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BMW E12 M535i

Mileage: 9,126 Top Speed: 142 Year: 1981 0 - 60: 6.9 MOT Expiry: Jun 12 BHP: 218 Tax Expiry: Expired Transmission: 5 Speed Dog-Leg Manual Exterior Colour: Alpine White Engine Capacity: 3453cc Interior Colour: Black Cloth Engine Configuration: Inline 6

BMW E12 M535i | £POA

Mileage: 9,126

Model History

The BMW E12 was first announced in Munich in 1972. The model came with a wide variety of engines from the entry model 1.8 4-cylinder right up to the 2.8 6-cylinder, although only the 4-cylinder cars where available at launch. The E12 then received a face lift in 1976, gaining a new bonnet with a raised centre section in place of the original flat type, repositioned door mirrors and fuel filler, different wheels and larger tail light clusters.

 

The M535i was first announced at the Frankfurt Show in September 1979 as the first series production car to come from the BMW Motorsport Division. Production was short only lasting 13 months from April 1980 too May 1981. In those 13 months 450 cars where hand built at BMW Motorsport in Garching for the UK market.

 

The M535i uses the standard steel E12 body shell with certain additional features. Front and rear spoilers where fitted as no-cost options, the car was badged front and rear with the Motorsport M-logo and 535i badge, optional Motorsport decals and 14" cast BBS alloys where fitted. The interior benefits from some sports seats made by Recaro and a 380mm three spoke leather Motorsport steering wheel that was seen earlier on the M1.

 

The gearbox on the M535i ia a close ratio five speed dog-leg manual with an indirect top gear, built by Getrag. Suspension was sharpened up with some gas operated Bilstein shocks and the car came with disk brakes all round.

 

The engine installed was the most powerful 3453cc M30 6-cylinder engine in BMW's range kicking out 218bhp at 5,200rpm and maximum torque is 224lb ft at 4,000rpm. The exhaust terminates in twin tail pipes, which emerge from the centre of the rear apron.

Equipment

Front and rear spoilers, 14" BBS alloy wheels, Motorsport body decals, Electric front and rear windows, Electric mirrors, Sunroof 

Exterior

This very fortunate M535i has spent almost all of its life in a large collection of classic cars where it has been very well cared for. All the body panels are undamaged the only negative being a single stone chip to the bonnet which has been touched in. Due to the careful storage all of the plastic trim, rubber seals and chrome work are factory fresh. Condition wise this must be the best 30 year old car we have ever seen, it really is as good as new!

Interior

Getting inside this E12 M535i must be a familiar experience the original owner enjoyed back in 1981, it still has that new car smell, the Recaro seats are extremely comfortable and supportive and everything feels perfectly put together. This car has seen very little sunlight over the last 30 years so everything inside has been perfectly preserved, the wood has a wonderful satin finish and the seats look hardly sat in. 

Engine & Transmission

The car has had very light use over the past 30 years to keep things moving and has had regular oil changes. The valve clearances where checked and adjusted by Munich Legends in July 2010 and the last oil service was done in May this year.

 

The engine fires into life on the first turn of the key and settles quickly to a smooth idle, once warmed up it revs freely through the rev range. The 5 speed dog-leg gearbox feels very tight and precise passing easily up and down the gears. 

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The standard 14" BBS alloy wheels where refurbished last year and are still in perfect condition, they are shod in Dunlop SP Sport tyres that show minimal wear. All the disks, pads and brake fluid have been replaced in the last year.

History File

This M535i was built in April 1981 and then purchased new by the L&C Collection, who at the time had the largest collection of BMW's. The car stayed with them until it was sold to its first private owner in 2004 with 2,562 miles on the clock. While with L&C the car was well maintained and regularly MOT'd, the certificates have been kept in the history file.

 

Since leaving the L&C collection the car has changed ownership between private collectors. It has been well serviced at Munich Legends and the MOT certificates have been kept to further verify the current low mileage of 9,126.

 

The BMW document holder is still with the car that contains all the original books and documentation. The service book has been stamped and all the service receipts have been kept detailing all the work that has been carried out.