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Tag: 5er

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1985 BMW 535i

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As I picked up the M5 from the shop today (finally), they were still working on a woman’s beat E12, into which she was dumping $5k so that her daughter could inherit it as a daily driver. Despite admittedly being the pot calling Mrs. Kettle black, it seemed silly to drop that kind of coin on a car that seemed unspecial to me. Today’s E28 adds an interesting juxtaposition to her and my situations; advertised as “lady owned,” this 535i is rough on the top, but the sides through the interior are commensurate with the nice 115k mileage.

Yes, it’s an automatic. Yes, the up-facing surfaces look like the skin of someone who has been retired and at the beach since 1985… but it’s not too far from being a 30 year-old sugar momma in a beach house.

Click for more details: 1985 BMW 535i on eBay

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Euro-looker: 1987 BMW 535is

When people think “E28”, they immediately think “M5” – those two combinations of letters and numbers are both magical and intertwined in the history of performance sedans. Indeed, like the original GTi defined the hot hatch segment and has always been at the forefront since, the M5 has similarly defined fast executive sedans. However, I’m going to let you in on a little secret – 20 years on, it’s pretty expensive to own and run the S38 motor in the M5. There is no doubt it’s a screamer, but for most people, a warmed over 535is is probably a better option; they look nearly identical to the M5, they get better fuel mileage, around town they’re practically as fast as the M5, and critically they’re usually had in good condition for less than half the asking price of the M5 and are cheaper to run, to boot. On top of that, you could get them in colors other than black – not something everyone wants, but for those not really into the Model T scene it’s a welcome addition. Today’s 535 is a excellent case in point; looking quite catching in red with Euro bits complementing the original shape of the E28 and with a very inviting looking black sport interior, this 1987 535is sure is a looker:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1987 BMW 535is on eBay

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1988 BMW 535is

$_57 (6)

As I find myself knee deep in an expensive bout of repairs for my E28 M5, I’m reminded of the appeal in the flexibility and relative ease of replacement/improvement with the 535is. While I feel beholden (and am often required) to buy M5-specific parts, if it were a 535 it’s much easier to rationalize replacement seats in a new color, or using repairs as an opportunity for some OEM+ modification. The description of today’s 535is leaves some details to be desired, it appears to be a good-looking E28 that could be the basis for a beautiful car.

Click here for details: 1988 BMW 535is on eBay

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2001 BMW M5

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The 540i M-Sport we posted this week posed some interesting questions in regards to the E39s available on the market. The 540i has a good engine and lots of choice bits, but the E39 M5 has the engine and even more choice performance parts. I asked why you wouldn’t just spend a little more to get the Big Daddy, and today we have an example of just how attainable the E39 M5 is these days. Originally owned by the CEO of the Tire Rack, this M5 has just about everything you’d want when looking for a used car – huge Autocheck score, not that many miles (but enough to bring the price down a little), well-informed owners, and overall great condition. Is it worth $16,500? In my eyes, hell yes.

Click for more details: 2001 BMW M5 on eBay

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2003 BMW 540i M-Sport

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The E39 M5 gets all the press as the best E39, and often as the best M5 ever. Sitting in its shadows is the highly capable 540i. The M-sport came with 6 speeds, M Suspension, and the desirable Style 37 M-Parallels. Today’s has been further upgraded with an M5’s LSD and Dinan chip, helping to up performance levels a little more. Ideally this would be a less-expensive alternative to the king of all supersedans, but the price is dangerously close to decent E39 M5 money. Can the low mileage and choice add-ons make up for missing 100 horsepower and ///M cachet?

Click for more details: 2003 BMW 540i M-Sport on Southern California’s Craigslist

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