E12 M535i

[benjj]

This dude seemed to think so but I've never seen or heard about them.

Just looked for a list of options available for the E12 in 1980 - not too many...

Fog lights (not available with the front and rear M spoilers)
Headlight washer/wipers
Passenger-side rearview mirror
Leather upholstery (or leatherette at no extra charge)
ASS sport seats with Motorsport stripes
Passenger seat height adjustment
Velour floor mats
Fire extinguisher
Rear headrests
Green or brown tinted glass
Air conditioning (including green-tinted glass)
Manual sunroof
Power sunroof
Power windows (all around or front only)
Central locking
Various audio systems and a power antenna.

[mark.c]

benjj said:

Just had an(other) interesting conversation - a non PHer has read this thread and got in touch. Bit of a collector (hi if you're reading this!)

It seems having a combination of no a/c, no electric seats, windy windows etc actually makes the car more desirable/interesting to people - possibly the whole Porsche lightweight thing. Someone has said this to me before but not someone actually wanting to buy it.

Anyway, an interesting addition to the general chat above with respect to the E12 market.

That is interesting, when I bought mine there were a few other cars for sale which I talked about previously, the one thing I didnt feel was the buzzing activity around the cars with bidding wars etc that you sometimes get with other models. I always assumed that this was because the cars were relatively expensive compared to what you could have paid a few years back and that some potential buyers ruled them out on that principle alone...I know I very nearly did and baulked at what it was going to cost me to own one. I guess the lack of an MPower engine also has an effect to some. Having said that, the day I picked mine up, the seller was offered full asking price unseen from a collector in Hong Kong IIRC.

Either way I bought it because I wanted it and it was the best I could afford that was available at the time. Its nice to hear they still have a little following and are appreciated

[benjj]

As much as I like bidding wars whenever I'm selling something (!) we didn't even discuss price etc. In fact it was more of a 'registering interest' type of contact rather than 'can I buy your car m8'...

I must admit the thought of selling it immediately and pocketing some change instantly vanished when I took it for a 5 mile blast yesterday.

[mark.c]

Always nice to have that in the back of your mind, a much more pleasurable way to do business i think!

It was nice to hear the seller of mine saying that if I ever wanted to sell it that he would buy it back in a heartbeat, freely admitting that he would expect to have to pay more. I wasnt expecting that from a dealer!

So...ticket yet?

[benjj]

Still waiting for MOT news. Sitting in the office doing my nut

Think I'll go out for a coffee and walk.

[e21Mark]

Currently sat on train from Truro to Abbergavenny to collect my 02, so killing time re reading this thread. Great to see it's finally in rude health and your pals 911 is a bit dreamy too! I've always fancied one myself but just don't know enough about them, to spend all my dough on one.

Bonus of the warm weather is having all the windows down to hear that new exhaust note. I think m30's sound lovely once they're allowed to breath a little deeper.

Taking my M3 for a geo check next week, to get back to full shaven haven.

[mark.c]

...like an expectant Dad!

Mark, who is going to geo your M3..the Rally Prep chaps?...Sorry Ben.

[benjj]

I'm going to call RPM who did the rally Porsche geo, see if they can do something with it.

You lads are lucky being by RP: they're the lads that did Monkey's M3 aren't they..?

[mark.c]

I think they are, Mark mentioned it before I think.

I have to be honest Ive not used them and bit embarrassed to say that I'd not heard of them until Mark mentioned it! I will check them out tho, its nice to know that there is someone local familiar with E30 M3s.

[benjj]

Just sitting watching this waiting for the call from the test...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGqQ8msqMM

[Kawasicki]

benjj said:

Just sitting watching this waiting for the call from the test...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGqQ8msqMM

Starts off slow and then gets a move on. Glorious sound. Good luck with your MOT.

[benjj]

Just managed to tax it online so in a leap of faith I'm about to get a train (bleurgh) and an unlicenced minicab (bleurgher) to the workshop.

[benjj]

Done. MOT sorted. Collecting in an hour.

Big silly happy face

[mark.c]

Job done

[RicksAlfas]

benjj said:

an unlicenced minicab (bleurgher) to the workshop.

The thing with Keighley (and other local) taxis is that you never cease to wonder how someone who drives a minimum 50,000 miles a year, can be so comprehensively st at it. There's some belting hills near us and without fail they always approach them in fourth, sometimes fifth, and don't change down until the car is almost at a standstill and the engine is juddering off it's mounts.

Enjoy it Benjj. It looks fab!

[benjj]

Agreed. I'm standing outside 'Central Taxis' at Keeflah station now. Not looking forward to kangarooing up the hill!

[e21Mark]

Am hoping/guessing you were out hooning with a fresh MOT in your back pocket??!

RP are a good bunch of guys and are also looking after Henry Catchpole's MK2 Escort rally car, as well as being responsible for preparing and running Monkey Harris' M3 (amongst others). We're spoiled for BMW related talent down here in the wall of corn. (Yes, will be using RP to sort geo Marc)

Anyone know just how many e12 M535 are being offered for sale right now?

[Talkwrench]

benjj said:

I'm going to call RPM who did the rally Porsche geo, see if they can do something with it.

You lads are lucky being by RP: they're the lads that did Monkey's M3 aren't they..?

So, which part of what they did to your Porsche were you particularly impressed with?

[Talkwrench]

benjj said:

Missed the MOT man so it's been left there, should be done and dusted by lunch tomorrow all being well.

It is just fantastic. The combination of the new cam and an engine actually built by someone who knows his st is night and day. Feels like it has 50% more go.

Exhaust sounds utterly amazing. Even michael said it sounded like an M1. High praise indeed from him

Pics to come tomorrow from office.

I'm really pleased that you like it. I must say, it is one very impressive engine. The way it delivers the power, the wide torque band, its willingness to work and that glorious exhaust note. I reckon if BMW had made it sound like that in the first place, it would have become a real legend from day one!

I suspect it is showing a more than 50% increase. Its gone from being a bag of old spanners to a proper thoroughbred M car. It does show, though, that you can't just throw those engines together like an old 'A' series. Take the time, set them up properly and double check everything and they respond accordingly. Get it wrong and you may as well buy a diesel.......

[benjj]

Re: RPM, I think they did a good job with what they have. Perhaps they should have picked up on the knacked topmounts though. Pretty sure I've buckled a wheel too!

Re the car: yep, it is just the best thing ever. I'm actually having to relearn how to drive it. The torque band is massive, you just don't need to change gear!