BMW M 535i - Tuning from the manufacturer

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BMW M 535i - Tuning from the manufacturer

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Created on June 4, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

49

BMW AG

11

Bruno von Rotz

1

Archiv

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BMW M 535i (1986) - spoilers at the front and rear set it apart from the weaker 528i

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BMW M 535i (1986) - from 0 to 100 km/h in around eight seconds

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BMW M 535i (1986) - low beltline for optimum all-round visibility

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Skirts and spoiler reveal the additional potential

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BMW M 535i (1986) - 224 km/h was granted to the Swiss AGV-86 version

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BMW M 535i (1986) - likes to be in the fast lane

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BMW M 535i (1986) - the four-eyed face promises potential

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BMW M 535i (1986) - turning circle 10.5 m

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BMW M 535i (1986) - as a driver you are already looking forward to the next bend

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BMW M 535i (1986) - at home on country roads and highways

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BMW M 535i (1986) - sits firmly on the road

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Fuel consumption under 10 liters if you are careful with the gas pedal pedal

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BMW M 535i (1986) - great all-round visibility and compact dimensions

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BMW M 535i (1986) - the fastest five-seater below the M5

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BMW M 535i (1986) - agile cornering and dynamic handling

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BMW M 535i (1986) - little chrome, but a lot of plastic on the bodywork

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BMW M 535i (1986) - clearly visible rubber lip on the rear

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BMW M 535i (1986) - looks dynamic even when stationary

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BMW M 535i (1986) - centered exhaust tips

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BMW M 535i (1986) - futuristic surroundings for a traditional BMW

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BMW M 535i (1986) - the typical driver-oriented cockpit of the five-seater

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Leather seats and leather steering wheel

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BMW M 535i (1986) - electric windows front and rear were not a matter of course back then

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BMW M 535i (1986) - with fuel consumption display in the rev counter

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BMW M 535i (1986) - BMW sign in the steering wheel

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Speedometer up to 260 km/h

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BMW M 535i (1986) - of course with radio-cassette player

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BMW M 535i (1986) - the engine sits relatively far back

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BMW M 535i (1986) - The 3430 cm3 six-cylinder engine in the AGV-82 version for Switzerland delivers 204 hp

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BMW M 535i (1986) - longitudinally mounted straight six-cylinder engine

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Color specification (Polaris Metallic)

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BMW M 535i (1986) - Kidney grille and M badge

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BMW M 535i (1986) - everything has its order, closed flap houses the tool set

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BMW M 535i (1986) - tool set integrated in the boot lid

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BMW M 535i (1986) - "M" for Motorsport GmbH

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BMW M 535i (1986) - BMW badge and trunk lock

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BMW M 535i (1986) - owner Simon Kunz is almost the same age as the car, he loves his BMW

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BMW M535i (1986) - fast five-wheeler in original condition - German Car Meeting Motorworld Kemptthal 2024

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BMW 528i (1982) - the rear axle differs in details from that of the weaker sister models

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BMW 528i (1982) - Tool set in the trunk lid

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BMW M 535i (1980) - at high speed, over 200 km/h if necessary

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BMW M535i (1980) - fast variant of the E12 series

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BMW M 535i (1981) - the fastest BMW sedan of the time

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BMW M 535i (1981) - recognizable by the front spoiler

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BMW M535i (1980) - Rear view of the spoiler-reinforced E12 variant

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BMW M 535i (1981) - Wolf in sheep's clothing

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BMW M535i (1980) - on the road in the E12

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BMW M535i (1984) - the E28 also had a rear spoiler

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BMW M535i (1980) - bucket seats and the steering wheel from the M1 in the E12

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BMW M535i (1984) - View into the engine compartment of the E28

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BMW M1 (1980) - at the Geneva Motor Show, in the background a BMW M535i (E12) and 6-series and 7-series models

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BMW M 535i (1986) - the second edition of the fast sedan

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BMW M 535i (1986) - ECE version with 218 hp for 7.2 s from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 230 km/h

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BMW M535i (1984) - side view of the fast E28

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BMW M535i (1984) - sporty variant of the E28 series

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BMW M 535i (1986) - with the standard wheels

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BMW M535i (1984) - Cockpit of the fastest variant of the E28 for the time being

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BMW M535i (1985) - until the M5, this was the top model of the E28 series

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BMW M5 (1986) - with the engine of the M1

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BMW M 535i (1986) - back then, many people dreamed of parking this car in front of their house

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BMW M 535i (1986) - clearly visible rubber lip on the boot lid

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Summary

Inconspicuous would be different. The fastest BMW sedan of its time came with an eye-catching spoiler and widening. How convincing is it some 40 years later? This article tells the story of the M5's predecessor and shows it in current and historical images.

This article contains the following chapters

An enthusiast
M looks into the kit
Almost unrivaled E12 version
New competitive environment for the powerful E28
Technology and looks revised
Catalytic converter or not?
At the wheel of the AGV-82-M535i

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Around 40 to 45 years ago, tuning didn't have the best reputation; attached fender flares, sills and spoilers belonged more in the realm of semi-high-performance cars. So when BMW launched the updated M535i with such "embellishments", many a car buyer was surprised. At the time, AR spoke of "obtrusive", auto motor und sport of an "eye-catching oops-now-come-me effect". However, the add-on parts definitely had their purpose and they made a good car even better. The BMW M535i from 1986 in the color "Polaris Metallic" belongs to Simon Kunz. He is about the same age as his car and a true BMW enthusiast. He searched for quite a while for the right car and then bought the best one he could find.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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