BMW M535 E12 ( Not M5 as many people think)

[MTY]

I would like to know is this car has the Bmw S38 engine ( the Bmw M5 E28 and the Bmw M6 engine). I have this doubt because I have read that this car was on the market with the frist M5.
MTY

[JohnH]

My understanding is that the M535 was produced by the M-Technic part of BMW and not the M-Power which means that it did not have an M5/6 engine. It was launched in 1984 at the same time as 535i with 3430cc engine producing 218bhp from 635CSi with most of the other mechanicals coming from the 528i. It did however have the M styling kit. If you can get hold of BMW Car magazine for August 2000 it is covered in some detail.

[raymondw]

Hi,

The BMW E12 ///M535i is a very desireble car since it is the first performance five that has been develloped by BMW motorsport. It was build from 1979-1981 and has 3453cc in stead of 3430cc from the post 1982 3,5ltr engines. Power output for the E12 ///M535i is 218hp@5200RPM and 228lb ft@4000RPM.

In 1982, BMW decreased the capacity of the 3,5ltr engine slightly to 3430cc. This engine is used for the E28 ///M535i, the succesor for the E28 ///M535i. Despite the ///M designation, this car was not develloped by BMW motorsport, but equal to a normal 535i with different spoilers and alloy rims. But despite this, the E28 ///M535i can be very entertaining to drive. It is also not that expensive to maintain as an ///M5.

Some say that the E28 ///M535i is a bargain fast five which has still yet to be discovered. In Germany prices vary from DM1500-DM6000.

Since the E12 ///M535i is the first five series develloped by BMW motorsport with improved suspension and gearbox, it is very sought after these days and therefore more expensive then the E28 ///M535i.

Good examples can still be found in Italy and the South of France. Just recently, a Dutch company (www.cultcars.nl) sold a pristine E12 ///M535i with less than 100k km which came from Italy.

With best regards,

Raymond

[John Robinson]

Check out http://www.m535i.org for heaps of good info on these beasts!

Regards

John



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Visit the M5 Springboard at http://www.m5springboard.com

[MTY]

Thanks for the infor, Raymond. I´ve seen your pictures in the owners gallery. The car is great ( back colour always fits Bmws and more if they are M5!!) and the landscape too.

John,
The homepage is very nice, contains lots of info. I like old Bmws, they are just raw engine.

[This message has been edited by MTY (edited 22 January 2001).]