"The BMW E12 series was the first model to be given the 5-Series label. Built between 1972 and 1981, almost 700,000 were built in total in factories across the globe including locations as far flung as South Africa, Indonesia, and Thailand as well as the firm’s native Germany. The replacement for the much-loved New Class it was offered with a wide range of engines from the 89bhp 1.8-litre of the BMW 518 through to the 3.2-litre, 197bhp 533i. Inline four and six-cylinders options were on the board, along with a wide variety of both manual and automatic gearboxes. Most had steel wheels, and all had recirculating ball steering. And yet, for all its humble beginnings, the E12 ushered in a whole new category into the sector, that of the high-performance saloon.
Because the M535i was the first volume production ‘M’ car (the M1 was a whole different kettle of fish, of course…). Launched in 1980, it is powered by a 3.5-litre straight-six M90 engine from the 635CSi that develops 215bhp. The gearbox is a ‘dog-leg’ five-speed Getrag manual, and the rear axle features a limited-slip differential. Performance is strong rather than vivid, with 60mph coming up in just under eight seconds and a top speed of around 140mph. Of course, the braking system is upgraded, as is the suspension the latter being both lower and stiffer than standard and damped by specially developed Bilstein dampers. Front and rear spoilers give the car visual flair, while the interior gained fancy, figure-hugging Recaro seats and the M1’s sports steering wheel. They were genuinely handbuilt.
This lovely example of this superb marque has been the subject of much expenditure to include a complete respray in Black (its original factory colour) and a new black leather interior which included its Recaro seats. During the recommissioning, the engine was rebuilt also and is mated to the desirable dog-leg gearbox, it also comes with electric windows. This is a striking car in fantastic condition."