How is the exterior of the 3.8-liter M5 cosmetically different from that of the 3.6-liter model?
The wheels are the main exterior differentiator between a 3.6-liter E34 M5 and a later 3.8-liter model. The European-spec 3.6-liter M5s were all equipped with the M System I (turbine) wheel design, while the 3.8 utilized the M system II (throwing star) version until April, 1994. At that point, all M5s were upgraded to the 18-inch M Parallel Spoke wheels. (Note: North American-spec 1993 M5s use the later M System II wheel even though they are powered by the earlier 3.6-liter engine.) In addition, the contrasting color of the lower aerodynamic body panels differed between the 3.6-liter and 3.8-liter M5 models. On the 3.6-liter examples ,these were painted either Diamond Black metallic (181) or Sebring Grey metallic (229). This changed with the 3.8-liter version to a choice of either Diamond Black metallic (181) or Granite Silver metallic (237). (Note: the change from Sebring Grey to Granite Silver also applies to the 1993 North American-spec E34 M5, which retained the 3.6-liter motor.
