We caught up with long-time BMW devotee at a recent car meet where he brought along his favourite, a stunning classic 1994 M5, who’s model code name is E34. Eamonn Barrett who lives in Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin with his partner Sandra and their son Adam is a prolific BMW owner, but has one clear favourite in his collection, a moody looking classic Dakar Yellow M5.

Eamonn Barrett, a resident of Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin, is a true BMW enthusiast. His collection boasts an impressive array of models, but one car stands out as his clear favourite – a moody and captivating Dakar Yellow BMW M5.

This second-generation M5, first introduced in 1988, is a testament to BMW’s legendary sports sedan lineage. Initially powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter straight-six engine delivering up to 315 horsepower, the M5’s exterior and interior enhancements were remarkably restrained, allowing the car’s performance to take centre stage. In 1992, the M5 received a more powerful 3.8-liter straight-six engine, producing up to 340 horsepower, which Eamonn’s prized example benefits from.

But Eamonn’s M5 is no ordinary specimen. It’s equipped with the coveted Nürburgring Handling Pack, which included wider rear wheels, a thicker rear anti-roll bar, and a button on the dashboard to allow the driver to choose between two different settings for the Electronic Damper Control (EDC) suspension system. This combination of features is exceptionally rare, especially when paired with the unique Dakar Yellow paint colour. As Eamonn proudly states, “as far as I know it’s the only Dakar Yellow E34 M5 built in right-hand drive.”

Eamonn’s journey with this M5 began over 20 years ago, shortly after he had purchased his first BMW, a 525i. He first encountered the Dakar Yellow M5 in Ballymount, Dublin, and was immediately captivated by its presence. “At the time it was probably worth 10 times what I’d paid for my 525i,” he recalls. Eamonn tried to acquire the M5 in 2000 and 2001, but fate had other plans, and it wasn’t until 2005 that he finally secured the car, stumbling upon it on eBay while sitting in his office.

Today, Eamonn’s prized M5 has been updated with the newer E39 M5’s alloy wheels in a dark finish, and it sports special BMW roundels at the centre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the BMW M division in 2023. The car also features a few tongue-in-cheek stickers, revealing Eamonn’s playful personality.

Despite the high-performance capabilities of the M5, Eamonn used this powerhouse as his everyday driver for nearly three years, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his affinity for BMW.

Eamonn’s love affair with the brand began with the iconic 2^nd generation 5 Series (E34) model: “It was while working in my first job away from home that I had my first encounter with BMW. The owner of the company had purchased a stunning classic 525i in Glacier Blue back in 1994, and I was instantly smitten with that generation of the BMW 5 Series.”

Since 1995, Eamonn has been collecting E34 models, and he’s never been without one. In fact, he still has the very first one he bought – a 1988 525i – and has amassed a total of six E34s. His BMW obsession doesn’t end there, over the years, he’s expanded his collection to include a 2002 Hillclimb BMW 3 Series (both E30 and E46 models), a BMW 5 Series (E39), a BMW 7 Series (E32), two BMW X5s (E53 and E70), and a BMW 6 Series (E63 model). And as if that wasn’t enough, his day-to-day car is now a 2014 BMW 7 Series, or F01 as its also known as.

Interestingly, Eamonn’s partner and their son are also avid BMW enthusiasts and owners. “Sometimes it gets interesting if we’re going for a long drive as to who’s car to bring!” he chuckles. It’s clear that the love for the Bavarian brand runs deep in this household.