Re: M535i Questions (archive)

David-
The 3.5 motor is a torque monster and a joy to drive--but it also plays hell on the body/monocoque. The most common problem with this car is the rear diff mount area of the body, in back above the differential. It will fatigue and will tear out, causing a thunk in the driveline. Very difficult to fix correctly once it has started due to the nature of the body structure here.
BMW even offered a weld-in fix for this problem--a pair of metal brackets that reinforced this area when placed. Might talk to Carl Nelson about those parts. CNPR 800-466-8184
Put the car up on a lift and examine this area closely. As I said it is very difficult to fix correctly if the condition is advanced. Have not seen one of these cars without this problem.
Peter

Peter is right about the E12 rear dif mount. My 81' M535i dif mount was repaired (with the plates) by BMW (France) sometime in the mid 80's. (I have most of the reciepts from it's 20 year history and 3 PO's)

The car is a joy to drive, lots of torque and a very free reving engine. I've never had a spec of trouble with the l-jet fuel system or for that matter any real mechanical problem with the rest of the car.

The suspension is firm (nice for track use) yet comfortable for long distance drives (ask me about my 3000mi drive from Va to Wa state). It is my favorite E12 to drive distance.

1979 euro 528i (to M535i specs) --my daily driver...
1979 Alpina B7
1981 Alpina B7
1981 M535i

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Re: M535i Questions David 00:49 1/15/2001 (0)

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