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Euro-Spec 1986 BMW 535i

This E28 sold for $8,800 on March 23, 2022.

Back in September 2021, I took a look at a strange situation – what appeared to be an Agate Green Metallic M535i stuck in the midst of a buy-here, pay-here lot full of modern cars:

1986 BMW M535i

Well, the image above should tell you we have something similar again. Maybe this is a thing? Perhaps, though while this appears to be the same dealer, this time the car is not quite the same. It is a European-specification model, but while I wasn’t sure if that one was a real M535i last time around because there was no VIN supplied, we have a VIN on today’s car and it’s a DC31 model – meaning it’s not an M535i (which were DC51, 61, 71, or 81 in LHD). It is wearing the M Technic body kit and some pretty wild offset BBS RZs it appears, so let’s take a look at what you are getting:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: Euro-Spec 1986 BMW 535i on eBay


Year: 1986
Model: 535i
VIN: WBADC310500927419
Engine: 3.4 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 171,000 km (~106,000 mi)
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan
Price: No Reserve Auction

About this vehicle
This 1986 BMW 535i is an original. The owner has had it for 1 year. The vehicle is drivable.
Seller’s Notes
Please ask if you need additional photos or In case you would like more information.
Vehicle Details

1986 BMW 535i E28 Euro 215HP 171k Km Recent import. Complete engine and getrag manual tran with M-tech interior and M-tech body kit. 5 speed manual. Car starts strong and drives. Needs some TLC.

Cons. Dash has some cracks, needs new tires. Overall service. Some trim missing and front emblem.

Pros. Very rare example in US, euro head light, 10:1 compression rather 9:1 in the 535is. 33 more horsepower than the 535is. Sleeker and sexier bumpers. E28 35s are going up in value and honestly they deserve it, for their low maintenance, classic looks and most importantly the pleasure of enjoying one of the “ultimate driving machines.” Feel free to ask any question before bidding, $500 deposit at closing and $210 dealer fee. The car is locally listed at Classic City Cars.

This is a pretty interesting car to just stumble across. It’s as previously mentioned a LHD DC31 model produced in early 1986. Without cats, it’s got the hotter motors, and it was ordered with heated washer nozzles, a power sunroof, power windows, deletion of model designation, front sport seats, cruise control, sport suspension, and adjustable headlights with washers. At some point, the M Technic body kit was added along with what appear to be low-offset BBS RZs, and the headlight washers were removed. Inside it has a later steering wheel, as well. When it was clean, it probably looked really neat. Today? It needs a whole lot of loving. Despite that, bids have already hit $6,800 – what used to buy you a really nice 535i. Still, the current bid isn’t much less than the parts for the Euro conversion on the E28 – and if you get a high-compression M30 and some cool cloth sport seats as a bonus, perhaps it’s not so badly priced.

-Carter