1988 BMW 535is/Euro M5 Conversion

Hagerty has this car listed under BMW E28 M5s, but its origin as a 525is and ensuing plethora of modifications make it a difficult car to classify. It recently received a Euro exterior conversion after a huge modification list of aftermarket E28 parts and OEM M5 parts, creating a FrankenE28 that is truly impressive. Bored and stroked S38s in any chassis are the stuff dreams are made of, with this custom build’s 350hp usurping even the almighty S38B38. A Wilwood big brake kit and Dinan/Koni/Bilstein suspension set up deviate from staying too true to the M5, but a full M5 interior and trunk, including battery relocation, are classy and expensive conversions. While not a fully dedicated M5 tribute/conversion, this ticks all the boxes in the outstanding E28 category.

Click for details: 1988 BMW M5 on eBay

Year: 1988
Model: 535is
Engine: 3.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 168,480 mi
Price: $32,500 OBO

This is a 1988 BMW 535is that has received a complete Euro M5 Conversion.

Originally Built by Bavarian Workshop in West Hills, CA.
The car was Featured in BMW CAR Magazine Oct 2010 and BIMMER Magazine Feb 2008

Bored/Stroked 3.8L S38 producing 350BHP, Autronic Stand Alone Engine Management System,
Highlights of the build include: 10.5:1 JE Forged Pistons, Pauter Forged Rods, Euro 3.8L 90mm Knife Edged Crank, Ported/Polished Head w/5 Angle Valve Job, Schrick 280/272 Cams, Adjustable Cam Gears, 50mm Throttle Bodies, MLS Competition Head Gasket w/ARP Head Studs, Ceramic Thermal Barrier Coated Euro Headers, Twin Metallic Matrix Cats, Dinan Muffler, The complete engine rebuild service invoice totals $31,000! Only 7,500 miles have been put on the engine rebuild

Recent Autronic software Tuning at Church Automotive Testing in Wilmington, Ca – 321hp at rear wheels after tuned- See Dyno Sheet

Getreg 280 5 Speed and 3.73 lsd diff

Dinan Springs and Sway bar with Koni Adjustable sports in front and Bilsteins in the rear

Wilwood Big Brake Kit: 6-Piston Superlite Front and 4-Piston Superlite Rear

Full US M5 Leather interior with refinished Leather Dash, Leather Door caps, refinished Leather M Tec Steering Wheel with Tri-color stitching, Black Headliner, Lighted ///M leather shift knob.

Full M5 Trunk battery relocation with M5 Trunk carpets and Tool kit

Recent Maintenance/Upgrades in past 12 months:

Euro Bumper Conversion with New valance and chin spoiler.
New Euro Headlamps w/City Lights
Fully functioning Headlight Wiper/Washers
OEM M Stripe kitNew Sachs HD Clutch Pack, Pressure Plate, Rear main seal, clutch master and clutch slave
Resurfaced 14lb M5 flywheel
UUC short shift kit.
Meyle Rear SubFrame Bushings, dogbones, rebuild half shafts, Adjustable front sway bar links ends. M5 Diff mount
BMW OE Sigla Windshield
New Hood Foam
Refinished M-System 8×17 alloys with new 235/45/17 ZR tires
New Behr Heater core

AC blows ice cold.

Paint is in Excellent condition.

The car is fully sorted and is a solid driver.

This car has resided in Arizona and California since new. very clean body and undercarriage with no rust or corrosion.

Click Here for additional photos

Click Here for Dyno Video 1

Click Here for Dyno Video 2

The buyer will be responsible for all shipping costs but I will help coordinate pickup. The car will not be released until payment is received in full.

Professional appraised for $36,200.

The vehicle has a clean history report and there are over $110K in receipts and copies of all magazine publications are included for the next caretaker.

California Title in hand.

$110k in receipts is extreme, but thankfully the seller is quite reasonable and even undercutting his quoted appraisal. There’s no question that it would be a financial black hole to recreate any one of the modified areas, let alone the total package. My $32.5k would probably go to one of the pristine M5’s we’ve seen recently, but if you don’t care about the real M badge and just want a screaming E28, this is an incredible build.

-NR