MotorWeek | Retro Review: '93 BMW M5

[@fhowland]

14.5 quarter mile is crazy fast for its size and that era! What a car.

[@dpajc056]

love the look of older BMWs...when they looked distinctively BMW.

[@Exekutioncro]

exactly, and not Hyundai BMW editions

[@Nthstar]

+ExeKuTioN Cro they look like Mazda too now lol

[@nrs796bs]

dpajc056 giusto.

[@lotsoftorque3632]

agreed. fuck all new cars. the newest car ill ever have is my 2009 porsche cayenne gts

[@fernandorocha8459]

@@Exekutioncro I love classic BMW M5

[@axe456]

22 years later and the M5 is still the best sport saloon ever made.

[@TimSlee1]

That is a timeless looking car, easily one of the best looking BMW's imo.

[@thewedge8823]

imagine getting a brand new E34 M5 today, I would actually take it over a new 2019 M5. no joke

[@roddydykes7053]

The Wedge but would you pay $96,000 for it though?

[@thewedge8823]

@japanwatchconnection did you just compare a 27 year old car to a new one? thats like comparing a 27 year old cell phone to an iphone, and saying "hey look this gets way better reception" SMH

[@romulus_]

@japanwatchconnection well, that's for one that's practically mint. you can find them for much less.

[@RivieraByBuick]

well, at any point in time you can get almost any car that was ever produced in low mileage almost new condition. You can buy the e34 m5 with less than 50k km....these cars are out there. Very funny to read comments like yours. Because if u want to get low mileage e34 m5 in 2021 - it is totally doable.

[@SGspecial84]

Most people would. BMW has lost its way.

[@doctorzaius4084]

This car was pure science fiction for 1993. 310HP from a six at a time when all the car mags were creaming themselves over GM's 260HP V8.

[@Tivoliterror]

+doctor zaius *cough* GM owned Lotus at that time didnt they? and they made the Lotus opel omega with 377hp

[@r2ba435]

well the gm 5.7 was making 330 torque at a very low 2k rpm. and sounded really good. but I agree this was great

[@doctorzaius4084]

Tivoliterror That's true, and the Lotus Carlton was an awesome, awesome car... but I'm strictly speaking from the perspective of an American here. In the U.S. in 1993, the then-new GM LT1 V8 was considered the hottest shit around; a magnificent return to form after nearly 20 years of V8s with half the power. And it was a good engine, certainly a huge improvement over those that came before. But an engine with two less cylinders and nearly 150 fewer cubic inches making 50HP MORE than an LT1 was totally batshit crazy!

[@mr.butterworth]

+doctor zaius After years of emissions choked engines, the 90's represented a second coming of Christ. Seeing as the M5's S38 six was a high-performance special, it's probably more fitting to compare it to the likes of the LT5 which was making a good 405 horses by '93. After being hampered by an engineering conflict over the size of the bore centers during development in the 80's… These days, nearly everything with big factory power has forced induction. But in the 90's, BMW excelled at power through high revs… And the Lotus Omega/Carlton is the greatest super sedan most have ever heard of. I dream of importing one of the babies.

[@SubieandFriends]

but remember that the LT1 actually made 300 hp in the corvette...but yeah 310 hp from a 6 cylinder by bmw was really good in 93 but theres no way it can compete with the monster torque from the lt1 at 330lbs of torque...and the v8 sound is addicting even with the 260hp LT1 in the impala ss it sounds bad ass compared to smaller engines back in the day.

[@peterbradshaw8018]

The first time I saw that 5 series I fell in love. Best 5 ever.

[@mrbertone262]

What a machine. I love to have one. I have a 1994 740il with black interior and white exterior and man I have so much fun every time I drive it. Its built like a bank vault and it moves. This clips are great I could watch them for hours. Take care everyone.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

My fav of the 5 Series body styles.

[@StuartOliver83]

WikdSeafood me too,I am lucky enough to have one but not lucky enough to have an M badge on it loo

[@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec]

Nerd points for mentioning Bosch Motronic! Go MotorWeek!

[@LMacNeill]

I'd rather own one of these than a new M5. It's definitely going to be more reliable, despite being 25 years older.

[@SGspecial84]

good luck finding parts.

[@tenishotshot]

@@SGspecial84 Parts are very easy to find. I own one. FCP Euro has everything, plus lifetime warranty.

[@SGspecial84]

Thats good to hear. Can't say the same about the e30 :( @@tenishotshot

[@DolleHengst]

European version had a 3.8 litre engine that produced 340hp

[@lewis72]

+DolleHengst A quick look on Wiki. sees that the USA was "stuck" with the 3.6 due to emissions of the 3.8.

[@mro9466]

+DolleHengst Still a better situation than the US e36 M3 :p

[@domtoretto3280]

+M RO yet the E36 m3 us spec dumps all over this m5... oops

[@mro9466]

Nope, M5 3.6 still faster anywhere than your 240hp M50-ish M3 US SPEC. In fact the M5 3.6 is faster the 330ci E46.

[@v8powerr771]

treehumpers haha

[@KnightDriveTV]

Last of the hand built BMW's. The E34 M5 is pretty special in it's own ways. I'm lookin to own one. I just sold my E36 M3 and am on the hunt for an E34 M5.

[@Krieky]

For a brand to stay on top of the game for so long - what an impressive feat.

[@peterbradshaw8018]

The husband of a teacher at my high school had one of these back in the day. Man it had a lovely engine sound.

[@myname9252]

Gorgeous.Just gorgeous.

[@ditto1958]

I was addicted to this show in the 80’s.

[@dhatchbernier]

I had a 1989 535i manual and now have a 2014 535d. Despite all the new and impressive technology in the f10, I would take the e34 any day.

[@TommyboyGTP]

It's a shame they don't make them like they used to. So much electronic doo-dads and controls in the new ones. The older models gave you a solid mechanical feel and you felt more interactive and in tune with the car. It would be nice if they started making them more simple again and save all the gadgets for those who want them.

[@superman92801]

Not to mention the fake sounds coming from the speakers when you drive the new ones...

[@TommyboyGTP]

Gabriel lopez That's the worst!

[@71vwdriver]

They can't these days with all the safety crap.... Everything is packed with adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot all that bs.

[@71vwdriver]

I agree with the gear boxes. Everyone is focussed on fuel economy and no body knows how to drive a manual. Everyone either has a cvt or a 8-9 speed auto. Plus most cars with manuals only are available on lower trim levels.

[@jtb1990419]

I agree. The E39 M5 was the last true M5 in my opinion. I like the E60 as well, but the E39 and this E34 were the best in my opinion.

[@ubiased23]

Very impressive numbers, and even by today's standard. If you buy Infiniti G35 (2007) that comes with 3.5 Liter that pumps up 306 HP, so in order words the BMW is still slightly more powerful. It shows how marvelous the engineering with the BMW M power have gone through back then.

[@kroll52]

Mr.Logic23 the g35 is less than half the price and still faster

[@smokesgtp]

Hell, V6 6-speed Accord coupe was well less than half the price adjusted for inflation and also significantly quicker.

[@kimblem.w9952]

Don't forget how much of a gas guzzler the E34 M5 was with sub 20mpg average. Even though it was only a 6cyl, the motor was designed for racing in mind with a 5 speed that doesn't have much of an overdrive gear. The car also weighed 3800 pounds which didn't help.

[@nighthawk0077]

Yes and no. In 2007 hp changed to sae, which in reality is closer to 315hp under the old system. Still it's a beast for 1993

[@davidaubin3902]

4:21 John: BUT BREEZING PAST GAS STATIONS WON'T BE AS EASY! LOL

[@skillz1855]

Geeez, what an impressive car..

[@shaesham]

The Audi S4 did very similar numbers a year earlier. Love both.

[@Edizzle15]

Had one…and a fully RS2’d 1995.5 URS6. My favorite car I’ve ever owned. Rolled it down a 70ft embankment in a snowstorm in Breckenridge. It kept me safe. I’ll forever miss that car. Bought it from a doctor with on 102k on the clock for $4500. It was damn near PERFECT.

[@incyphe]

Hah! the hell with Lamborghini Huracán review. I'm watching this review first!

[@josephelias6269]

nutsackmania I see the toddler has arrived.

[@fortune300]

Two of my friends used it as a regular family car in the 90´s. One station wagon M5 315hp and the other guy had a 3,8l sedan with Child seats, Disney stickers and all the other things that comes with those small humans..

[@chrisdooley6468]

Rockin those driving gloves lol

[@xebek]

He was clearly on his way to a Michael Jackson video shoot.

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

Damn I want one of these. Growing up we had a 93 535i and it was a beast of a car, not an M5 but it sounded really nice and quick.

[@Wesley_C]

So this is the legendary E34 M5

[@nutsackmania]

+Wesley C ok but where's your mom

[@sales8026]

nutsackmania what does that even mean?

[@bmepdoc9675]

We were Steve Dinan's So-Cal distributor and did more than a few turbo conversions on the earlier E-28 as well as these E-34's. They ran very, VERY, well. The weak point were the brakes. Back then, Steve came up with a front brake conversion which consisted of Chevy Corvette Z1 calipers/rotors up front. Didn't much matter with 480+ HP shoving around all that weight. 0-60 times were in the 4.7 sec range with 100 coming up at around 9.6 onto a time-to-distance top end of 171 MPH. Pretty heady stuff in the 90's. The binders would 'cook' with the pedal dropping to the floor. Handling was quite good with the Stage 4 suspension which completely revamped everything from shocks to revised 'pick up' points. Fuel mileage?....really?...Well, if you must. At full song at 'willow springs' we found the car to become more neutral as the 22 gallons was eagerly guzzled. The real mileage hovered about 5.3 miles per gallon , albeit - that was 'boost heavy'. Judicious throttle application netted roughly 10-13. Fun cars.

[@gregbez]

Back when BMW was built by engineers, not accountants.

[@gary_beniford]

could you find the review for the 1980s M6 that car looks so cool.

[@A320Pilots]

There was no M6 back then. Just the 635CSI

[@gary_beniford]

A320Pilots yes there was the M6 started in 1988

[@A320Pilots]

***** it was called the M6 in america. In Europe it was called the M635CSi

[@JohnSmith-in1tt]

Back when BMW was actually good

[@galvani8929]

yes

[@MMM18092]

My 2013 BMW is good.

[@JohnSmith-in1tt]

@@MMM18092 Don't get me wrong, Bmw does still make some good cars but in my opinion they're just not what they used to be in terms of quality, reliability, styling and delivering a driver focused car. I think their priorities have shifted to tech and performance numbers and that hurt the brand greatly for real enthusiasts of the brand

[@MMM18092]

@@JohnSmith-in1tt I drove my parents' E39 in my early 20s and that was a brilliant car, maybe the best sedan ever built.

[@JohnSmith-in1tt]

@@MMM18092 Nice! Im currently in my early 20's and I would love to buy an E39 M5 one day in the near future hopefully before prices skyrocket

[@soundseeker63]

I find this E34 to be more stylish than any of the current BMW range. They used to produce really crisp and elegant looking designs. Now they just look fussy and and ugly....look at todays M3 by comparison. Not to mention way too many electronics, and thus potential for electrical faults. The 90's remains a classic era for BMW.

[@Exekutioncro]

Yes !!

[@Nthstar]

Yeah they all look too alike and arnt built anywhere near as well as they used to be BMWs look like Mazdas now.... plus they dragged their name down introducing cheaper and cheaper models but that's not just BMW doing that.

[@Nthstar]

Yeah they all look too alike and arnt built anywhere near as well as they used to be BMWs look like Mazdas now.... plus they dragged their name downmarket by introducing cheaper and cheaper models but that's not just BMW doing that.

[@Nthstar]

Yeah they all look too alike and arnt built anywhere near as well as they used to be BMWs look like Mazdas now.... plus they dragged their name downmarket by introducing cheaper and cheaper models but that's not just BMW doing that. At least these stand out in the crowd more now than ever

[@Kaisuke971]

Today's M3 looks very good in the flesh. The front is low and agressive while the back is very wide, so idk what you're talking about. Definitely not the right example to illustrate your idea...

[@h.j.b3705]

One of the first cars I've ever driven was a regular '93 5-series. I won't be able to recall which one exactly. I only remember the great fun I had, and that it was better than my parents' '03 Toyota. :) This still is a dreammachine! Damn, at 18y I felt so cool. :P Now I drive a crappy Fiat. Real life and stuff. :P

[@roddydykes7053]

H.J. B you could easily afford a used 90s beemer that’s been at least somewhat properly been looked after

[@vfrmaverick]

whats weird is i have the exact same 1/4 mile times in my lightly modified e34 525. 14.5 @ 97 is my best and after more tweaking im positive its close to 13s now.

[@mehdicheraga3826]

it was the last m5 mounted by hand. the editing lasted 15 days .There are some very nice videos on a bmw m5 3.6 of Nand0E30 in the nurburing .

[@Lavaman3682]

LOVE thje e34. Had a 6spd 540, nearly identical to what he is standing in front of at :40. WONDERFUL car (only sold i went to grad school). Missed it so much I bought several more bmws....

[@Zickcermacity]

Thank you for setting up a channel where I can relive my MW episode memories! i must ask this fundamental question: When you road test vehicles, do you set cold tire pressures to the vehicle spec on the door pillar placard? Just curious, because most consumers would fail to do so!

[@adrianniemiec8669]

In 1993 , 310 HP from a 3.5 V6 was just unbelievable !!! Individual throttle bodies and so on . A 93 corvette had 300.But then again , $60.000 then could buy you a ZR1 , or an NSX. A stock Corvette was only $34.000.

[@mitchp85]

These scenes with the driver in gloves looks like a serial killer bit from a movie

[@bloodshoot1115]

A friend of mine ownes the Touring Version of the M5 (only about 900 of them has been build), greatest car ever i get always jealous with my 525i touring e34

[@twstrchasr]

I got one back in '92. It was a good car but for some reason I never really bonded with it. Maybe I was too young to appreciate a hot 4 door. So I sold it and got a '93 300ZX TT. That car was more to my liking.

[@michaelv6870]

I had an E34 525i 24V but always wanted the M5. Just couldn`t afford it. Those where great cars.

[@richardprice7763]

I had a '92 Euro spec 535i Sport and as nice as it was I always wanted the M5 especially the uprated 3.8 litre 340bhp version! Great cars with absolutely bulletproof build quality, something is missing from today's BMWs I think...

[@lfsracer79]

The '93 Euro M5 had a 335 hp 3.8 I6.

[@mariuszanfir2298]

lfsracer79 Actually the power increase is not the biggest difference (thou it's still big), the torque delivery is the greatest. The Euro 3.8 develops 80% of the torque from 1800rpm and peaks at 400Nm. This changes the engine's behavior by a big margin; it makes it fill like a much bigger engine.

[@jacquenoir7876]

lfsracer79 340bhp for the 3.8

[@lfsracer79]

Jeff Jones 335 SAE hp = 340 DIN hp

[@nutsackmania]

+lfsracer79 what did you mom have in '93

[@Madmonkeyitch]

Diggin' the dork and his night at the Roxbury outfit

[@marco1173]

Nobody makes sports sedans like the Germans. It's as true today as it was then.

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

Those performance numbers are still really solid by today’s standards - and in 1993?! The M5 was literally lonely at the top

[@GrAYvTrAnE]

E34 M5, the pinnacle of sports sedan

[@titusrome2863]

If anyone wants to know at 00:20 John is referring to the 1989 Nissan Maxima SE

[@johnnymason2460]

The Maxima was never really a four-door sports car. The M5 was more of the four-door sports car people deserved. Not for me since this version was a manual only.

[@jasona1599]

Best looking 5 series hands down. 3800lbs is a little a chunky though.

[@Turshin]

Holy shit 60k in 1993 dollars! !!!

[@dontreplykillyourself8816]

Still not factoring in exchange rates. The stupid continues.

[@Turshin]

rome baker still expensive no matter how you look at it

[@supra1722]

God damn. my '98 750 was 94k when it was new.

[@MatrixDiscovery]

The engine looks like it came out of an F1 car.

[@montrealleaphart6281]

smasila it actually did with modifications 👀

[@dhatchbernier]

Um...

[@taforth]

I always thought that those wheels came on the second gen M5 with the 3.8 L…

[@bandgeeks415]

Please do more of these on bmw's🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@mr.butterworth]

Current Bimmers suck balls, as today's trends and regulations have not been kind to the spirit of the spinning propeller. But this is when BMW was a truly great marque, everything they touched turned to gold.

[@mr.butterworth]

***** True, the X5 marked the turning point, along with the major shift in brand philosophy that arrived in the early-2000's.

[@mescko]

It's not spinning prop--it's the Bavarian flag.

[@ivorton23]

Nice!...can I see the E39 5 SERIES review?

[@SANYUR]

+ivorton23 I get the E39 M5 Test review

[@andydhillon1977]

0:18 John is talking about Nissan and the Maxima, correct?

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Awesome 4 door sedan👍👌☝🏽👆👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@lexburen5932]

yeah, they used the race engine in this m5. this is now a car that is worth alot of € in europe

[@johnnybarrett1106]

That's my second favorite BMW my first is the 850csi.

[@supra1722]

need to see E38 740i and 750iL review and E31 8 series!

[@alexlopatenko5497]

I just bought one 👍👍❤️

[@RaacingAce]

still the best pure sport sedan in world today in 2018

[@nightowl3582]

These and the 850s are my favs.

[@doccyber]

0-60 in 6 secs for 60k in 1993 dollars. We sure live in amazing times. What one can buy now for half the price and better performance?

[@Lekster777]

Great car. Love it.

[@Slicey007]

E39 was their greatest achievement ever imo

[@cherkas009]

The Japanese car company was named Nissan that advertised the four-door sports car

[@Nthstar]

4.06 is that supposed to remove like that or did he undo it?? lol

[@robgindc1]

That first twin cam 24 valve 190hp Maxima was the truth tho, for far less than M5 price. Y'all didn't have to slam the Max to give M5 props (different markets).

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

$97,000 in todays' dollar.

[@20ilunga]

GT6SuzukaTimeTrials Right

[@nutsackmania]

+GT6SuzukaTimeTrials nope

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

No 5-Series can ever be worth HALF that much.......

[@roddydykes7053]

GT6SuzukaTimeTrials yeah lot of money for a simple luxury sport sedan by today’s standards

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

@@roddydykes7053 Expensive by the standards of 25+ years ago, too.

[@Anderson-ky6ps]

Essa BMW é um carro dos sonho 👍😁

[@PatrickRob82]

Was he talking about a Maxima in the beginning?

[@samuelskillern7365]

I think they were referencing the Nissan Maxima. You cant be FWD and have CVT to be a sporstcar. The V6 AWD Chrysler 200 is more of a four-door sports car than a Nissan Maxima.

[@johnls39]

Although steady around corners, this car had modest bodyroll.

[@nutsackmania]

+johnls39 your mom's got more serious bodyroll

[@paulhunter123]

even bmw dont make cars this good now.

[@97I30T]

Why did they take the center caps off of the wheels on the track? Are they seriously that concerned that they will fall off?

[@nutsackmania]

+97I30T your moms did

[@StopDropandLOL]

Hahaha those driving gloves are hilarious.

[@demetriusjohnson7773]

I know right. I lol'ed. They are like break dancing gloves.

[@mescko]

Driving gloves were once De Riguer wear for the sporting motorist, along with the white silk shirt and ascot. When my E28 hits the road, so will my black and white stringbacks.

[@VaughnJogVlog]

He’s talking about the Infinity Q45.

[@J.Gainez]

i was gonna say the maxima, they advertised 3rd gens as 4 door sports cars, not really the q45

[@mohamed-ihcenbouadjadj1351]

what a greaaaat car!!

[@vavo4902]

The Maxima 4DSC was an excellent car as well.

[@madanto2394]

What are 5 miles per hour bumpers?.

[@dusanveselka3240]

E34 and E32 were the best cars ever. btw, wasnt the V8 more powerful than the American version of M5?

[@Porsche996driver]

Look kids - a naturally aspirated motor! A straight 6 with no plastic cladding! A manual gearbox! 2:50 high-speed braking as flat as Kansas! And they made a wagon! Who wants a stupid SUV?!

[@davidvalenzuela4529]

Here's a MotorWeek Retro Review of the BMW M5 from 1993.

[@mrdflash2127]

Please post the e500 review

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

It's a beast! 😈🚘💪😀

[@BerryA86]

Are those individual throttle bodies?

[@theunknown302]

BerryA86 Yep

[@dontreplykillyourself8816]

Duh

[@realRichHunting]

Dude... I gotta find one of these cars!!!

[@control2791]

Subtle, classy and mean

[@leenevin8451]

years ago my dad bought the worst 535i in the country for £800, amazing car

[@boss12]

Throwing Stars‼️

[@betrapvideos]

I loved my 4DSC Maxima

[@jacarilamar9560]

What a beauty...

[@20ilunga]

Bmw Forever

[@jasonamarante1799]

perch it brother !!!

[@craigyirush3492]

12 city! Still, I’ll take it.

[@patricklilly6628]

Delicious...

[@nrs796bs]

Meravigliosa.

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

12 mpg...for a six-cylinder? o_0