You Need This: BMW 533i with M30B35 power

Paris
By Paris Van Gorder
Oct 7, 2024 | BMW, Engine swap, You Need This, BMW 533i

Photography Courtesy Tom Joslin/Facebook Marketplace

Despite having more than 260,000 miles and living in a Northeastern state, this 1983 BMW 533i stands clean.

This BMW currently rocks a swapped 3.5-liter M30B35 inline-six from a later E34, a Getrag 260 five-speed manual and a rebuilt 3.73:1 limited-slip diff.

I had the engine put in in 2020 by German Performance Services in Brighton,” writes the seller. “At that time, I also had the clutch, upper control arms, suspension bushings and sway bar links done as well by them; I had the radiator replaced shortly thereafter.”

While it has some classic "BMW quirks" and a non-functional AC, this 533i comes with quite an array of modifications and has a lot of potential for more.

Find this 1983 BMW 533i for sale on Facebook Marketplace, with an asking price of $26,000. The seller is also open to trade for a six-speed 996 coupe.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/7/24 2:30 p.m.

That generation of 5 Series is one of those cars that just looks right.

Double points for the red interior.

DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
10/7/24 7:35 p.m.

Agreed.  Super-cool looking to me too.  But the seller is "open to trade for a six-speed 996 Porsche"?  Hmmm, I was thinking there is no way possible, but did a quick internet search of 996's for sale and they are close based on his asking price.  Well, if a Porsche owner thinks the fiver is worth the $26,000 asking price, then maybe it would be possible.  Given the possibility of owning either a 996 or this 533i, for me there is simply no contest and not even for price: the Porsche wins hands down.  

adam525i
adam525i GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/7/24 7:54 p.m.

It's a really nice colour combination and that interior looks great. For $26k that engine bay needs a good detailing though.

I've got a Euro E28 with a breathed on M30, I'd take the 6 speed 996 Coupe too for that money. I still love my E28 though.

nlevine
nlevine GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
10/7/24 11:03 p.m.

GPS is a legit shop in Boston, so the swap was likely done right. The shop owner used to be Crew Chief for Turner Motorsport.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/8/24 9:21 a.m.

In reply to nlevine :

That certainly adds some credibility. Thanks for the insight.

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/8/24 10:12 a.m.

$26k and you can't even hose down the enginebay?

I like the interior but literally none of the reds are the same color.

DaleCarter
DaleCarter GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/8/24 3:18 p.m.

I had one of these back in 1990, but it wasn't this cool.

These make me drool a little.

DaleCarter
DaleCarter GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/8/24 3:20 p.m.

In reply to iansane :

I'd rather see this engine bay than one recently detailed.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
10/8/24 4:57 p.m.

That looks like a "My wife wants me to sell, so I'm going to tell her I tried" type price. 

 

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/9/24 9:59 a.m.
DaleCarter said:

In reply to iansane :

I'd rather see this engine bay than one recently detailed.

I'm not talking a buy-here-pay-here hose down with tireshine but at least wiping the dust off would go a long way.

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