FS: 1989 BMW 535i Coils/paint/wheels

[jcbe34]

Haven't really listed this car for sale yet but I figured I'd throw it up here first. It's a 1989 535i, 5 sp, 148k miles. I've done a lot of work to the car but looking for a new project, or something.

Not a perfect car by any means, still a project for someone but the hard part is done. Paint is great, only a few blemishes on the whole car. 3 dents, two scratches and some lower lip scuffs.

Mechanically the car is in good condition. I bought it with a blown HG and warped head so I swapped a known good m30 in its place, runs great. Recent front suspension rebuild including Lemforder Upper arms and Moosehead bushings. Rubs a bit in current configuration in the rear

Interior is in good shape but could use some work. A/C doesn't work, radio sucks, just needs a little love.

Looking for $5,000

Large build thread documenting a lot of the work here- http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=22326

Awesome article by Mike here- http://www.stanceworks.com/2012/08/w...-bmw-e34-535i/

[tcturbo91]

where were you a month ago.

any interest in trades? an E21?

[slwt13]

Love the car. I had been looking for a e28 but this car is beautiful.
What's the interior look like? I hadn't come across any interior shots yet.
If possible PM your contact details so we can discuss a few things.

Talk soon,
Greg

[BOOGIEBOY]

That's a steal with those wheels! Really sad to see you give up on it, I never even got to see it in person.


GL with the sale.

[T3rd Ferguson]

followed this build since the beginning, love the car so much. GLWS.

[dirty_thirty]

Shit I want this thing!

[jcbe34]

I will take some interior pictures soon. To be honest it's hard for me to judge condition in this situation because I tend to be a little bit particular. I typed up this run-down of the car quickly the other night while emailing someone else, so I'll post it here as well-

The car was fairly rough when I bought it. It had been sitting in the guys driveway for 4-5 months with a blown headgasket. The body was decent except for the drivers side rear door and quarter panel, which had some fairly poor previous repairs. The rest of the body was/is pretty straight and doesn't show any evidence of prior damage. I repainted the whole car because the clear coat was cracked everywhere beside the parts that had been repainted in the rear.

The paint now is very good. It's hard for me to judge it because I did it and know where I messed up, but the average person would be hard pressed to spot the imperfections. I won't say that it's perfect because it isn't, but it looks very nice, even up close. It has 4 coats of clear and has only been buffed the week after I painted it so there is still plenty to work with in the future. There are three dents, a couple paint chips on the lower lip of the M-sport bumper and a small scratch on the passenger rear door. The fenders are rolled heavily but it was done before paint so I smoothed them out while I was doing bodywork.

The windshield was installed previously without the clips, so there is no trim. I have a set of trim for it but no clips, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to pay $500 for windshield rubbers and clips or just put a generic windshield in it, so I've done nothing with it up to this point. The rest of the window trim is pretty tired too, moldings look a little faded and whatnot. I was planning on replacing the SEM trim black trim with a nice polished set of stock trim.

The interior is definitely the weak point of the car, but it's really not too bad. I pulled the seats and steam cleaned the carpet after paint and it is in really good shape. The seats in the front are in very nice shape, with only a little bit of wear on the upper bolster of the drivers seat. The rear seats are intact but the lower bench is starting to look worn. The door panels are decent, but not great. I think one of the rear has a little bit of de-lam going on but not too bad. The car has a new headliner, A and C pillars. rear parcel shelf and sunroof cover but it is missing the sunroof switch cover at the moment. The stereo sucks pretty bad, I think something is going on with the stock amp.

Mechanically the car is pretty good, when I got it, it had the blown headgasket and the head was warped. I decided to just throw the m30 from my black 535i in it, so the engine has 180k or so, but it runs great. No issues there. I replaced most of the front suspension, with the exception of the LCA's, which the PO had recently replaced- Lemforder Thrust arms with moosehead bushings, new tie rod ends, idler arm, and center link. I also replaced the rear dog bones and driveshaft center bearing.

The coilovers that I made are still on the car and working pretty well. Front is GC race plates, Corrado Koni's, 550 lb springs and 2.5" shortened housings. The front is perfect, the only shortcoming is it won't raise up very much from where it is. But it has tons of travel and never bottoms out. The rear is still the Bilstein sports with 440 lb springs and stock upper mounts. It rides ok, but I think the 440's are a little much for the Bilsteins and it isn't great on rough roads.

The bad, this is just all of the stuff off the top of my head that I know is wrong with it, still working on fixing things whenever I can-

-A/C doesn't work, button on dash won't stay depressed
-heat works on high only (resistor)
-radio sucks
-rear defroster doesn't work
-rear Bilsteins need to be re-vavled (or find Koni's that will work)
-windshield

Oh and Ralph, I'm not giving up on it. Just trying to buy a Porsche as well as focus more on the e30

[s2kid]

Want this so bad but already have one taking up garage space waiting for paint, unless of course you want a black 535i/5 as well as a 528e that is seized up

Seriously though any interest in parting out the suspension? Have stock parts to give to you as well if interested.

[Stancy]

I have a 2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5-Speed with 160k on it. Interested in a trade?

[Gatts]

Hey Jonathan, I'm interested. Was referred by a friend. I sent you a PM. Thanks.

[macks_e46]

Interested. are you anywhere near savannah? car still available?

[jboogie]

Wish I had the money for this, I followed your build thread and I love your color choice, GLWS...

[Eddie36]

pm'd

[j work]

Would have bought this car a week ago. Nice ride and a good deal.

[two240s]

Love this thing. And I'm not real big on e34s