Russ wrote:
>The only differences I know are these:
>
>Custom made for BMW Recaro seats(front)

The seats were BMW-made sport seats, not made by Recaro. Basically the same seat as the 325is but electrically operated, as in the 635CSi and M6.

>Slightly different suspension setup( I think slightly lower springs, can some
>else help here, Im not exactly sure of this one)

M-Technic suspension was standard on the 535is, complete with specially valved and damped Bilsteins.

>Exact same motor and mechanicals otherwise you got the rest of it below. Not
>much differnce for the money they were asking in '88 for the
>535iS. Here in CA I saw one on the showroom floor in '88 and the sticker was
>$40K!!!! For comparison the '88 M5 of the same year had a
>sticker of $50K, the M6 was $55K.

535is base price in '88: $36,900 Limited Slip was standard, only option was Automatic transmission. Normal 535i was priced at only about $1000 less.

535is base price in '87: $35,200 Same equipment.

M5 base price for '88: $46,500

Those California cars must have had chrome wheels and $1000 floor mats!

• -Phil Marx BMWCCA #6021