:eek:Someone from bf.c needs this. If I had the $$$ it'd be in my garage (isn't that always the case? hhaa). Anyways I am jealous of whoever it's owner will be. I don't think I've ever seen one of these rare beasts forsale!:buttrock

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222270373&dealer_id=56335027&car_year=1989&marketZipError=true&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=BMW&transmission=Manual&make3=BMW&model=535I&distance=0&make2=BMW&address=30319&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&model3=530I&model2=540I&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=1996&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1989&drive=&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=365

Actually, I think that car has been discussed in depth before here. Definitely on .Info. If it's the one I'm thinking of... It's not a full Dinan car, has the turbo kit and suspension. Judgements on the quality of those parts aside, best to do a search so you know the whole story. Again, if it's that car, I know there was at least one serious buyer who didn't end up buying (not sure why, but it might've had to do with the ODO issue branded on the title). Offered on the forums for something like 8-10 with a blown head gasket at the end of last year/beginning of this year.

If that's the same car, then don't worry about the HG. It was repaired properly along with a refresh of the head and some other work. I spoke with the shop that did it, because they had some questions on Turbo 5s, and they said the car is a complete screamer. Its as good as new.
I guess the only Dinan components missing is the stage 3 brakes and wheels.

Yea, it's the same car. I passed due to the mileage issue. I hear it's a real screamer, up there with an e39 M5. Basically, it's a decent 535/5 with a 20 year old turbo kit. Good car but I wouldn't go more than $10k. And I don't think it has suspension, only the turbo kit so it isn't TECHNICALLY a Dinan car, not that anyone should care.

The point is that you can buy a perfect 535/5 (I just sold my 32,000 miler for $12k) and put $5-6k into it and end up with more HP, newer technology and more peice of mind.

yea, and did you look at the other cars on the guys site?

he is smoking crack with most of his prices.....

He bought Adam Wilson's '94 Euro for $17k, detailed it and put it up for $27,900 I think?!? He has some nice cars but I think he plans on keeping them for a while.

As much as I like some of Dinan's stuff,I would rather buy a very clean 535i and put in a TCD kit.

My point exactly. the car was built in '95 if memory serves and technology has certainly changed a bit. For the same price, or less, I'd rather have new stuff and not buy into the whole "Dinan" mystique.

If the car is indeed comparable performance-wise to an e39 M5 and in perfect condition like they say it is, then 16 grand isn't all that bad of a price. I realize a similar setup could be had for cheaper, but the fact that Dinan is the only BMW-authorized aftermarket brand sadly justifies the price. I would rather buy this car and not deal with the planning, purchasing, installation and troubleshooting typical of turbo installs.

According to the original catalouge I have with my 91 Dinan M5 3.9l the turbo is 10 points and back then that was enough for a badge

J

damn.. Zack was selling that car for $6K with head gasket blown. I would have bought it and swap out the entire engine if needed. but then my wife would make me sell my NSX.

Damn imagine Dinan Turbo 5 with my 18" MK1's on it. That would be the dream E34

damn that would look so good next to my e30...to zinnoberrot red Bmws both powered by the M30..1 N/A and the other turbo'd....damn i need a better yob

1 of 5 built by Steve Dinan huh.... right. Missplaced badges, what appears to be stock ride height...

I didn't realize the connection with this car and the one from earlier this year. Now that it's mentioned though I remember it. Either way it is one sweet 5er

I thought it was established that it was not one of the 5 dinan turbo cars.. That is was a dinan turbo kit installed at a later date. Wouldn't that make it definitely not worth $16k?

no way that thing is an origional DINAN

Not an original, I remember Zach talking about he made contact with the original owner who had the kit put on.

What a coincidence that this is a topic of convo. I actually went down to Cincinatti today to look at the dealership that this car is at. It is at Enthusiast Auto Group. This is by far the best car collection of BMWs I have ever seen in my life. The owner (Eric Keller) told me about every car on the lot. The Dinan 535i IS an original car that was built by Steve Dinan when new. The car has had extensive engine work since bought from the previous owner to bring it to where it is today. If anyone is looking for an E3_ M series car and is in the Ohio area I would most defiantly suggest going to this dealership. I never would have thought such a place existed in Ohio of all places.

It is an original DINAN 535i Turbo, as soon as the turbo kit was available, the original owner of the car, whom I've spoken with, bought the kit from Steve Dinan and had it installed on the east coast late 89/early 90 when the car was a couple months old. However it did not have the full brake/suspension package. The original owner also had DINAN do other work including a engine rebuild on a brand new M5 he bought to make it a DINAN M5.

-Yes the later revisions had 405hp, I am not sure what was changed this one is 330hp/340tq on stock EPA legal tune.

Previous thread with details on car
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=655439&highlight=dinan+turbo

It is a nice car, too bad some of the details are wrong.

What a coincidence that this is a topic of convo. I actually went down to Cincinatti today to look at the dealership that this car is at. It is at Enthusiast Auto Group. This is by far the best car collection of BMWs I have ever seen in my life. The owner (Eric Keller) told me about every car on the lot. The Dinan 535i IS an original car that was built by Steve Dinan when new. The car has had extensive engine work since bought from the previous owner to bring it to where it is today. If anyone is looking for an E3_ M series car and is in the Ohio area I would most defiantly suggest going to this dealership. I never would have thought such a place existed in Ohio of all places.

IF that is the same car, which it looks to be. It was NOT built be steve dinan, it does not have the equipment that came on the Dinan 535i's. The extensive engine work may have something to do with the headgasket that was blown when the PO was selling the car. Someone needs to figure out if this is the same car before someone goes spending 16k on an 89 535i with a turbo kit

What a coincidence that this is a topic of convo. I actually went down to Cincinatti today to look at the dealership that this car is at. It is at Enthusiast Auto Group. This is by far the best car collection of BMWs I have ever seen in my life. The owner (Eric Keller) told me about every car on the lot. The Dinan 535i IS an original car that was built by Steve Dinan when new. The car has had extensive engine work since bought from the previous owner to bring it to where it is today. If anyone is looking for an E3_ M series car and is in the Ohio area I would most defiantly suggest going to this dealership. I never would have thought such a place existed in Ohio of all places.


Sounds like you got the 'ol marketing hype. I don't mean to detract from the guy's goods, but let's deal with reality here. As I told the previous owner of that car over on .info: it's a 10k car, even when it's "sorted" (and it's not -- look at the pictures, the interior has typical faults, some partially repaired):

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=27656&page=3

If I were an enthusiast looking for a collectable, I would buy from an enthusiast looking to sell and avoid the markup. Reference the two cars mentioned in this thread. I don't need a dealer, with an incentive for me to buy, telling me that the car is perfect.

Hum, BMW master tech looked at it? What? The car has two outstanding dealer service recalls on it (validity of those recalls is debatable, but still -- free parts! -- you don't walk away from them if you know they're available to you)

It has long since been established that this car is NOT an original Dinan 535. It was a Dinan kit installed by a shop some time after the car was new and the parts were bought at auction, Ebay or wherever, by the shop who installed it.

The point of the original debate was that it didn't get brakes, suspension, sways or any other parts, only the turbo. It is NOT one of the original 5. Zack did what seemed to have been exhaustive research, obviously in hopes of discovering a pedigree lineage, only to find that it was just a 535 with a prototype turbo system that made it's way into an enthusiasts hands. I applaud Zack for his efforts and honesty but the car is just a turbo 535 and the parts happen to have come from Dinan. Steve did not build the car.

If the seller is making any efforts to say the car is original, he should be drawn and quartered. In my conversations with Zach, he was told every bit of this information and was privvy to the discussions occurring at the time on this board.

Fact- if it was one of the original 5's, it would have been sold a dozen times over since March. AND the TMU status still exists. At best it's a 130,000 mile car with a sketchy title.

I still maintain a $5,000 535 with a $6000 TCD kit using all modern technologies is a far better use of money. Hell, I just sold my 32,000 mile 535/5 for $12k making an $18,000 turbo car in pristine condition with FULL records (and recalls fixed) only $1,000 more.

'nuff said.

I still maintain a $5,000 535 with a $6000 TCD kit using all modern technologies is a far better use of money.

yes. i just hope someone doesnt actually buy this car only to find out later the truth about it. hopefully the price will keep people at bay