is over. Black Betty went to a meet at a brewery on Sunday and got lots of attention. At least from the guys that know what it is. Many under 30 don't have a clue. LOL.
Later,
Gary Beck
Atlanta, GA

[M5BB]

New on Bring A Trailer.

Pretty nice car. If I didn't have too many I would buy this one.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m5-76/

[SeattleGuy]

New on Bring A Trailer.

Pretty nice car. If I didn't have too many I would buy this one.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m5-76/

I pity your situation!

[Ordnator]

Nice looking RHD Euro M5 for UK £85,000.00

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1411686

Best regards,

Mick

[gray635]

I've been meaning to update this thread with my latest M5 purchase, so here goes.

Back last May, I was looking around for a nice euro M30-powered 5 series. Couldn't find what I wanted. Charlie Kindel (cek on the board), hooked me up with a former co-worker of his who had a really nice euro-ized M5. About 84K with a Hartge body kit and 17" covered lug Alpina wheels. Chris Kohler called it the "M5 with an identity crisis", which I thought was pretty funny. Long-term ownership by a fellow in Prescott Valley, AZ, who sold it to Charlie's friend in Redmond, WA.

Here's the link to my thread regarding my search, which includes a link to some photos of the car as of the time of sale: https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=154635

Quality glass-out repaint in 2013 with all exterior trim parts replaced. Seats reupholstered to a high standard. Valve job and new Shrick cams, rebuild AC system, etc., etc. and LOTS of M5-specific spares. Purchased for $60K and had it shipped to Perry. I considered it a fair deal for both parties.

It is a very nice car. However, as seems to be the case with any of these old cars, in spite of the considerable "investment" by the last 2 owners, the car had some needs - at least to my very particular eye. Since acquiring the car, I've probably spent close to $25K getting it to the point that I am satisfied with it. This includes the very unnecessary expense associated with acquiring 5 16" BBS RS211 wheels, having them refurbed by Ehrlich Wheel Works with new Michelin rubber. Just got those put on the car yesterday and it really looks spectacular.

About to get the windshield replaced with OE glass to (hopefully) put a stop to nagging leaks in the corners of the windshield. Once that is sorted, she should be in pretty good nick.

The car now has about 86.5K miles and is a real pleasure to drive. A real looker, too, in my opinion. I just love these old things.

[F250runner]

So I’m looking at a black on black m5 with a manual and still has the factory bbs wheels, car is 100% original. They want 2k. Unknown engine condition. Paint is about 4/10, interior6/10

[wkohler]

What is the vin?

[1st 5er]

So I’m looking at a black on black m5 with a manual and still has the factory bbs wheels, car is 100% original. They want 2k. Unknown engine condition. Paint is about 4/10, interior6/10

Ask if they have 2?

[F250runner]

So I’m guessing 2k is a pretty decent deal then?

[M5BB]

So I’m looking at a black on black m5 with a manual and still has the factory bbs wheels, car is 100% original. They want 2k. Unknown engine condition. Paint is about 4/10, interior6/10

You can check the VIN on myE28.com in the M5 Forum section.

Here a page I started with the story about the Black on Black cars.
https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=82877

Here's the VIN list.
https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=125175

I hope you know an S38 engine rebuild could easily cost $20k.
Then you have to find a shop that is capable of rebuilding an S38. Easier said than done.

Good luck.
Gary Beck

[BMWCCA2]

So I’m guessing 2k is a pretty decent deal then?

You would be correct, but that assumed there really is such a car and that it really is an M5. That's a big leap of faith right now.

[F250runner]

I’m guessing it’s a real m5 based on the owner and the car it self, I don’t think it’s a base model with badges.

[BMWCCA2]

I’m guessing it’s a real m5 based on the owner and the car it self, I don’t think it’s a base model with badges.

What is that evidence?
You don't think??
You've seen the car? Seen the VIN? Seen the engine? The owner's your second-cousin-once-removed? Let's see some pics.

[1st 5er]

[L_N_Love]

I traded for an 88 M5 sometime around 2009 or 2010... hard to remember offhand. The M5 was nice and fun to drive. Unfortunately, 2 yrs later I was rear-ended. Totaled it. Another one was brought to my attention on here. I bought that one which was far from perfect and drove it daily for 8 years. I sold her for almost 3 times what I paid.

[L_N_Love]

My black on black (Black Betty after the song) continues to give me and her visitors great pleasure.
A little over 180000 now and driven at least a couple times a month.
She lives a sheltered life in my garage with a dehumidifier running in the summer. Atlanta humidity produces mold very quickly.
She is insured with Hagerty for $60k.

If you don't know me I have been a regular on here since 2003 when I owned my white 533i. I bought the M5 in 2007.
I built a pretty amazing engine for mine in 2009 when I burned a piston in her doing DE's at Road Atlanta. Made it to 140 on the back straight.
Currently has 361 HP at the crank, 325 Ft lbs of torque. It's as fast as my DD E46 M3.
Look up my build under M5bb.
Prices are going up and really good clean original cars are getting hard to find. EAG has one for over $100k. Under 50k miles.
Originality is the way to go with this car. Mine is not but tastefully modified. I have NOT done the euro bumpers because of the one of 30 black on black M5's. You can read all about it in the section I started about black interior M5's.
Hope to see you all after this crappy virus is over. Black Betty went to a meet at a brewery on Sunday and got lots of attention. At least from the guys that know what it is. Many under 30 don't have a clue. LOL.
Later,
Gary Beck
Atlanta, GA

I can attest that your M5 is a beast. She pulls really hard. I have a modified E90 with upgraded turbos now..... It can be a little scary so I am taking it easy.

[KDAWG97M3]

I have a M5 I am looking at. 259k miles. It needs everything. Body is in good shape. All vin tags in place. But leaks like crazy, interior is shot. Dash is trashed. Needs suspension. Motor will need rebuilt some time. It runs good and doesn’t smoke… what do you guys think it’s worth?? Just a shot in the dark?

[1st 5er]

I have a M5 I am looking at. 259k miles. It needs everything. Body is in good shape. All vin tags in place. But leaks like crazy, interior is shot. Dash is trashed. Needs suspension. Motor will need rebuilt some time. It runs good and doesn’t smoke… what do you guys think it’s worth?? Just a shot in the dark?

Sounds like the opposite of mine.
$15Kish I think is probably fair.