[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Hello Forum Members,

I need some input from knowledgeable fellows like yourself if I should spend about $10,000.00 to restore this fine automobile. I hope this section of the forum is okay to ask this question

Photos of our Bimmi can be seen here

We still have our 1987 BMW 535is it is a US model we imported it many years ago from the US. The car now has close to 200,000 Miles on the odometer. It is a great driver and we use it once in a while during the week. Here and then it gets a treat for a longer road trip around 300 miles. What can I say the car is a true BMW.

Mechanically she is in great shape, needs about $2,000.00

I made a kind of restoration in 2005 spending about $12,000.00 (Complete paint job, some one took a key and left his mark all around the car) new front and rear bumpers, had all the chrome refurbished, some items replaced. Some mechanical work was also done at the time.

The photos you see in the above link are from 2005 before the work was done. The car needs now 2 new front fenders, the body shop missed a few spots and some paint is starting to bubble some rust under the paint is causing it. The front spoiler needs to be painted, it was not done properly 5 years ago and paint is now peeling.

What do you think? It certainly is a great car, a fantastic driver. I'm wondering if this 23 year old car will some day return the investment. It was to her time very close to the M5.

Your comments and feedback are very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

Rolf-Dieter

PS. the car has been from coast to coast in Canada and the USA, it does have great sentimental value as well.

[NFS13]

Its worth it on sentimental value alone! You obviously love the car so you don't even need to ask us. The only thing I would say is find a better body shop because it sounds like the restoration wouldn't be so high this time around if it weren't for the 2005 paint job problems.
BTW, the car is one of my favorite BMW's, and if it were my car I would do it. She is a beauty!

[JoosyJoos]

If you don't want it I'll take it if the price is right lol

[dday]

Seems like you already know the answer, it's clear you love the car. If you can afford to do it it'll pay you back in happiness, whether you'll make the money back is another story, but money isn't everything with cars.

[Schm]

Ask yourself a few questions.

1. Is it worth it to keep that car and spend 12k or sell it and spend the money of sale + money saved on a new car (You could get a lot of car for +/- 20k)
2. Are there any major flaws in the car (How much rust?? and surprise struts, cranks, cylinder heads that are going to break or explode?) It sounds like you've already gotten inspections and estimates, and that's the best step to find about how much your going to have to spend.
3. Is it special to you? IMO, the 535is is a rare car, and a great performer. Also, it's not such a complicated car, so you probably could do some repairs yourself, saving you time and learning more about the car. Also, since you have already owned the car for quite some time, you know the car and the abuse/wear that it has endured. You would not know what kind of schanagains happened in a different used car.


(P.S. I think you should definitely do it. It's a beautiful car and it sounds like you like it a lot. Or I'll buy that thing and DD for the next 25 years )

Hope this helps, Herr Dieter!

[Cygnusx1]

Restore? What's there to restore, it needs a detail and one lugnut!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Thanks for your input fellows, I've decided to restore the 535is

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Thanks for your input fellows, I've decided to restore the 535is

Post some pics when you are done. Unless its one of those 2 year things?