Special Versions
Were there any special versions of the E34 M5?
There were four official special editions of the E34 M5 sedan: The Cecotto, Winkelhock and "20 Jahre" editions were offered exclusively as left-hand drive European-spec models, while the right-hand drive UK Limited Edition was only sold in the United Kingdom. In addition, a special "NAGHI" edition of the E34 M5 sedan was produced for the Saudi Arabian market and an unofficial special edition of the M5 Touring, known as the "Elekta," was produced exclusively for Italy.
What is an E34 M5 Cecotto edition?
In 1991, BMW asked two of its racing drivers to design their own ideal version of an E34 M5. One of the drivers was multiple Touring Car champion Johnny Cecotto. His ideal M5 was one fitted with a full host of luxury items. BMW M then offered the public a package of features based on this ideal M5.
A total of 22 Cecotto M5s were produced. They were available in either Lagoon Green metallic (266) or Mauritius Blue metallic (287) and included the following special equipment:
-Servotronic power steering
-Full Bicolor Napa leather (Silvergray/Light Silvergray or Parchment/Light Parchment) including the steering wheel hub, column and horn pad
-Wood trim
-Power sunroof
-Heated, power front seats with driver's memory
-Heated rear seats (no center console) with power headrests
-Automatic climate control with microfilter
-Headlight washers
-Special leather service book pouch, key holder and gold pin
What is an E34 M5 Winkelhock edition?
In 1991, BMW asked two of its racing drivers to design their own ideal version of an E34 M5. One of the drivers was Joachim Winkelhock, known for his success on the racing circuit with the Schnitzer E30 M3. His ideal M5 was a lightweight edition, stripped of all but the most performance-oriented items. BMW M then offered the public a package of features based on this ideal M5.
A total of 51 Winkelhock M5s were produced, all painted Jet Black (668) with contrasting lower body panels in Sterling Silver metallic (244) and including the following special equipment:
-Smaller battery* (66 amp versus 85 amp)
-Smaller gas tank* (80 liters)
-Reduced sound deadening material*
-Deletion of power rear windows, rear headrests, fog lights, headlight washers, vanity mirrors*
-Wider 255/40ZR17 rear tires on 9x17 M System I alloy wheels
-Suede-covered steering wheel, shift knob, shift boot, parking brake handle
-Evolution front sport seats in M cloth with Anthracite leather bolsters
-Red seat belts front and rear
-Special leather service book pouch, key holder and gold pin
*These changes reduced the curb weight of the Winkelhock M5 by 88 lbs. compared to the standard M5.
In addition, the available option list was reduced to the following: rear spoiler, power sunroof, rear sunshade (manual), floor mats, radio, Shadowline trim, air conditioning (with 85-amp battery)
What is an E34 M5 "Naghi Motors" edition?
At the request of Naghi Motors, the BMW importer for Saudi Arabia, BMW Motorsport GmbH produced 15 special examples of the 3.6-liter E34 M5 sedan. Known as the "Naghi" edition, these were the final ECE-spec 3.6-liter M5s produced. and were all built in late March and early April of 1992. Like all Gulf-specification E34 M5s, they were built without catalysts and were therefore rated at 318 hp (DIN). Five examples were produced in three different exterior colors each: Jet Black (668), Alpine White II (218) and Lagoon Green metallic (266).
Each “Naghi” edition was fitted with only the following regular options:
-Rear spoiler
-Shadowline trim
-Green windshield stripe
-Velour floor mats
-Air conditioning
-BMW Bavaria Cassette III radio
In addition, each “Naghi” edition was equipped from the factory with the following special equipment:
-Recaro SR front seats with Black leather bolsters and either Anthracite M cloth inserts (Jet Black and Alpine White II examples) or Neon Green/Anthracite striped cloth inserts (Lagoon Green examples)
-Red seatbelts
-M System II alloy wheels (8x17-inch front, 9x17-inch rear)
-Hirschmann phone antenna
Finally, the following additional equipment was added by Naghi Motors once the cars arrived in Saudi Arabia:
-Red leather steering wheel, gear shift knob and parking brake handle
-M tri-color stripes on the front driver-side edge of the hood
-Special door sill plates with the "Naghi Motors" insignia
What is an E34 M5 "20 Jahre" edition?
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of BMW Motorsport, BMW built a limited run of 20 specially-equipped M5s in October of 1992. Based on the 3.8-liter sedan, they are all painted Mugello Red (274) and include several regular options (Nürburgring Package, Shadowline trim, driver-side airbag, power sunroof, headlight washers, air conditioning with automatic air recirculation, BMW Bavaria Cassette III radio with hi-fi speakers), as well as the following special equipment:
-M Technic rearview mirrors
-Contrasting M lower body panels in Jet Black (668)
-M System II wheels with Jet Black "throwing star" covers
-Recaro SR sport seats in special M cloth with Anthracite Amaretta (faux suede) bolsters
-Amaretta-covered steering wheel, shift knob, shift boot and parking brake, all with red stitching
-Carbon fiber trim on dash and door panels
-Red seatbelts with "BMW Motorsport" lettering
-Plaque on the center console with each individual number in the edition of 20
What is an E34 M5 UK Limited Edition?
To commemorate the end of right-hand drive E34 M5 production, 50 examples of the E34 M5 Limited Edition were assembled between March and June of 1995 in one of two unique color and trim conbinations: Rosso Red metallic (369) with a Champagne extended leather interior and natural poplar wood trim (15 built) or Orinoco metallic (406) with a Bicolor Petrol and Mint extended leather interior and graphite birds-eye maple wood trim (35 built). In addition to a storage net in the passenger footwell, each E34 M5 Limited Editon was further equipped with the three-spoke steering wheel, Shadowline trim, power sunroof, green windshiled stripe, auto-dimming interior mirror, power front seats, headlight washers, air conditioning and radio preparation. A special numbered plaque appears on the center console of each example.
What is an E34 M5 Touring "Elekta" edition?
At the request of several Italian BMW dealers, a limited edition of 20 E34 M5 Touring "Elekta" editions was produced by BMW Individual exclusively for the Italian market in June and July of 1995. These were offered in a choice of two unique color schemes: Sterling Silver metallic (244) with a Marine Blue Nappa leather interior and matching carpeting or British Racing Green (312) with a Hazlenut Nappa leather interior and Mexico Green carpeting. Both schemes also included a black leather dashboard and door tops, but not the leather A-pillar trim, sun visors and Alcantara headliner normally fitted to E34 M5s with the Complete leather option. In addition to a special storage net in the passenger-side footwell, all of these Tourings were further equipped with the three-spoke steering wheel, Shadowline trim, roof rails, dual power sunroof, power front seats with driver-side memory, auto-dimming interior mirror, radio preparation, hi-fi speaker system, headlight washers and automatic climate control with automatic air recirculation. Some examples were also fitted with a special metal shift knob insert inscribed with "Elekta" and each unique car number in the edition of 20.