///M535i

[Red Herring]

Driving around yesterday I came across what looked like an e34. When I got closer I saw that its badge read ///M535i. At first I thought they had just stuck an M on there, but then I was watching an old Top Gear and they actually had an M535i. How rare are these? Anybody have stats?

[JAlfredPrufrock]

There's no E34 M535i, but there are e12s and e28s IIRC.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Actually it looks like just the e12.

5 seconds on google: http://www.automotiveinfopage.com/BMW_E12/myM535i/M535i_writeup.htm

[Echo]

Actually it looks like just the e12.

5 seconds on google: http://www.automotiveinfopage.com/BMW_E12/myM535i/M535i_writeup.htm


There were E28 M535i's...

http://www.spudooli.com/pictures/images/m5353.jpg

http://www.spudooli.com/pictures/images/m5351.jpg

They all came with the M-Tech body kit, a euro high compression 3.5L M30, and were only available in Europe, however there are quite a few now in the US.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

e12/e28, whatever, it's all the same.

Jagged cars with snobs behind the wheel who think they're driving "real" 5 series cars.

[Red Herring]

There were E28 M535i's...

http://www.spudooli.com/pictures/images/m5353.jpg

They all came with the M-Tech body kit.
This one seems to have different bumpers than the one JAlfredPrufrock posted.

The link says "It is estimated that as little as a dozen to twenty of these cars exist in the US today"

What I really wanted though was stats, like 0-60 and top speed. I'll do some more searching.

[Echo]

This one seems to have different bumpers than the one JAlfredPrufrock posted.

The link says "It is estimated that as little as a dozen to twenty of these cars exist in the US today"

What I really wanted though was stats, like 0-60 and top speed. I'll do some more searching.

JAlfred posted an E12... i posted an E28.

[Red Herring]

JAlfred posted an E12... i posted an E28.
oh I see

[bmwe28boy]

e12/e28, whatever, it's all the same.

Jagged cars with snobs behind the wheel who think they're driving "real" 5 series cars.

Care to elaborate on this statement. :shifty

[Winkster25]

Yes, what determines a "real" 5 series

[palomino]

I think he is referring to those that prefer the older "classic" BMWs to the newer luxe BMWs. You know, the people that think the only "real" M3 is the E30 M3. :dunno

[Vinny Fins]

This one seems to have different bumpers than the one JAlfredPrufrock posted.

The link says "It is estimated that as little as a dozen to twenty of these cars exist in the US today"

What I really wanted though was stats, like 0-60 and top speed. I'll do some more searching.

Here ya go...

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=7

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=6

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Yes, what determines a "real" 5 series

Why don't you ask the guys that hold 5er fest every year and don't allow anything newer than an E28 to participate. :rolleyes

[Echo]

Why don't you ask the guys that hold 5er fest every year and don't allow anything newer than an E28 to participate. :rolleyes

Wow, get over it...

[JAlfredPrufrock]

What I really wanted though was stats, like 0-60 and top speed. I'll do some more searching.

They're going to be the same in general for any of the big six four door sedans more or less.

Naught to sixty in somewhere around 8 and top speed around 140... I think you may have got the impression that this is some kind of ridiculous Lambo eater because of the M badge but it's really not. For its time it was at the pinnacle but today by no means is it revered for its performance.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Wow, get over it...

It was a serious question, why don't you ask them?

They obviously don't let newer 5 series cars participate for a reason, maybe they know something BMW doesn't know about their own cars?

[ehlpitel]

It was a serious question, why don't you ask them?

They obviously don't let newer 5 series cars participate for a reason, maybe they know something BMW doesn't know about their own cars?
Maybe it's because they want only older cars there? Who cares about some old guys who hold osme festival, don't hold a grudge against old fives series bmws because of that. I personally like all the 5 series cars, e28s are awesome b/c they're handbuilt(the M5s).

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Maybe it's because they want only older cars there? Who cares about some old guys who hold osme festival, don't hold a grudge against old fives series bmws because of that. I personally like all the 5 series cars, e28s are awesome b/c they're handbuilt(the M5s).

I will hold grudges with whoever I want, whenever I want, however I want.

[bmwe28boy]

I will hold grudges with whoever I want, whenever I want, however I want.

5er Fest was put together by a group of guys/gals from the e28 board, it was meant to be a gathering of group members from the board. Now, it has turned into more than what we all had thought it would be. 5er Fest is a gathering of all e12 and e28 autos. That is not to say that one day it may incorporate all fivers, but for now it dosen't. Instead of crying about it, buy one and join in. I have been to half of the 5er Fests and I can tell you first hand that there are no snooty people there. On the other hand, whenever I'm around the younger fellas with e36 and e46s they seem non interested in the older cars and don't talk much to us classic car guys. It seems all anyone is interested in is wheels, springs, exhaust, etc. So, take it as you want it but no one is going to throw you a pity party.

Regards,

Jon

[Skeen]

5er Fest is just another special interest group gathering. Just like when the Z-car guys or whoever else decide to get together to share their common interest. 5er Fest welcomes everyone, it's just that only e12s and e28s are allowed to park in the show. I've been to two 5er Fests and those that show up represent all age groups. I'm 19 and have not had any trouble getting along with the "grumpy old men"--none of which actually are from my experience. Come to Southbend, Indiana, next May and hang out with us. Don't go buying a special car, just park in the parking lot next to us and have some fun.

[Echo]

Yeah, i attended the event in 2004 here in San Diego when i used to have my 535is... good event, and a good group of people. Ive always gotten along with the "grumpy old men" quite well and im only 22.

[ehlpitel]

5er Fest was put together by a group of guys/gals from the e28 board, it was meant to be a gathering of group members from the board. Now, it has turned into more than what we all had thought it would be. 5er Fest is a gathering of all e12 and e28 autos. That is not to say that one day it may incorporate all fivers, but for now it dosen't. Instead of crying about it, buy one and join in. I have been to half of the 5er Fests and I can tell you first hand that there are no snooty people there. On the other hand, whenever I'm around the younger fellas with e36 and e46s they seem non interested in the older cars and don't talk much to us classic car guys. It seems all anyone is interested in is wheels, springs, exhaust, etc. So, take it as you want it but no one is going to throw you a pity party.

Regards,

Jon
What are you interested in? Nothing that has to do with performance?

[Kevin2772]

Actually, in 1994 they built a very limited amount of 540i's or maybe it was 535i's thatwere considered M540 or M535. Everything on it looked like a 1995 M5. There was actually a kid here in cincinnati who had one. That might be what you are talking about.

[bmwe28boy]

What are you interested in? Nothing that has to do with performance?


Of course, performance is paramount for any enthusiast. Most of what I see on the forums dealing with the newer cars is: "Show me your 19's" "Pic request for H&R's" "What kind of exhaust" "Show me your clears/smoked lenses", etc. etc. Most of these guys are spending money on just appearance, not even knowing if what they are doing is making a better handling/performing car. BMW already invests alot of time designing their cars to out perform most cars on the road. By putting larger sway bars on a car, do you know what the effect on the handling will be? Information like this is essential for making informed decisions on what and where to spend money.

Spend some time on the classic car boards, i.e. e24, e28, e12, etc., and you can always expect to find enthusiats who are more than helpful with any problem that might creep up.

Now, I'm not saying this in a derogatory manner so please don't take it the wrong way. I guess it is just a difference in age or something.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, I just took a little offense to the post that inferred that e12s and e28s are not "real" fivers.

[Kell]

I like classic BMW's and I'm a kid with an E36. :stickoutt

[M5Dook]

I looked for an e28 M5 before I "settled" on my e34. (I love the e34 btw)

hey look, my first post too.

[flipwils11]

http://www.e12m535i.com/BMW_E12/myM535i/images/Sept_2005_pics/016_14.JPG



Naught to sixty in somewhere around 8 and top speed around 140... I think you may have got the impression that this is some kind of ridiculous Lambo eater because of the M badge but it's really not. For its time it was at the pinnacle but today by no means is it revered for its performance.

Before you go spouting off on a message board about a subject you clearly are speculating on, perhaps you should do some more research. The google search link that someone posted was from my website, written by me. I run the E12 M535i enthusiast group on yahoogroups (we've been around since Oct 2003) where we have slightly over 50 members worldwide. For a car that is 25 years old now where only 1410 were made, that is a decent number of enthusiast owners to have in one place.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/E12_M535i/

The E12 M535i is sadly not revered today as much as I feel it should be, but in an age where BMW M-cars are mass-produced on an assembly line, E12 M535i's and E28 M5's truly belong to another era. An era where cars were made from body shells pulled from BMW's standard assembly line and then hand finished at BMW Motorsport. If it hadn't been for the E12 M535i, who knows if there ever would have been an M5 at all.

The quoted 0-60 of the E12 M535i back in 1979 was about 7.2 seconds. This is a typically conservative factory figure. High 6's is closer to the mark in a car with little to no sound-deadening, a/c as an option, crank windows (power windows were an option), and a lot of torque. The close-ratio transmission and M90 engine (very similar block to the M1's M88 engine) along with the LSD rear end made these things run like scalded dogs. They were not to be messed with on the autobahn and were the true sleeper 4-doors back when the market was really just starting for these. I have had my car weighed at a certified truck scale and it came in at 3000 pounds even with a half tank of gas, no spare tire, and no jack. It is a crank window, non-a/c car. It is also car #18 of the 1410 E12 M535i's produced.

For what it's worth, I also own an E34 M5 3.8 liter euro and it is fast as hell even by today's standards, hanging with an E39 M5 (stock) at highway speed pulls. However, it is a heavy bitch and nothing beats the raw beauty and oldschool speed of my E12 M535i.

The E12 M535i is every bit the M-car that today's M3's, M5's, and M6's are. And is a hell of a lot more pure (and rare).

Adam Wilson
www.e12m535i.com
www.automotiveinfopage.com
'80 E12 M535i
'94 E34 M5 3.8

[BimmerFreak]

Actually, in 1994 they built a very limited amount of 540i's or maybe it was 535i's thatwere considered M540 or M535. Everything on it looked like a 1995 M5. There was actually a kid here in cincinnati who had one. That might be what you are talking about.

ummmm...yeah. That would have been 95, and they were 540/6 Msports.
Google that, Im too lazy to link right now.

[Skeen]

Before you go spouting off on a message board about a subject you clearly are speculating on, perhaps you should do some more research. The google search link that someone posted was from my website, written by me. I run the E12 M535i enthusiast group on yahoogroups (we've been around since Oct 2003) where we have slightly over 50 members worldwide. For a car that is 25 years old now where only 1410 were made, that is a decent number of enthusiast owners to have in one place.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/E12_M535i/

The E12 M535i is sadly not revered today as much as I feel it should be, but in an age where BMW M-cars are mass-produced on an assembly line, E12 M535i's and E28 M5's truly belong to another era. An era where cars were made from body shells pulled from BMW's standard assembly line and then hand finished at BMW Motorsport. If it hadn't been for the E12 M535i, who knows if there ever would have been an M5 at all.

The quoted 0-60 of the E12 M535i back in 1979 was about 7.2 seconds. This is a typically conservative factory figure. High 6's is closer to the mark in a car with little to no sound-deadening, a/c as an option, crank windows (power windows were an option), and a lot of torque. The close-ratio transmission and M90 engine (very similar block to the M1's M88 engine) along with the LSD rear end made these things run like scalded dogs. They were not to be messed with on the autobahn and were the true sleeper 4-doors back when the market was really just starting for these. I have had my car weighed at a certified truck scale and it came in at 3000 pounds even with a half tank of gas, no spare tire, and no jack. It is a crank window, non-a/c car. It is also car #18 of the 1410 E12 M535i's produced.

For what it's worth, I also own an E34 M5 3.8 liter euro and it is fast as hell even by today's standards, hanging with an E39 M5 (stock) at highway speed pulls. However, it is a heavy bitch and nothing beats the raw beauty and oldschool speed of my E12 M535i.

The E12 M535i is every bit the M-car that today's M3's, M5's, and M6's are. And is a hell of a lot more pure (and rare).

Adam Wilson
www.e12m535i.com (http://www.e12m535i.com)
www.automotiveinfopage.com (http://www.automotiveinfopage.com)
'80 E12 M535i
'94 E34 M5 3.8
:clap Nice explanation, Adam. Got the the driveshaft back in the M535i a couple days ago...woohoo!:redspot

Edited to add: our poor old '81 M535i tore the driveshaft in half...no slouch indeed.

[de_renner]

What are you interested in? Nothing that has to do with performance?

That's a lot of smack from a 318 owner. :rolleyes