DT: S38-Powered 1988 BMW 535is 5-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1988
- Make: BMW
- Model: 535iS
- VIN: WBADC7403J1717450
- Mileage Shown: 23,000mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Diamond Black Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Miami, FL 33187
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0055817-DT
Representing the final year of the E28 5-Series, this 1988 BMW 535is in black over matching leather upholstery. It features an upgraded 3.8-liter S38B38 inline-six engine sourced from a European-market E34 M5 and installed in 2018. The rear wheels are driven through a 5-speed manual transmission with a 3.71:1 limited-slip differential. Other modifications include SPEC aluminum flywheel and clutch kit, a MagnaFlow muffler, a BMP front strut brace, ST sway bars, Bilstein shocks, cross-drilled brake rotors, an M5 gauge cluster, an M Technic steering wheel, and a JVC stereo. The car benefits from noteworthy services performed in recent years including replacements of the clutch master cylinder, fuel pressure regulator, brakes, shifter bushings, suspension components, and battery. Acquired by the current owner in 2024, this S38-powered BMW 525is is now being offered for auction out of Florida.
Compared to a standard BMW 535i, the sporty 535is model came factory-equipped with front and rear spoilers. This example was originally painted in Diamond Black Metallic and was refinished under prior ownership. Equipment includes quad headlamps, integrated fog lights, power mirrors, an electric sunroof, a retractable radio antenna, a center-mounted exhaust tip, and multi-spoke silver wheels with BMW roundel center caps. The car rides on Continental ExtremeContact tires measuring 235/40 in front and 255/35 at the rear. Additional images are provided in the gallery along with an accident-free CARFAX report.
The 535is came standard with power-adjustable sport seats. This example features black leather upholstery with matching carpets and contrasting red door panel inserts. Accessories include a three-spoke M Technic steering wheel, an M-branded gear knob, M5-branded floor mats, an M5 gauge cluster, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, an onboard computer, and a JVC stereo. The seller notes the shifter bushings and front door lock buffers were replaced in 2024 along with electrical repairs. Wear is present on the front seats including tear on the driver seat bolster.
Power comes from a European-market E35 M5-sourced 3.8-liter S38B38 inline-six engine featuring dual overhead camshafts and six individual throttle bodies. The engine was reportedly installed in 2020 and drives the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission with a 3.71:1 limited-slip differential. The car has been modified with a SPEC aluminum flywheel and clutch kit, a MagnaFlow muffler, a BMP front strut brace, ST sway bars, Bilstein shocks, and cross-drilled brake rotors. The suspension was serviced with a new swing arm, idler arms, tie rods, rear trailing arms, lower front control arms, and front stabilizer end links in 2020 along with new brake pads and rotors. Service in August 2024 included replacement of the battery, clutch master cylinder, and front fuel pressure regulator. The clutch slave cylinder was replaced along with an oil service in January 2025.
This sale will include a clean title.
Comments (38)
Offer in the amount of $18,000
Offer in the amount of $17,500
Offer in the amount of $16,728
Offer in the amount of $16,000
Decoded, NOT decided! LOL
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Bid in the amount of $15,200
Bid in the amount of $14,949
Bid in the amount of $14,699
Bid in the amount of $14,416
Bid in the amount of $14,166
I don’t see how a 03/87 Build Date was a 1988 model, but I’ve decided the VIN about 4 different ways online and they ALL say it’s a 1988 Model!! On the other hand the Red M6 on this site was built AFTER 03/87, and it decodes as a 1987 model???
🧐🤷🏻♂️🧐🤷🏻♂️.
Doesn’t matter, I still LOVE this car!!! A High Milage Daily Driver in good Condition with even MORE Power??? What’s NOT to like here!!! If I didn’t have a low milage E34 M5 I would be bidding to win!!! GLWTA!!!!!
@motowfo it could, but I’m by no means a mechanic to properly diag and correct the issue. I haven’t addressed it since it doesn’t affect drivability and I know what it is.
@Jahan Wheels are 18s
A/C works great, can be seen in operation in video. There are no leaks.
I don’t feel comfortable personally performing a compression test. If you’d like to have one set up with a shop local to me, I have no problem getting the car there.
Dash is crack free, can be seen in the video and the photos.
@YoBigT battery was relocated to the trunk during the engine swap process. No space for it under the hood.
The subwoofer was installed before I purchased the car, it is a little bit of an inconvenience to get the full size spare (18’ Style 39) out but it’s possible, just takes some finesse, that’s how I got the picture of the spot for the spare with the wheel removed.
I wasn’t trying to race anyone on the on ramp lol. If you’ve ever driven in Miami, sometimes it’s better to be on the side of caution and save the hard driving for open roads. The car is more than capable of hurting some feelings, but there’s a time and place for that kind of driving.
@havana1950 absolutely
To clarify, I run this account as well as @phz.mia so I have been answering the comments, apologies for the confusion that could've caused.
Bid in the amount of $13,916
@havana1950 absolutely
We live in Miami can the car be seen?
Bid in the amount of $13,666
Bid in the amount of $13,000
@YoBigT battery was relocated to the trunk during the engine swap process. No space for it under the hood.
The subwoofer was installed before I purchased the car, it is a little bit of an inconvenience to get the full size spare (18’ Style 39) out but it’s possible, just takes some finesse, that’s how I got the picture of the spot for the spare with the wheel removed.
I wasn’t trying to race anyone on the on ramp lol. If you’ve ever driven in Miami, sometimes it’s better to be on the side of caution and save the hard driving for open roads. The car is more than capable of hurting some feelings, but there’s a time and place for that kind of driving.
@Jahan Wheels are 18s
A/C works great, can be seen in operation in video. There are no leaks.
I don’t feel comfortable personally performing a compression test. If you’d like to have one set up with a shop local to me, I have no problem getting the car there.
Dash is crack free, can be seen in the video and the photos.
Are wheels 16” or 17”
Does AC work now , no leaks?
Can you do compression test?
Is the dash crack free
Thank you for your reply
Bro, what's up with the Battery being boxed in an obviously aftermarket box in the trunk? That's not normal for this car. Got another one for you Bro. Is the tool kit all there? Not a game stopper, but an added plus if it is.
I know everyone (except me) thinks big bass is bad ass AF. But it looks like the bass unit someone put in there (you?) blocks the spare tire. Can anyone get to that spare, and is it full size spare? Tore up driver's seat and silly punk audio modificactions spook me. Just saying. Plus, in the video it looked like you were getting smoked by everyone on the freeway. Nah Bro, it's all cool. You're trying to sell this car. I totally dig it. Can't be out drifting and stuff and trying to get top dollar. Right on.
@motowfo it could, but I’m by no means a mechanic to properly diag and correct the issue. I haven’t addressed it since it doesn’t affect drivability and I know what it is.
So the Check light issue can be resolved prior to purchase of the car?
@ClippedApex photo has been added
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@motowfo It’s on due to LED tag lights that were installed, you can see it on the check panel when the sunroof is in operation. In the day time walk around portion of the video there’s no check light because the lights aren’t on.
And the elephant in the room... CHECK ? What's up with the flashing Check light?
@phz.mia Really appreciate the responsiveness. And you are exactly right - when you have owned anything pre-E36, you have to get to know their habits, rust hiding places, etc.
Thanks for the attention to detail (and the pictures to come).
@ClippedApex to my knowledge it’s never had rust repair done, there is some light rusting on the underside of the hood, where the vents channel to, but otherwise the car is clean aside from the spots seen in the video. Inner wheel wells are free of rust as well as the jack points. I’ll add a photo of the spare compartment without the wheel when I have the chance. The car was in the NE before coming down to sunny SoFlo but fortunately not long enough to feel the adverse effects of those weather conditions. I’ve owned a few pre 1990 BMWs (e30s mainly) so I’m familiar with how they can end up, and this is one of the cleanest I’ve come across.
Great looking E28 with the mighty S38. With all of the nice performance mods, this request is a little mundane, regarding rust. Considering the New England registrations, did the car rust and get repaired or did it escape rusting? Thanks for showing a couple of the typical spots - are the jackpoints and inner fenders also OK? Finally, could you remove the spare and snap a pick or two of spare tire wheel well?
Thank you!
Bid in the amount of $12,000
Bid in the amount of $6,650
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $4,800