interesting things

[TM]

Brett,
Some identifying factors for the M5s:

(US Market)

E28 chassis- only came as black exterior, nearly all came
with tan interior (a very small number had a black interior),
all for the '88 model year. 16" BBS wheels, same front spoiler
as the 535is, same rear spoiler as well. M5 badges front and rear,
M badges on the front seats, shifter and steering wheel. Can't
remember if they did away with the MPG indicator on this generation.

E34 chassis- red, black, white, silver, blue were the colors I
can remember, so it's harder to tell just by color, although if
you see one in Avus Blue, it must be an M5 (IIRC). The '91 and '92s
came with the "whitewall" looking fan wheels, the '93s had the
"throwing hammer" wheels. '93s were special order cars, I don't
know if any '94s made it to the US. One identifying thing for at
least the '91s were that there was a black plastic insert between
the taillights and the license plate which the other E34s lacked.
Other than that and the badges in the interior and the oil temp gauge
in place of the MPG indicator, it's hard to tell an M5 from the other
E34s. All had the narrow kidney grille, unlike the '94 and '95s.
There were also M5 badges on the flanks and brake ducts in the front
spoiler.

E39 chassis- lots more unique stuff on the cars- Shadowline trim,
Shadowline black chrome multispoke wheels, more rounded mirrors,
four tailpipes in the back, different front and rear spoilers, decklid
spoiler, etc.

I'm sure Carter can elaborate much further on the M5 and I've probably
missed some identifying characteristics.

One of my favorite cars.

Taka