BMW M535I - How much should I be paying for one?

[Skienzy]

Hi all, been lurking around for a good few months now but I finally decided to post because I need help on a car.

I'm 21 & looking shortly to getting a second car for weekend/general hooning purposes & insure it under classic car insurance policy as it's alot cheaper.

I've been a fan of the M535I for as long as I can remember, I remember seeing a few of them around when I was a kid but I hardly ever see them on the roads nowadays.

In short, I've looked on autotrader & various other places & I've seen a couple of M535's & M5's (another possiblity but I think this may be out of my price range) for £1-3k. Is these examples going to be a complete money pit or is it worth taking a look at them?

[dan101smith]

Worth looking, but take a screwdriver and have a good poke around under the bodykit - rust is the main enemy of all E28s.

The M5 will be out of your price range, but a decent M535i shouldn't be. If it's for hooning you'll want a manual, of which there are two types: dogleg and overdrive box. Dogleg boxes are rumoured to be weaker than the standard box, and unless you're out on track a lot probably not worth the extra price they seem to command.

The M30 is a pretty unstressed engines so lasts pretty well. Usual thing to look out for is steering wobble at 50-60mph (common fault, easily remedied), but other than that all usual 20+ year old car rules apply.

If you can get one with an MOT much the better - most for sale tend to have expired, need work and the owners don't want to pay out to get it done.

After all that I'd say get one, and enjoy!!

[mmm-five]

I'll assume we're talking about e28 5-series here as there was no M535i in the later e34 series anyway.

If you can find an e28 M5 for less than £3k then it's likely to be a dog, as if it's in anything near decent condition it's going to be over £5k, and closer to £10k for a good one.

The M535i was the 'poor mans' M5, as it makes do with a 218bhp engine and M-Tech suspension, wheels, & some bodywork. These are usually a good bit cheaper than the M5, but have similar issues with non-galvinised panels, so watch out for rust.

If you've seen both for £3k, then I'd bet the M535i is in better condition than the M5 - and will be a bit cheaper to get transmission spares (i.e. not bodywork, seat, suspension).

How about http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C44734

Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 13th May 18:01

[dan101smith]

^^ That's an auto though - nowhere near as much fun.

One thing to note though - everywhere I tried to insure my E28 on a classic policy said that I needed to be over 30.

ETA - try something like this ::clicky::

Edited by dan101smith on Tuesday 13th May 18:14

[mmm-five]

dan101smith said:

^^ That's an auto though - nowhere near as much fun.

One thing to note though - everywhere I tried to insure my E28 on a classic policy said that I needed to be over 30.

ETA - try something like this ::clicky::

Edited by dan101smith on Tuesday 13th May 18:14

I know!!!!

I was just using it as an example of pricing

[Howitzer]

I couldn't insure my 500E Merc till I hit 25, I think this is pretty common?

Dave!

[dan101smith]

He'll be able to insure it, just maybe not on a classic policy.

I had mine insured with More Than for £200 FC anyway, so not a huge difference, although that was with 5 years NCB.

[Road_Terrorist]

My E21 323i is insured under a classic policy and has been since I was 24.

with these guys
http://www.lancaster-ins.co.uk/