1988 BMW M5 question

[BlueAngel]

Did any 1988 M5's come with black interior for the US market? I read somewhere only 29 with black interior & heated seats. Is this true? Thanks in advance guys!

[tschultz]

I believe black interior came in Canada only, but I don't know for sure.

[BlueAngel]

OK, I see a total of 102 were built for the US and Canada and 30 of them were for the US market. Thats interesting!

[mooseheadm5]

30
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=7

[BlueAngel]

I believe black interior came in Canada only, but I don't know for sure.

I just checked it out and its 30. 30 of them came to the US. Nice rarity! I wonder if anyone here owns one.

[mooseheadm5]

There is at least one of them here that I know of, maybe two (maybe more, what do I know?)

[BlueAngel]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

[Rich Euro M5]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About 1-1/2 years ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot. You can view an excellent description of it's overall condition HERE.

Rich

[wkohler]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

The car Rich is talking about has been for sale since at least early 2007 (I was still in college when I saw the ad). It is not a good car, but it has a black interior. As Rich said, with cars like the M5, it's best to have the best-condition possible over something that's slightly rare.

Plus, I prefer the Natur interior.

[BlueAngel]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

I am aware of that. I meant one with similar milaege, records, etc to a tan one. I'm sure the black interior one would bring more money.

I love rare M's. =)

[BlueAngel]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

The car Rich is talking about has been for sale since at least early 2007 (I was still in college when I saw the ad). It is not a good car, but it has a black interior. As Rich said, with cars like the M5, it's best to have the best-condition possible over something that's slightly rare.

Plus, I prefer the Natur interior.

Slightly? You call 30 vs 1100 slightly? I hear what you guys are trying to say & respect your opinions as well, but I prefer to have something beat up & rare. If I had a choice I would, buy a rare one beat up (not too beat up) one & restore it. =)

[BlueAngel]

Do you recall how much the dealer in Houston was asking & how many miles?

[Rich Euro M5]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

The car Rich is talking about has been for sale since at least early 2007 (I was still in college when I saw the ad). It is not a good car, but it has a black interior. As Rich said, with cars like the M5, it's best to have the best-condition possible over something that's slightly rare.

Plus, I prefer the Natur interior.

Slightly? You call 30 vs 1100 slightly? I hear what you guys are trying to say & respect your opinions as well, but I prefer to have something beat up & rare. If I had a choice I would, buy a rare one beat up (not too beat up) one & restore it. =)

From what I've seen on the forum over the years, the black on black M5s don't sell for significantly more than the ones with standard Natur interiors. The interior color simply isn't the primary determining factor in the value of the car. Besides all US/NA M5s were essentially equipped the same. If you want a rare and unique M5, you need to search for a Euro version. There were only 588 LHD Euro E28 M5s produced, and most were uniquely equipped.

Rich

[Rich Euro M5]

Do you recall how much the dealer in Houston was asking & how many miles?

IIRC, around $15K, and as "ahab" stated it was an auction car, so they paid very little for it. My WAG would be maybe $3k - $5k at auction.

Rich

[BlueAngel]

I'm sure they hold a greater value than the regular tan interior ones.

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

The car Rich is talking about has been for sale since at least early 2007 (I was still in college when I saw the ad). It is not a good car, but it has a black interior. As Rich said, with cars like the M5, it's best to have the best-condition possible over something that's slightly rare.

Plus, I prefer the Natur interior.

Slightly? You call 30 vs 1100 slightly? I hear what you guys are trying to say & respect your opinions as well, but I prefer to have something beat up & rare. If I had a choice I would, buy a rare one beat up (not too beat up) one & restore it. =)

From what I've seen on the forum over the years, the black on black M5s don't sell for significantly more than the ones with standard Natur interiors. The interior color simply isn't the primary determining factor in the value of the car. Besides all US/NA M5s were essentially equipped the same. If you want a rare and unique M5, you need to search for a Euro version. There were only 588 LHD Euro E28 M5s produced, and most were uniquely equipped.

Rich

I'm not sure if you can federalize a euro 88 M5 here in the US.

[Rich Euro M5]

Not really. While the black on black M5 is relatively rare, the primary determining factor of value for the M5 is the overall condition, and documentation of maintenance.

About a year ago one was for sale by a used car dealer in Houston. They were trying to market it based on it having a black interior. I don't know if they ever sold it, for all I know it's still on the lot.

Rich

The car Rich is talking about has been for sale since at least early 2007 (I was still in college when I saw the ad). It is not a good car, but it has a black interior. As Rich said, with cars like the M5, it's best to have the best-condition possible over something that's slightly rare.

Plus, I prefer the Natur interior.

Slightly? You call 30 vs 1100 slightly? I hear what you guys are trying to say & respect your opinions as well, but I prefer to have something beat up & rare. If I had a choice I would, buy a rare one beat up (not too beat up) one & restore it. =)

From what I've seen on the forum over the years, the black on black M5s don't sell for significantly more than the ones with standard Natur interiors. The interior color simply isn't the primary determining factor in the value of the car. Besides all US/NA M5s were essentially equipped the same. If you want a rare and unique M5, you need to search for a Euro version. There were only 588 LHD Euro E28 M5s produced, and most were uniquely equipped.

Rich

I'm not sure if you can federalize a euro 88 M5 here in the US.

You are correct, because there is no '88 Euro E28 M5. Nor are there any '88 Euro E28s of any type. '88 was the beginning of the E34 in Europe.

And to answer the Federalization question, there are a number of Federalized Euro E28 M5s in the US. I can think of about 6 owned by members of this forum, one of which resides in my garage.

Rich

[wkohler]

Slightly? You call 30 vs 1100 slightly? I hear what you guys are trying to say & respect your opinions as well, but I prefer to have something beat up & rare. If I had a choice I would, buy a rare one beat up (not too beat up) one & restore it. =)

My latest purchase sounds right up your alley, then.

The rest of the car is the same. It doesn't go faster. It's just a production anomaly. In all the time I've been watching the E28 M5 market (hoping to one day jump in), the black on black cars don't bring much of a premium.

Perhaps I'd be more excited if I liked the black interior. There are lots of folks who would want a Black on Black car, but there's a reason the one in Houston hasn't sold.

[Rich Euro M5]

Perhaps I'd be more excited if I liked the black interior. There are lots of folks who would want a Black on Black car, but there's a reason the one in Houston hasn't sold.

Houston and Phoenix both share a similar attribute, it's WICKED HOT !!! Disregarding the differences in humidity, vehicles with black interiors / upholstery are not pleasant places to sit in our respective locales. Being a former Phoenician, I have personal experience with black naugahyde while wearing shorts. First degree burns on the backs of your thighs isn't a pleasant experience. I actually got a blister on my back from the decorative emblem in my mom's '67 Impala SS.

In Houston white is the most popular exterior color, and light colored upholstery is more popular than the darker colors.

And the reason the M5 probably hasn't sold, it's simply way overpriced.

Rich

[euroJeffrey]

I own a M5 with black interior. I brought it from the original owner about 8 months ago.

[M5BB]

I own a M5 with black interior. I brought it from the original owner about 8 months ago.

So do I and know of at least 5 others and now can say 6 others since Jeffrey piped in. Where are you located Jeffrey?
Don't let them fool you.
Black cars with equal conditions to natural bring more money.
They are just jealous because they don't have one.

Here is a long discussion about black interior cars and list of VINs for those 30 US Black interior cars.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=37 ... c&start=25

[Rich Euro M5]

I own a M5 with black interior. I brought it from the original owner about 8 months ago.

So do I and know of at least 5 others and now can say 6 others since Jeffrey piped in. Where are you located Jeffrey?
Don't let them fool you.
Black cars with equal conditions to natural bring more money.
They are just jealous because they don't have one.

Here is a long discussion about black interior cars and list of VINs for those 30 US Black interior cars.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=37 ... c&start=25

My M5 has Diamond Schwartz paint, the spoiler delete, and Buffalo leather interior. Oh, did I mention it has an M88/3 and came from the factory with Euro bumpers and functional intensive wash and headlight wipers.

Rich

[rcbmw]

You are correct, because there is no '88 Euro E28 M5. Nor are there any '88 Euro E28s of any type.
Rich

This is not correct. Although 1988 model year E28 M5 ECE examples are very rare, there were two 1988 LHD (both Salmon Silver) and six 1988 RHD cars built.

Best,
RCBMW

[Rich Euro M5]

You are correct, because there is no '88 Euro E28 M5. Nor are there any '88 Euro E28s of any type.
Rich

This is not correct. Although 1988 model year E28 M5 ECE examples are very rare, there were two 1988 LHD (both Salmon Silver) and six 1988 RHD cars built.

Best,
RCBMW

I didn't know that, I'll file that away in the gray matter for future recall... If that's possible.

Rich

[wkohler]

Black cars with equal conditions to natural bring more money.
They are just jealous because they don't have one.

I can tell you with certainty, I'm not.

[M5BB]

Love it Rich, especially the buffalo interior.
I have only seen one good example of buffalo.
Just having fun.

As we all know it's in the eye of the beholder.

If you like natural interior and the car is a good example then you will buy it. But if it's not that good there will always be another one.
If you like the black and you see a pretty good example then you better buy it because you probably won't see another one for months or years.

[John hayward]

I recently purchased 88 m5 with 86k in good condition. The drivers seat looks good with little wear but I have little support on the right side and I always feel like I am going to slide out of the seat to the right when making a hard left turn. The side bolsters look good but it's just not right. I have had this same seat in other cars but this is different. Any suggestions as to where to start or what the problem is?

[mooseheadm5]

Put on some weight

[funfunfer]

Could the seat frame be busted or bent? For me, having a broken bolster frame is a plus.

[M5BB]

Hey is this the John that had the 535 in the concours at OFest right next to me?
If so i guess some of the M5 must have rubbed off on you.

There are some bolts under the side covers at the hinge area of each seat. I have had to tighten those bolts as i felt like the seat was crooked to the car. It helped but in your case i think i would remove the seat (4 bolts and some elec connectors)
and have a look at the frame and structure to see if anything is bent, broken, miss aligned, etc.
There are three motors to move the seat in all it's directions.

[euroJeffrey]

M5BB, I live in Chattanooga TN.