'88 BMW e28 M5 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

ranger240 · 09-10-2009, 12:56 PM

so there are more than a few e30 drivers/enthusiasts on here..

does anyone on this forum have any experience or knowledge of these things?

my little brother is looking at a black/tan one w/ 146,000 miles

Condition: it has minimal rust, front interior seat bottoms needs work. it runs drives but its idle needs adjustment. its all there minus one wheel cover.

1. what are mechanical things to look out for? (besides getting reamed for part prices which is a given)

2. whats a good ball park range that he could resell it for?

are these like $5000+ cars all day long?

heres some car porn..

discuss......

*!Zar!* · 09-10-2009, 01:49 PM

If the head hasn't been rebuilt, I say it's about time. Because the bottom end is quite strong, but the valves tend to drop and that's the leading cause of problems with the S38B35. So once you get the head done, just slap a new timing chain on there and the engine will be rock solid.

The e28's use too many bushings up front, so when they go it makes the car handle, feel and steer like crap. So you should swap them out when you can.

The rear has some new age self leveling crap. That shit breaks, so get some bilsteen's or something.

The cluster tends to go out, so you can either try replacing the battery or get a new cluster.

If the windows refuse to go down, 9/10 it's a burnt window switch.

The car will most likely need new tie rods.

Ecu might go out. The joints inside the ecu aren't the greatest.

Keep an eye on the slave cylinder. Being as how it's mounted under the steering column inside the cabin, once it goes/leaks it will end up all over your carpet. It sucks, trust me.

The 533i and 535i's came from the factory with metric wheels. So finding tires from the factory will be a pain in the ass. M5's came with "normal" wheels, so finding tires won't be that hard.

I can go on and on being as how I've worked with e28's for many years, but biggest things I will say to keep an eye on would be the suspension bushings and think about getting the valves adjusted at least.

As for how much you can sell it for, you could easily sell it for 5k out here as long as the condition is good. There is a guy selling one for six grand out here and it has 339k miles. But then again, you're in Ct so it's hard to say what people are into/want to pay for one out there.

ranger240 · 09-10-2009, 02:20 PM

wow awesome info thanks man, you rock.

anybody else have info on these?

325irollin · 09-10-2009, 10:42 PM

The e30 is God's chariot. Nuff said.

SexPanda · 09-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325irollin

The e30 is God's chariot. Nuff said.

Yeah I totally agree... But this is an E28 we're talking here lol. Its all about finding the right buyer. Fix the aformentioned stuff, trump up its reliability and sexyness in the CL ad or where ever you decide to post it. Its a sharp looking car, thats for sure. Good luck man.

ranger240 · 09-11-2009, 09:02 AM

thanks man..

pics of the actual car

SC_S13 · 09-11-2009, 02:20 PM

mmm i always loved older beemers. e28 m5 is pretty rare, if you can afford to freshen it up with the checklist Zar gave you right off the bat, this would be a beast car.

druthafoo · 09-11-2009, 02:55 PM

hee hee diving boards

I'm looking for an E30 myself. Hard to find one in half way decent condition.

Good luck with that buy dude.

BTP · 09-11-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325irollin

The e30 is God's chariot. Nuff said.

so are the e28s hahah i will own both one day.i knda miss my e30 ..........

*!Zar!* · 09-11-2009, 03:26 PM

e30's are cool, but e28's have a different presence to them.

The euro bumpers combined with the shadowline trim is beyond hot.

The e28 is like the older brother that's in college yet still plays football as a quarterback.

The e30 is like a popular horny teen with swag.

One in the same, yet two different things.

I've yet to get rid of my e28. I just need to put a new starter in it; which sucks because you need to tilt the engine in order to reach the starter which is between the tranny tunnel and tranny. I changed it once and put a new one in only to find out that the new starter doesn't spin up to the flywheel.

BTP · 09-11-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !Zar!

e30's are cool, but e28's have a different presence to them.

The euro bumpers combined with the shadowline trim is beyond hot.

The e28 is like the older brother that's in college yet still plays football as a quarterback.

The e30 is like a popular horny teen with swag.

One in the same, yet two different things.

I've yet to get rid of my e28. I just need to put a new starter in it; which sucks because you need to tilt the engine in order to reach the starter which is between the tranny tunnel and tranny. I changed it once and put a new one in only to find out that the new starter doesn't spin up to the flywheel.

well put.^^^^^^^^^^^

yeah my dads old 28 had a bad started and never fixed it cuz it was a bitch plus it was a beater so we sold it.

ranger240 · 09-11-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !Zar!

e30's are cool, but e28's have a different presence to them.

The euro bumpers combined with the shadowline trim is beyond hot.

it sure does look ridiculous, but given that cars overall rarity (under 3000 made) id hate to see prices for a euro bumper set

those smaller bumpers would definately make it look more like older pre-hugenormous bumper bmws

LB.Motoring · 09-11-2009, 08:25 PM

You should buy my style 5's and update that with 2 piece style

09-10-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
!Zar! Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,576 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	If the head hasn't been rebuilt, I say it's about time. Because the bottom end is quite strong, but the valves tend to drop and that's the leading cause of problems with the S38B35. So once you get the head done, just slap a new timing chain on there and the engine will be rock solid. The e28's use too many bushings up front, so when they go it makes the car handle, feel and steer like crap. So you should swap them out when you can. The rear has some new age self leveling crap. That shit breaks, so get some bilsteen's or something. The cluster tends to go out, so you can either try replacing the battery or get a new cluster. If the windows refuse to go down, 9/10 it's a burnt window switch. The car will most likely need new tie rods. Ecu might go out. The joints inside the ecu aren't the greatest. Keep an eye on the slave cylinder. Being as how it's mounted under the steering column inside the cabin, once it goes/leaks it will end up all over your carpet. It sucks, trust me. The 533i and 535i's came from the factory with metric wheels. So finding tires from the factory will be a pain in the ass. M5's came with "normal" wheels, so finding tires won't be that hard. I can go on and on being as how I've worked with e28's for many years, but biggest things I will say to keep an eye on would be the suspension bushings and think about getting the valves adjusted at least. As for how much you can sell it for, you could easily sell it for 5k out here as long as the condition is good. There is a guy selling one for six grand out here and it has 339k miles. But then again, you're in Ct so it's hard to say what people are into/want to pay for one out there. __________________

09-11-2009, 02:20 PM	#7
SC_S13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 936 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	mmm i always loved older beemers. e28 m5 is pretty rare, if you can afford to freshen it up with the checklist Zar gave you right off the bat, this would be a beast car. __________________

09-11-2009, 02:55 PM	#8
druthafoo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: VIRGINIA Age: 34 Posts: 323 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	hee hee diving boards I'm looking for an E30 myself. Hard to find one in half way decent condition. Good luck with that buy dude. __________________ *PM for Stereo Help* Eclipse55090CrystalSSCS6SIMAG

09-11-2009, 03:26 PM	#10
!Zar! Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,576 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	e30's are cool, but e28's have a different presence to them. The euro bumpers combined with the shadowline trim is beyond hot. The e28 is like the older brother that's in college yet still plays football as a quarterback. The e30 is like a popular horny teen with swag. One in the same, yet two different things. I've yet to get rid of my e28. I just need to put a new starter in it; which sucks because you need to tilt the engine in order to reach the starter which is between the tranny tunnel and tranny. I changed it once and put a new one in only to find out that the new starter doesn't spin up to the flywheel. __________________

09-11-2009, 08:25 PM	#13
LB.Motoring Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SòCal♥ Age: 35 Posts: 5,840 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: LB.Motoring Feedback Score: 1 reviews	You should buy my style 5's and update that with 2 piece style __________________ Robby Leuer

09-10-2009, 10:42 PM	#4
325irollin Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: STL Posts: 226 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The e30 is God's chariot. Nuff said.

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