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Re: 84 533i m5

<I am currently looking at the above mentioned car.  100K miles, super
excellent condition.  Can any other m5 owners give me a quick lowdown
on this car???  Higher repair cost???  What to look out for???  Is it
really an m5.  How can i tell for sure???. >

    Here we go again: badge-itis.  It's most likely an '84 533i whose owner
wanted to fool people into thinking he had an M5, unless it's really an '88
M5 whose owner re-registered it as an '84, converted the engine compartment
and door post stickers, and installed the smaller 3.3 liter engine.  

    Sorry, I don't mean to flame, it just really bothers me.  The 533i was
available in '83-84, after which it became the 535i.  Yes, 3.3 and 3.5
liters.  US E28 M5 (3.5L) was '88 only, black only with tan (or rare black)
interior, and black-out trim.  Anyone can make a "regular" 5-Series *look*
like an M5, but there's no substitute for the real thing.  Look for
identifying stickers and six separate throttle bodies.

    In the early '80s Porsche even marketed, no kidding, a 911 *Turbo-Look*
version.  Fender flares, whaletail, wheels & tires, everything but.  All the
show without the go.  Granted, the "regular" 911 wasn't slow, but I'll bet
the Turbo owners had a thing or three to say to Porsche about it!

    The worst case of badge-itis I've ever seen: a 2002 with, get this, a
*528i* emblem in the grille!  HUH???

Happy Badging,
Gary T
'87 535i,  '88 325is
"Help, I have an identity crisis!  At least I *think* it's I, or maybe me..."