Tell Me About E28s

[jyl]

I'm thinking about getting a four door sedan. Might replace the 911.

I've always had a thing for the boxy E28 5 series. There is a nice 535i that parks in my building, stick, clean, little old lady driver. Something like that would be my target.

Going to my28.com, I see these cars sell for $2000 . . . Really? Are they worth so little? Why - are they maintenance pigs, parts NLA, nightmare to work on, drive like shopping carts?

What is the feasibility and cost of dropping in a hotter motor? Will a later model BMW V8 fit?

[Nostril Cheese]

Parts are still available. They are cheap because nobody wants to spend the money to fix the little things on these cars that add up rather quickly. Namely, suspension items, cooling system, engine and subframe mounts... etc..

They are pretty easy to work on, although the suspension needs a few special tools. Very nice cars to drive when sorted. Plus there's a ton of them in Portland.


528e's are gutless. Even with the 5 speed.

535i and is are nice cars with a manual. plenty of power tweaks to the M30 as well.

the M5 is wonderful as expected. ECU tweaks give it a incredible power boost.

Try to find as new of a 535is as you can find. It has more refinements, better ride, etc. A really nice one to find would be a 524td. I dont believe any came to the states with a manual.

I also think that some of the E28s came with self-leveling suspension. (might be wrong about that) You can easily retrofit regular shocks in.

PM me if you find a particular car. I can go look it over if you like.

[Nostril Cheese]

engine swaps are pretty easy as well.

[jyl]

Thanks. I need a project like I need a hole in the head. But I've always wanted an E28.

[slow&rusty]

This devil has been on my shoulder whispering "buy me buy me"


1978 BMW 528i European version

[onewhippedpuppy]

One of the last true BMWs. The biggest issue is that they are 30+ years old, it's getting harder and harder to find a good one.

[pavulon]

Iconic!! Get an M5 or regret it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

An E28 M5 with euro bumpers is near the top of my "affordable dream car" wish list. They are a future classic, but surprisingly affordable today. I suspect that it's only a matter of time before they follow the E30 M3 up the appreciation curve.

[T77911S]

^^^^
awesome car. was considering one when looking for the 930 but i new the 930 was the better choice. the M5 has not found its niche yet but when it does they will really go up.

the 535is is a noce car too.

these cars are cheap to work on. lots of parts.

the front ends wear out on them.

[lgb240]

I had an '85 535i - one of the best cars I ever owned. It's extremely well built (they were $40K+ in '85 dollars) I put over 465,000km on the car. Nothing other than alternator brushes under the hood. I did have to do front end bushings, control arms, ect. These cars are perfect to eat up highway miles. They are also surprisingly quick around town.
Get a 535i or 535is, or if you can M5 - the original definition of sports sedan. The 528e is not for enthusiastic driving and pale in comparison.
It's very difficult to find nice ones today, so shop wisely. Euro bumpers are a must. Good luck, you won't regret buying one.

[strupgolf]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

This devil has been on my shoulder whispering "buy me buy me"


1978 BMW 528i European version

That looks like a killer deal. The right price with lots of goodies. If it is a real Alpina, doubtful, the price is really cheap. I wish you didn't post it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

"Vehicle also has also has authentic alpina wheels,cluster and seats"

Also has the badging, cluster, steering wheel, and shift knob. Needs some TLC but might be worth it.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

That looks like a killer deal. The right price with lots of goodies. If it is a real Alpina, doubtful, the price is really cheap. I wish you didn't post it.

I know!! And the car is only 20 minutes from home...making it hard not to buy it! The Recaro Type Cs alone were $5K when new.

[greglepore]

At the risk of repeating myself, I had an E28 M5 for a long while and it was hands down the favorite car I've ever owned, even in relatively stock form (added Dinan camgear and chip but nothing else). The 300 hp seems lame now, but the car was relatively light, had a terrific suspension and very good brakes (but would warp oem rotors like no tomorrow). The interior, while dated today, was stunning with camel leather everywhere-dash, seats, console etc etc.It was the perfect Swiss Army knife of a car-truely sporting when you wanted, nimble with a short wheelbase, but a nice luxurious transport when you wanted that.

The later M5's are more potent, but they're somewhat ponderous. The E28 is more in the spirit of the E30 M# and they are handbuilt to boot.

Downsides? I had to redo my tranny at about 120k (I bought the car with 30k on it and didn't abuse it,but can't speak to PO). The trans is M5 unique, and a rebuild by the top BMW trans guy in the country at the time was really expensive. Other than that, it seemed bulletproof. Wouldn't want to do the head either, but they seem to hold up. I'd love one today as a dd. Sold mine to fund my 911 at the time, and as much as I love the 911, I'm not sure that it was a wise move.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Several of the reviews for the E28 M5 referred to it as a "911 with four doors". So you're not far off.

There's a good video on YouTube of Chris Harris in his personal E28 M5. It's a higher mileage driver quality car, but if you watch the video you will want one.

[greglepore]

Just googled that, yup, that's the experience. Nothing quite like it. I bought mine In 90 or 91, jusr off lease, for less than half of what it was new, and was just astounded to have even seen it on the lot. I can remember vividly the first run to the redline on the way home-it was toe curling

Two good ones below as well.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/6-cylinders-4-doors-2-somethings-0-turn-signals-1522617801

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQKOsDi5HsU

[VincentVega]

Sadly, e28's are another car that's gone from my area. Just the right size and performance, but rusted away or broken and not fixed in most cases. I'd be very interested in a solid one in decent shape.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Sadly, e28's are another car that's gone from my area. Just the right size and performance, but rusted away or broken and not fixed in most cases. I'd be very interested in a solid one in decent shape.

They do look pretty good.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

This devil has been on my shoulder whispering "buy me buy me"

]

Thats an E12, not an E28.

[Skytrooper]

I enjoyed my 528. It wasn't the fastest, but it was a pleasure to drive. I would get another E28.