1989 BMW 535i Dinan Stage 3 Turbo

For more than 40 years, the Dinan badge on a BMW was all but the equivalent of Shelby on a Mustang, specifically the early models built by Shelby's own operation. Steve Dinan was an engineering student in the late 1970s when he began souping up BMWs with carefully engineered turbo installations. By the late 1980s, Dinan Cars had become the premier BMW aftermarket performance specialists in the United States, developing not only powerful turbocharged engines, but nearly completely re-engineered cars featuring high-performance suspensions, wheels, and other modifications. It is said to have appeared in at least three magazines and was the cover car for the March 1992 edition of European Car. A copy of the magazine will be included. The seller can provide further details on the car, such as its original $77,045 price as tested' a $29,000 premium over a stock 535i. Finished in Zinnoberrot (cinnamon red) over Natur leather, this 535i was acquired new by Dinan Cars in California, where it received the company's Stage 3 turbocharged engine build, 17-inch wheels with high-performance tires, larger front brakes, modified gauges, and a custom front air dam with a duct to supply air to the intercooler. The car came equipped from the factory with a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with 3.45:1 ratio. It is believed to be one of 60 BMW 535i models with the Dinan Stage 3 turbocharged engine built for 1989. - that before the car was sold by Dinan, the company installed an entirely new engine, transmission, driveshaft, and differential. - BMW's M30 3,430-cc OHC inline-six had long developed a reputation for longevity and durability by the time Steve Dinan and his engineers took the big six from its stock 208 horsepower to 405 horsepower. The work included revised engine internals that reduced the static compression ratio to 8:0:1 ' a better fit for the added turbocharger with its 12.5 psi of boost. Equipped with and air-to-air intercooler, the Dinan-modified M30 was also dyno-tested to 438 lb-ft of torque.- a quick, reliable cold start with no mechanical issues. - all gaskets had been replaced and that there are no leaks or weeps. The five-speed manual transmission works perfectly. - this car's exterior as excellent overall, with just small blemishes, including a minor clearcoat deterioration at the top of the right-rear bumper, along with minor stone chips on the leading edge of the hood, which can be seen in photos.- all glass is blemish-free and that all windows and the sunroof operate properly, with seals in excellent condition and no leaks. There is no rust whatsoever, , and all lighting is said to function properly - The seats are trimmed in Natur leather with matching carpets and door panels, all of which appear to be in very good to excellent condition, per the provided photos. The driver's seat shows some wrinkling, but no cracks. - headliner sagging. Power windows, mirrors, and locks, as well as an onboard computer, heat, and air conditioning are all affirmed to work properly. The turbo boost indicator in the gauge cluster is said to flicker sometimes. VDO gauges for boost, oil temperature, and oil pressure were nicely integrated in front of the gear shift by Dinan Cars. All interior lighting is affirmed to work, as is the cassette stereo, which is believed to be original. - The E34 generation 5 Series is considered by many BMW buffs to be one of the carmaker's best all-around sports sedans, one of the last built before electronics became more prevalent in vehicle control. The Dinan Stage 4 suspension included Eibach springs, custom-valved Bilstein shocks and struts, thicker stabilizer bars, and adjustable camber plates. The handling is very balanced, . The ride is firm, but not punishing. I would not hesitate to drive this car cross-country. The Continental Extreme Contact tires, sized 255/45R17, are brand new, with documentation. - no vibrations when driving and points out that all steering components, including tie rods, were recently replaced. The car handles like a dream. No power steering leaks are reported, and no issues are indicated for the brakes, which include larger than stock front rotors. Additional paperwork includes service records and receipts for recent work. The attached Carfax vehicle history report shows no accidents or other damage, and lists one open recall from 1998 related to the radiator cap. Registration history is shown in California and Tennessee beginning in July 1992. - his father acquired the car in 2000 and it was treated like a garage queen, when not in use, and was driven sparingly during his ownership. His father having passed away, the seller is letting it go and sharing the proceeds with his brothers. I have spoken with Dinan on the phone and he said, 'It was one of my favorite builds,' . Seller states he can provide a way to get in touch with Dinan to prove the authenticity of the car to the winning bidder. Documented work done by a very reputable BMW shop in preparation for the current sale included new tires, fuel lines and hoses, thrust rod bushings, and a battery, along with a valve adjustment, stainless-steel flexible brake hoses, and refinishing of the intake manifold and valve cover. Front-end components were also replaced. This turbocharged 1989 BMW 535i Dinan Stage 3 produced more than 400 horsepower at a time such a number was reserved for only the most exotic of cars. For a mid-size sedan to deliver such performance was an extraordinary feat at the time.