1986 BMW M535i

The BMW E28 M535i was in production from 1984 until 1988. Styled in house by Claus Luthe, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon seating five adults.

The E28 was the last generation of BMW M535i, and used a 220bhp variant of the M30 straight six also seen in the standard 535i. The M535i was effectively a trim upgrade, in the same manner as the later TWR Jaguarsport XJR. Assembled on the standard production lines unlike the M5 with which it was concurrent, the M535i featured M-Technic suspension, wheels and a unique bodykit (optional on the more powerful M5, not standard equipment). While not as rapid as the full fat M5, 0-60 could be achieved in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 143mph was possible – impressive enough by the standards of the mid 1980s. Production ceased in 1988, alongside the rest of the E28 range.

Like the M5, there’s more roll than you’d expect, but try not to judge it harshly against more modern machinery. Remember that this is an old car now, and it was acceptable in the 80s... Power is strong, but no better than the standard 535i. What is better is the handling, it’s sharper, despite what these days seems like excessive roll. More compliant than you’d expect, that means that handling near the limit is progressive. Unlike the smaller E30, it doesn’t ever try to snap. The M535i can be a very fun car to chuck down a B-road.

The sills are worth examining, because not only can they let go around all four jacking points but if they’ve gone at the rear edge it’s an axle-out job to rectify. While checking for rust, look at the leading edge of the bonnet, which can attract stone chip damage. Footwells and the boot floor can corrode out too, so need thorough inspection where possible. Check for damage to the bodykit, as this can be hard to track down – it was only fitted to the M535i as standard and as an option on the M5. The electrics can be dodgy given that these cars are now very nearly forty years old, and it’s worth making sure that everything still works as well as when the car was new. Nothing is impossible though, and you should be able to replace anything that’s broken with care and time.

Avoid Cinnabar Red, White or any statement colours if you’re hoping to sell the car in future. Yes, they’re very of their era, but not all buyers will want that and a sober metallic is safer. If you’re hoping to keep the car though, those very 80s shades can make sense as you could well get a bargain. It’s worth remembering that these cars came on metric wheels when new, and while tyres are available they’re expensive and produced in very small batches – you may be left waiting. Imperial wheels are a very sensible upgrade given how few metric tyres are currently being remanufactured, and provided they’re in keeping with the vehicle in terms of size and style they shouldn’t devalue an otherwise good car.

Alternatives would certainly include the Rover SD1 Vitesse, and to a lesser extent the Mercedes 280E and the Audi Quattro – though one is less performance oriented and one less practical. Today, you might consider an E34 535i Sport as an alternative, or possible an Audi 200 Quattro Turbo if you didn’t mind the extra size. The TWR Jaguarsport XJR 3.6 offers the same basic package of sporting upgrades to a mechanically standard model. Finally, the Porsche 944 offers similar red-braces appeal, without offering the same level of practicality as the BMW.