Finished in Orinoco Green with a Petrol Grey hide interior, ‘M15 TJB’ is number 40 of just 50 limited edition BMW M5 E34s produced to mark the end of the production run in July 1995. 

Of those 50 cars, 35 were finished in this hue with the remaining 15 being in a red metallic. The car’s handbuilt specification also included the six-speed manual gearbox, fully floating front brakes with bigger calipers and discs, and various interior trim changes in addition to the usual goodies like a limited-slip differential, electronic damping control, and that gorgeous 3.8-litre, 340bhp straight-six engine.

The seller has had this one for the past five years, during which time he says he doubts he has covered 1500 miles of the 92,000 that’s showing on the odometer.

Looks great, doesn’t it? Orinoco Green is a terrific colour anyway (and so much cooler than the usual silver or red) but this one’s panels alignment and condition give it a terrific canvas upon which to shine.

The car’s low mileage is reflected in its overall condition, which is excellent. Even things like the lamp lenses, glazing, and the black supplementary trim and (minimal) chrome are all good. With so many of these E34 M5s starting to look a bit ropy, it’s been a real treat seeing one so well preserved.

The 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres on all four corners are fitted to a very good set of M Parallel alloy wheels, the style BMW only fitted to the very late cars. 

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As for work to do, the offside rear corner has a scuff on it and the nearside rear has a small mark, too. The front numberplate has seen better days too, and the offside mirror has a small scuff on it.

Trivial stuff, in other words.

The interior is glorious. With lashing of wood to supplement the full hide, it reeks of performance, sophistication and elegance, words the M5 was designed to evoke.

The leather front seats hug their occupants close, all the better to steady them during the sort of high-G cornering the M5 is capable of. Adjustable in a multitude of ways, they’re also incredibly comfortable and have survived the past 28 years with impressive aplomb. 

The handbrake handle and gear knob are walnut to match the rest of the veneer trim, and the door cards, carpets, door shuts, and dashboard are all excellent.

The factory trip computer is resolutely Old School and all the better for being so; it might lack the sophistication of modern touchscreens but we bet it’s easier to use on the move and way more reliable; we can’t imagine a touchscreen still working after nearly 30 years…

The boot is in a decent condition and the spare wheel well is solid – but then you’d have guessed that by now, wouldn’t you?

As for wear and tear, it’s almost three decades old so you’d have every right to anticipate far more than there actually is. We can see some marks to the offside rear door handle and the front edge and rear of the driver’s seat, the netting pocket in the passenger footwell has come away in one corner, and the fabric on the parcel shelf has eased away a little.

The only other thing we can see that you might like to remedy is the headunit, which is a silver aftermarket jobbie from Sony. 

The BMW has had a pair of front dampers in the last four months. These were not an inconsiderable investment because of the M5’s electronic damping control, or EDC. The receipt for them is attached.

As you can see from the video, the M5 starts readily, idles well, and revs smoothly; with a 0-62mph time of just 5.9 seconds, the M5 is a very fast motorcar indeed and this engine is an absolute gem.

The engine bay presents well with only a few rusty fasteners and some patination to the rocker cover showing its age.

We note it is due an oil service according to the warning light and message displayed on the dashboard. The seller assures us that it is not due an oil service as it has received 5 oil changes in his ownership and the light needs resetting.

The M5’s MoT certificate, which is valid until May 2024, was gained with no advisories. Oh, and the car has done fewer than 50 miles since then. 

There’s a gap in the MoT history from 2006 to 2019, during which time we assume the car was in storage. 

The BMW E34 M5 is an iconic car for good reason. Considered by many to be the peak of M5 badassery, this is one looks terrific and comes with a good history.

Better still is the mileage. At a time in their life when most will have reached six-figures many years ago, this one has yet to breach it. Dial in the car’s limited-edition status and associated specification and you’ve got something very special indeed.

All-in-all this makes our estimate of between £25,000 and £30,000 look like a bit of a bargain to us, especially when you factor in the E34 M5’s reputation for rock-solid residuals – and the fun you’re going to have, of course.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.