Re: Are there any M535i's in the U.S.? (archive)

First, in europe, there were TWO engines available: the 182bhp low compression engine and the 218bhp high compression engine. Both the regular euro 535i and the M535i were available in BOTH engines, however there were more M535is built with the 218bhp engine.

The 182bhp engine is essentially the EXACT same engine found in all US 535i, 535is, 635CSi, and 735i models (except for some extra US emissions equipment).

Also, the US 535iS had ONLY the front US M5 spoiler and the rear trunk lid spoiler. The M535i had the M-tech spoiler kit which was based on euro bumpers, NOT like the US M5. The wheels were not the same style, but were the same metric size (390mm x 165mm). The US car came with the same bottle-caps as the regular 535i. The M535i came with M-tech style TRXs. In fact, even early euro M5s came with a Fuchs style forged TRX wheel.

NONE of these cars came with the M-Technic suspension. The US 535iS ONLY came with factory Bilsteins in place of the Boges that came on the 535i. Also, since the 535iS was NOT a factory car (it was prepped by BMW NA), there was no guarantee you'd get the 21mm "sport" bar that should've come with the upgraded suspension. In fact, that 21mm "sport" bar has no rhyme or reason as to what cars they were fitted to. (It was as if the factory had a few laying around and decided, ahh...it'll go on this car here, and this car there, and that car there...). Bilsteins came standard on ALL M535is.

The M-tech suspension with stiffer, lower springs, and different Bilsteins was an option on euro M535is. In fact, you could order it on almost any up-market E28. There were a lot of options that you could order on the euro cars, that you couldn't get on US cars. And this is one such instance.

Just clearing up some things.
If you want more information, please visit the website.

Christopher Graff
Head Coordinator
BMW M535i SIG
www.m535i.org

The cars I think you are referring to are the US '87 & '88 535is. The Euro M535i came to the US as the 535is. Same front & trunk spoilers, except the US cars did not have the side skirts, rear skirt and fender flares. Same metric size wheels & tires. Recaro sport seats. 218hp 3.5L 6 cylinder engine, not the 256hp beast.
M-Technic suspension consisting of stiffer shocks & springs and lowered ride height. It was a "low buck" M5. Hope that helps.

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