JDM M535i spec questions

[robertodonnell]

Hi everyone,

I have recently acquired a Jap delivered 1987 build M535i. It has had an S38B35 and dogleg swap from the auto, and also converted to RHD for use in Australia.

My curiosity is with the interior, as I have never seen another like it. The seats are bolstered more like that of an E34 sport interior, although they are definitely E28 sport seats. It also has full grain leather on the door cards instead of perforated vinyl. Is this some kind of hi spec Jap only interior? I can't see why the car would have these changed from original, as it seems like a huger undertaking, but I am yet to be convinced. I am hoping someone here can tell me what they know about JDM cars, it all seems at odds with my knowledge of E28 interiors.

Cheers,

Rob

[wkohler]

We’d need to see some photos. I’d say anything in the interior is easier to change than installing an S38 and a dogleg only place of the 8:1 M30 and auto.

[travisj]

I am hoping someone here can tell me what they know about JDM cars

Cheers,

Rob

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they are actually built in Japan for their domestic market. I'm unaware of any E28 built in Japan.

Check out this page with info on the various versions of M535i https://bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=6
I have seen some M535i manual sport seats with leather bolsters, but my DC89 seats are completely fabric, as are my door cards.

[Mike W.]

Welcome to the group Robert, sounds like an interesting car. And anything with an S38 is noteworthy.

However you hit something of a hot button for many of us. JDM short for Japanese Domestic Market. There were no Japanese Domestic Market E28s as none were produced there. None. Japanese spec, or perhaps JM, but that sounds as silly as DDM for Deutche Domestic Market.

Regardless, semantics aside, it sounds like a nice RHD car with a S38 and custom interior.

[robertodonnell]

Yeah, semantics aside you are correct. The vin decodes as a car produced for Japan. I'mm learning that these cars came with no tags, only a VIN. I'd attach some pics of the interior but I can't seem to post pics yet. I kinda like it due to its individual nature in my country.

[robertodonnell]

Yeah, semantics aside you are correct. The vin decodes as a car produced for Japan. I'mm learning that these cars came with no tags, only a VIN. I'd attach some pics of the interior but I can't seem to post pics yet. I kinda like it due to its individual nature in my country.

[wkohler]

Wouldn’t surprise me if some of the custom stuff happened during the RHD conversion.

For photos, you can’t just post them here. You’ll have to host them somewhere like Flickr or whatever the kids are using these days.

[robertodonnell]

Ah ok. They may very well be E30 sedan sports seats with a sympathetic retrim on the rears.

[Mike W.]

For photos, you can’t just post them here. You’ll have to host them somewhere like Flickr or whatever the kids are using these days.

On posting photos. Charlie made it sound difficult, but it's not.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=147488

[tig]

For photos, you can’t just post them here. You’ll have to host them somewhere like Flickr or whatever the kids are using these days.

On posting photos. Charlie made it sound difficult, but it's not.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=147488

[Preyupy]

My question is why a car produced for sale in Japan would need to be "converted to RHD"? The S38 and 265/5 gearbox I can understand but the car should have already been RHD.

[wkohler]

My question is why a car produced for sale in Japan would need to be "converted to RHD"? The S38 and 265/5 gearbox I can understand but the car should have already been RHD.

LHD is a status thing in Japan and all Japan-market BMWs are LHD.

[Preyupy]

[
LHD is a status thing in Japan and all Japan-market BMWs are LHD.
[/quote]

Thanks, I did not know that.

[wkohler]

[
LHD is a status thing in Japan and all Japan-market BMWs are LHD.

Thanks, I did not know that.
[/quote]

You’re welcome. It’s counter-intuitive given they drive on the left, but an interesting revelation nonetheless!