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'86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 14, 2021 6:10 PM
by alps
Hi everyone, I've been on the forum since October or so, thought I'd share a little bit about my car:

Back in October (2020) I fell into this 535i that was owned by an old friend's dad who'd passed away a few years back. The friend's family decided to finally sell it but wanted to keep it in the family... I'd been wanting another 2002 for years, found a couple great 2002 Tourings, but couldn't quite find the cash... so now I'm back in a vintage BMW after 10 years without and couldn't be happier about it.

So far it's a great car that just needs some refreshing and TLC. Previous owner found it in Ohio and bought it from the original owner (a dentist). He took good care of it until he passed, mostly with Bullet Motorworks in Costa Mesa.

Here's what I know about so far:
- 1986 535i
- 5 speed
- 120,000 miles or so
- No rust
- No missing pieces
- Very straight body, no dings or damage
- Interior in decent condition but could use a re-dye and a repair on the driver's seat
- Failed CosmosBlau metallic paint
- Failed dash
- Style 5 basketweaves on Michelins
- Lightweight flywheel (supposedly)
- Bilsteins and H&R lowering springs (as far as I can tell)
- Might be chip'ed
- A tiny bit of a rough idle but runs strong
- Odometer gear seems to have been taken care of or never been a problem, mileage is supported by records
- Service interval lights/battery seems to have been taken care of
- Came with service records going back to 2011 and a few from before, shipping documentation from when it moved to California, original owners manual and cassette tape, and original sales receipt!!
- My friend still has the original tape back which will be going back into it after I sort out a bluetooth conversion

Here she is in Topanga Canyon after I picked her up in October:

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And here, mid euro conversion (mostly completed in May):

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Here's the original owner's manual and window sticker from when it was bought new in Ohio:

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:D

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 1:53 AM
by cek
First!

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:12 PM
by leadphut
Looks like a good starting point. I like its looks. Rims and bumpers go great with that silver.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:28 PM
by alps
cek wrote: Jun 15, 2021 1:53 AMFirst!
Haha - here's what you get for winning:

Image

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:33 PM
by alps
leadphut wrote: Jun 15, 2021 3:12 PM Looks like a good starting point. I like its looks. Rims and bumpers go great with that silver.
Thanks! I agree... the chrome, silver rims, and the color all work really well together. I would have picked another color given the choice, but wouldn't think of changing it at this point.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:37 PM
by leadphut
I've got an m5 chin spoiler that'd really improve its looks, in my honest opinion. Let me know if you're untested. I was going to use it on my car but have decided to go in a different direction.

It's new, OE. Never installed.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:48 PM
by alps
leadphut wrote: Jun 15, 2021 3:37 PM I've got an m5 chin spoiler that'd really improve its looks, in my honest opinion. Let me know if you're untested. I was going to use it on my car but have decided to go in a different direction.

It's new, OE. Never installed.
Interesting, I agree on the chin spoiler looks. It's exactly what I've wanted to do. Also protects the metal valance which is nice.

What are you looking to get for it? I don't really have the cash for it at this very moment... it seems like they tend to go for a lot.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 3:56 PM
by leadphut
I would have to look back at my receipts for what i paid for it, but it was around 1k. I'm in Oregon so shipping wouldn't be terrible. Came from Latvia, if i remember correctly.

Keep it in mind. It's just sitting in its box in my basement.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 4:16 PM
by alps
leadphut wrote: Jun 15, 2021 3:56 PM I would have to look back at my receipts for what i paid for it, but it was around 1k. I'm in Oregon so shipping wouldn't be terrible. Came from Latvia, if i remember correctly.

Keep it in mind. It's just sitting in its box in my basement.
Ok great, 1k-ish seems like what I've seen them for. I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 15, 2021 9:42 PM
by muleskinner
You already got the euro bumpers. That's always the first step. Look forward to seeing your improvements and progress on this. I kinda like the patina.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 10:19 AM
by LeiseyJr
Looks like the car has luckily found another great owner!

What route are you going with on the bluetooth conversion for the original head unit?

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 1:57 PM
by alps
muleskinner wrote: Jun 15, 2021 9:42 PM You already got the euro bumpers. That's always the first step. Look forward to seeing your improvements and progress on this. I kinda like the patina.
Thanks. The euro bumpers make all the difference... turns the patina into something cool rather than just looking like an old car. I like it too.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 2:11 PM
by alps
LeiseyJr wrote: Jun 16, 2021 10:19 AM Looks like the car has luckily found another great owner!

What route are you going with on the bluetooth conversion for the original head unit?
Thanks! Well, I was holding out hope that the Cantaloupe radio guy would come back, but backup was maybe trying out one of the sellers/modifiers on eBay that are based in Germany (you send the radio to them). Was also looking at Doctor Dons but couldn't tell if they do bluetooth or just repairs.

Cantaloupe Radio
https://cantalouperadio.com/pages/about-us

eBay
Can't seem to find it right now
(EDIT) found it:Here
(EDIT) this is an interesting option though I prefer to use the original radio: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313441024996?h ... SwJWFgP96F

Doctor Dons
https://www.doctordons.com/

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 4:23 PM
by Mdreamer
Congratulations, and welcome back to the Bimmer world. Your car sounds like a nice example to drive and enjoy.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 4:58 PM
by muleskinner
As for head units, this seems to be a lot of bang for the buck and looks pretty damn close to OEM:

https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3 ... 1#p1500781

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 5:44 PM
by alps
muleskinner wrote: Jun 16, 2021 4:58 PM As for head units, this seems to be a lot of bang for the buck and looks pretty damn close to OEM:

https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3 ... 1#p1500781
It's not a bad option...

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Jun 16, 2021 5:45 PM
by alps
Mdreamer wrote: Jun 16, 2021 4:23 PM Congratulations, and welcome back to the Bimmer world. Your car sounds like a nice example to drive and enjoy.
Thanks! It's a good one, but will still keep me busy I'm sure. It's a daily driver along with my Discovery.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 14, 2021 7:01 PM
by objectgroup
Wow, I have an 88 535i and a 97 Disco 1 in LA. Good taste 👌

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 14, 2021 8:41 PM
by alps
objectgroup wrote: Sep 14, 2021 7:01 PM Wow, I have an 88 535i and a 97 Disco 1 in LA. Good taste 👌
Haha, that's great. Good taste all around ;) We should do an LA meet-up or something.

How's your Disco doing?

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 16, 2021 12:13 PM
by vinceg101
The car looks great.
I hope that you're planning on attending the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet on 11/6 in Van Nuys; we need to have a strong showing of our local E28's and yours is a beauty.

I am hoping to finish my interior project in the next coming weeks/month and it would be good to organize a nice canyon drive some weekend (Little Tijunga is my go-to favorite and close by The Hangar).

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 16, 2021 8:59 PM
by alps
vinceg101 wrote: Sep 16, 2021 12:13 PM The car looks great.
I hope that you're planning on attending the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet on 11/6 in Van Nuys; we need to have a strong showing of our local E28's and yours is a beauty.

I am hoping to finish my interior project in the next coming weeks/month and it would be good to organize a nice canyon drive some weekend (Little Tijunga is my go-to favorite and close by The Hangar).
Thanks! Yeah that sounds like fun, I'll plan on it. Where do I find more info about the meet?

I do have to warn that mine may look better in photos...

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 16, 2021 9:27 PM
by vinceg101
alps wrote: Sep 16, 2021 8:59 PM
vinceg101 wrote: Sep 16, 2021 12:13 PM The car looks great.
I hope that you're planning on attending the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet on 11/6 in Van Nuys; we need to have a strong showing of our local E28's and yours is a beauty.

I am hoping to finish my interior project in the next coming weeks/month and it would be good to organize a nice canyon drive some weekend (Little Tijunga is my go-to favorite and close by The Hangar).
Thanks! Yeah that sounds like fun, I'll plan on it. Where do I find more info about the meet?

I do have to warn that mine may look better in photos...
If you Facebook SoCal Vintage BMW has a private group (I can invite you): https://www.facebook.com/groups/896882017039287
The Motorsportreg registration link is: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/14 ... c_afBgjhjA
Or if all that fails you can go directly to their webpage: http://www.socalvintagebmw.com/

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 17, 2021 6:17 PM
by alps
vinceg101 wrote: Sep 16, 2021 9:27 PM
alps wrote: Sep 16, 2021 8:59 PM
vinceg101 wrote: Sep 16, 2021 12:13 PM The car looks great.
I hope that you're planning on attending the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet on 11/6 in Van Nuys; we need to have a strong showing of our local E28's and yours is a beauty.

I am hoping to finish my interior project in the next coming weeks/month and it would be good to organize a nice canyon drive some weekend (Little Tijunga is my go-to favorite and close by The Hangar).
Thanks! Yeah that sounds like fun, I'll plan on it. Where do I find more info about the meet?

I do have to warn that mine may look better in photos...
If you Facebook SoCal Vintage BMW has a private group (I can invite you): https://www.facebook.com/groups/896882017039287
The Motorsportreg registration link is: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/14 ... c_afBgjhjA
Or if all that fails you can go directly to their webpage: http://www.socalvintagebmw.com/
Thanks! I'd checked the website but it was a year out of date. Will check out the fb page.

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 17, 2021 8:20 PM
by vinceg101
Yeah, the webpage is neglected as John has opted to prefer FB as a communication platform (for better or worse).

Re: '86 535i in Santa Monica

Posted: Sep 20, 2021 8:43 PM
by MIK911
Vinceg101-
Does one need an ‘invitation’ to join the Facebook Vintage BMW group? I requested to join weeks ago, and my request is still pending admin authorization

I’m in SoBay, SoCal, and will be at the Vintage meet at Woodley Park
Thanks