External links now open in a new browser tab - turn this off in your UCP - Read more here.
Does the M535i have the same steering box as the e28 M5?
-
- Posts: 1444
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: San Antonio
- Contact:
All your questions shall be answered - just click here 

According to RealOEM the answer is "no". According to the BMW M Registry the answer is "yes".
From: http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=6
From: http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=6
Code: Select all
Chassis
How is the E28 M535i's suspension different from that of the standard E28 5 Series?
The E28 M535i's basic suspension configuration is identical to that of other E28 5 Series models, with MacPherson struts in the front and a semi-trailing arm design in the rear. Standard on the M535i, however, is the M-Technic chassis package consisting of firmer Bilstein shocks, shorter springs and thicker anti-roll bars. The recirculating ball steering rack is identical to the one found in the E28 535i and E28 M5, with an overall ratio of 15:1.
-
- Posts: 8548
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Far North Houston
From my ETK (1.1.0 20 Nov 2003) the answer is NO
The M535i uses Part # 32 13 1 126 621
which is also used in:
E24 628CSi(EU); 633CSi(US); 635CSi(EU/US)
E28 528i(EU); 535i(EU); M535i(EU)
The M5 uses Part # 32 13 2 225 121
which is also used in :
E24 635CSi(US); M635CSi(EU); M6(EU/US) E28 M5 (EU/US)[/b]
Edited 2/28/08 to correct part numbers
The M535i uses Part # 32 13 1 126 621
which is also used in:
E24 628CSi(EU); 633CSi(US); 635CSi(EU/US)
E28 528i(EU); 535i(EU); M535i(EU)
The M5 uses Part # 32 13 2 225 121
which is also used in :
E24 635CSi(US); M635CSi(EU); M6(EU/US) E28 M5 (EU/US)[/b]
Edited 2/28/08 to correct part numbers
Last edited by Mark 88/M5 Houston on Feb 28, 2008 6:26 PM, edited 1 time in total.
The steering boxes are the same TYPE (recirculating ball), and interchangeable in use, but they are not the exact same unit, as Mark proved with the ETK info.
Jeremy
Stock e28 part, used in all models except the M5. 3.5 turns lock to lock.The M535i uses Part # 32 131 1 126 621
which is also used in:
E24 628CSi(EU); 633CSi(US); 635CSi(EU/US)
E28 528i(EU); 535i(EU); M535i(EU)
e28 M5 part. 3 turns lock to lock.The M5 uses Part # 32 13 12 225 121
which is also used in :
E24 635CSi(US); M635CSi(EU); M6(EU/US) E28 M5 (EU/US)
Jeremy
-
- Posts: 750
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Jamaica Estates/Miami Shores
Mark 88/M5 Houston wrote:From my ETK (1.1.0 20 Nov 2003) the answer is NO
The M535i uses Part # 32 131 1 126 621
which is also used in:
E24 628CSi(EU); 633CSi(US); 635CSi(EU/US)
E28 528i(EU); 535i(EU); M535i(EU)
The M5 uses Part # 32 13 12 225 121
which is also used in :
E24 635CSi(US); M635CSi(EU); M6(EU/US) E28 M5 (EU/US)[/b]
Mark,
How are you, i hope well.

I also found this.... http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.co ... 3213222512
Any insight or advice on this will be very appreciated.
thanks,
-
- Posts: 8548
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Far North Houston


The correct numbers for the steering boxes are as follows:
32 13 2 225 121 <> M5
32 13 1 126 621 <> M535i
The information below was a cut and paste exercise - no typos here.

From Maximillian (using the VIN from my M5):
From RealOEM (using the VIN from my M5):Part Cross-reference
Part 32132225121 (RMFD HYDRO STEERING GEAR) was found on the following vehicles:
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5511) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5531) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5531) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5511) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (5532) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (5532) : POWER STEERING
E24 635CSi COUPE, M30, U.S., AUTO (5384) : POWER STEERING
E24 635CSi COUPE, M30, U.S., MANUAL (5374) : POWER STEERING
E24 M6 COUPE, S38, U.S., MANUAL (5514) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, Euro, MANUAL (DC91) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (DC92) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, U.S., MANUAL (DC93) : POWER STEERING
M535i from Maximillian:Part Cross-reference
Part 32132225121 (RMFD HYDRO STEERING GEAR) was found on the following vehicles:
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5511) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5511) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5531) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, MANUAL (5531) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (5532) : POWER STEERING
E24 M635CSi COUPE, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (5532) : POWER STEERING
E24 635CSi COUPE, M30, U.S., AUTO (5384) : POWER STEERING
E24 635CSi COUPE, M30, U.S., MANUAL (5374) : POWER STEERING
E24 M6 COUPE, S38, U.S., MANUAL (5514) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, Euro, MANUAL (DC91) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, Euro, RHD , MANUAL (DC92) : POWER STEERING
E28 M5 SEDAN, S38, U.S., MANUAL (DC93) : POWER STEERING
M535i from RealOEM:Part Cross-reference
Part 32131126621 (RMFD HYDRO STEERING GEAR) was found on the following vehicles:
E24: Details on E24
E24 633CSi COUPE, U.S.
E24 635CSi COUPE, U.S.
E24 628CSi COUPE, Euro
E24 635CSi COUPE, Euro
E28: Details on E28
E28 528i SEDAN, Euro
E28 535i SEDAN, Euro
E28 M535i SEDAN, Euro
Both RealOEM and Maximilliam's on line ETK list a much greater fitment for the M535i steering box than quoted here. If more detail is needed please use those resources for the full lists.Part Cross-reference
Part 32131126621 (RMFD HYDRO STEERING GEAR) was found on the following vehicles:
E24: Details on E24
E24 633CSi COUPE, U.S.
E24 635CSi COUPE, U.S.
E24 628CSi COUPE, Euro
E24 635CSi COUPE, Euro
E28: Details on E28
E28 528i SEDAN, Euro
E28 535i SEDAN, Euro
E28 M535i SEDAN, Euro
cools, there's an "M535i Steering Box" for sale on craigslist for $100 with an "NLA Rebuild Kit" included in the price. Thought if it was a better or more direct steering box, might grab it, otherwise, mine's in good condition as far as I can tell.Jeremy wrote:Yes.duggi wrote:another question related, will the M535i steering box fit in a 528e?None, apparently, unless the one from the M535i is in better overall condition.duggi wrote:any advantage?
Jeremy
-
- Posts: 1718
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: The Boonies, Mn
- Contact:
That seller is a board member. It's also listed in the FS section.duggi wrote:cools, there's an "M535i Steering Box" for sale on craigslist for $100 with an "NLA Rebuild Kit" included in the price. Thought if it was a better or more direct steering box, might grab it, otherwise, mine's in good condition as far as I can tell.Jeremy wrote:Yes.duggi wrote:another question related, will the M535i steering box fit in a 528e?None, apparently, unless the one from the M535i is in better overall condition.duggi wrote:any advantage?
Jeremy
FWIW, I found an '85 and an '87 in the yards and they have the 621 box, so I'm betting it's an '88/89 thing - you know just to continue to make the cars "that much better."
Now this is some useful information! If Chris' experience with the 87 635csi is correct (some late 87 models have been known to have some of the upgrades of the 88-89 e24s), then we can have a larger pool of CR steering boxes by sourcing from the late e24s as well as M5s and M6s.Bill in MN wrote:The box in my '89 e24 is 3 turns lock to lock.
Yea but he says there is no part number.. so im not too sure i its the close ratio or not.. Or If its OEM..wkohler wrote:That seller is a board member. It's also listed in the FS section.duggi wrote:cools, there's an "M535i Steering Box" for sale on craigslist for $100 with an "NLA Rebuild Kit" included in the price. Thought if it was a better or more direct steering box, might grab it, otherwise, mine's in good condition as far as I can tell.Jeremy wrote:Yes.duggi wrote:another question related, will the M535i steering box fit in a 528e?None, apparently, unless the one from the M535i is in better overall condition.duggi wrote:any advantage?
Jeremy