new owner with door question

[Steeltag]

Hi everyone, I"ve just bought a '91 M5 !!! I"m pumped of course, everything works as it should though the suspension has been replaced with bilsteins. Its a silver metallic and has a real early build date.....1/90. How could this be a '91 with that early of a build date? Could the title be incorrect stating a '91 model? It has the rear console too which I like, but I need a new handle for it as it is broken. Anyone have any ideas of where I could get one?

I'm trying to remove the real door panel b/c the lock won't go down...thus its not safe from potential theives......I"ve removed the three screws and door clips around the perimeter of the panel, but still am missing something holding the door on securely.....seemingly around the door handle area. Any thoughts on what I need to do to get this door panel off?

[Prairieman]

congratulations on becoming an M5 owner. I've owned mine 4 years, and would not consider selling it.

I could be wrong, but I recall all US E34 M5's with build early dates through 1991 were classifieds at 1991 models. I do not know what the earliest US build date is, mine is 7/90.

as for the console handle - people occasionally part out M5's on e-bay. Have you checked with a dealer to see if it's still available ?

door panel - I have not pulled the panels on my M5, but I have pulled the panels on a 1991 735i, and those two cars are similar in many ways. If the M5 rear panel is like the seven series - there is a plastic male tab on the door panel and a female receptacle in the door near the door handle. Pull up on the door panel to release the receptacle from the door. Once the door panel is off, the receptacle is removed and re-installed on the door. When you re-install the door panel, press the panel outward to re-engage the plastic tab.

Brad

[Sunny5]

Here's one reference for the facts on the E 34M5

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=12

I have a 92, great car. They'll be prying the steering wheel from my cold dead hands...lol i.e. I hope to have the car for many years.

[Marcellus0]

You must have the need to check the car regularly and this is the reason that most of the new members face the problem only because of the lack of examination.