1988 BWM 535i 5-Speed. This 1988 BMW 535i is a mildly modified example from the final year of E28 sedan production which is powered by a 3.5 liter inline-six paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The seller is a shop owner who reportedly performed over $20k in mechanical maintenance over the last three and a half years along with several cosmetic, interior, and suspension upgrades. Refurbished 17×8″ BBS two-piece Style 5 wheels wear mirror-polished lips, baked-on finishes, freshened and correctly torqued hardware, new OEM center caps, and Kumho Ecsta AST rubber.
Power is from a 3.5 liter M30 "Big Six" engine that received a valve adjustment along with new spark plugs, crank position reference sensors, drive belts, and filters for oil, air, and fuel. A new main relay was fitted to the electrical system along with a fresh battery. Bosch Motronic fuel injection draws from a fresh fuel tank via replacement external and in-tank fuel pumps with a new relay and pressure regulator. A replacement OEM radiator and upper hose were installed for the cooling system along with a new fan, fan clutch, and fresh BMW coolant. The exhaust system was freshened with a good used muffler along with new studs and hangers, and the oil pan has been replaced.
A used instrument cluster was sourced and is thought likely to be the third fitted to the car, soits actual mileage remainsunknown. A modern head unit with USB input has replaced the original stereo and powers uncovered aftermarket speakers in the front kick panels. A new blower motor andrelay have beeninstalled and the air conditioning system was refreshed with a rebuiltcompressorandnew receiver-drieralong with a refrigerantevacuation and recharge.
Lowered slightly over Bilstein shocks, the suspension has been fitted with new thrust and control arms along with fresh "dog bone" Pitman arms and sway bar end links in the rear. New tie rod assemblies were installed in the power steering system, which also received a fresh hose from the accumulator to the steering gear. Brakes have been refreshed with a new OEM hydroboost unit, sensor, and fluid flush along with fresh pads and rotors at all four corners.
The Carfax report indicates alargelyuneventful history aside from the evidence of previous odometer replacement cited above, at one point indicating mileage of nearly 290k but most recentlyshowing 207k.The car is reliable and fun to drive despite its high mileage thanks to the recent maintenance and upgrades.