BMW M5E34

(1989-1995)

WHEN IT WAS FIRST LAUNCHED, THE E34 CAME WITH A 3.6-LITRE straight-six engine that produced 315bhp. The displacement of the engine was subsequently increased to 3.8-litres and the max power consequently went up to 335bhp. This was quite a unique car in many ways including the fact that it was the last of the M5s to feature the race-derived straight six engine and also the last of the M5s to be handbuilt. The car at Estoril was one of the later models, good for a limited top speed of 250kmph and with a claimed 0-100kmph time of under 6-seconds. It has the classic BMW look with a boxy front end and the double barrel headlamps. On the inside, the cockpit seems quite driver focussed and the interiors still seem a tad bit vintage even though the car is just over 12 years old. On starting, the engine seems slightly rough but get it going and it is a delightful aural indulgence – a straight six hitting its sweet spot. On the tight mountain roads I was not able to get anywhere close to what the limits of the car can stretch but to start off, it felt like a very sporty 5-series than a totally transformed car. Its ride was pretty supple unlike what one would expect from an out and out sports car. The gearing seems to be very tall with a lack of the surge of torque evident in the lower half of the rev band. But keep it above the 5,000rpm mark and the engine starts singing and it’s definitely not a lullaby. However, 3rd gear is all I could get up to but it breaks every speed limit comfortably in that gear.