I love the M5, but (m) (archive)

I have driven both. The e28 M5 is a pure performance car and a true ///M car. It is a flat-out blast to drive - more so than the e36 M3. The engine is high-maintenance compared to the the e36 M3, but much sweeter in its operation - the top-end pulls very hard all the way to redline. With a Dinan cam gear and JC Chip ($500 total), it will put out about 300 very usable hp in a package about the same weight as the M3. Handling is excellent with quicker steering and turn-in and more nuetrality than the e36's understeer. The car is truly awesome - better than the e36 M3 (which I drive now), IMHO. However, it is very difficult to find a good example of the old M5. The rear suspension is very complicated with a self-leveling system that wears-out rapidly. The dash and interior, which is covered in hand-stiched leather, falls apart extremely quickly. The front suspension components wear pretty quick causing high-speed shimmy & shake. A truly bad-ass performance car hampered by old-school systems. If you can get a good one, and are ready to maintain it - grab it.

I sold a '95 M3 and am looking at an '88 M5. If you have driven both, let me know what you think. I know the older M5 may not keep up with my M3, but how does it drive?

Thanks,

Doug

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