top of page
TCV Mark.png

£11,380 (Est: £15,000 - £20,000)

1981 BMW M535i (E12)

Historics • UK • 11 May 2024

Market Position:

Rare Sale

Track live values and receive listing alerts

Track live values and receive listing alerts

Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg
Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

£11,380 (Est: £15,000 - £20,000)

1981 BMW M535i (E12)

UK • 11 May 2024 • Lot 210

Auction House Logos6.png

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1981 BMW M535i (E12) features a recent re-paint in Diamond Black, a rebuilt engine, and a refreshed leather interior. Upgrades include a Getrag gearbox, limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes, Bilstein suspension, Recaro seats, and a rare additional handbook, making it an attractive proposition for enthusiasts.

ai-technology.png

Condition 

7

The car has been recently re-painted, has an engine rebuild, and a refreshed leather interior. It also benefits from a fresh windscreen, new radio, and electric windows. The listing also mentions it comes with some rare accessories.

/ 10

114,853 miles

WBADG0204B4148333

RHD

United Kingdom

Manual

ERV 686W

1981

Auction

£11,380 (Est: £15,000 - £20,000)

1981 BMW M535i (E12)

Historics • UK • 11 May 2024

Market Position:

Rare Sale

Track live values and receive listing alerts

Description

When the BMW M535i was launched in 1980, it brought worlds together which had hitherto been separate: competition-like driving, comfort and elegance all in the dimensions of a top-of-the-range limousine.

The Getrag gearbox connects to the rear axle and limited-slip differential and the braking system has been upgraded to discs all round with the suspension lower and stiffer and damped by Bilstein units.

Front and rear spoilers give the car not just visual flair whilst the interior gained bolstered Recaro seats and the iconic M1 ‘flat’ sports steering wheel.

Not only does it benefit from a full engine rebuild but also a full respray to the original factory Diamond Black complete with M-Sport decals.

A fresh windscreen has also been fitted with refreshed Recaro leather seats, a new radio to fill the void and electric windows.

One important accessory is that new owner is presented with is an additional handbook in order to explain the changes between a standard roadgoing 5-Series sal...

Price Analysis vs Other 5 Series (E12) M535is

£11,380

Lowest Price (Since 2020)

£11,380

Median Price (Since 2020)

£11,380

Highest Price (Since 2020)

one.png

World Record

If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]

percentage-graph.png

Top X%

The mid-point of the vehicle's estimate places it in the top [X]% of sold prices we've seen for the [enter model]

low-price.png

Lowest Price

If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will be the lowest price we've seen for the [enter model]

checkmark.png

Average Price

The mid-point of the vehicle's estimate places it near the average price we see for the [enter model]

diamond-icon.png

Rare Sale

This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen 3 sold before

must-have.png

Icon

This vehicle is an icon of the game. Any collection would benefit from having one

Previous 5 Series (E12) M535i Sales

MOT Information

Expired

Expired on 9th Jun 2026

Latest MOT mileage:

115,199 miles

MOT History

Passed

On 6th Jun 2025, 115,199 miles

There were 5 defects noted.

Minor:
- Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))
- Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))


Advisory:
- Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
- Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
- Offside Front Floor has corrosion - no holes and covered with under seal.

Passed

On 10th Jun 2024, 114,913 miles

There were 5 defects noted.

Advisory:
- Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front sub frame bush sub frame against floor (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front sub frame bush sub frame against floor (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Offside Rear Advise repair to rear of sill
- Offside Front Sill to floor corroded
- Advise gearbox noisy

Failed

On 13th May 2024, 114,913 miles

There were 10 defects noted.

Major:
- Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))
- Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements (4.5.3 (a))
- Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))
- Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))
- Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))


Advisory:
- Offside Advice repair to outer sill
- Advise offside front sill to floor corroded
- Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front bush sub frame against floor (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front bush sub frame against floor (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Passed

On 15th Oct 2020, 114,379 miles


MOT Mileage Trend

Gallery

People Also Viewed - For Sale

Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

Classified | Munich Legends

1980 BMW E12 M535i rare

United Kingdom

Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

Classified | Wizard Sports & Classics Car Sales

1981 BMW M535i Saloon E12

United Kingdom

People Also Viewed - Historic

Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

Sold | Bring A Trailer

S38-Powered 1980 BMW M53...

United States • 2nd Oct '17

Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

Sold | Bring A Trailer

1981 BMW M535i

United States • 15th Oct '14

Auction House Headquarters

Historics

Unit D, Lyndhurst Buildings, Lyndhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 9ED

Operating from Ascot, Berkshire, Historics is a physical auction house handling classic, sports, and collector cars. They conduct live auctions in the UK and offer vehicle consignment and valuation services.

Insurance

25-1042 Footman James The Classic Valuer Banner V34.jpg
bottom of page