Just wanted to say Hi.
Stepped out of my 2002 M5 and 2004 330xi into this car. No car payments!!! It's a car that I've alway wanted and definitely is what I want out of a BMW. Decent power, handles great(very tossible) and classic BMW looks. The e39 M5, while being an incredible car detined to be a classic, was too big and isolated from the road for my tastes, even with GC coilovers. Too big, too fast for me for a DD, and too electronic. The e46 was meant to be a winter DD(steptronic) and it was great in the snow but was very boring most of the time and it's quality and engineering questionable. By stepping into the world of newer BMWs I quickly realized how big a mistake it was to sell my older ones!!! 1971 2002(turbo bodied), 1989 e30 325i track car, 1989 e34 535i. All sold over the years to friends and enthusiasts in the name of being pratical(and for my wifes sanity!)
1988 535is is in decent shape, 5spd. 190K miles. Lachsilver/black with the power sport seats. Flew to Idaho to buy and purchased after short road test. Drove it home in the middle of the night through Idaho and Montana. That's excitement!!! Subframe bushing and rear upper shock mounts were almost completely torn on both sides and provided for some interesting moments mid-apex:-)
New Powerflex subframe bushings, dog bones, ST 22/16 sways, H&R sport springs, steering box mount reinforcement, HD upper and lower contol arms, tierods, drag link, idler arm,front wheel bearings, front/rear upper strut mounts, fresh plugs, cap and rotor,mustang injectors, RR fuel pressure regulator, AFM adjusted one click "richer" and wiper arm moved to new track, EAT chip, e32/e34 brake upgrade w/ss brake lines, motul 600, and stoptech street sport pads and about a week of work and the car is just about wher i want it. Came with a great stereo w/ipod hook up! All new parts paid for by the sale of parts and wheels taking up space in my shop. Bonus!
Will be re-building my "car fund" for future purchase of GC coilovers, sway bar mounting point reinforcement, better tires, and most likely M30B35 motor swap and/or TCD turbo setup. The wife already loves the car and was actually able to sleep on a recent roadtrip wich included lots of twisties!
Sorry to be so long winded, just excited about the new ride!
Mtrhed
Hi There! New "1988 535is" Owner checking in!
Hi nnarth212!
I'm up in WA state at the moment but will be moving back down to SoCal in a couple of months. I do feel right at home in this car! I've had BMW's for about the last 15 years and this car reminds of why I like the brand. A lot of the things I learned from my m20'd 325i and my m30b35'd e34 535i translate to this car. My 325i had a e34 535i AFM, Mustang injectors and RR FPR, and I became familiar with manipulating it and adjusting it. Did the same things to my e34 535i with EAT chip and had a butter smooth idle! So it was old hat applying the same tricks to this car. I can enjoy myself just admiring the lines of this car!
The 1971 2002 I used to have had molded flares on the wheel arches and a replica 2002 Turbo airdam(looked similar to a factory 2002 Turbo). It's the the only car I REALLY wish I never sold!
Mtrhed
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I'm up in WA state at the moment but will be moving back down to SoCal in a couple of months. I do feel right at home in this car! I've had BMW's for about the last 15 years and this car reminds of why I like the brand. A lot of the things I learned from my m20'd 325i and my m30b35'd e34 535i translate to this car. My 325i had a e34 535i AFM, Mustang injectors and RR FPR, and I became familiar with manipulating it and adjusting it. Did the same things to my e34 535i with EAT chip and had a butter smooth idle! So it was old hat applying the same tricks to this car. I can enjoy myself just admiring the lines of this car!
The 1971 2002 I used to have had molded flares on the wheel arches and a replica 2002 Turbo airdam(looked similar to a factory 2002 Turbo). It's the the only car I REALLY wish I never sold!
Mtrhed
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Thank You!
Hi James!
Yes it is! As I said I've always wanted one and I'm quickly making this one mine by doing all the rehab work and a little bit of of upgrading. Spent a couple days in Seattle with it and the car gets more "double takes" than my M5 did. Funny! I'm also digging the fact that my wife likes it more than any of my other bmw's since the 2002. She still gives me shit for selling that car
mtrhed
Yes it is! As I said I've always wanted one and I'm quickly making this one mine by doing all the rehab work and a little bit of of upgrading. Spent a couple days in Seattle with it and the car gets more "double takes" than my M5 did. Funny! I'm also digging the fact that my wife likes it more than any of my other bmw's since the 2002. She still gives me shit for selling that car
mtrhed