Two of BMW's Greatest Creations Combined... The E34 M5 S38 Powered E9 Coupe | First Look & Drive

In today's video we are featuring a VERY special car. A car that combines two of the most widely regarded "Best of the bests" from BMW. The raw, exhilarating, and powerful S38B36 from the E34 M5 and the elegant, groundbreaking, and ever so beautiful E9 coupe. A car with an amazing story, and an even more amazing presence. This beautiful 1970 BMW 2800CS E9 coupe is NOT your average Resto-mod. This E9 has BMW Motorsport derived roots and was previously at the top of its class, winning shows throughout Europe showing enthusiasts what raw mechanical power and pure elegant beauty look like when they are combined!
Today we get to take a closer look at this newly imported to the US example as well as of, course, take it on an exhilarating drive to see what this "Autobahn Express" is all about!
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[@elijahmohlo]

if you hold a beauty contest between old and new cars, the new ones don't stand a chance

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Easily!

[@AsSudan33]

They’re also very unsafe, but yes, very beautiful

[@pathua7692]

All in the names of Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency😢

[@davidcombs8458]

This reminds me of my E12 which is in the middle of an S38 swap now. So interested in the hydro boost and brakes. Same wheels, same style air dam. This is like a preview for me! That’s a gorgeous car! 🔥

[@m3nameisjosh464]

That is going to be one awesome car David!!!

[@reganoldsky]

This is actual art on wheels

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreeed!

[@Dukica-h4j]

Das ist einer der schönsten BMW die jemals gebaut wurden. Frage: Wie kannst du mit verstelltem Lenkrad fahren? Wenn BMW gerade fährt, muss Lenkrad MITTE ZEIGEN. KEINE AUSREDE. So bald irgendwo Lenkrad nicht in Mitte Steht ich fühle mich unwohl und kann das nicht fahren. Bin SEHR empfindlich auf Lenkrad Position. Sonst dieser BMW ist eine Traum Wagen. BITTE KORRIGIERE DAS LENKRAD. DIESE BMW MUSS PERFEKT SEIN. 😀

[@berwhaletheavenger]

If you want to know why old BMW's are so desirable, just look at the crap they make now. I'd never tire of driving this.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Completely agreed

[@alskooper3319]

Appears to need an alignment, steering wheel off center driving straight ahead. Really cool car and sounds fantastic. I fortunately had the experience of driving an original road version 3.2 CSL that has 100 hp less than this beast and the CSL was very impressive. Power felt very similar to an S52 M3. With the S38, wow!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Keen eye, I believe that is simply a result of when installing the Alpina wheel, it is one spline off, car tracks straight, just has wheel off center. Easy to do when replacing steering wheels! Driving a CSL has to be a special experience! That is awesome!!

[@nextphase7481]

Whoa! The E9 body type has always been one of my favorites. Beautiful styling and very cool! The fact that the modifications were done either by or directly under BMW watch truly makes this a one-of-a-kind car. I bet that it qualifies as the greatest BMW you have driven up until this point! Thanks for taking all of us for a ride!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You would be right. This is certainly up there in the top BMW experiences EVER. An absolutely amazing piece of history!

[@coldload]

Immediately noticed the starter sound isn’t what is expected! Sounds like an m30 starter opposed to an s38 / s14 that sounds much faster (like a v12). Fantastic car it’s dream goals!!!!!!!!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Interesting observation. I have no clue which start is in it haha

[@juancorrea9037]

Now, that's a car. Looks, power, breaks, exaust sounds great, what else can a BMW fan wants! Hope that it finds a great home and that you get a good deal. Good luck Josh.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks Juan! You got that right! Truly special!

[@honestreviewer3283]

This has always been my favorite model of BMW. So beautiful.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Sooo pretty

[@joshgworks]

That is a spicy combo, very very nice.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Very spicy😅

[@JesperMichaelLund]

Really a nice and beautifull car, but you need to center the stearing whell to center, and the engine has a very "rattling" sound from the valves, which is NOT good.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

steering wheel will be centered. Video audio portrays noise kind of weird. This engine makes no abnormal noises

[@Wilantonjakov]

I had a friend of mine recently tell me that old Mercs trump the old Beamers. And to some extent I agree and I know where he's coming from - the build quality is insanely good and the car will last many lifetimes easily if maintained. I love both my 300D and my E12. But this video I think sums up the pinnacle of what it's like to own an old BMW and just why they are so much more special as a driver's car. Yes they may not be up to those same standards with build quality etc but so much went into those engines and the driving experience, which in this case is unique beyond belief. And really, the styling completely lives up to it too. The aggressive shark-inspired front end on these things perfectly suits the sound of that S38... like it was on fire about to burst out of the engine bay. What a machine that is.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I couldn’t have said it better myself. The experience of driving a car like this is next to none. I don’t think any Mercedes could compare to be honest, the engine is screaming like it wants to burst through the firewall, and the aggressive styling makes it all the much cooler. When asking Wolf what it was like to drive this car prior to me driving it, he said “its like firing up a fighter jet” and boy was he right!

[@willjam465]

So...tell us; what was the pucker factor when initially seeing those deer on the side of the road? Regardless, you seemed very calm and cool on the video. Well done! What an absolutely beautiful machine this car is! Only wish I had the bank account to buy it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

HAHAHAH man my life flashed before my eyes. My great uncle always said “deer dart” so I slowed up right away, growing up going to up north Wisconsin often im familiar with deer near the road!

[@shifty1927]

Beautiful. Perfect swap for that chassis. Always wanted to push an s38 to its limits.😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

They are amazing engines!!

[@stuart5107]

What a car . Stunning looks and performance to match. Thank you so much for sharing. Would love to know the selling price? 😊

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks for watching! Its well into the 6 figures!

[@stuart5107]

The price. I'm not surprised giving its sheer beauty and performance, and of course, the story behind it, too. Thanks for the reply. 👍

[@teban1221]

"Best of both worlds" is abso-freakin-lutely spon on, Josh! IMHO the 507 and E9 are the two best bodies from Bayern, ever 😍 Curious though, isn't the S38 rated at 340bhp in Euro E34 trim? Either way (311 vs 340), you've got a real keeper sleeper there, with real provenance to make for a genuinely stellar ownership experience ❤ Happy New Year and always keep the shiny side up! 👏👏👏

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you for the words!!?? I agree the E9 ranks highhh up there in beauty! 507s are certainly special too! But I believe the 340hp euro engine you are thinking of is the 3.8 S38. Even though its a euro s38 it is still the 3.6 version. Unless im wrong?!

[@teban1221]

@@m3nameisjosh464ack, you're right; I was referring to the later variant of the S38B38, while you mentioned that yours has a B36. Mea culpa for not listening hahaha!

[@lesbehemistes]

Wow wow wow. That's a dream BMW there ! ❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yes it is!

[@MichaelGeiger]

Absolutely beautiful car man. You're channel has pulled the biggest 180 in content and quality!! (Although i do miss your OG e34 tutorials from 2019) Also I don't know if you remember me from Instagram last year, but I'm still hoping to do a road trip in my e30 to Chicago this summer

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I promise the E34 tutorial stuff will still be a thing!!! Just been busy working towards leveling up!

[@paulrattray8712]

Forgive them, They know not what they drive... Or how 😢 Does anyone detect a hint of Tiaga green envy 😊

[@StacheCam]

That car had the s38 longer than you’ve been alive 😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Literally bruh🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nasosnasos8054]

Love

[@kayomagalhaes3988]

gorgeus car and i feel like this one is so special, glad to be here and watching how far ur getting, congrats and cant wait for the e9 build!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you my man!! I appreciate you!!

[@andystone6777]

T.O.P. ! ! ! 👍🥰👍 T.O.P. ! ! ! 👍🥰👍 T.O.P. ! ! ! 👍🥰👍

[@jessekeasler4278]

It’s so awesome seeing how happy you get talking and driving these cars. Im appreciative that you show us these cars!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im appreciative that you experience them with me🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@algeniscorrea187]

I own a e24 M6, and I understand how you feel when driving this car. That motor pulls and feels like it's a train. If you pay attention it's like you can hear the engine breathing through the itbs.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You really can hear it breathing! Its an awesome experience!

[@bernhardwidmer886]

What a cruel crime :-( ruining a marvelous BMW classic Coupe with an engine that has nothing to search in it. Frankenstein would be happy to drive it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You think one of the best Bmw engines to ever be created is ruining a car?

[@torygyberg8837]

Drool! Dream car!!

[@lotusjp]

I'm lost for words of this car and this car should not leave Germany because United States you can't drive it anywhere cuz these idiots are always waiting for you with tickets and too many cars on the road ways to have this p unless you live in Virginia or around that kind of area really beautiful mountains if you're not in a place like that setting like that don't bother driving buying it even worse cuz it's just going to sit around and you'll never get the proper use out of it like in Europe

[@m3nameisjosh464]

This car is hardly even legal to drive in the EU, your regulations make it impossible to register. Thats why it came to America…

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

2 things, why does it have a HOT air intake and where is the diag port cover?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

There is no rook in the engine bay for any other form of intake. And the E9s don’t have a front end that really allows an intake system to go into, a custom airbox would need to be made. As for diag cover I need to put one on!

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

@@m3nameisjosh464 After all that work I am baffled they did not design a simple CAI. It's not rocket science. ;)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@noanyobiseniss7462 the hardest part on a build is the final 1%😉

[@lotusjp]

To the maker of this video Josch or... You've never driven a BMW sounds like I've been driving the BMW since 1980 different models I want 2:30 with suspension lowered and a slight increase the horsepower which wasn't much but it was making the car much more especially in corners in up hills like crazy I had an E30 328 e

[@scottfindley1345]

Sick!!! See, there was actually a time when BMW built beautiful, special cars, not these pigs they produce today

[@m3nameisjosh464]

It is unfortunate the new direction they have gone:(

[@tadficuscactus]

What an awesome sounding engine.

[@zorngottes1778]

Be careful with an e9. Those cars have the old rear axle from the "Neue Klasse" models. They sometimes react very spontaniously in curves

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ive noticed that. Thank you. I was taking it easy

[@viperocco]

My wife was watching and mentioned that interior color, at least in boots and purses, would be called Cognac. She wants that car.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Cognac! Love it!!

[@2turbo4u]

Beautiful car and the sound it makes can't be matched, How much are they asking for this beauty if you dont mind me asking?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks for viewing! This car is well into the 6 figures mark.

[@shaban2374]

i would rather use the newer b58 b30 engine bored out to 89mm so you get 3500cc and a single garret g30-700 turbo

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ruins the vintage classiness

[@rjay4448]

Just bought a 1984 E24 635 csi and having second thoughts after seeing this E9

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahahha no E24s are great too

[@BenHut69]

What a beautiful combination of parts. Automotive perfection

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreeed! Art on wheels

[@merciless9285]

What a special car. I can only imagine how fun it is to drive

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Absolute riot to drive!

[@anthonynicholich9654]

Now let's see some American dinosaur from 1970? Hahahaha

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Right🤣

[@florianhaake5590]

@m3namisjosh so happy you finally got behind the wheel of an S38! I just overpaid for an E34 M5 a few months ago after watching all these yt videos! Pairing that engine with such a clean E9 (arguably most beautiful BMW ever) is an amazing combo, next owner is going to be super happy. Enjoy it in the meantime

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I am so happy to as well. Man I have been missing out. E34 M5 is definitely on the list now. No such thing as overpaying, they are the best!!

[@florianhaake5590]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I live in Europe and drive maybe 5000 miles a year, so I thought I would make those special miles with the E34 M5. That engine just feels so special when it's running properly! And it's in an E34, what's not to love!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@florianhaake5590 i could not agree more with that logic!! Might as well enjoy those 5000 miles!

[@lotusjp]

You do power and you don't do brakes, worthy of driving the car know you're not I can see the way you drive it on the video so that's why we go back to the original idea that I gave you go get an instructor and learn how to drive on a racetrack and practice on a the RaceTrac you'll enjoy your car much more

[@petejohnson2945]

I’d buy it if I had the money.

[@Akiss]

What a stunning, timeless design. The only thing that irks me is the modern M badge on the grill, which has the newer tricolor stripe and more convex shape, it looks out of place.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I had no idea that was a modern M logo vs a classic one. Good eye!

[@Akiss]

@@m3nameisjosh464 yeah it’s subtle, but the middle stripe should be purple instead of blue, the switchover happened sometime around the E39/E46 era. Convex logo happened from the E39.

[@jameshaggerty1807]

What a gorgeous car! What is the paint called? Is it a BMW color? Thanks.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yessir! Factory color called Baikal blue metallic.

[@nurullahozbey8180]

Why does it have red antifreeze i thought all bmws use blue antifreeze

[@m3nameisjosh464]

European stuff, not sure why.

[@luisgonzalezmartinez5087]

🔥🔥🔥 that car is beautiful....

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Why yes it is!

[@shanefanon]

I miss my 2.8 CSL from 1973. Best car I owned.

[@iSpyCars]

If you saw a group of deer on that road why did you keep driving through there?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Midwest local, i know how to maneuver them😏

[@Khan_Art_]

That's a perfect combo and those seats 🤤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreeeed!

[@h3llrotm311]

I am currently swapping an S38B36 into my E30. It's nice to have a video of an S38 screaming with good sound. Gives me something to look forward to. And your feedback is great. Beautiful car. How's it compare to an S54? My other swapped car is an S54 E36.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

That’s gonna be a BADASS car. E30s actually way less than e9s so that car will be crazy fun. I love S54s but s38s are arguably cooler and certainly sound better. Shy about 20 hp of s54 but more torque for sure and more rewarding at lower rpms

[@e34WagonZilla]

"Oh Deer!" Hey buddy someone else says that

[@m3nameisjosh464]

😩🤣🤣🤣

[@stevenpike7530]

Redemption for flogging the E30…congrats…punt all the other imposters & get your mitts on that puppy & hold onto it like you were gripping Scarlett Johanssen…(read never let it go (the car))…

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahah thank you for the analogy;)

[@ralphhargesheimer1230]

Das ist einer der schönsten BMW die jemals gebaut wurden, kann mich noch an die Zeiten erinnern in denen die Fahrzeuge für 3.000 DM und weniger verscherbelt wurden.

[@fiend1191]

hey brother was hoping if you knew about ECU options for a m30b35 turbo automatic, running a stock ECU at the moment with all the required additions for the turbo, arp studs, fuel pump, bigger injectors, wideband, etc just need an ECU option as the car is running too rich, not making proper power. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Dont run the car on a stock ecu. Megasquirt pnp

[@fiend1191]

@@m3nameisjosh464 megasquirt i've had a look at running, but it states that it wont be able to run on an e34 automatic due to the transmission relying on a fuel consumption signal, rather than hydraulic transmission control.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@fiend1191 ahhh that could make sense, i thought trans computer was standalone in 535 though. Maybe ecu master?

[@fiend1191]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Not sure about that one, I'll have to research into it more, I'll talk to my tuner on monday, thanks for the responses.

[@Nikko780]

Having driven a few S38 cars, they're in my top 3 favorite engines of all time. The character is SO unique and fun.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Completely agree man

[@shelbygtsoo]

What are you asking for this beauty

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Send me an email. [e-mail]

[@JDtimesten]

One of the best looking cars ever and with that engine and even some real brakes. Oh my God man. I've never commented on any of your videos but this is just beyond fantasy

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!!!! I appreciate the comment!

[@911bruce]

Can you say the colour again please

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Baikal blue metallic

[@iVzQs]

Oh my.... absolutely stunning car... Probably wont be very safe to drive though :D

[@m3nameisjosh464]

😅😅😅😅 thats what makes it fun no?

[@markjfox866]

Wow thats sweet

[@clayp.e30_v86]

My new favourite channel. Binging your content thanks from across the pond 🇬🇧 😎

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you so much my friend!!!

[@joachimriegel3253]

❤.. 😎👏👏👏👌👌👌 ... Thank you so much for this amazing video ... ❤ I fall as well in love for this amazing E9 Coupé with the rebuild of a S38 M engine ... 🫶 ...what a cracy great idea ... and matching it so professional perfectly ... great great compliments to that creator who realized it ... and rhank you so much afain Josh, for taking us with you to enjoy this amazing beautiful ride in this dream car ❤ Best Regards from Germany Joachim

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you for watching Joachim!!

[@joachimriegel3253]

@@m3nameisjosh464 welcome Josh, 🤩 I ve enjoyed every single second so much 😎👌

[@vagabondroller]

Aww man, this car is so amazing it hurts to look at and listen to. Glad you are getting some time with it but it is going to be a sad day when you sell it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I know right!!

[@fillusrahim-xy9ib]

Autobahn transformer

[@lizwimgobhozi784]

"Oh deer"

[@donstevens56]

Amazing

[@alexanderhalvorsen9287]

This car is simply stunning.

[@bricklawson9745]

Wow!!!😮

[@bosroamer]

It has no seatbelts in the front?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I guess I completely forgot to put it on😅 shame on me

[@user-puzer1]

BMW❤

[@startingtech3900]

The great josh with GREAT BMWS.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you man!!!

[@bentwick6675]

Damn, that´s really a perfect combination…. 👍👍👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The title wasn’t lyin!

[@dexburwell]

Awesome would an understatement. Just shy of Amazing 👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I completely agree!

[@mnetjes9520]

Hot air intake ,why?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

No where else to fit an intake. S38 plenum its quite large, solid front core support

[@Silber-Unze]

Perfect street Maschine....regards from vienna

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Perfect is right! Greetings!

[@stevey-nwas1230]

The most Beautiful bmw car ever made in my opinion 👌👌👌👌👌💥💥💥💥 That engine swap looks so factory 😍😍😍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Welll it was pretty much done by factory😉😉

[@stevey-nwas1230]

@@m3nameisjosh464 that awesome 👌 How much is your asking price ?

[@muzixman2011]

looks like driving a lorry

[@Dukica-h4j]

Why?

[@kentvonseverin1257]

How was the traction?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Good grip on this car with the wider Alpina wheels. Didn't have any issues

[@motorfab7014]

Combo fantastica 😍

[@fatoputso7375]

Uhm those headrests... wth does that!!?? Beautiful

[@m3nameisjosh464]

What do you mean? Hahs

[@startingtech3900]

Looks crazy!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

It is!!

[@lachezarvalentinov8751]

Nice vid! Congrats and thanks for sharing! I offer for sale a low-mileage S38B36 w/ 120,000kms for 8.750€. For additional 750€ you can get the ECU and MAF as well. If necessary, remove the post. But I think good things have to be preserved and shared in our community. Located in France. Thank a lot!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man! Good luck with the sale!!

[@stevey-nwas1230]

Before you start driving the car, allow it to tick over for 5 min Before you switch off the engine when you park up, Allow it to idle for 5 min Repeat this cycle ever time... Less engine problems later on

[@DJoe9000]

Interested in the S38 motor for sale. Currently restoring an E9 and planning to mate it to a M88/3

[@lachezarvalentinov8751]

@@DJoe9000 How can I contact you?

[@lokha6302]

Love the e34 m5 engine and the pull it gives

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Same here😏

[@2candan1]

Ooft, mate. This is a hell of a combination!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Pretty on the outside, racecar on the inside😏

[@zorngottes1778]

Your fuel ist low

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Iight stays on for some reason

[@FRVulgar]

This is a dream 👍

[@brokenwidget3828]

Beautiful car❤

[@imtiazahmed2147]

ur gonna have to keep this one sir!!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

😳😳😳😳

[@Wil-70-NL]

The normal stock European M3 (E36) engine this is. 321Hp. Also used in the E34 M5. Cool car.

[@Robertgio]

The European e36 had s50/ s52 different engine

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Very different engines.

[@Wil-70-NL]

@@Robertgio base is the same. Yeah yeah, different head, double vanos, yeah. Very different...😂

[@Robertgio]

@@Wil-70-NL absolutely!!! That euro s50b32 though is something special as well 👏

[@janihaavisto1860]

😂 S50/52 e34 M5? Never seen

[@Hama_19]

Such an amazing car ❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreeed!

[@xayantriv627]

Dream vehicle

[@m3nameisjosh464]

A total dream!

[@stooltayartyrebangku9418]

My wishlist ❤🎉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Same here😅

[@uisperfectemail9720]

Video game build before you get crazy with Batmobile body kits.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahah bat mobile build is a dream!

[@davidcarter5251]

Chef’s freaking kiss wow 🤌🏼 restomods dont get much better than this

[@m3nameisjosh464]

They definitely do not! This is peak restomodding right here!!