zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?
At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?-October 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:17

Nice Price or No Dice 1985 BMW 535i

The reason given for the sale of today’s BMW E28 is a lack of space following the purchase of a new truck. Let’s see if this old-school Bimmer is priced well enough for someone to start planning it a new space.

The Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail brazenly dismissed his battle injuries, claiming the hacking off of his limbs to be nothing more than a scratch. Minimizing flaws or injuries is a common trait and one we saw with last Friday’s . The car’s seller said that it was in great shape, but offhandedly noted in the ad that it “Randomly shuts off, but will start back up.” Like a forest floor strewn with severed arms and legs, that casual mention in the ad’s description stood out. It also made the car’s $4,000 asking price untenable for the vast majority of you, ending up in a 70 percent No Dice loss.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

The flaws on today’s are also noted in the ad, and are more of the visual nature, rather than evidenced by some mechanical gremlins. Those flaws include a scrape on the front bumper, fog lamps that need to be realigned, a couple of cracks in the dash, and a driver’s seat that, were it a person, would be leaning against a wall panting breathlessly and urging us to go on without it.

Are any of these aesthetic and comfort issues insurmountable? Of course not. They all simply make the car look a bit more like a daily driver or weekend warrior than a garage queen.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

The good news is that the car seems to be mechanically sound. The 3.5-liter M30B34 straight-six is said to run without issue or dashboard warning light. That 180 horsepower SOHC six is mated here with a ZF-sourced four-speed automatic which is also claimed to be problem-free. In fact, the only mechanical detail that doesn’t seem to be working is the odometer. Apparently that decided it had had enough at 238,662 miles. I expect that’s probably par for the course on Bimmers of such advanced age and miles.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

The automatic may dull much of the interest the car generates among enthusiasts. So, too, might the Alpine White over beige color scheme. That’s neither the most exciting nor most elegant, but aside from a few flaws here and there, it looks pretty serviceable. A set of ARE two-piece alloys do dress the car up a bit. And yes, those are Doral tires mounted to the wheels. That’s a secondary by Japan’s Sumitomo and available at places like Walmart. We’re not here to tire shame, however.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

In the car’s favor are a new catalytic converter and O2 sensors. This is a California car and owing to the state requiring replacement emissions equipment to carry a long warranty, cats here are significantly more expensive than in other states. A related benefit is not having to go through the hassle of a non-passage of the required smog test at title transfer. In fact, the seller says the car has a clean title, valid registration, and a smog certificate as validation of such heroic deeds.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

Another plus is what looks to be a complete tool kit in the boot lid. Sure, the tools look suspiciously covered in surface rust, but they seem to be all there. Also in there is a huge subwoofer taking up nearly half of the boot’s capacity. Maybe the seller will help the new owner lift that space-waster into a nearby dumpster. Removal of the stereo’s wiring may be a little more daunting than that, but it should probably be done as well.

Are we done? Save for the price tag, I’d say that we are. That price is $5,200, and I’d now like you all to weigh in with your opinion as to whether this 535i is worth that much scratch.

Image for article titled At $5,200, Is This 1985 BMW 535i a Credible Classic?

What do you think? Could the balance of good and bad equate to that $5,200 asking? Or, does the bad outweigh the good and that price?

You decide!

Long Beach, California, , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Don R. for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
1984 Mercedes Benz 500SL for $85,000!
1984 Mercedes Benz 500SL for $85,000!
Everything is bigger in Texas, including insane price tags for used old-money mobiles. So pop open a Lone Star, get ready to stimulate somebody's economy, and let's go kick some tires. Our subject for today is a 500SL, for which the seller is asking $85,000. And no, it is neither...
Oct 14, 2026
2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible: First Drive
2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible: First Drive
Fat people in shorts, missile testing, horse farms and fake tans. That pretty much sums up the , the latest hard top convertible from Japan. Full Disclosure: Infiniti wanted me to drive the new G37 Convertible so badly they flew me out and put me up in a pretentious hotel...
Oct 14, 2026
1973 AMC Javelin for $19,000!
1973 AMC Javelin for $19,000!
In 1973 the became law. Here's a car that would make the list. It's time again, and we're recalling AMC's entry into the pony car wars. Last time, 56% of you thought an was a Nice Price Ferrarigasm. Now it's time for something a little more down to earth. Wearing...
Oct 14, 2026
2003 Ferrari ENZO for $1,190,000!
2003 Ferrari ENZO for $1,190,000!
Wearing a shirt isn't doing enough. You're going to need to take one for the team. And now here's your chance, Richie Rich. Last time, 65% of you thought the was crack pipe for the 11 grand asking price. Today, we've got another Italian for you to ponder the merits...
Oct 14, 2026
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: First Drive
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: First Drive
For too long the American market has lacked an affordable, accessible, fast, responsive, fun, communicative, good-looking rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. The is that car. Finally. Full Disclosure: Hyundai wanted me to drive the new Genesis Coupe so badly they flew me out and put me up in a Casino to make...
Oct 14, 2026
1967 Mercedes 230S Wagon for $6,500!
1967 Mercedes 230S Wagon for $6,500!
What's better than a vintage 1967 Mercedes Benz 230S? Why, one that's been converted into a wagon of course. But to check this one out, you'll need to make sure your tetanus shots are current. Last time, the eked out a narrow 51% to 49% Nice Price win for its...
Oct 14, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved