Buying E28 Got a few questions...

[karmannMarco]

Hey guys.....

I normally dabble in Aircooled VWs but I am looking at a couple cars for daily driving and would like some E28 experts to chime in.....

There's 3 cars im currently looking at (haven't phisicly seen them yet)

- 85 528e - 191K miles , decent paint , very good service records , very well kept mechanicly. Automatic

- 85 528e - 198k miles , pristine body and paint , great interior , supposably always well kept (not much as far as receipts) but the car looks like its been very well cared for. Also , automatic

- 87 535i - 133k miles , supposibly recently serviced (water pump , tune up , etc..) with receipts . Body is in good shape but paint is pretty oxidized. Has a big dent on drivers side door. Also automatic....

I've read the 528e is the economy fuel saving engine they used in the US E28s and is supposed to be quite slow. On top of that the automatic tranny will make it about as fast as my 1500cc Karmann Ghia..... Can anyone with a 528e here vouch for this?

The 535i is supposed to be quite a bit more powerful but that car is also automatic.....

I prefer a 5 speed but for a good car I don't mind crusing with an automatic. I just don't want to mess with tranny rebuilds on these high mile cars.
I'm not trying to race anyone or anything like that but between my wifes 2001 New Beetle and my Ghia it would be nice to feel a little power from time to time.

Also , should I beware of cars approaching 200K miles even if they have good service records?

Any suggestion or thoughts are most helpful. I don't mind waiting for the right car.....but they are sooo tempting

The ultimate goal will be a reliable daily driver (~30 miles a day) that I can fit and stance.
Also , not sure how tempermental or how needy these cars are but I know my way around a wrench and don't mind working on it myself.

[karmannMarco]

anyone with a E28 ?

[dammitammit]

While I wouldn't call myself an expert, I've had my e28 528e for 2 months and I'll chime in. First off, wait for a 5 speed. From what I know they last much longer (as in 100k) than the 4 speed autos offered back then. Look at the maintenance history/records if there are any, check for rust on the car, etc. There's tons of info on the interwebs already about them, check out mye28.org for starters. Take your time and find the right car.
and read this:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/42690-what-to-look-for-when-buying-an-e28/

[Zack01GC]

There are several rules for buying an E28 that I would recommend.

1. Wait for the one you want. They aren't exactly exclusively rare, the one that you want is out there in your price range. It might not be right now, but if you hurry and buy one that is not exactly what you want... well, the right one may just pop up a month from now - and you're stuck with the one that's just okay.
2. Wait for one with decent paint, no rust at all (shouldn't be a challenge in TX), and a decent interior. Interior and exterior parts are the hardest to find and most costly out of all of the parts groups on these cars.
3. The auto trannies of that time used in the 5's, 6's, and 7's tend to poop out right around 100k. If it hasn't been rebuilt or replaced and the car has over 150k, expect it to poop shortly. There are exceptions, but this seems to be the general guideline for the 4HP22's.
4. Wait for a 535i or 535is. You will appreciate the extra power over the 528e. A 533i would also be acceptable, since it's the same motor (M30) as the 535. Not only are the engines different from the 528e (M20) to 533/535's (M30), but the 528e's also have other "fuel saving" bits that make them less enjoyable to drive in my opinion, such as freeway gears in the rear end. (like 2.79's). I prefer lower gears than that, even if it does sacrifice some fuel mileage.

You should know that the M30 series of motors are nearly bulletproof. They need periodic valve adjustments (every 50k or so), and oil changes. With proper maintenance, they are known and documented to last upwards of 300k-400k. Very well built engines. I have been daily driving my 1984 633CSi for the last 3 years, (FWIW, an E24 6-series is mechanically identical to an E28, it is essentially a big two door body on an E28 chassis and drivetrain) it has an M30B32 engine, and I have had no problems. All I've done in that time to the engine is oil changes, spark plugs, and wires. Of course, other wear and tear items... clutch, CV axles, etc. I haven't had to do anything to this car that any other used car wouldn't need.

As for mileage - I wouldn't worry. If the car has been maintained, the number of miles on it is not a big deal. I bought mine in 2009 with broken odometer. After some research, I found out the odometer was first identified as being broken in 2003. It broke at 135,124 miles 9 years ago, if that's any testament to what I'm talking about.

[stefani88]

Thank you so much for your post.

[stikrz]

I have owned several 528e's and one 535is.

If you want fast, get the 535i/is with a 5 speed. The is has Bilstien sport suspension stock, sport aero bits, and 3.46 lsd. Sport seats as well. Usual maladies include front suspension wear and ecu's.

If you want economy, the 528e is the best. The pre 1988 models are the original Motronic while the 88 Super eta is Motronic 1.1 (basically, 325i electronics with the 2.0L eta head). Early eta's came in auto and manual with 2.73 open diff. The 88 super etas that were automatic came with the 3.46 LSD as the 535is did. The manual 88's did not. Make sure to change the timing belt on any eta that does not have this documented. Get the best you can for the money, and you will be fine. Most are beat to death however being the lower end car, but here are many great examples out there... more abundant than the 535i/is. Maladies include front suspension issues and timing belt failure due to bullshit maintenance.

I have an 88 eta that was an auto then I converted to manual. So I get the LSD with a 5 speed. WIN!

If it were me honestly I would get an eta. But if money is no issue get an M5.

More info go to mye28.com