E30 Zone

I'm leaning towards the idea of buying a new car. I really want to buy a E28 M535i but stuggling to find a decent example for sale....they all seem to be pretty tired or mega high mileage.

So any ideas where would be best to look for a nice one and what should I look for. Any info or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

there's lot of them out there, and E28 prices are climbing rapidly esp the M535i

whats your budget?

Have cash ready. Watch. Pounce.

Good M535is are getting hard to find. I think you're looking at 5 grand if you want a minter, or 2 grand for a bundle of rusty problems.

Something to start the discussions with....

Dog leg gearbox

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-BMW-E28-M535 ... 19c4a22331

Low_E30 wrote:Something to start the discussions with....

Dog leg gearbox

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-BMW-E28-M535 ... 19c4a22331

Great spec, interior's very good and dogleg is great. But add the best part of 2 grand for arches, wings, serious work on the roof and all the other bits he hasn't found yet. And new steel bumpers beause the ones under that kit will be shot. And paint..

But, if you're prepared to sink the cash/do the work, it's a good E28 to work on.

To be totally honest, I'm not really sure of what they're worth or how much I'll be looking at spending. I've only seen the few examples online, ranging between 2-5 grand.

The one linked above doesn't look too bad but the mileage is bit too high for me....But the price seems to match the overall standard of the. Any ideas where else to look apart from ebay, pistonheads, carandclassics etc....

Thanks.

bedumon wrote:The one linked above doesn't look too bad but the mileage is bit too high for me.....

5 series tended to be executive chariots and did a lot of motorway miles etc. Not like 3 series convertibles for example, where there's loads of low milers still kicking about because they only came out at weekends. These got used day to day and most have lots of miles on. I'd consider 70-80k pretty low mileage on an E28. Any E28 you buy will need a fair bit of age-not-mileage related work to be done by now, so if the engine's sound and bodywork's clean miles aren't the be all and end all.

Condition > mileage.

snakebrain wrote:

bedumon wrote:The one linked above doesn't look too bad but the mileage is bit too high for me.....

5 series tended to be executive chariots and did a lot of motorway miles etc. Not like 3 series convertibles for example, where there's loads of low milers still kicking about because they only came out at weekends. These got used day to day and most have lots of miles on. I'd consider 70-80k pretty low mileage on an E28. Any E28 you buy will need a fair bit of age-not-mileage related work to be done by now, so if the engine's sound and bodywork's clean miles aren't the be all and end all.

Condition > mileage.

Very wise words indeed. I know the engines are pretty bulletproof and the rust is the killer....but I just think I'm after a minter. After buying my E30 with only 80 on the clock, with good bodywork, I'd like something similar. Whats the likelyhood of finding something with under 90 on the clock with good bodywork. I'm not afriad of work but not massive amounts. How much would I need to spend on decentone?

If you've got paint-fingered friends and don't mind a bit of a project, this is still leggy but the hard bit is done already...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

I had an E28, was a good solid car, sold it for about 600, a 2.8, regret selling.

As Snakebrain says condition over mileage is key. Also it is quite sound advice to have the money ready and pounce on a good one when it appears if you are able to do so. There is alot of scrap out there, but equally there are still some nice ones kicking about, however the numbers seemed to of dwindled over the last couple of years.

Splondike wrote:however the numbers seemed to of dwindled over the last couple of years.

I'd guess the scrappage scheme claimed quite a few..

It seems so mate. How is yours coming along ?

Slowly would be the operative word! I'm out of work at the min too so very little cash to put into it. But hopefully get an MOT on it by the summer then get down to making it pretty!

Sorry to hear about the work situation. Hopefully you will get that resolved and get it sorted asap.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Just wanted to know what are the auto/switchtronic gearboxes like?

bedumon wrote: Just wanted to know what are the auto/switchtronic gearboxes like?

Dogleg manual for me everytime with this particular model....

I suspect the auto/switchable units to be just like other similar units found in other BMW's of the same time.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Just get an E28 with 24V power!

Duke137 wrote:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Just get an E28 with 24V power!

I've already seen this one on ebay. Looks pretty tatty and I like the idea of old school M30 power! A real torque horse.

Come on guys, there must be some more on the internet somewhere, just can't find them!

How about this one? Although its an auto. Been up for a while.

http://www.avantgardecars.co.uk/viewcar ... 36/C637WLA

I could be persuaded to sell mine.......

but dont tell anyone on forum5

ANDY325TOURING wrote:I could be persuaded to sell mine.......

but dont tell anyone on forum5

That you would regret!

try this guy it was a while ago he was selling it but he may still have it
its peter 07949544531 i dont know the guy its just one i saw for sale

Duke137 wrote:

ANDY325TOURING wrote:I could be persuaded to sell mine.......

but dont tell anyone on forum5

That you would regret!

Dont think i would, other things i want to own before doomsday.

Low_E30 wrote:

bedumon wrote: Just wanted to know what are the auto/switchtronic gearboxes like?

Dogleg manual for me everytime with this particular model....

I suspect the auto/switchable units to be just like other similar units found in other BMW's of the same time.....

Auto ruins them, dogleg is ok but the gearchange is worse than the H pattern and the overdrive 5th is nicer on the motorway, so don't let that be a deciding factor..

Andy, behave yourself

Hi Mark

ANDY325TOURING wrote:I could be persuaded to sell mine.......

but dont tell anyone on forum5

Any links or info on your car?

The one for sale on Avantgarde looks to be a minter, but I think its overpriced and just out of budget.....

This is the bugger, http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

None of the this auto nonsense either

To the OP Andy's is a lovely example and one that he should hang on to... although as he says there are lots of nice things to own.

ANDY325TOURING wrote:Hi Mark

Hello mate...

ANDY325TOURING wrote:This is the bugger, http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

None of the this auto nonsense either

Looks very nice indeed.....Looking to sell?

CaesarBob wrote:How about this one? Although its an auto. Been up for a while.

http://www.avantgardecars.co.uk/viewcar ... 36/C637WLA

it sold today, and very nice it is too

Another one for the collection then Steve?

ANDY325TOURING wrote:This is the bugger, http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

None of the this auto nonsense either

thats so cool man !

really like these in e28`s in white

topless...how many cars have you got ? what a purchase ...jelous

Keep your eye out on some of the specialists such as Old Conel cars/Four Star classic/Pistonheads/Classic car websites/BMW Car Club/Munich Legends/Classic Heroes etc etc etc. They are rare cars anway and even rarer to find in great condition.

e30topless wrote:it sold today, and very nice it is too

Nice work fella!