BMW M535i e12 1981

[Slightlybald]

My beloved 1988 T25 camper left us in the spring. It was just sitting in the barn not being used with the kids having grown and declared an aversion to camping. So what to get next?

Having decided that modern cars just don't have enough character I took the plunge and bought a 1981 BMW e12 M535i. It's just been fully refurbished, with the work including engine rebuild, new injectors, gearbox rebuild, respray and new stripes, seats recovered, new carpet and headlining, brake overhaul etc.

As I'm still running it in after the engine build, I've not been much over 3,000rpm, but well impressed with the torque and the ride quality is way better than any moderately sporting modern car (probably due to the totally pimped 14" rims!) Okay, so it leans over a bit in the bends, but that's all part of the fun. And 220bhp is just about enough.

Hoping this will be the start of a collection. What do you think?

[Slightlybald]

[Slightlybald]

I know this isn't the correct steering wheel. Original just needs to be fitted. Wood trim on doors has been sorted too.

[tali1]

Nice.- i recall back in the day a local businessman buying a brand new W -reg blue one

[sprouting]

Lovely. Should be a popular thread. More pics needed though.

[Amirhussain]

Very nice

[Slightlybald]

Here are a few more...

[The Nur]

Love it.

[Frances The Mute]

Glorious! Very nice choice.

[bob1179]

One of my dream cars.

Stunning car, they are a lovely drive and the M30 straight six sound glorious when you give it the beans.

I hope you have many happy miles in it!

[bob1179]

olly22n said:

M90!

It is...

My bad!

[mark.c]

What do I think?.. I think it looks fantastic, as an owner myself I have been known to bore the pants of anyone within striking distance about how much I love mine

Well done for doing right by the car, I wondered what happened to it, definitely some money been invested there. Have a great time with it .

[Slightlybald]

Thanks. Any pics of yours to share? Very few about now and don't think I've ever seen another on the road.

[mark.c]

Of course, here is the old clunker, I know of one other down here in Cornwall that a friend owns but have never seen another on the road.

[mark.c]

Oh, not sure why the last two came out upside down!

[Coker]

Properly cool.

[Slightlybald]

That's stunning. Looks even better in that colour... also noting the headlight washers.

One thing I'm not happy with on mine is that I'm getting vibration in 1st and 2nd gear. Workshop that did the restoration tell me it's normal but I don't buy it. No idea what's causing it though.

Any ideas out there?

[sutts]

That is really lovely OP, as is yours Mark.

Here's one I parked next to in the summer:

[Slightlybald]

Nice e28 M5. Have to admit that before I bought the e12, I really wanted a mint e28 M5. But the prices those things go for now are getting a bit much for me.

[Slightlybald]

olly22n said:

Slightlybald said:

That's stunning. Looks even better in that colour... also noting the headlight washers.

One thing I'm not happy with on mine is that I'm getting vibration in 1st and 2nd gear. Workshop that did the restoration tell me it's normal but I don't buy it. No idea what's causing it though.

Any ideas out there?

Propshaft centre bearing? make sure it is an original BMW part, I had one from ECP and it was st.

They shouldn't vibrate at all. Change the engine and gearbox mounts too while your are at it. ISTR the rear axle bushes are NLA.

. Thanks for that. Will look into it.