E12 530 MLE & E28 M535i
Discussion
Hi all,
I will try and keep this updated as much as possible but here are some pictures and links to videos to get started.
Firstly, the E28 was bought 3 years ago that started out as a 'quick tidy up' and ill enjoy it turned into a full restoration and engine build - the latter of which is now at Hack Engineering for assembly + some other work i didnt undertake previously as it never started out as a full resto.
Here is the car when i bought it:
and following a full strip down and repaint by Body Motorworks in Chesterfield (bodymotorworks.com), here it is today:
In between a tonne of work not mentioned i started to gather up some parts to build and engine. I commissioned Lester Owen to gas flow, port and pretty much go to towm on a spare head whilst the car was at the bodyshop and assembled the head using the specification suited for weekend/track use only and will be on ITBs, Emerald ECU, high compression etc etc and should be approx 300bhp when complete.
You can get up to speed by watching the following videos, there will be much more to come including the engine build and dyno videos - personally i cant wait for this!
Episode 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn_ztkFnBBk&t=...
Episode 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bR55ydlUUk&t=...
Episode 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZfzY874dSk&t=...
I will update the thread with future episodes but would encourage you all to subscribe to the Hack Engineering YouTube channel
So, this brings me on to the E12 530 MLE that came completely out of left field and just had to buy it. For anyone that knows anything about Classic BMW's or E12's in particular then the model needs no introduction. For those of you who dont, then take a moment and do some research and come back to finish reading. Or watch the following:
BMW 530 MLE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITUKCcdOQ1g&fe...
770100 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkVH6zbCwPM&fe...
In terms of rarity, provenance and general desire the 530 MLE is the E12 to have. Its arguably the very first 'M' model built (albeit unofficially) but who cares. Its a handbuilt lightweight (MLE stands for Motorsport Lightweight Edition) E12 with a 200bhp M30B30 engine and won multiple South African motorsport championships of the era.
The model is SA only and was built in small numbers. My car is number 23 out of 110 built in 1976 where the first two were built as race cars immediately so only 108 road cars were sold. How many remain today? From my knowledge i think there are 7 or 8 1976 Type 1 530 MLE remaining.
As you can expect, the car has been well kept and is in unrestored condition. It has recently landed in the UK and i absolutely love it. It has a time warp interior that needs nothing other than a gear gaiter - original was torn slightly - and the radio doesnt work. not that i care.
The exterior has a great patina from its 44 years and although someone took a stab at replacing the sticker kit - badly - at some stage during its life, its the only thing i will change to the exterior too. The brakes, suspension and engine are a different matter and all i can say is watch this space
Ian
I will try and keep this updated as much as possible but here are some pictures and links to videos to get started.
Firstly, the E28 was bought 3 years ago that started out as a 'quick tidy up' and ill enjoy it turned into a full restoration and engine build - the latter of which is now at Hack Engineering for assembly + some other work i didnt undertake previously as it never started out as a full resto.
Here is the car when i bought it:
and following a full strip down and repaint by Body Motorworks in Chesterfield (bodymotorworks.com), here it is today:
In between a tonne of work not mentioned i started to gather up some parts to build and engine. I commissioned Lester Owen to gas flow, port and pretty much go to towm on a spare head whilst the car was at the bodyshop and assembled the head using the specification suited for weekend/track use only and will be on ITBs, Emerald ECU, high compression etc etc and should be approx 300bhp when complete.
You can get up to speed by watching the following videos, there will be much more to come including the engine build and dyno videos - personally i cant wait for this!
Episode 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn_ztkFnBBk&t=...
Episode 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bR55ydlUUk&t=...
Episode 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZfzY874dSk&t=...
I will update the thread with future episodes but would encourage you all to subscribe to the Hack Engineering YouTube channel
So, this brings me on to the E12 530 MLE that came completely out of left field and just had to buy it. For anyone that knows anything about Classic BMW's or E12's in particular then the model needs no introduction. For those of you who dont, then take a moment and do some research and come back to finish reading. Or watch the following:
BMW 530 MLE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITUKCcdOQ1g&fe...
770100 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkVH6zbCwPM&fe...
In terms of rarity, provenance and general desire the 530 MLE is the E12 to have. Its arguably the very first 'M' model built (albeit unofficially) but who cares. Its a handbuilt lightweight (MLE stands for Motorsport Lightweight Edition) E12 with a 200bhp M30B30 engine and won multiple South African motorsport championships of the era.
The model is SA only and was built in small numbers. My car is number 23 out of 110 built in 1976 where the first two were built as race cars immediately so only 108 road cars were sold. How many remain today? From my knowledge i think there are 7 or 8 1976 Type 1 530 MLE remaining.
As you can expect, the car has been well kept and is in unrestored condition. It has recently landed in the UK and i absolutely love it. It has a time warp interior that needs nothing other than a gear gaiter - original was torn slightly - and the radio doesnt work. not that i care.
The exterior has a great patina from its 44 years and although someone took a stab at replacing the sticker kit - badly - at some stage during its life, its the only thing i will change to the exterior too. The brakes, suspension and engine are a different matter and all i can say is watch this space
Ian
Edited by ibergin1983 on Sunday 1st November 11:01
Gallons Per Mile said:
Wow, lovely cars!
I nearly bought an E28 a few years ago and I still look at them from time to time. I'd love a retro daily driver and they seem to fit the bill quite well. Looking forward to more pictures of yours
Thanks!I nearly bought an E28 a few years ago and I still look at them from time to time. I'd love a retro daily driver and they seem to fit the bill quite well. Looking forward to more pictures of yours
The E28 is a great car, since i bought mine the prices of decent ones has taken a steep climb upwards but to be fair the amount i have poured into mine it will be a few years yet before i see any sign of that return!
Heres some recent pictures of the 530 MLE collecting it from London Gateway last week.
E28 on the other hand is looking a little different...
Edited by ibergin1983 on Friday 30th October 23:08
Whilst the front subframe of the E28 was off for some light restoration on the chassis, Alex from Hack took the liberty of having the subframe plated and powder coated.
At the same time the steering box was weeping so I delved into the Google mainframe and manger to source an E24 M6 RHD steering box.
I also decided to upgrade the front brake calipers from the already upgraded E34 M5 ATE to the E38 Brembo 4 pots (same as E34 M5 3.8) so these should really improve stopping power.
At the same time the steering box was weeping so I delved into the Google mainframe and manger to source an E24 M6 RHD steering box.
I also decided to upgrade the front brake calipers from the already upgraded E34 M5 ATE to the E38 Brembo 4 pots (same as E34 M5 3.8) so these should really improve stopping power.
Edited by ibergin1983 on Sunday 1st November 10:58
Awesome pair. Much as I love an E28 it's the E12 that really does it for me. Especially like the look of those alloys but I may be biased?
I'm not sure if you know ETA Motorsport but I recall Geoff Weeks having a pre production 530. In fact he's owned and raced it for 30+ years now.
Anyway, look forward to further updates and hopefully seeing the E12 at a future Sunday Service maybe?
70's wheel colour...
I'm not sure if you know ETA Motorsport but I recall Geoff Weeks having a pre production 530. In fact he's owned and raced it for 30+ years now.
Anyway, look forward to further updates and hopefully seeing the E12 at a future Sunday Service maybe?
70's wheel colour...
Postman arrived today bearing gifts!
Scheidmann adjustable short shifter - adjustable height and throw. For anyone that knows what the originals shifter is like, I’ll say no more!
Classic BMW Motorsport emblem for steering wheel
Most of these parts are to tighten up the wooly shifter, if you know you know!
Just waiting for a 147mm UUC DSSR to arrive and a BMW rubber shift boot before installing, i hope the genuine boot will be a much better option than the Wallothnesch one - https://www.wallothnesch.c?o?m/en/rubber-boot-for-...
I will post pics of both when the BMW item arrives for comparison a?nd fingers crossed it fits the E12.??
Scheidmann adjustable short shifter - adjustable height and throw. For anyone that knows what the originals shifter is like, I’ll say no more!
Classic BMW Motorsport emblem for steering wheel
Most of these parts are to tighten up the wooly shifter, if you know you know!
Just waiting for a 147mm UUC DSSR to arrive and a BMW rubber shift boot before installing, i hope the genuine boot will be a much better option than the Wallothnesch one - https://www.wallothnesch.c?o?m/en/rubber-boot-for-...
I will post pics of both when the BMW item arrives for comparison a?nd fingers crossed it fits the E12.??
1602Mark said:
Awesome pair. Much as I love an E28 it's the E12 that really does it for me. Especially like the look of those alloys but I may be biased?
I'm not sure if you know ETA Motorsport but I recall Geoff Weeks having a pre production 530. In fact he's owned and raced it for 30+ years now.
Anyway, look forward to further updates and hopefully seeing the E12 at a future Sunday Service maybe?
70's wheel colour...
Thanks Mark. The alloys are a rare MAHLE produced for the E9 CSL & MLE - 14x7 ET+11 and came in silver mostly. Not sure if mine are original gold but will remove Tyres and investigate. I have an even more rare BBS MAHLE 15x8j ET-20 to fit soon, they will be tight but look incredible! I will keep the 14’s for anorak days or when I fancy a change. Getting decent 14’ rubber is a nightmare so I’ll keep it on 15’s mostly. I'm not sure if you know ETA Motorsport but I recall Geoff Weeks having a pre production 530. In fact he's owned and raced it for 30+ years now.
Anyway, look forward to further updates and hopefully seeing the E12 at a future Sunday Service maybe?
70's wheel colour...
Never heard of ETA Motorsport but did a quick search an not a million miles away. Might drop Geoff an email to introduce myself and the 530 MLE and see where the conversation goes... thanks!
Great pair of 5's Ian, an E28 M535i was the first proper fast car I was driven in - I'll never forget the shove in the back when it was floored, made a big impression on the 10 year old me. Granted, the only comparison I had was my dad's Escort mk3 1.3L, but 218 horses was rocketship power in comparison. I know things have moved on in 30+ years, but 300 horses must really make yours move.
I have also been educated this evening. I had never heard of the 530 MLE until now, cheers!
I have also been educated this evening. I had never heard of the 530 MLE until now, cheers!
JBT said:
Great pair of 5's Ian, an E28 M535i was the first proper fast car I was driven in - I'll never forget the shove in the back when it was floored, made a big impression on the 10 year old me......
Exactly the same for me, and so began the obsession 
Lovely pair of tintops OP, and I am really enjoying the story so far!
The next part of the E28 build is up from Hack Engineering. Not much to see but quite a tech piece as the engine build gets underway.
Episode 4:
https://youtu.be/0-w8qbCOjA4
Episode 4:
https://youtu.be/0-w8qbCOjA4
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