1988 BMW M5 - Rare blk/blk - Portland, OR

[cwhite1]

After 10 years of happy ownership I am reluctantly putting my M5 up for sale. We are moving out of town to where the roads are not as well maintained. I do not want to beat up my car after taking care of it for so many years

I would like it to go one to someone who know the car and will appreciate its history.

I have got some pictures posted to a share site: http://cwhite1111.dotphoto.com

A bit about the car:

It is one of the 22 USA spec cars that came with the black leather interior.

Except for a newer clutch the engine, trans and diff are original. It does have new driveshaft and half-shafts. New upper/lower control arms with 750 bushings

Many parts and trim pieces have been replaced to improve the appearance. It has a complete tool kit of course. I have many other spare parts such as brake pads, original BMW cloth seat covers (I think they sold them to throw over your seats to protect the leather if you got dirty while you were out) and stock mud flaps (never installed, great for protecting the body but just to ugly)

Major changes from stock:

1) Euro Headlight conversion (I still have the original lights and grills)
2) Euro headers installed and new exhaust, including cats (it is pretty loud)
3) Limited edition Momo steering wheel released in the late 80’s for the M5/M6 (still have stock wheel)
4) 540 rear brake conversion
5) 17” wheels w/ Goodyear GS-D3 (Original wheels stored safely in garage, with tires)
6) J. Conforti chip upgrade

Previous owner installed Dinan suspension (springs, shocks, sway bars) cam gear and K&N air filter. I do have all the Stock suspension parts and air box

Finally, the rarest of the rare, I have a SPARE ECU (with stock chip and a Dinan chip)

I am told the stock wheels and ECU are worth well over $2000, but I want everything to go with the car.

The car has 138,000 miles.

For the car and all the spares I am asking $20,000

[carter]

Cool steering wheel... good luck with the sale.
You might not know this but it could be useful to know, all Canadian M5s were Black on Black, so that doesn't carry as much weight on Canadian BMW boards.

[cwhite1]

I knew about the Canadian cars all having black interiors. The myth I heard was that the last 20 or so Canadian cars where switched to USA. Since they were built 20 at a time this makes some sense.
The engine, dash and other bits were the USA spec parts but the black interiors, having already been made, were left in. Thus the rumored 22 USA cars with the black interior.

I am hoping some California folks visit this forum.

[Al Canuck]

Towards the end of production, BMW dealers in Canada had several M5's left over, unable to sell. Thats how the last of them made it down to the US. Even in the US, I have been told that dealers had to discount them VERY deeply, just to get them off the lots.

I also have a story about 3 forgotten E30 M3's, sitting in a lot behind BMW Canada headquarters, but thats for another day.

Al

[Spencer]

I've only ever seen black on black e28 M5's. Cool car. I had no idea these were in this price range.

Good luck with the sale.

[E30M20B25]

I guess the E28 M5 has made the same classic status as the Coveted E30 M3.

I always look at Cali Cars and so far I have seen a E39 M5 for 18K and a E34 for 12K

Mind you the same could be said about E46 and E36 M3s respectively I suppose...

[Weeman83]

Originally Posted by Al Canuck I also have a story about 3 forgotten E30 M3's, sitting in a lot behind BMW Canada headquarters, Al

Isn't that in Richmond?!?!??!?!!!!!

[cwhite1]

I thought all the M5's bound for Canada were diverted to USA from Germany, when it was realized that they could not sell their allotment.

Are not several components different from USA to Canada M5’s.

The instrument panel was different wasn’t it?

Was the engine Euro spec in Canada. Did it have the cheap iron headers like the USA cars got of the tube headers like the Euro models?

What bumpers did the Canada M5’s have?

I would have thought it would have been very difficult to get Canada M5’s into USA dealers via legitimate means.

[mckeem]

Originally Posted by Al Canuck Towards the end of production, BMW dealers in I also have a story about 3 forgotten E30 M3's, sitting in a lot behind BMW Canada headquarters, but thats for another day. Al

do tell...

[MGuy]

Originally Posted by Al Canuck Towards the end of production, BMW dealers in Canada had several M5's left over, unable to sell. Thats how the last of them made it down to the US. Even in the US, I have been told that dealers had to discount them VERY deeply, just to get them off the lots.

US dealers also had to discount, partly because the original allotment of 500 was way exceeded, and the early exclusivity was lost. As well, BMW suffered a class action suit due to the change in production numbers (more than double the original 500).

Not all Canadian cars were black/black either. Numbers aren't easy to nail down, but 50 is the most common and credible (I've seen estimates of 100-150 cars for the Canadian market - accuracy unknown). There were also between 20 and 30 (research has pegged it closer to 30) cars that were specifically ordered black/black for the US market, not switched from the Canadian. Finally, as Al says, a number of Canadian black/black cars have made it to the US, either by dealer transfers at the time, or individual imports.

[cwhite1]

My father in-law has a green Subaru Outback. I love having a car with a history, regardless how shadowy that history is.

And unlike him I do not come out from dinner out and see 8 cars just like mine in the parking lot. I do enjoy him trying to find his.

Thanks all

[redhatpat]

Originally Posted by cwhite1 My father in-law has a green Subaru Outback. I love having a car with a history, regardless how shadowy that history is. And unlike him I do not come out from dinner out and see 8 cars just like mine in the parking lot. I do enjoy him trying to find his. Thanks all

I know what you mean. My wife has a silver Dodge Caravan, talk about anonymous.

That's a beautiful M5, good luck with the sale!

Pat