[piscator]

Gentleman, I’m really amazed that there’s such unanimity for the 535! You’ve just about got me convinced!

Matt,

That’s a really good point! I wouldn’t have thought about trim replacement, but you’re absolutely right! Whatever I look for, I’ll try and find the best example!

I couldn’t remember the model designation, but I saw a listing for the Mercedes 2.3 16v last year and really liked the car. Those other numbers I’ll have to google-foo!

Wilnj,

Thanks for that link! That’s the benchmark, all right! I think you made me fall in love.

As for prototyping, if you mean 3d printing, I’m useless. But I grew up in a machine shop and now do a lot of ‘one-off’ prototyping in laminates, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. I can’t design on a computer, but my hands are pretty resourceful at fabricating parts in various materials.

908,930,

Thanks for your vote! As I said, the unanimity is remarkable!

As for driving in snow, I hear ya! I’ve been an avid East coast skier my entire life. I wouldn’t even know how to ski on the powder they have out west! :-)

I’m not entirely unfamiliar with BMW’s in the snow. My past ski cars, in order: BMW 2002, BMW 320, BMW 325i, BMW 535i, BMW 635, BMW 740il. :-)

I don’t think any of them had limited slip, so your point is well taken. Now that I’m retired I can ski any time, so I’m often waiting for a blizzard to drive through, so I can enjoy the best conditions. I used to do that in a BMW, now I do it in a GMC truck! Which is probably the best tool for that job, anyway.

On the subject of turbos and superchargers, I’ve always wanted to experiment with that. It would be a very cool mod for a 535!!

Thanks for your advice!