Contemplating an E28

[Grrrmachine]

I'm getting sick of my E30 320i. Fat, slow and thirsty. I've been mulling over an m20b25 upgrade for a while, but I'm thinking of a more serious project with the idea of returning a turd back into a minter.

Over here we can apply for Classic Registration (half-price insurance!) if a car is over 25 years old and 95% original. This means no engine swaps. For that reason, I'm looking at buying a proper E30 325i, so that it will keep its value (or even rise) over the next few years, while still being driveable.

But now my eye has been caught by E28s. with a 2.5 engine as a minimum, will I be disappointed by its performance (compared to my current ride), or will it win me over? How do they compare to E30s?

[E30BeemerLad]

I'd say you want 528i or 535i for performance getting near to E30 325i

I do like a nice E28, but you'll be faced with all the same issues an old E30 has with less availability of spares

[staley_turbo]

You just missed mine, sold it about 3 weeks ago. Id get an m535i with all the bits. There not slow but they do like fuel. Parts are abit of an issue though...

[snakebrain]

Parts can be hard to find; some will have to come from BMW at bend-over-and-take-it prices. It can be pleasantly surprising on occasion though. A battery tray is £22 + VAT for example. Different story if it's got rotten wings, and it's 90% certain it does!! A lot of engine stuff is readily available because the M30 was around in other BMWs for years after the E28 went out of production. My biggest headache so far has been bumpers - I missed a nice set on ebay a few weeks back and they were the first decent ones I've seen in 6 months....

But on the up side, it's a hugely charismatic design, there's sooo much space, the cabin's a nice place to be and they handle very nicely indeed!

[Splondike]

535i is quicker than a 325i, as it is not that much heavier. 528i, there is not a lot in it, and it is a nice free revving lump. Finding a decent one will be your biggest challenge.

[darkchild]

But now my eye has been caught by E28s. with a 2.5 engine as a minimum, will I be disappointed by its performance (compared to my current ride), or will it win me over? How do they compare to E30s?

The E28 525i is a M30 donk with 150bhp iirc. By no means quick but probably the smoothest engined E28.

[daimlerman]

E28 will make a good cruiser,but uses a steering box,so you do not get that crisp steering that makes an E30 such fun to drive quickly.E28 is very quiet at speed,though,munches up the motorway miles.

[pnd]

they look great especially the non kitted cars and 535 manuals shift but the ones I have driven didn't handle well and ultimately they are a heavier less sporty feeling car than the e30. There is a reason some of us stick with the old e30 you know i.e theres nothing quite like it produced by BMW or any body else.

[ETERNITY]

test drove one the other day

dissapointed, not as responsive and no where near as much feedback comapared to a healthy e30 sport.

Felt a little dull and heavy.

The only advantage of an e28 would be felt on the motorway or cruising with your family.


I think one of the main reasons why us guys love the e30 is because of the feedback/response it gives us while driving.

If i was you i would upgrade your engine and suspension, and you will be luving it.

I tried to find a replacement for my previous e30 and had to come back.
I owned and test drove the following to give me the same driving satisfaction as an e30:

bmw e36 m3
bmw e28 m535i
bmw e36 328i sport
mercedes cosworth 2.3

And guess what i came back to, an bmw e30 325i sport.

[Barx325i]

E28 will make a good cruiser,but uses a steering box,so you do not get that crisp steering that makes an E30 such fun to drive quickly.E28 is very quiet at speed,though,munches up the motorway miles.

I was going to mention the steering box, my friends landrover has a steering box.. I think an e28 in black with a dirty 3.5 is the way forward. I was shocked by the price of fuel in Poland, so I reckon an m50 conversion is needed..

Check on allegro, there are plenty of people advertising silnik swaps & the 24v route will save you money over the m20b20 straight away. plus the b20 needs to be kept singing for any type of enjoyment & is worse than an m20b25 on fuel, for 42ish bhp less

[Splondike]

Yep E28s are crap, stick to the almighty E30, better than anything BMW (or anyone else) has produced before or since

On the E30zone anyway

[darkchild]

Just been to Coopers in Norwich to collect a new dipstick for my E46 318ci. There is an absolute peach of an E28 Alpina in Alpine White currently residing in its showroom. 60K on the clock and looks like brand new. Well worth a look if anyone is passing.

[daimlerman]

E28 will make a good cruiser,but uses a steering box,so you do not get that crisp steering that makes an E30 such fun to drive quickly.E28 is very quiet at speed,though,munches up the motorway miles.

I was going to mention the steering box, my friends landrover has a steering box.. I think an e28 in black with a dirty 3.5 is the way forward. I was shocked by the price of fuel in Poland, so I reckon an m50 conversion is needed..

Check on allegro, there are plenty of people advertising silnik swaps & the 24v route will save you money over the m20b20 straight away. plus the b20 needs to be kept singing for any type of enjoyment & is worse than an m20b25 on fuel, for 42ish bhp less

Now you mention it,an E28 with an M52 would make a very cool street sleeper.
Start with a base 518i and leave the badge on the bootlid....
Lower it just a touch...

[staley_turbo]

ow you mention it,an E28 with an M52 would make a very cool street sleeper

Take abit more the a m52 to make one of these move

[daimlerman]

Now you mention it,an E28 with an M52 would make a very cool street sleeper

Take abit more the a m52 to make one of these move

Set of cams,M50 inlet....

Keep the stock steel wheels with hubcaps...

[Barx325i]

lsd....

[Rav335uk]

But now my eye has been caught by E28s. with a 2.5 engine as a minimum, will I be disappointed by its performance (compared to my current ride), or will it win me over? How do they compare to E30s?

The E28 525i is a M30 donk with 150bhp iirc. By no means quick but probably the smoothest engined E28.

Wrong, that's the 2.8 you're thinking of.

[bss325i]

But now my eye has been caught by E28s. with a 2.5 engine as a minimum, will I be disappointed by its performance (compared to my current ride), or will it win me over? How do they compare to E30s?

The E28 525i is a M30 donk with 150bhp iirc. By no means quick but probably the smoothest engined E28.

Wrong, that's the 2.8 you're thinking of.

Wrong! The E28 525i is M30 powered!

[Splondike]

Indeed it is and the 528i has around 181 bhp and similar performance figures to a 325i.

[Rav335uk]

The E28 525i is a M30 donk with 150bhp iirc. By no means quick but probably the smoothest engined E28.

Wrong, that's the 2.8 you're thinking of.

Wrong! The E28 525i is M30 powered!

I stand Corrected!

[Kos]

Yep E28s are crap, stick to the almighty E30, better than anything BMW (or anyone else) has produced before or since

On the E30zone anyway

lol

a good suspension set up on the e28 makes it real drivers car. the e28 m5 is brilliant to drive.