1987 (late '86 build so only two years until eligible for historic tax in Ireland) E28 535i SE Auto now very rare as only the M535is appear to have survived.
Most people don't realise that the E28 M535i was BMW's first "branding" exercise with the "///M" brand. The M535i was, despite what all the "M Power", "M-Tech" and "M Sport" experts down the pub will tell you, just a 535i with a (pretty hideous) plastic body kit and mechanically identical to the 535i.
The last two owners of this particular car are enthusiast owners who have been known to us in the Classic BMW world for some years. It has also been maintained, and restored whilst in the hands of an earlier owner, by another well known specialist in these cars. As you would expect, it comes with a complete and substantial history including photographic evidence of an earlier restoration.
Fitted with the standard 535i slightly lower and firmer suspension comprising M-Tech springs and Bilstien gas shocks. A spotless Antrathacite cloth sports interior, 3.07 LSD and M-Tech steering wheel are just about the only M535i bits necessary to complete the ultimate specification of this car.
The rare and desireable glass moon roof remains as does the equally rare and sought after working cruise control, and the headlamp wash wipe, however, there are no show off garish badges and no Tupperware bodykit hinting at a performance difference that never existed, only clean lines, chrome bumpers and the classic timelessness of the original design. This car is the epitome of the original M5, and the best way to describe its appearance and attitude is "understated".
On arrival here, it was used for a few days to assess its mechanical condition and we can confirm that it drives, stops and steers just as you would expect a car with this much history and evidence of enthusiastic ownership to do.
It starts instantly and settles quickly to a steady even idle. Recent inspection of the rockers and banjo bolts reveals good condition and little evidence of wear. The standard pronounced M30b34 tappet noise is possibly not helped by the use of thinner spec, but better quality synthetic oils, but the benfits in lubrication far outweigh any possible slight noise issues. The valve clearances have been or will be adjusted to spec before delivery.
The 4HP22EH “sports” gearbox is BMW's best kept secret of the 1980s. It perfectly matches the characteristics of their six cylinder engines and delivers a very pleasant turn of speed, along with refined and relaxed cruising and surprisingly good economy. All the driving gods can keep their noisy, dogleg boxes with obstructive changes and impossibly high engine speeds, give me a good well sorted sports auto box any day.
This is one such. In “E” it drives normally with the emphasis slightly to economy and in top gear locks up the torque convertor just short of 60 MPH giving a very high cruising overdrive ratio. In “S” mode, it is biased towards sports performance and holds on to the gears a little longer and doesn't lock up the torque convertor. In “1-2-3” you shift like a manual.
Overall, the gearbox is a joy and would put many modern cars to shame. Remember this car is pushing 30 years old! Cruising at say 70 mph and want a wee bit more to overtake? Just flick the switch to “S” and flick back to “E” once you've passed the bloke in his plastic kitted dogleg compromised M535i who can't go any faster because of the engine noise and can't work out whether he is in 4th or 5th anyway!
The E28 is one of the most underrated classics on the market just now, especially in 535i (or M535i) form. The steering is sharp and light. The roadholding is firm and responsive and the handling poised, but always comfortable. The airy cabin has a compact driver focussed feel and the car shrinks around you. It really does feel like a very slightly larger E30.
The interior of this car is excellent. The anthracite sports seats are unmarked and do not display the normal bolster wear. Everything is very much as it should be, the dash is uncracked, the privacy blind works as does the 13 button OBC and the only concession to modernity is our favourite stereo upgrade, the BMW Business CD43 from the E36 which looks perfectly at home in the dash. The new owner can choose to have a Becker Mexico CC or an earlier BMW Business radio cassette if preferred at no extra cost.
Currently in the paintshop having its Royal Blue Metallic coachwork brought up to scratch again, all the external trim and glass has been removed and a few dings and dents commensurate with its enthusiastic daily use in the years since its previous repaint have been professionally attended to, the car will be ready for delivery in the early part of next month. The chrome work and external trim are in excellent order and the car will be presented for sale wearing the correct TRX wheels, newly refurbished with recent, correct tyres on them and with 12 months MoT.
As the car is not yet completed, there are options available to any prospective purchaser in terms of audio, accessories (mudflaps etc.) and wheels and tyres, but the car will be supplied as described above with a full bootlid toolkit, a first aid kit, bootwell toolkit, glovebox torch etc. along with its detailed history confirming its 134000 miles and significant expenditure on maintenance, restoration and improvements
Price on the TRXs is likely to be in the £4500 region and enquiries are invited from customers wishing to benefit from this rare opportunity to acquire a cherished, well historied, useable, highly specified 535i which is every bit the performer of the more “sought after” M535i, but far more refined and understated - the gentleman's M535i. Act quickly and you'll be able to see the car “as is” and complete the specification to your requirements if necessary.
We never sell our cars as investments, but we really do feel that the E28's time is coming. Buy now while you can afford a decent one. We have a tidy 525e in preparation too at the moment – likely to be completed at about half the price of this one and could be had with a manual conversion if required too.
Most people don't realise that the E28 M535i was BMW's first "branding" exercise with the "///M" brand. The M535i was, despite what all the "M Power", "M-Tech" and "M Sport" experts down the pub will tell you, just a 535i with a (pretty hideous) plastic body kit and mechanically identical to the 535i.
The last two owners of this particular car are enthusiast owners who have been known to us in the Classic BMW world for some years. It has also been maintained, and restored whilst in the hands of an earlier owner, by another well known specialist in these cars. As you would expect, it comes with a complete and substantial history including photographic evidence of an earlier restoration.
Fitted with the standard 535i slightly lower and firmer suspension comprising M-Tech springs and Bilstien gas shocks. A spotless Antrathacite cloth sports interior, 3.07 LSD and M-Tech steering wheel are just about the only M535i bits necessary to complete the ultimate specification of this car.
The rare and desireable glass moon roof remains as does the equally rare and sought after working cruise control, and the headlamp wash wipe, however, there are no show off garish badges and no Tupperware bodykit hinting at a performance difference that never existed, only clean lines, chrome bumpers and the classic timelessness of the original design. This car is the epitome of the original M5, and the best way to describe its appearance and attitude is "understated".
On arrival here, it was used for a few days to assess its mechanical condition and we can confirm that it drives, stops and steers just as you would expect a car with this much history and evidence of enthusiastic ownership to do.
It starts instantly and settles quickly to a steady even idle. Recent inspection of the rockers and banjo bolts reveals good condition and little evidence of wear. The standard pronounced M30b34 tappet noise is possibly not helped by the use of thinner spec, but better quality synthetic oils, but the benfits in lubrication far outweigh any possible slight noise issues. The valve clearances have been or will be adjusted to spec before delivery.
The 4HP22EH “sports” gearbox is BMW's best kept secret of the 1980s. It perfectly matches the characteristics of their six cylinder engines and delivers a very pleasant turn of speed, along with refined and relaxed cruising and surprisingly good economy. All the driving gods can keep their noisy, dogleg boxes with obstructive changes and impossibly high engine speeds, give me a good well sorted sports auto box any day.
This is one such. In “E” it drives normally with the emphasis slightly to economy and in top gear locks up the torque convertor just short of 60 MPH giving a very high cruising overdrive ratio. In “S” mode, it is biased towards sports performance and holds on to the gears a little longer and doesn't lock up the torque convertor. In “1-2-3” you shift like a manual.
Overall, the gearbox is a joy and would put many modern cars to shame. Remember this car is pushing 30 years old! Cruising at say 70 mph and want a wee bit more to overtake? Just flick the switch to “S” and flick back to “E” once you've passed the bloke in his plastic kitted dogleg compromised M535i who can't go any faster because of the engine noise and can't work out whether he is in 4th or 5th anyway!
The E28 is one of the most underrated classics on the market just now, especially in 535i (or M535i) form. The steering is sharp and light. The roadholding is firm and responsive and the handling poised, but always comfortable. The airy cabin has a compact driver focussed feel and the car shrinks around you. It really does feel like a very slightly larger E30.
The interior of this car is excellent. The anthracite sports seats are unmarked and do not display the normal bolster wear. Everything is very much as it should be, the dash is uncracked, the privacy blind works as does the 13 button OBC and the only concession to modernity is our favourite stereo upgrade, the BMW Business CD43 from the E36 which looks perfectly at home in the dash. The new owner can choose to have a Becker Mexico CC or an earlier BMW Business radio cassette if preferred at no extra cost.
Currently in the paintshop having its Royal Blue Metallic coachwork brought up to scratch again, all the external trim and glass has been removed and a few dings and dents commensurate with its enthusiastic daily use in the years since its previous repaint have been professionally attended to, the car will be ready for delivery in the early part of next month. The chrome work and external trim are in excellent order and the car will be presented for sale wearing the correct TRX wheels, newly refurbished with recent, correct tyres on them and with 12 months MoT.
As the car is not yet completed, there are options available to any prospective purchaser in terms of audio, accessories (mudflaps etc.) and wheels and tyres, but the car will be supplied as described above with a full bootlid toolkit, a first aid kit, bootwell toolkit, glovebox torch etc. along with its detailed history confirming its 134000 miles and significant expenditure on maintenance, restoration and improvements
Price on the TRXs is likely to be in the £4500 region and enquiries are invited from customers wishing to benefit from this rare opportunity to acquire a cherished, well historied, useable, highly specified 535i which is every bit the performer of the more “sought after” M535i, but far more refined and understated - the gentleman's M535i. Act quickly and you'll be able to see the car “as is” and complete the specification to your requirements if necessary.
We never sell our cars as investments, but we really do feel that the E28's time is coming. Buy now while you can afford a decent one. We have a tidy 525e in preparation too at the moment – likely to be completed at about half the price of this one and could be had with a manual conversion if required too.
