Anyone an expert on E28 '83 528i?

[mrjonchandler]

Hi All,
I have picked up an '83 E28 in Polaris Silver with a brilliant M30 2.8i engine.
Has full 12 months MOT, but has a few cosmetic knocks and also, needs the service indicators resetting and a few other warning lights need looking at, i think it just needs an oil service etc. I need to get the speedo working, is that difficult to investigate?
Does anyone have any knowledge of this engine or can advise me how to sort out these lights and also does anyone know who may have spares, ie bumpers and chrome trim, need a front right indicator lens and front right fog light lens too.
Just any advice would be useful, i'm intending to tidy up to sell so would like to start asap.
Thanks
Jon

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Jon,

I'm no expert, but there is plenty of E28 expertise on http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/.

Martin.

[snakebrain]

I'm doing one up at the min bro

Here's what I can tell you....

Instrument clusters fail routinely. It may just be the 2 ni-cad battteries on the SI board in the cluster that have gone, but as likely as not if it's got as far as the speedo etc, it's dried and cracked connections on the boards in the cluster. I wouldn't be surprised if you find the batteries have leaked all over the board and made a right mess of it. Best solution is to get a known good unit and swap out components, or if you're really good with a soldering iron, you could try reflowing all the connections on the board. You can also buy a battery-less board from ProgRama in the states. There's a guide to doing the SI battery replacement stickied in the E28 section on BMW5.

The engine's an M30 - damn near bulletproof as long as it's not been abused too badly. Whip your rocker cover off right now and check the 'banjo bolts' securing the oil spray bar are in place. If they're not, parts of the engine might have been starved of oil and you could have cam wear etc. Otherwise, it's a great engine and doesn't need too much fussing over.

Bumpers are getting hard to find - they notoriously rust out from the corners. E12 bumpers are, I'm almost certain, an exact fit, but they're even harder to find! Front fogs will make your eyes water at the price iirc. You'll pick an indicator unit up on ebay for a reasonable amount.

mye28.com is also a good resource, but be warned that they're a bunch of hard-ass Americans and they like to have a bit of fun with newbies. Lie and tell them you own a Bentley manual and adore site searches and you'll be just fine! (You'll see what I mean when you get there!!)

Anything else you need to know, feel free to drop me a PM...

[mrjonchandler]

Snakebrain,
Great info there, i think the SI batteries are okay, only because most of them are on!
I went to reset them from pin 7 in the diag plug, but there is no wire into that plug, any ideas on that? Seemed weird?
I think the connection is loose into the sensor at the diff. Also, this car would have an LSD right? Were they standard fit on the 528?
Will stay in touch, i'm prob gonna sell but if not might do up a bit for winter run around, i've got a really mint '90 E30 IS, which ain't getting wet this winter!
Thanks again,
Jon

[snakebrain]

I just reread your post and realised you didn't say your instrument cluster was dead! I saw SI and assumed the worst - it's that common on E28s. Bit odd that you've no 7 pin. Wonder if someone's been tinkering? Mye28.com is your best place to go on that one. Some of those guys are running 300k cars that have been rebuilt from the ground up countless times. Where you or me replaces a part or something, they get the multimeter and soldering iron out and rebuild it...

LSD wasn't standard. Phone the dealer the car came from if you can find out and they should be able to give you the build and options spec from the chassis number.

Any pics of this little number you've picked up?

[mrjonchandler]

Here's a pic after a wash etc, i've really tidied up the interior, it's clean now! It's got 12months MOT too.
Radio doesn't work, bit worried about the diag plug now, that's not good. There is definitely no wire in plug 7. I reckon someone's been at it.
I have straightened out all the front valance, will repaint black at some point, going on holiday on Friday!
What do you think it's worth?

[snakebrain]

What do you think it's worth?

Anywhere from £500 - £1500... Hard to say from afar! If you ever think about parting it give me a shout.

[mrjonchandler]

What do you think it's worth?

Anywhere from £500 - £1500... Hard to say from afar! If you ever think about parting it give me a shout.

I will, we go away for a couple of weeks on Friday, i'll be in touch when home. It's a great drive, came back from London on Monday and really cruised it, the engine is amazing, i'd love a 6 pot e30 now after driving this, that would be incredible i think. But inside, the electrics all work, the central locking is working from the boot only and it's got some dents but it came from a very good friend who has had it for 3 years so i know he looked after it. He had a new radiator put in, and it's even got 4 brand new tyres. Pm me your number and i'll give you a call when back.
Cheers
Jon

[Ollie_bwoii]

I will give you £50 for it... I want them wheels.

[Alex]

ridy, ripe for a 3.5

[snakebrain]

the central locking is working from the boot only

http://www.ow.no/archive/eba/906.PDF - E28 CENTRAL LOCKING

Have fun!

[mrjonchandler]

I will give you £50 for it... I want them wheels.

Alright Ollie,
These are 5 stud though? Massive profile tyres, wicked on the motorway! No noise at all. Cruisers!
Cheers
Jon

[snakebrain]

I will give you £50 for it... I want them wheels.

Alright Ollie,
These are 5 stud though? Massive profile tyres, wicked on the motorway! No noise at all. Cruisers!
Cheers
Jon

Ollie, you know you should have one of these!

[Ollie_bwoii]

I would just love to see what they looked like on my E30. Hub adaptor's would be necessary.

[Splondike]

Looks alright does that