E30 to E28?

[TexasE30]

I'm thinking about trading my e30 for e28... never owned 4 doors before and its time for me to get 4 doors. I'm getting tired of stuffed tires/wheels/friends in back of the car :)

Any advice about E28? troubles, best year, and where to get it cheap?

picture of the car.. I have two set of euro bumper for it as well. If it doesnt sell, I will put one on the car and sell another one.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j168/valv3rd3/IMG_3381.jpg

Opinion?

[Stephen]

Well, why?

I mean e28s are badass but they both have advantages and disadvantages. You dont want to hop in to one only to find its not what you were looking for.

[TexasE30]

Yeah, I cant really dislike the car I own. I used to have 84 camaro, 84 300zx, and this car. I want 4 doors, where i can take friend and drive around low and slow. :) I dont actually go over 70 with my car anymore.

[M.Burroughs]

E28s ROCK! I've owned 5, one of which I've owned for a loooong time now. I'd take an e28 over an e30 any day. They handle very well, they have a LOT of grunt, especially with a schrick cam, for what they are.

They're also sexy!

Get a later model one. I have an 85 and I love it.

[JSanders]

I've been thinking about trading in my e46 for an e28 or e34, I'm just waiting on the right deal to come along. I say do it!

Do you go to UT?

[TexasE30]

85+ is later model? whats the difference?

orange car and in austin doesnt mean im ut student :p. I always want to own an orange car.

Yeah, but hard to find e28 for trade because orange is odd color. The shop owe me re-paint because of mistakes around the car. I prob can ask to re-paint in different color and add cash to that.

[Stephen]

Well if thats what you want, id say go for an e28.

For low n slow, im not sure the performance aspect of the e30 factors in much at all.

[bjh102]

e28's are amazing! i owned an eta everyone said i would **** it but i was getting crazy good gas mileage and it was too low to drive fast anyways. i say you do it but test drive quite a few before you decide.

[frink84]

i love my 86 535i. plenty of power, hauls a lot of people and stuff, easy to work on, looks awesome.

[TexasE30]

stephen, yeah E30 is no difference but e28 have perfect body style for being low. I need 4 doors anyhow. I refused to own a car thats stock.. blah

school me on e28. which is late/early model? whats quirks about e28?

[JSanders]

orange car and in austin doesnt mean im ut student :p. I always want to own an orange car.
.

Eh, it was worth a shot.

I've seen a lot of e28's in the Austin/San Marcos area for cheap, but most of them need a transmission. If I stumble upon any in decent shape I'll shoot you a pm.

[TexasE30]

Eh, it was worth a shot.

I've seen a lot of e28's in the Austin/San Marcos area for cheap, but most of them need a transmission. If I stumble upon any in decent shape I'll shoot you a pm.

Great, please so. I do check craigslist. I saw this 535i for sale but need new head or motor. Im not sure if M30 is dime a dozen or the cost of head.

Yeah,you re not only person to ask me that. I usually get Hook'em sign when I drive by someone. Orange car in Austin does give that sign out.

[frink84]

school me on e28. which is late/early model? whats quirks about e28?

go read:

http://www.mye28.com/
http://www.m535i.org/main.html

[87e30]

Game on:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3339463567_204b844d88.jpg

[B Rod]

I've driven mine since the day I got it(about a year now). Besides needing to rebuild my shifter and my passenger side front door not unlocking, I've never had an issue.

[GermanlookT3]

Early E28's like 528's and 533's are cool cars but I'd choose a 535 for a Daily. The older ones are really harsh. They are lighter though and the 533's are a tad bit quicker. I raced my Friends 535 with a full Catback and lsd, and he couldnt pass me. Im all stock with all the sound deading gone, and Ive got an early cam so its kinda peppy up top.
Heres what you need to know.
Early cars have non tunable ecu's and swaybars are really hard to find for the rears. Less sound deading and the 5speeds arent really that strong.
All years of an E28 have interchagable parts. Coilovers are the only way to go low with these cars. Raise the motor and your good.
Find a good clean car and your set. All the things Ive had to replace was because of being an idiot. Other than that its never broken down on me and I get 21mpg average. I recently hauled 5 people and loads of crap in the trunk to oregon and got 28mpg doing 80mph the whole way. ;)

[itsbrokeagain]

I just jumped into an E28 as well. Best BMW ive had yet!

[HighGravityWagon]

I think it'd be a riot to have a E28 535i 5-speed with a Miller MAF, higher diff and gutted interior. Or turbo it and go to town. Mmmm torque :D.

[TexasE30]

on hunting for e28 right now :) but need to find someone thats willing to trade for ORANGE car :)

[theseeker411]

Good luck with that, cause e28s to my knowledge weren't offered in orange. Just find the best cheap one that you can and spray paint it orange.

[CSBolger]

E28s are awesome cars if maintained. If not, look forward to replacing every rubber bushing, every sensor (actually aren't too many) and every rubber hose. That kind of goes for every car, though.

Get an '85 or newer 535i or an '87/'88 535is; they have stronger transmissions than the earlier cars, and all of the "is" cars came with sport seats and M-Tech spoilers.

M30s are all over the place; if you find a clean car with a tired or cooked motor, go for the M30B35 swap. Any M30 out of an E34, E32, or late E24 will work. All you need otherwise is an aftermarket motor mount (not always) and the wiring harness from an '88 528e. A stock M30B34 isn't a bad motor at all though.

UCAs can cause vibration at ~55mph, the coolant system needs to be well-maintained (like any BMW), and if you don't have your driveline bushings in good order, they can eat driveshafts. Luckily, they're incredibly easy to work on, very comfortable, and they respond very well to suspension mods.

Rust can be an issue around the trunk seal, even in California cars.

As far as comfort is concerned - I have friends that prefer sitting in the back to the front. Four passengers can fit comfortably, but the fifth might complain a little. The trunk can fit four wheels with tires in it if you work it just right, too.

Good luck, and definitely check out MyE28.com if you're serious.

[RyanH]

I came from E30's to my E28. I love it and only miss being able to open my passenger door from my drivers seat with no problem.

[TexasE30]

sold e30 and got this
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j168/valv3rd3/beyond/SDC10004.jpg

I'm huntin for reasonable 190e or e28 to haul the bike around. I cant stance the bike... nah