What do you guys think of the E28?

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
05/06/2014 at 12:47 • Filed to: None

I've located another BMW in the seemingly endless hunt for a car for my younger brother. This time, it's a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Specifically a 535i.

I've been texting the owner a fair bit recently and the car sounds awesome as he describes it. Apparently it's all numbers matching, he has service records, the odometer works , and there's zero rust anywhere on the car. The car does come with the original bottle cap wheels.

Few problems with the paint because I think the clear coat is wearing off.

From the owner:

The check light for the coolant comes on...this is common for these and unknown why they don't extinguish...more info can be found on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ...all coolant sensors ohm out within spec so I just ignore the light and got tired of chasing it down.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

"It also has an Alpine 4 channel amp running the component system in the cabin...a kenwood excelon head unit and a kenwood 300w bridged amp running a single 10" kicker comp in a sealed box...the stereo sounds amazing!"

"I have a folder containing all service history, the original window sticker for 38k 5 factory metric bottle cap style wheels with decent michelins and the Yakima racks that will go with it also."

I'm driving to Springfield on Saturday to take a look, and if it's all good, I'll buy it then and there. What say you, Oppo?

DISCUSSION (22)

Brian Silvestro > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:49

ahem

Big Bubba Ray > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 12:50

Haha I forgot about this shit storm.

Brian Silvestro > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:51

WELL I'M SCARED FOR LIFE

505Turbeaux > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:53

535i is a great car. Good luck! 88 has the updated head on it too

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:53

IIRC the 535i is pretty rare. Not like, ferrari F40 rare but its more uncommon than some of the lower e28's. I see he mentioned mye28 which is a really good forum (I wish we had a mye23).

I prefer the M30 over the M20 and this car obviously has the M30 so that is a good thing.

Mattbob > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:54

For some reason I cant decide if I like the bike rack or not. I really want to. I need a bike rack on my e36....

I wouldn't pay $4000 for it, but I do like it.

jsmizira > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:58

mine looks a lot worse but I still love it. A affectionately call it lil' bastard.

Louros > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:59

They look kinda cool, the 535 probably moves pretty well in a straight line, but I wouldn't expect anything great in the handling department. Personally, for that price, I would look for an E34 530 or 535.

Sparf > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 12:59

Looks nice, but you might want to factor in additional costs into the price. Fixing the paint, for instance.

Also, take a good look at those service records to see if there's any wear items that haven't been seen to already. I know 129k miles isn't considered to be too bad in the States, but over here in Europe it's roughly when you should be ready for things to be broken in all kinds of places.

Big Bubba Ray > Louros
05/06/2014 at 13:03

Ya my brother isn't too nitpicky about the handling of the car overall as long as it gets him around for a few years. Once he's done with it (assuming he buys it) I'll buy it off of him and do some things to make it better.

Big Bubba Ray > jsmizira
05/06/2014 at 13:03

How's it treated you while owning it?

Big Bubba Ray > Mattbob
05/06/2014 at 13:04

When in use, I think it looks good. When not in use it pops off the top easily. I wouldn't rock it without something on top haha

Big Bubba Ray > Sparf
05/06/2014 at 13:06

Luckily my bro isn't too particular about the paint issues. He'd probably figure out a way to prevent more clear coat damage and keep it that way until he can get it all fixed the right way haha

And thanks for the info. I'll definitely be reviewing the records closely and inspecting every inch of the car when I go to see it.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 13:13

If you're bro doesnt mind the paint issues, I think it looks great. Hell, the 2002 doesnt have an clear coat left at all and I still love it. Literally, none at all. If that's the only issue, minus the coolant light, than I'd say its definitely worth considering

jsmizira > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 13:38

I have two complaints:

1. Because I have original bbs basketweaves, people keep trying to steal the center caps so I keep em off

2. I still don't know how to tune the aftermarket radio.

Saracen > Big Bubba Ray
05/06/2014 at 14:55

E28 M5 with euro bumpers is on my list of cars I will own some day.

offroadkarter > Louros
05/06/2014 at 15:17

my e23 is pretty light on its feet and the e28 is way smaller. I'd expect a e28 to handle pretty damn well

offroadkarter > jsmizira
05/06/2014 at 15:18

what do you mean tune radio, you don't know how to find the EQ or you can't make it sound good?

Cause the acoustics in my e23 due to the speaker location suck ass. Only car I've ever driven where I can hear the rear speakers over the fronts.

jsmizira > offroadkarter
05/06/2014 at 15:43

I know how to turn it on but as far as finding a good radio station i'm at a loss.

offroadkarter > jsmizira
05/06/2014 at 15:45

oh, well thats not the radio, nothing on FM is good anymore.

BondoSpecial > Big Bubba Ray
05/08/2014 at 11:44

I can't stand US bumpered 80s BMWs, and the US E28 is especially horrible looking with those picnic bench bumpers. I would have to locate a set of euro bumpers if I owned that car.

Bluecold > Big Bubba Ray
05/25/2014 at 13:55

The dashboard electronics on e28's (and e30's) gets corroded by leaky batteries. The batteries keep voltage on the chips for stuff like the service interval timer. After more than 20 years, those batteries will leak chemical shit all over your circuitboards. And take out your board. The check coolant light is a symptom. You can buy expensive new boards from BMW, which will have the same problem down the line. You can take out the dash, repair what's left of the circuitboard and replace the batteries with matching batteries (low mAh nimh or else the 80's charging circuit can't handle it, good luck finding those). Luckily, enterprising individuals have measured and redid the entire circuitboard so it won't have issues down the line. You can find those from this guy:

http://www.e28.nl/onderdelen.htm…