I bit off more than I can chew: An E28 Build

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Hey Guys, so 3 weeks ago I picked up my dream car, an '83 528e! I was looking for a project and I found one, but due to current living situations I can only work on the car on the weekend, so let's just say this now: This will be a very slow build progression, sorry.


So to start, I picked up the car dirt cheap, for what it was, it came with 17in ASA Revolutions (meh) and a sick paint job done in bed liner. Anyways, there is little to no rust, except in the rear quarters. Car was a little rough running but replaced a hose that the PO just taped up helps it start and run a little stronger. Still have a generic Cold Start issue that I'm currently trying to fix. Pics aren't great, but I will be updating any chance I get.

First things first (aesthetically) was a bumper tuck, since I can't find a pair of cheap euros yet..


Following the bumper tuck, I pieced together a better shifter using my buddy's old Geo metro parts, the car didn't come with a boot or housing, so i worked with what I had.


Side shot to show off the wheels / wonderful paint job....


Along the way i did a few things like repainting the grills, polishing the kidneys, pulling some dents, etc. Up next I'm planning on redoing the carpet with some black interior carpet, and looking for a new uncracked dash or a plastic dash cover.

As of right now, my priorities are to fix the cold start and get it running strong (it only has 98k, it's not bad at all.)

Happy to be at S/W hoping to learn a ton, thanks guys!

[BettyWhitE30]

not a bad place to start with! keep it up and you will have a rad e28 on your hands

[Adrien_M5]

I want one of these so bad, good luck with the build.. Looks to be a solid car.

[Expire]

Well just ordered a whole new vacuum / silicone hose kit, a new head gasket, and new spark plugs, wires, and fuel rail.

Hopefully these can fix it's rough idle

[Robitussin]

What color do you plan on painting it?

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Currently tossing it up between white, or a dark burgundy, like a dirty red.

I'm painting myself so I wanna do white because there is less chance of a mistake, but at the same time, I don;'t know if I'd be happy with white.

[Hellalime]

ayyy man, I can't wait to see where this goes, not a bad start too

[Expire]

ayyy man, I can't wait to see where this goes, not a bad start too

You and me both man! My goal is by next year to be lowered/mod slammed on some Borbet Type As, fully painted, possibly rear cage, and I deff wanna have a euro valance kit before that as well.

Currently trying to swap my ASA Rev's for some Porsche Phone Dials, but not sure how well that's going to pan out.

[AMGwheelwhore]

Saw this thing floating around cl for awhile. Glad someone is going to save it. If you get those dials and adapters I have some 17" 5x130 type A's il be listing soon.

[Robitussin]

Currently tossing it up between white, or a dark burgundy, like a dirty red.

I'm painting myself so I wanna do white because there is less chance of a mistake, but at the same time, I don;'t know if I'd be happy with white.

At first, i honestly ***** my car being white, but it has started to grow on me. I would still prefer it to be black but who wouldn't

[Expire]

At first, i honestly ***** my car being white, but it has started to grow on me. I would still prefer it to be black but who wouldn't

I already have a blacked out car, so I've gotten a little sick of black/black, as well, I want something a little more classier, kind of 'royal'. I have a bunch of Montana HC paint cans of "Morocco gold" that I plan to paint the engine bay with, and use a sprayer on the body. Something about Burgundy, Black, and Gold it's just love.


Since it was mentioned, here is my murdered 4g:

[Robitussin]

I already have a blacked out car, so I've gotten a little sick of black/black, as well, I want something a little more classier, kind of 'royal'. I have a bunch of Montana HC paint cans of "Morocco gold" that I plan to paint the engine bay with, and use a sprayer on the body. Something about Burgundy, Black, and Gold it's just love.


Since it was mentioned, here is my murdered 4g:

Class is the way to go with e28s imo. As for burgundy, i think calypso red would be nice, considering it is a BMW color and i don't believe it was an option for e28s, it would be cool to see an e28 in that color.

[Expire]

Class is the way to go with e28s imo. As for burgundy, i think calypso red would be nice, considering it is a BMW color and i don't believe it was an option for e28s, it would be cool to see an e28 in that color.

I'm actually shooting for a darker version of the z4's Merlot Red, I was also entertaining the idea of Volvo's Java Metallic, that gold and chrome would look really nice.

[Robitussin]

I'm actually shooting for a darker version of the z4's Merlot Red, I was also entertaining the idea of Volvo's Java Metallic, that gold and chrome would look really nice.

Yeah merlot red is pretty nice. Never heard of it before but i just looked it up.

[Expire]

Yeah merlot red is pretty nice. Never heard of it before but i just looked it up.

I'll most likely call up a buddy and let him mix me something special, like a burgundy with some purples and browns and a plum pearlescent, probably would make a nice dark burgundy.