Price: SOLD
Mileage: 72,000 Miles
Engine: M30B34 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed G260 Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Salmon Silver Metallic (203)
Interior: Pacific Blue Leather (204)
Additional features:
Sport Seats
Power Seats
Factory Stereo
BMW Premium Sound System
13-Button On-Board Computer
Limited-Slip Differential
“IS” Front Valance
M Tech Rear Spoiler
Tuner Performance Chip (original included)
Factory BMW Exhaust with Ansa Silverline Tips
Tinted Windows
Coco Floor Mats
15” BBS RX224 Wheels
Extra Set of 15” BBS RX224 Wheels Included
Lots of NOS OEM Spare Parts
Original BMW E28 Marketing Broshure
Long Term Ownership
Excellent Maintenance History
The E28 (2nd Generation) BMW 5 Series was the one car, more than any other, that established and defined the mid-size sport sedan segment. By its second evolution of the 5 Series, BMW had nailed the recipe of a luxury sedan that was large enough to haul four adults comfortably, while sporty enough to easily out-drive its contemporaries and satisfy the requirements of the performance driver. The 535iS, only available for the final two years of production, was the range-topping non-M 5 Series. It was powered by the venerable M30B34 inline 6-cylinder engine, which produced 182 horsepower. The M30 is one of BMW’s most reliable engines, with many examples lasting well into the 400k-mile range. Power was routed to the rear wheels through a Getrag G260 gearbox. The “iS” also got an M-Technic rear spoiler, sport seats, sport suspension settings, and a more aggressive front valance. Relatively low production numbers and the fact that the E28 was so good meant that many literally had the wheels driven off of them, making surviving examples rare.
This 1987 535iS is a fantastic example—one of the cleanest and lowest-mileage E28’s to come through our doors. Finished in Salmon Silver over Pacific Blue leather, and with only 72,000 miles it is a significant outlier from most E28s. It is just as originally delivered with the exception of a Turner Performance chip, Ansa Silverline tips on the factory exhaust, and BBS RX224 wheels in E28 fitment. The current owner (who has consigned it with us) is an E28 fanatic, whose collection also includes a Euro M535i. It was originally delivered in New York, but moved to Florida shortly thereafter where it stayed until landing in Illinois in 2008. The current owner purchased it in 2012 at 53,000 miles. Since then, it has been fastidiously maintained by himself, using genuine BMW parts, and at classic BMW specialists Autosport Werks. Recent work includes a new air meter boot, oil pressure switch, valve cover gasket, power steering return hose, clutch, rear main seal, shifter bushings, front upper control arm bushings, and front sway bar bushings. The most recent invoice notes a small oil pan gasket seep that does not necessitate attention at this time. The records are thorough, dating back to 2008 over the last two owners. Also included in the records is an E28 marketing brochure and several automotive press reviews from 1985 on the 535iS. It comes with a clean Carfax, two sets of keys (with a matching blue BMW tag and an Alpina tag), all owners’ manuals, a complete toolkit, factory jack, and spare tire.
Salmon Silver Metallic, also known as Lachssilber, is a great color on the E28 chassis. It is a color that looks great in all lighting conditions, and is very forgiving of imperfections; that said, there are very few imperfections that would be worth pointing out. The body is extremely straight, with no dents or dings. The paint is in exceptional condition, and indicative of the mileage. The front end has been spared the rock chipping that these cars receive from being exposed to harsh conditions, with only minor chips. All paint is original with the exception of the rocker panels, which were repainted in 2012 by SVE Autobody due to fade. There is no rust whatsoever. The VIN tags are present on all panels, and the Carfax is clean. The door and bumper trim is in good shape, but has a few nicks and some UV fade commensurate with age. The center rear bumper trim is slightly warped. The windshield has light pitting, but no cracks. The side window and rear window glass is excellent and lightly tinted. The headlight lenses are clear with light pitting, and the taillight lenses are immaculate. The marker lenses are clear and crack free, although the passenger side front turn signal cover has a small crack. The BBS wheels look great, and are nearly immaculate.
The interior is likewise exceptional. Interiors were a weak spot of E28s, but this one is very nice, the tinted windows protecting it from Colorado’s harsh UV rays. There are no odors other than that fantastic classic BMW leather smell. The carpets are free of rips or stains and have been protected by Coco or factory floor mats. The dashboard is very nice, the only cracks are very small around the edges of the windshield defrost vents; they cannot be seen from the driver’s seat. They are not glaring, and it is in otherwise excellent condition. The instrument cluster gauges and lights work, including the odometer, with the exception of the SI board, which has been disconnected. There are no check engine lights or warning lights. The brake lining light bulb on the overhead check panel is inop. The 13-button on-board computer and the radio have good LCD screens with good backlighting. The heat blows warm, and the R12 A/C blows ice cold. The blower motor is quiet. All power door locks work. The power windows work properly. The door cards are in excellent shape. The power mirrors work. The seat leather is in excellent condition, with minimal creasing or wear. The color is faded slightly on the bolsters of the front seats, but could be re-dyed to make them perfect. All power seat functions work, including the power headrests. The shift knob is perfect, and the shift boot is in great shape. The owners’ manuals and all factory literature are all present, along with a complete factory toolkit.
When you buy a used BMW, you buy the previous owner’s stewardship. This E28 comes with thorough records dating back to 2008. It will certainly need continued care and maintenance—and it deserves it—but as it sits, it is a turn-key E28 535iS. The M30 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline thanks to the combination of low mileage and fastidious maintenance. It does not drip or spot, but M30’s are prone to the typical BMW oil seeps, so keep that in mind. The clutch take-up is correct and it does not slip—the clutch was replaced and the gearbox resealed in 2017 at 65,000 miles. The shifter is smooth and the gearbox is as tight as the day it drove off of the showroom floor. The suspension is firm, but compliant, and it handles wonderfully. Even on stock suspension, the amount of handling composure it has in the corners is impressive, even by modern standards. The brakes are strong, and the pedal is firm. We pay for and it passes emissions in the State of Colorado.
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