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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » More E28 love

Nov. 9, 2009 11:18 p.m. Luke SuperDork

I drove this old girl home last night ('82 528i.) Like just about any $1000 car, it needs a bunch of work, but nothing overly complicated or costly.

The engine starts instantly and runs like a top, and it's not short on power . But best of all, it has a lovely Teutonic solidity about it. Everything closes with a nice thud, and you get the impression it would run on forever. Unlike the Italian cars I've had, which felt delicate and dainty by comparison.

Seems to be a bit of a 'stripper' model as well, being the only one I've seen without electric windows and a sunroof.

Some pixors:

Interior is a shambles, but should clean up okay.
Nov. 9, 2009 11:40 p.m. mtn SuperDork

me likey!!!
Nov. 10, 2009 12:03 a.m. JetMech Reader

I've seen a lot worse interiors than that. Still not in love with the brown paint, but at that price, it wouldn't be worth complaining about. I'd say you did well for $925 US. Hope you have some fun with it!
Nov. 10, 2009 12:38 a.m. JeepinMatt Reader

Looks very well bought. What are you planning to do with it? Restore it or mod it?
Nov. 10, 2009 1:01 a.m. Luke SuperDork

No big plans yet, really. I'll buy the Bentley manual, then get stuck into fixing as much as I can myself, (shifter linkage, idle fluctuation and other weird vacuum-related problems, freshen up the front end with some new ball joints and maybe some poly bushes, etc.) A general service will probably do it a world of good, too. Plugs, leads, new fluids all 'round.

As far as mods go, I'll look into what can be done to improve the handling (without spending too much $$$), and I'd like to get the little boot spoiler that some of them came with.

This one ---->
Nov. 10, 2009 7:33 a.m. DWNSHFT Reader

Someone went and lost the steering wheel? What's it doing on the other side?

David
Nov. 10, 2009 8:04 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

this was the hit of the Volkswagen show i went to a couple of months ago, dude slammed his E28, threw some muratic acid on it to get the color...
Nov. 10, 2009 8:25 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

Good buy! They are built like tanks. (for the US guys, that car isn't the same as the 528e we got here, it has a 2.8 liter version of the M30 big six so it's a fairly quick car.) www.mye28.com is the the online community for these cars - I'm on there as well as Mike Burroughs, the owner of the oxidized 535i pictured above.
Nov. 10, 2009 8:47 a.m. Marjorie Suddard General Manager

Nice! I am loving my old-man eta. I've put 800 miles on it in the last week, and it's just motoring along wonderfully.

Margie
Nov. 10, 2009 9:05 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

One other thing - these cars do tend to have a somewhat uneven idle, so if it's just a little rough but not jumping around all over the place you may not have a problem there.
Nov. 10, 2009 9:09 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Heck for $1000 I even like the colour.
Nov. 10, 2009 9:19 a.m. 02Pilot New Reader

In addition to the obvious (a clean ICV, no vacuum leaks), a careful valve adjustment is absolutely key to getting the idle smooth.
Nov. 10, 2009 9:46 a.m. mad_machine PowerDork

I wish we got those bumpers, lights and I love the UK standard headlight treatment
Nov. 10, 2009 10:00 a.m. Jay Dork

Please keep the fake-sheepskin seat covers.
Nov. 10, 2009 10:30 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

what a perfect car.
Nov. 11, 2009 2:11 a.m. Luke SuperDork

Cool car Stuart! Your BMW was a big hit on the Retro Rides (UK) forum, but I didn't realise a GRM'er owned it.

Sheepskins will stay, until I can find decent replacement seats . According to their website, there's a 528 sitting at my local pick-a-part, so I might have some luck there.

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