FS: 1980 BMW M535i

[hilux30]

I came to look around and saw some action on this thread... Yes it's in Canada now, and yes there is no progress, I wasn't planning to do any resto' work until next year anyway.. I've driven it through the summer in Ontario and now we moved to PEI.
I just drove it today to a trusted body shop where they will do the paint and rust repairs needed. "It's a great base to start" as the shop owner claims. He loves it, previous owner of several E9 and 2002 beasts (nothing stock). I will do the work myself except windshield frame and floor-boards. After strip down I'll take the Uni-body and have it wet sand-blasted by a local guy . All sub-components will be blasted and powder-coated. Engine will be resealed. Components will be rebuild depending on inspection after tear-down. M90s can get away with simple rings/bearings replaced, they have good metallurgy. Wiring harness, lighting, structure, fittings, connections, insulation ... all will be modernized.
I ordered many parts through RealOEM including rear clip, Euro gas tank, various trims and body parts. But she's fairly solid. It did fail inspection here due to a small rust hole, but got me temp plate for a month to get it around.
The shipper damaged the tank on the way here to PEI, as it was damaged before in the same area and repaired badly (you know who you are ).. I should have instructed not to use the rear T-slots for chaining it down, that location causes the chain to rub on the tank. I didn't make a fuss about it because it needed one anyway. This time removed the tank, had it steam pressure washed and welded ($128 total). Euro tank won't be here for a month and wanted to save it for the resto.
I'll detail the progress when it starts, but now it's going to climate-controlled storage and we are looking a buy house soon with a proper work-shop, which as all my Canadian friends know it's nearly impossible to do near the GTA and Vancouver ... so no rush..
Here it is as of now and on the trailer when I towed it back from Matt. ..


I've been eye-balling this exact car for too many years. When this 'M' ended up for sale in MN I said this is it, now or never.. This would be my 7th E12, but my 1st real Euro car. Thank you Matt for being a straight-up dude, and to all who are and will help me through this very happy with it...


EDIT: I went back and looked at all the old threads.. interesting about the gas tank damage from the same issue. From now on, fabric wheel straps only!

cheers

[Adam W in MN]

Well good luck with it, hope your odyssey of rust is not as long and painful as on my E12 M535i. Was the shop that looked at it factoring in repair or replacement of panels?

[maybeillbuyit]

Congrats, Sounds like its in good hands. Will be watching for updates etc on your M535i. I agree with you on the workshop unavailability due to cost in Vancouver. My car is in a portable garage ( shitty tent) for the summer and storage for winter. Glad to have it though.

[hilux30]

Thanks... the shop did factor in replacing the rear tail-light panel but not the floors, those will most likely will be done by I and a friend who can weld good, but had the shop look at them Anyway .. Also I did tell the shop there is a good chance all he will have to do is the primer & paint work, and that's the ultimate goal but we'll assess at the time depending on what kind of workshop space I'll end up with.
I've been picking up equipment at auctions in Ontario/Michigan to keep things in-house, including a rotisserie contraption that needs some welding. There are body shop tools & equipment in AZ too at brother's shop that are awaiting a new home, just need to get down there when the time comes..

[Hffvdbl]

Good luck! Thank you for the update.

[hubble1953]

Hi: Glad to see this m535 will finally get fixed up the way it should:). Yes, the gas tank was damaged in the same place and was poorly fixed as a temp. measure; but I thought I sold it with a euro gas tank???? I know I sold it before the euro tank went in:).
Have fun with it and buy a better dash board for it:)
jm