M535i Euro question - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

de Witt · 20th October 2001, 18:49

Hey,

I decided to post here because the e28 forum is dead.

I have been looking at a e28 M535i Euro. It is in good condition, but I do not know if I should just get a regular e28 M5 US. Is the M535i a good performer against the M5?

Thanks
de Witt

mikek · 20th October 2001, 22:17

The E28 M535i is basically a 535i with a Mtech bodykit, trx wheels 390mm, a (dog leg) 5 speed sports gear box, matched diff and a recaro sports interior. The performance is similar to a 535i, aprox 0-60 7.4 s and top speed 142mph.

The E28 M5 is a completely different ball game! It has 4 pot brakes all round with larger diameter discs, a 24valve twin cam engine pushing out 286 bhp, a quicker steering box, cose ratio box(not a dogleg) Mtech developed suspension.The peformance is aprox, 0-60 in 6.1s and a top speed of 153mph

The M535i is a quick car, even though it isnt as quick as an E34 M5 it feels every bit as quick!maybee something to do with the shape etc gives that feeling of going faster than you are!! The M5 is awesome, and no camparison to the M535i. It`s performance is far superior to the M535i and also is the roadholding and stability and braking. The subframe vibration that the M535i can suffer from on wheelspin is also completely eliminated.

Go for the real thing, the M5....The M535i is really no more than a badge engineered 535i!!!

regards

Mike K

IvanDias · 21st October 2001, 12:16

The E30 M3 is considered far more a drivers car than the fatter, heaver later 3 series cars.

The same is true for the E28 M5 although 286BHP, not E34 3.6 315Bhp and E34 3.8 340BHP, it has less weight to carry, a much shorter wheelbase (6" I think), and you sit higher up (1.5" I remember).

This gives you a tremendous buzz, and is supposed to be far more involving.

My neighbour has a E28 M535i, two M5 E28, a E34 535iSE and a mint E34 M5.

He uses the M5 E28 all the time.

Ivan.

PS. His E34 I have seen twice out. Ever.
He sold a Sierra Cosworth I saw 3 times in 4 years, and after each rare sunny Sunday out, it got a FULL valet and clean.
The guy has his own underside steam clean !!

Andy G · 22nd October 2001, 11:19

I've been told that the original M5 has the power and performance similar to the Euro' E36 M3, and the raw appeal of the E30 M3.
A decent wolf in sheeps clothing, the M5 and the M535 are not really mentioned in the same breadth! different animals completely.

BigMac · 22nd October 2001, 20:44

I used to own an M535i. Funny how your memory plays tricks on you - it 'felt' bigger than my E34 M5 (now sold). Maybe that's because I was moving up from a Colt galant turbo, which was also one of the most comfortable long distance cars I ever drove. It also felt very quick, once you got used to the quirky getrag gearbox, and VERY heavy clutch - a real pain to drive in town traffic. Watch out for rust in the front door attachment points.