1991 BMW M5

Introduction:

The 1991 BMW M5 is a high-performance luxury sedan powered by a 3.6-liter S38 inline-6 engine producing 311 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. It comes equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The M5 is praised for its thrilling performance, sharp handling, and luxurious interior, but it also has some known issues that owners should be aware of.

Engine

S38 Inline-6

• Camshaft Position Sensor Failure: Occurs when the camshaft position sensor fails, causing the engine to run poorly or stall.
  • Solution: Replace the camshaft position sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Intake Camshaft Chain Tensioner Failure: If the intake camshaft chain tensioner fails, it can cause the chain to become loose and damage the engine.
  • Solution: Replace the intake camshaft chain tensioner.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

5-Speed Manual

• Shift Fork Wear: Over time, the shift forks in the transmission can wear out, making shifting difficult or impossible.
  • Solution: Replace the worn shift forks.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,200 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Rear Shock Absorber Failure: The rear shock absorbers can fail, causing a loss of damping and a rough ride.
  • Solution: Replace the failed shock absorbers.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Front Control Arm Bushings Wear: The front control arm bushings can wear out over time, causing a decrease in handling and performance.
  • Solution: Replace the worn bushings.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Alternator Failure: The alternator can fail, causing the battery to drain and the vehicle to lose power.
  • Solution: Replace the alternator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Discharge: The battery can discharge prematurely due to excessive parasitic drain.
  • Solution: Identify and eliminate the source of the parasitic drain.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on the source of the drain
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Headlight Bulbs Burning Out Prematurely: The headlight bulbs can burn out more frequently than expected.
  • Solution: Replace the burned-out bulbs.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Pixel Failure: The pixels on the dashboard display can fail, causing parts of the display to become unreadable.
  • Solution: Replace the dashboard cluster.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Heater Core Leak: The heater core can develop a leak, causing coolant to enter the cabin.
  • Solution: Replace the heater core.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

While the 1991 BMW M5 is a powerful and capable performance car, it does have some potential issues that owners should be aware of. The most severe and expensive issues include camshaft chain tensioner failure, transmission problems, and heater core leaks. However, several of the issues can be fixed relatively inexpensively, and overall, the M5 remains an iconic vehicle for those who enjoy high-performance driving.