Let’s Have A E28 / E30 / E24 Thread

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by 87911jon

Wow!
Beautiful! Are those 18's or 17's?

[87911jon]

Most everything is available... except really common stuff like window seals, some trim pieces LOL... in fact, I bought a "parts" 528e a few years ago, but ended up selling it to a friend for his daughter's daily driver (it was too nice to pick apart). She drove it to Texas, lived there for a few years, drove it back and it's still running great. Rims are Style 5 17". Had the fenders rolled while she was naked.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Hey, this thread has gotten me thinking. I know that during my 911 ownership I watched as replacement parts became scarcer, more expensive and chintzier. So I put it to you ’80’s BMW owners; where are you buying your replacement parts and pieces? I’m thinking of things like brand new replacement body rubber and seals, mechanical wear items like alternators and water pumps, and the little jewel things like replacement tools for trunk mounted tool kits. I’m already seeing stuff that was available from Pelican just a couple of months ago listed as NLA…
Is there a good source that you go to for used NLA stuff like interior bits and bobs and electrical components like taillights or switches?

And, lastly, are there items that as a good steward I should be sort of squirreling away for future use - items that might not need replacement yet, but will be needed down the road that you are seeing getting scarcer?

I know this thread is about '80s BMWs - I have a 2004 E46. Parts are still fairly plentiful but I have already seen a drop in quality. Lots more stuff coming from China, too.

[908/930]

Nice M5.

herr_oberst, I also noticed some items that are listed as NLA, OEM flywheel for one. The e28's are quite durable and were built to last, I never had the alternator off of my 734000km, 1984 533I that I had purchased in 87, Pic of gauge cluster I kept when I finally sent it to scrap because of rust issues. The alternator brush pack is replaceable with the alt in the car takes about 10 min, starter was still original, clutch every 250,000km, the engine fan clutch would only last 100K KM, rebuilt the cylinder head at 550,000km, original bottom end, rebuilt trans at about 350k, really needed it again at around 700k. The heater valve would need rebuild every couple of years.

[matthewb0051]

I owned E30 M3 that I converted to Euro spec with dogleg box and diff, Evo2 flywheel and Evo 3? splitter.

Also, Euro spec M5, E34. Shadowline black over black. I burnt a lot of gas on the Autobahn in that thing.

And a 1985 635Csi w 5 speed manual.

Loved them all. Looking for photos now but may be a stretch since they aren't digital.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Hey, this thread has gotten me thinking. I know that during my 911 ownership I watched as replacement parts became scarcer, more expensive and chintzier. So I put it to you ’80’s BMW owners; where are you buying your replacement parts and pieces? I’m thinking of things like brand new replacement body rubber and seals, mechanical wear items like alternators and water pumps, and the little jewel things like replacement tools for trunk mounted tool kits. I’m already seeing stuff that was available from Pelican just a couple of months ago listed as NLA…
Is there a good source that you go to for used NLA stuff like interior bits and bobs and electrical components like taillights or switches?

And, lastly, are there items that as a good steward I should be sort of squirreling away for future use - items that might not need replacement yet, but will be needed down the road that you are seeing getting scarcer?

I'd love to hear more about this too!

[herr_oberst]

Starts around 30 seconds. Bummer.

[lgb240]

I had an '85 535i for years. Great car, bought used, put over half million km on it. I then moved on to my 1989 e30 325i touring. At the same time, I got a '91 318is for the winter. I still have the e30 touring, over 15 years now. The 318 was replaced with an e46 325xi touring, 5 sp manual.

[greglepore]

I'm 62, and I only regret selling one car-a E28 M5 I bought with 25k on it and drove to 125. Sold it to buy my 911. It was truly the most capable car I've ever owned-as much fun to drive as the 911 (with both in stock form-the 911 with suspension mods and turbo is different) but unlike the 911, you could put another couple in and cruise quickly and comfortably to dinner. The square wheelbase x track was uncommon but made the thing track like crazy.
I can remember vividly the first time I ran 2nd to 6500 on a back road. Wow. Only 300 hp even with some Dinan bits, but so so sweet.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Nice M5.

herr_oberst, I also noticed some items that are listed as NLA, OEM flywheel for one. The e28's are quite tuff and were built to last, I never had the alternator off of my 734000km, 1984 533I that I had purchased in 87, Pic of gauge cluster I kept when I finally sent it to scrap because of rust issues. The alternator brush pack is replaceable with the alt in the car takes about 10 min, starter was still original, clutch every 250,000km, the engine fan clutch would only last 100K KM, rebuilt the cylinder head at 550,000km, original bottom end, rebuilt trans at about 350k, really needed it again at around 700k. The heater valve would need rebuild every couple of years.

Ok, those mileage numbers are remarkable to me. You put 460,000 miles on your 533!

[908/930]

When I picked it up it had over over 200k, I drove the rest. Even when it had over 600k km I would not think twice about driving 24hrs to Florida from Toronto.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by lgb240

I had an '85 535i for years. Great car, bought used, put over half million km on it. I then moved on to my 1989 e30 325i touring. At the same time, I got a '91 318is for the winter. I still have the e30 touring, over 15 years now. The 318 was replaced with an e46 325xi touring, 5 sp manual.

That E30 Touring is a special car! Rare as hens teeth in the US.

[slow&rusty]

@strupgolf - Lovely E31! Which model? As it looks like a CSi. Sweet OZ Futuras.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

More details about the car?
What things are you going to sort out first?

What made you want an 80s 5-series?

Hey, sorry I overlooked your Q

It has a few things not working right: power locks (driver's door won't lock, other doors lock then immediately unlock); power mirrors (switch inop); interior lights (sometimes don't switch off when doors closed); trunk gets wet (though apparently not often, as its not rusty - yet); occasional clunk from steering.

Otherwise, everything works and it drives nicely, as far as I can tell from some short putt putts around town - haven't gotten it registered yet.

After I get those things sorted and the car legal, I want to change wheels and tires (now 15" with mismatched tires), install a stereo that doesn't require a PhD in multi-level menu navigation, and then just live with it for awhile and see what I want to do.

I have acquired a set of (ratty) E28 power sport seats and what I think is a (ratty) OEM 535is air dam, just in case.

Why did I want a 5'er - I wanted a four door, four seat, comfortable, reliable, sporty roadtrip machine with a big trunk. I always liked the E28 a lot, but couldn't afford one back in 1986 (I bought a $17K Merkur XR4Ti because the 535 was like $40-50K). As BMW has, ahem, evolved, I find the 70s-80s-and early 90s cars much more special. Also a guy took me for a ride in his E28 with race suspension stuff (coilovers, balljoints) and I was pretty darn impressed.

[908/930]

Hey jyi, for your door locks, carefully pull the door panel off and check the lock actuator, probably just sticking. Trunk getting wet could be the sunroof drains, I do not remember where they run to.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Hey jyi, for your door locks, carefully pull the door panel off and check the lock actuator, probably just sticking. Trunk getting wet could be the sunroof drains, I do not remember where they run to.

Thank you! I will do that.

[908/930]

Also check for leaks at the bottom corners of the rear window. With the actuators I think they all give a feedback signal so if one is not all the way down they will all open. While you are in the doors, clean inside and oil the seam inside there.

Something to check while the panel is off, close the door and lock it and lift the outside lever, then unlock and see if it opens, it should, on my 84 I had a spring break that returns a lever attached to the handle, if that lever does not return there is no unlocking the door, really difficult to remove the door panel with the door shut but it is possible, manually move the lever and door would unlock.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by 87911jon

My '88 M5. 5 year restoration, full bare metal repaint, euro leather dash, swapped the S38 for a M88 euro, which was fully rebuilt at VSR in NH. Basically, replaced whatever was needed. Sad part is I'm pretty sure I'll be selling her at some point.

Perfect, just perfect!

[A930Rocket]

I’ve a few over the years, but I really liked my 91 318is. Bought it from the original owner 10 years and drove it daily for several years.

Moved onto an 05 E46 330ci back in December and just bought an 03 E46 M3.

[pavulon]

Love this thread!