MyE28.com

Hi All,

I'm new to this board but have been active on a number of other BMW boards for years.

I'm on my 11th or 12th BMW now and am getting the itch for another one. Now that I'm in the classic car business (restoration) I thought it fitting that I look for something old rather than something new.

I've always loved the e28 and e24 body styles and have always lusted after the M versions of these cars. I've found a few very nice 1988 M6s as well as a couple of very nice 1988 M5s. All are in roughly the same price range and all are in generally similar condition (save for RonP's M5).

I know that the major mechanical components are nearly the same between the two cars, but I'm curious as to practical differences. So here's the question... aside from the obvious, what are the differences between the e24 and e28 M cars? Are the driving dynamics similar between the two cars or do they have very distinct personalities?

I know that this seems like an insanely stupid question, but I won't have an opportunity to drive an M5 back to back against an M6. In fact I've been so busy lately that I doubt I'll have time to even inspect any of the subject vehicles in person.

Any insights are appreciated.

Thanks!
-Andrew

I've driven and ridden in both of the Euro versions of the E28 M5 and E24 M635CSi on the same day. From an acceleration standpoint, they're nearly identical. The M5 might have a slight advantage because it's slightly lighter, but it's so slight to not be significant. The real difference is when you start to push them hard in turns. The M635CSi being heavier tends to push "understeer" sooner than the M5. The M5 also feels lighter and more nimble than the M635CSi.

The biggest differences are curb appeal. The E24 is a coupe and has fabulous looks, while the M5 is a 4-door sedan, and rather pedestrian.

Rich

I'm no racer, so I will defer to Rich's opinion regarding the performance of these two cars on a track. However, as the owner of both a M5 and M6, I can tell you:

1. The M6 is, IMHO, one of BMW's best and most timeless designs. I have always loved the way these cars look and have owned 6 of them. The M6 is a fantastic interstate cruiser and eats up the miles effortlessly.

2. The M5 is the "4-door family car sleeper". Its abilities are belied by its looks.

3. As much as I love the M6, the M5 is more fun to drive. It feels lighter and more responsive. The fact that my M6 is bone stock and my M5 is cat-delete and Dinan chipped may make a difference, though!

I hope these random thoughts are helpful. You cannot go wrong with either car!

Thanks for the replies. I guess some things never change.... I have very similar impressions of the E63 M6 vs. the E60 M5, although neither of them could be called nimble.... or timeless for that matter.

I lusted after both the e24 and e28 when I was much younger and in retrospect I think I had stronger feelings toward the e24 at the time. On the other hand RonP's latest project is calling me. Too bad I can't afford to get one of each

I guess this is what some would call a "happy problem."

i say go after the one you like first then get the other later! Choose by evaluating your needs....

Having owned neither, I'd say buy whichever you could get a car in the best condition for the best money. I know my opinion counts for nothing, but I tend to think you're better off buying a really great X and you might find you like Y better, but there will always be a buyer for X. I hope that makes sense, though I'm sure it doesn't matter.

I've owned both during the same period of time and I think of the M6 as more of a highway/autobahn cruiser, sure it's a great looking car, fricken $600 door seals and they still make horrendous wind noise, heaven forbid you roll down the window while going more then 25mph, the top of the window stays on the outside of the seal, I spent hours adjusting it, gave up and had Sterling BMW charge me $150 to adjust and still the problem persisted but I digress. The car is heavy and plows when taken to task, might have something to do with those itty bitty F/R 21mm and 16mm sways, the M5 doesn't have that shit(25mm and 18mm). The M5 could run circles around a similar equipped M6. The M5 is completely controllable around the corners, a little throttle finesse will bring you in line. The M5 handling is so much more neutral, it's quieter, it's quicker and the US M5 version didn't come with that TRX garbage. I will never buy a 6 series again.

So you ask, Distinct personalities? Most definitely.

imnsho

Doug

I own a e28 M5 and a '80 eurospec 635 (not an M but it does have the m90 engine). As others have indicated they are both very nice cars. To me it depends on what your priorities are. I would agree the M5 holds an advantage in handling performance. Looks, hands down it is the 6er. Even a euro M5 cannot compete in styling with the coupe. The 5 is certainly more versatile if space or passengers is a priority. I will own a m635 some day and would like to covert my US spec M5 to eurospec look and keep them both, then I could have the best of both worlds! Hey for the price of one modestly priced new car you can have both.

photopark wrote:I've owned both during the same period of time and I think of the M6 as more of a highway/autobahn cruiser, sure it's a great looking car, fricken $600 door seals and they still make horrendous wind noise, heaven forbid you roll down the window while going more then 25mph, the top of the window stays on the outside of the seal, I spent hours adjusting it, gave up and had Sterling BMW charge me $150 to adjust and still the problem persisted but I digress. The car is heavy and plows when taken to task, might have something to do with those itty bitty F/R 21mm and 16mm sways, the M5 doesn't have that shit(25mm and 18mm). The M5 could run circles around a similar equipped M6. The M5 is completely controllable around the corners, a little throttle finesse will bring you in line. The M5 handling is so much more neutral, it's quieter, it's quicker and the US M5 version didn't come with that TRX garbage. I will never buy a 6 series again.

So you ask, Distinct personalities? Most definitely...M6=Fail

imnsho

Doug

So how do you really feel, Doug? I now know how to get under your skin. Doug Doorsill.

All kidding aside. Doug is VERY adept and knowledgeable of both cars. He literally knows every nut, bolt and oil leak on these vehicles. I've seen him in action. 8)

I remember reading on roadfly back in the day that someone who had owned both said there is a noticeable difference in chassis stiffness between the e28 and e24, with the e28 being stiffer.

I think a Euro M5 is a much more attractive car. The E28 design has aged much better than the E24 has.

Damn, I find myself in agreement with Chris on this

The price point on the two is closing also. When I was looking for my M5 18 months ago there was a very big gap in M5 v M6 price. Not so much of a gap now.

2ndeagle wrote:The price point on the two is closing also. When I was looking for my M5 18 months ago there was a very big gap in M5 v M6 price. Not so much of a gap now.

This is definitely true, although I also think that the number of pristine E24s is dwindling and that's killing the high end of the market. It's still a bit easier to find a low mileage E24 in contrast to an E28.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I'm currently deciding between multiple cars and may end up buying two. I own a restoration shop and am considering a rough E28 to use as an internal project and a nicer E24 to freshen up and preserve.

I'm also kicking around having one of each M5 released Currently drive an E60 and have found a good E34 candidate. Assuming I pick up the E28 then I only need to find a nice Imola/black E39 and my collection is complete. Still kicking myself for selling my '02 E39...

but the hood opens the wrong way on an M5 !

I'm happy I bought the 6 and it is so very different than my 535 and also the M5's I drove when looking for another old BMW to enjoy. Driving position has a lot to do with the feel and maybe some of the heaviness is simply due to where you sit and how the car feels and not as much about how it performs. The stock M6 is more composed most of the time IMO and driven below 3000 rpm is almost soft and cushy in stock trim but then rips to life above about 3500. The last M5 I drove was raspy and loud and although quicker than my M6 due to numerous mods, it seamed uncivilized to me and turned me off. It couldn't go unnoticed out the driveway, again, probably mostly due to mods.

I think you can make either car go either way to suite your tastes but the 6 will always look sleeker and more of a classic to me. Points are well taken about the stupid TRX rims and all time most complicated ever door seals. Other enduring traits include the mail slot of a sun roof and roomy rear seats, but you gotta love the built in cooler. e24 also gets kuddos for rust in the strangest of places and difficult to source parts.

I've always felt the cockpit of the E24 to seem cramped compared to the E28. I think a lot of it has to do with the sunroof. You get a mail slot in an E24 and something that rivals a door on the E28.

I love 6ers dearly, the styling will always be a high point for BMW's as far as I'm concerned, but I haven't had one yet because I can't really justify owning one, and good ones are considerably more expensive than an M5, though they are more plentiful. Someday, I'll have one. My M5 is the second E28 I've had, and only really because it became available from a customer at a price I could swing, and I was simultaneously missing my old 535is and lacking a useful sedan/long distance car, and always told myself if I had another E28 it would have to be an M5. I've been through both E24's (in particular for resto/recommission on a couple of cars) and E28's down to every nut and bolt, and find the E28 to be the more practical car all around. The 6 does seem a bit more flexible, and once you really spend hours adjusting the doors and windows on one that's been taken apart after a lifetime's worth of mileage you come to appreciate the sedan's structure more. Great cars both, and if you need a fast, classy older GT to cover miles in the M6 is hard to beat. The M5 allows you to do it with 3 of your best road trip buddies, while flying under the radar. Neither is really a "fast" car any more by the numbers, but any way you slice it the S38 is a great engine, and if you're cross-shopping an M5 and M6 the number of doors doesn't seem to matter so buy the best of either that you can find for your budget.

All this aside, I can't help but think this is a pretty good deal:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1256229045.html

wkohler wrote:All this aside, I can't help but think this is a pretty good deal:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1256229045.html

I've emailed this guy a couple of times and never gotten a response. He's had it listed for a while.

It's a shame too as I'm only a couple hours away.