Highlights

Rare V8 535i with desirable 5-speed gearbox
Individual package includes rare ‘‘Romantic red’ paint finish
New tyres on very smart BBS 17” Split rims

The Appeal

Rightfully lauded as one of the greatest all-round family cars ever produced and those accolades were dished out from the very start when BMW first unveiled the E39 in 1996. Noted for its understated elegance, comfort, wide range of engines and handsome styling, the E39 is also a genuine joy to drive. BMW’s famous near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution certainly rings true here, yet its talents were just as suitable for the weekly shop as much as a track day. BMW had perfected the ultimate driving machine, with ergonomics, driving dynamics and style captured under one iconic badge. For years the E39 was simply unbeatable, with its demand supporting that fact.

Part of the E39’s appeal was the subtlety of the presentation. Slotting into the lineup as the intermediate V8 model in the range, the 535i might just be a little too understated for its own good with no obvious signs of the V8 power, down to the discreet single exhaust and lack of body kit frivolities. However the smooth delivery of the 3.5-litre M62 engine mated up to the desirable option of a 5-speed gearbox delivers plenty of thrills without the spills, thanks to a properly sported M-Sport suspension and dynamic stability control set-up.

Finished in what is believed to be an ‘Individual’ specification, this 1998 car is finished in a very distinctive ‘Romantic red’ hue, the car is fitted with well-presented beige leather seats, with the unusual leather door card option. It comes with a good service history, 4 new tyres on a set of smartly presented BMW dealer option 17” BBS split alloy rims, an MOT to November 2023 and two keys.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in October 1998
The previous owner kept the car for 18 years
Placed in storage in 2009
Regular service history up to storage
Only 7,000 miles covered since then
Copy of a BMW sourced build sheet included
MOT to November 2023
V5c present
Recent recommissioning covers new brakes, water pump and belts
4 new tyres
Two keys
Owners wallet and Haynes manual present

The Interior

The Interior is cleanly presented with no outstanding distractions
Leather seats free of distracting damage, with some sun bleaching evident
Carpets and mats intact, with no signs of dampness
Dashboard free of cracks with very little in terms of wear
The veneer and plastics trim are intact
Switchgear and controls are in good shape, with a few blemishes noted on a couple of buttons
Some evidence of dead pixels on the digital readout, but still legible
No warning lights, other than an intermittent light warning which disappeared on idle
All controls are said to work, its air con is weak though
Original GSM carphone still in place
Tape player and 6 CD changer
Cruise-control
M-Sport multi-function steering wheel and gear-lever intact with minimal signs of age
Leather and veneer inserts fitted on door cards
Headlining very tidy

The Exterior

Structure-wise, the car looks positive with the boot floor, inner wings and the majority of the floor pan looking solid
Minor signs of corrosion were noted near the off-side rear jacking point and outer offside sill
The rest of the body is free of discernible corrosion, with the arches, in particular, looking good
Panel fit flow is consistent and smooth, with even door shut lines
All doors open and close with ease
No evidence of significant dents
The romantic red paint has even coverage, displaying a good lustre with light swirling in places
A handful of light road chip wear observed on the nose, bonnet and roof of the car - but nothing has penetrated too deeply
A light scuff was spotted on the offside rear arch
Both bumpers well mounted with no large marks
Front light covers are slightly hazed, the front fog lights and rear lamps are intact
Shadow-line trim is all intact and well mounted
Windscreen has light lamination damage, the rest of the glass is in good shape
Part of the windscreen seal is perished but no observations of water ingress
BBS 17” split rim alloys in excellent condition
Four new Zeetex tyres

The Mechanics

3.5-litre V8 starts up with no hesitation and idles smoothly without undulations
The 5-Speed gearbox selects gears smoothly with a decent clutch biting point
No engine warning lights were flagged up on the day
Said to pull perfectly, with plenty of torque in 5th
The engine is well presented with decent ancillaries and hoses
The water pump, idle pulleys and belts replaced
New Radiator and fan
New brake lines, discs and pads
No reported issues with the way the car drives
Said to brake and steer with no drama
Evidence of historic servicing carried out by BMW and specialists
Exhaust in good shape, with no signs of blowing

Summary

Has the opportunity to experience V8 motoring with the assurance of quality and watertight engineering ever been so obtainable? A masterclass in ergonomics, comfort and practicality, the 535i literally has it all. Very smartly presented, along with some recent attention to its engine and brakes should be enough to persuade you to cave in and get to grips with one of BMW’s finest saloons.

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