From The Classifieds: 1991 BMW M5 (E34)

With an odometer reading more akin to a Toyota HiLux, this apparently gleaming red 1991 BMW M5 has seen more than 500,000km pass under its (standard-equipment) wheels.

The E34-series M5 was the second iteration of what is now a famous nameplate, and the first to be officially imported to Australia after the foreign success of the previous E28.

Powered by a development of the thoroughbred 3.5-litre DOHC straight-six first seen in the M1 supercar, the E34 M5 arrived on these shores in 1989.

It was instantly sought-after by motoring aficionados for its combination of prestige, power (232kW at 6900rpm – when a 5.0-litre Commodore was knocking out 165kW at 4400rpm!) and outstandingly pure, rear-driven dynamics. Coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, the performance figures still impress today.

Later versions had a 3.8-litre version of the engine that produced 250kW with the option of a six-speed manual ’box, though only one was brought to Australia, apparently as a feasibility study for BMW Oz.

In later times, Australia has had access to the M5, from the 5.0-litre V8-powered E39 first introduced in 1998, through the mighty naturally aspirated V10 E60 to the current day turbocharged F12.

It’s a halo car, pure and simple, made even more special by its relative rarity on the used car market. In fact, at the time of writing there are only 33 M5s of any designation for sale on the carsales.com.au network.

It’s generally accepted that cars built in the mid-1990s will have six-figure mileages by 2013, but this Australian-delivered, 503,899km M5 puts the paltry 170,000km average of the five other E34 M5s on sale at carsales.com.au into perspective.

Described as “in very good condition for the km travelled” by the vendor, it certainly appears to have been “maintained to a very high level by its previous owners”, as described in the ad.

A top-end engine rebuild was undertaken at a BMW dealer around 14,000km ago; at that time the robust bottom-end was inspected and found to have been remarkably free of wear. It’s a testament to BMW’s legendary M engineers; the same people who adapted production-based engine blocks for the basis of their 1000kW 1.5-litre turbocharged Formula One engines of the 1980s.

At the same time as the engine rebuild, a new clutch was installed and all hoses were replaced, with receipts confirming some $8000 spent in total.

The vendor describes the mileage as “mostly highway kilometres all its life” and it’s clear from the images that this particular E34 has been pampered. Often, red paint finishes on older cars fade badly, but this appears in very good condition.

With redbook.com.au listing the average private sale price of the E34 M5 as between $16,700-$21,000, the vendor is offering this half-million-kilometre hero at $12,995, and is “open to sensible offers”. It comes with a roadworthy, and is just out of registration. Oh, the temptation…