Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Always wanted an e28...


zinz

Recommended Posts

I’ve casually shopped around for a couple of years, never finding one that I couldn’t live without. Talking with the local BMW guys at lunch the other day got me looking around again. An ad on mye28 got my attention with the owner being close by. I drove it Sunday and picked it up last night. 

 

Unmolested 1988, 535i, 60,035 original miles

 

It sat dormant in a garage for almost 12 years. This guy got it, and actually reached out to Rob Siegel on how best to resurrect it. Pulled fuel tank and flushed it, new fuel pumps, lines, filters. New fluids everywhere. Flushed coolant a couple times. Tune up. New brakes, hoses, sensors, tires....lots of new stuff. 

 

It drives like it was new. Interior is practically unblemished. Perfect leather and dash. Replaced seat motors and such. Everything works as it should.  It's an automatic, but already a local e9 friend has offered a Getrag 265 and pedals he's had sitting around... he may have an LSD, too.  I'll just drive it as-is for the time being.

 

Paint has some dings but even unpolished, it shines up very well. 

 

First pics...

E558A70A-7DD3-4EB3-8484-77BBCB4481CB.thumb.jpeg.d9e487e2b189005e152e4ad0b5f23834.jpeg

D03CD1D7-E892-4C3E-9506-F861C0369487.thumb.jpeg.8241d0413e2c4db8d3caee9514563e91.jpeg

 

I have a lot to learn... heck, I couldn’t even get the heater to blow warm air last night without bugging Ray.... so sad. 

 

I think its a good one. 

 

Ed

 

C227D63B-CAB5-454B-83F5-4D901403B3DB.jpeg

Edited by zinz
  • Like 6
  • Haha 1

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's beautiful.

 

What about just leaving it an automatic? (Yes, I said that out loud.  I always turn everything up to 11.  I'm working on trying to not do that ALL THE TIME.  My inabilities projected on everyone else...)  But it might be kinda' nice just rolling around- not everything has to be a race car. (Again, talking more to myself here- practice practice practice.)

  • Like 3

Dave.

'76, totally stock. Completely.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I plan to drive it as-is for awhile. I have my hands full enough reassembling the 2000CS to worry about modding the e28.

 

I’ll drive it and see what I like and don’t like, and go from there. It feels pretty softly sprung, and that’s ok for now. 

 

I grabbed it because it was unmolested and I’m okay leaving it that way for a while. The auto has a Sport mode, which will work for the time being. I see Euro bumpers, though... I’m not a fan of the big bumpers. 

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ed: great find. They're usually beaten to a pulp when I find them. I drove an automatic beater-loaner 535is years ago and it was FUN. I am sure that this one is gonna be fun too. Enjoy it!

  • Like 1

'75 Sahara 2002 Dieter (sold)

'14 Blazing Red Metallic Mini Cooper

'73 Sahara 2002 Franz

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very plush, ED.

A German born friend had one.  His brother came for a visit and on used the car to tour to Yellowstone Park from Denver.  He got a ticket in wide open Wyoming for going 110 mph and was puzzled as to why!

  • Haha 1

A radiator shop is a good place to take a leak.

 

I have no idea what I'm doing but I know I'm really good at it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When the time comes, if you choose to swap in a 5-speed, go with a 260, not a 265. The 260 is smoother, less notchy shift feel, easier to come by, fraction of the price of a 265, ancillaries like drive shaft, shifter linkage, trans mount are much easier to source, and is correct for your year car. The 265 is a one year only trans for the e28 chassis and parts for the swap are getting really expensive and hard to find. The pedal box and pedals are the same so get those asap, just in case they become hen's teeth too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Holy crap that is a nice car!  Jesus!

 

I drove an E28 to Vintage the first year I went (2012).  It was a friend's clapped out 528e 5 speed.  The 02 was feelable in the seating position and the outward view.  I was like, "this is good".  Ben Younce, who is an FAQer has a gorg e28 - did the euro bumpers.  It makes a huge difference.  

 

Enjoy!

 

Scott

  • Like 1

02ing since '87

'72 tii Euro  //  '21 330i x //  '14 BMW X5  //  '12 VW Jetta GLI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

56062399-B49E-4A20-B135-E4A77157C0C2.thumb.jpeg.93f1a6c09fbe31c8556756e0e446a228.jpeg

 

I’ve driven it now about 500 mostly-highway miles. 21.5mpg while blasting 70-75 on the Hill Country back roads. Mash the go-pedal and it shifts at redline. M30 has plenty of power. Fabulous brakes. I’m very spoiled to a 2002’s direct steering. I’m still getting accustomed to this power steering and how the e28 reacts in corners. 

 

It’s a much bigger car but behaves well when pushed. So far, the only issue is a non-op cruise control and a leaking power steering pump. Minor stuff. 

 

I’ve had complete strangers comment on the car in 3 consecutive days... tonight I fueled up next to a guy in a new M4; we talked about each other’s cars for a good bit. Shoulda grabbed a picture. 

 

Edited by zinz
  • Like 3

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as others commenting on it, I think for a lot of people, it is sort of the classic, quintessential BMW.  Anyone between 50 and 60, if you say "BMW" an E28 is one of the images that pops in their head.  

 

Scott

  • Like 1

02ing since '87

'72 tii Euro  //  '21 330i x //  '14 BMW X5  //  '12 VW Jetta GLI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Brake bomb... check

 

Took it our monthly C&C; it was well received. After breakfast, drove it through the lakeside twisties back to home. I’m so used to throwing the Roundie into some of the tight hairpins in a pre-selected gear. The auto in this car kept me from being able to add power when I wanted it. That’s okay, it’s still plenty fun. 

 

Here it is next to Barney’s jewel. 

 

2B515073-9E3F-4EB9-91C2-4C14EC6C9FB1.thumb.jpeg.23ab1484bebeac50da685d0f30d61d2b.jpeg

 

 

  • Like 3

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...