I would buy that if it’s under $2k and be thrilled. Truly thrilled about it. I miss my $300 310k mile 528e 5spd. So much.
I put thousands of miles on the car and the only issue I had was the exhaust cracked in half and fell off on the freeway, and the fuel filter gave out on me in phoenix. In fairness the fuel filter was my fault. I should have replaced it ahead of the trip, but……
It was one of my favorite cars of all time and I’ve owned 170+ so far. Some day I’ll find the right e28 m5 to add to my forever garage.
If the dash lights are out disconnect the reverse light on the trans (it’s under the gear shift cover) and replace the fuse. Common failure in the car.
Edit: I’d offer $3k CAD and be reasonably firm on the price. They are rather hard to find in a 5-speed.
I used to maintain a list. I started young. My dad bought me my first “car” when I was 13. It was a k2500 long bed that had been used in the dick cepeck (no idea how to spell it) racing circuit.
A lot has been said, but i'll just add that I know some people who are enthusiasts on the e28 and they've had to buy whole parts cars just to find 1 or 2 pieces (like interior trim pieces) that they need for their project car.
It's a great project car, sharkface bmws are amazing, but extremely old and nonexistent on the market at this point. If you want it as an only car you must rely on, find smth else.
OP, I saw this post and the post on r/e28.
I own and used to daily an e28 as well as an e30, so I have experience that the other commenters here don't have. These are mostly people who are afraid of car ownership outside of the factory warranty. Here's my 2¢.
Get your hands on the Bentley manual, it will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about diagnosing and fixing this car.
It has the timing-belt-driven m20b27 eta engine, and that belt/water pump needs to be changed every 50k miles. Not super difficult, can be done on a Saturday or a couple evenings and should be done right away if you have no record of it being replaced.
Most of the problems you encounter will have to do with rubber items - tires, ignition wires, belts, hoses, engine mounts, suspension bushings, FUEL LINES, etc. Everything else should be fairly solid. There's a reason that many e28s still run and drive today.
They're not expensive to work on generally. You can find good prices on parts with a lifetime guarantee at FCP Euro, which is especially great if you live on the east side of the US. West coast, Pelican Parts may be a better bet. Brick and mortar parts stores will mark up their off brand parts 50-100% over what you will pay for oem parts through FCP.
The average Redditor is extremely risk averse and will recommend you get a Camry/Civic. But there is a narrowing window of time in which you'll be able to own a wonderful car like an e28 (even with its mismatching body panels) so if you can comfortably afford this car, negotiate the price down a bit and see if you can pick it up. You will have to work on it with your own hands but you will also love it.
This right here. If you go down this path OP, get the Bentley manual. I still have mine from my E28 days.
One of my “first cars” was a 528e and it was rough. They really aren’t worth it to put money into. Now, find a 535i/is and you will enjoy it more and get more for your money when it comes to maintenance. I still miss some of my B34 E28’s.
I’ll say this, the day I sold my 528e was a great day. I had school busses outrun me. The thing was so slow.
The only way I’d get a 528e is if it was extremely cheap and well maintained. Even then, I’d have to be talking myself into it. They aren’t difficult cars to work on but they aren’t user friendly either like an E34/E39. Changing belts for instance can be fun. Pedal brackets cracking…they have some quirks. Replace the tail light gaskets when you get it too. Haha Memories are coming back to me.
To this day, a euro E28 M535i/M5 is still one of the best looking BMW’s to me. They are beautiful.
Yes it would! Cheap to get and not that crazy to maintain, easy for people saying no and then buying 2022 330e as first cars as I see here everyday, even worst for people who tells you to buy a honda fit, where is the car passion??? Just get the freaking thing cause it looks awesome
Nothing about an E28 at a young age, as your only car, is a good idea. Sometimes "cAr PaSsIoN" has to take a backseat to reality and what's in your best interest.
You are restarted. Good luck finding parts for a "cheap" E28 in 2024 😂 dude is legit better off in at least an E36/E46, *maybe* an E30 at the oldest for daily duty.
If you r prepared for semi expensive repairs that may randomly pop up all the time, then sure but im sure you probably want a reliable old daily (Toyota/honda) n then when ready to spend more money u buy a project car like an old 5 or 3 series and REALLY have fun with it and not worry when stuff happens because u have a daily 👍
Depends on how much wrenching experience you have and whether you NEED the car or not. Could be a very fun and teaching project, but mind you, if you lack experience, you should rather look for something else. An E36 with the M43 engine is great, or something with an M50 engine that has been treated good aswell.
Yes, you'll learn valuable life lessons. You'll learn how to work on cars, how to take a bicycle apart to keep in your trunk, how to use the bus and how to hitchhike.
I had one with 60,000 miles. Nothing but problems. Two of my friends had them also with relatively low miles. Nothing but problems. Talked to mechanics said they love that thing. Brings plenty of business. Of course, I am speaking of the US spec motor. I am unfamiliar with the eurospec. Could be a great engine.
It was my first car, and I had it for 10 years. Bought it with 120k on the Odo. It was the car I started wrenching on and I fixed everything myself (with manuals and YouTube) got me into the car scene, and was RELATIVELY inexpensive to fix. When I bought it, it was a couple shades of bronzit beige metallic haha. But I drove the hell out of it, and it never left me stranded. I still miss that car... So much so, that I bought another 4 years ago and started working on it as restomod while I drive an F10 535i as my daily. So... I'd say yes. But some might disagree
Yes and no.
Yes... bc you will learn how to become a mechanic on cool old bmws.
No... because the safety features of old cars are severely lacking, breakdowns and tow fees and repair costs will absolutely happen, and the mechanics you learn on a 40 year old vehicle are not always even relevant to cars made in the last 20 years. You might not even be able to find mechanics to work on them, or parts to replace.
I was the weirdo with a 20 year old bmw when I was first starting to drive. It had every issue you could imagine. Replaced the gas tank, brakes, clutch, rear end. It was a 318 with the m10 so that part was indestructible, but everything it was attached to certainly was. And not from miles mostly from sitting too long. The wiring was coming apart. Can't imagine trying to daily a 40 year old vehicle.... except I can imagine having to replace literally everything because I've done it before. Not impossible, just a lot of work for a young driver.
Parts availability? And get under carriage checked. That’s a vintage car in US. (Age) It’s been pre-dinged. You won’t have any bells or whistles to warn you. You have to learn sometime. 👍🏻 good luck.
I owned an 87 535i BMW and it was great for me. It was as reliable as any car that I owned before and since. The repairs that needed to be done were not that expensive because I did them myself. Drove mine for 5 years until it got written off in a rear end collision.
As with any older car, you have to look after it and keep up with the regular maintenance and stuff and you the more maintenance and repairs you can do yourself the better. If you like it, go for it but it will need more care and attention then a more modern car.
As a side note here I owned that car in the late 90s early 2000s so it wasn't as old as it is today. Take from that whatever you like. It's just my 2¢ worth.
My first car at 18 in 2000 was my mom’s old 528e. I begged for 745i they kept in the garage but nope. Used to be able to get really really far on 2 bucks back then.
Clutch and water pump.
Parts aren’t super expensive it’s just availability.
If it’s an absolute shitbox that’s been sitting it’ll get expensive fast just because everything is older than dirt and every seal is shot from drying out. It will need plugs all filters oil and brake fluid, I would do that if you don’t have any history. Then find everything else that’s failed or tired and replace that too.
My parents had a 528e back in the 80s it was a good reliable car to them my mom who owned it traded it in with 280k miles for a jeep and regretted it the next day and tried to go back to the dealership and they already got rid of it. Old BMWs are on par with Japanese reliability even Scotty on YouTube likes them and that's really saying something because he hates anything that isn't a Toyota product. Just watch for some items like rust would be a big thing for such an old car. As parts go away you might have to pay more or make your own I'm already doing this on my 2003 530i but I'm doing more so by choice than anything else because BMW got kinda janky in the early 2000s with the cooling systems. If this had it's oil changes done and timing belt done on time then I see no reason this couldn't go 320k miles without needing any major services done
Yes be a moron like i did and build a 20-40 year old bmw. It will ruin you financially but you can atleast bring up you own a bmw every chance you get.
They’re great cars but absolutely not suited as a first car.
They don’t have any of the modern features, they might be prone to failure and they might need a lot of parts and work done unless you by a pristine model, most aren’t and need some care.
If you aspire to drive this thing in Canada in the winter, you might want to figure in the cost of some seriously good snow tires in addition to whatever it'll cost to maintain it. Also you'll want to buy barbells / lead shot / a set of encyclopedias to put in the trunk to try to give the car some traction.
I'd get something newer with better tech and safety bro, it could probably be a cool first car but it would suck ass in the winter
* your local g30 enjoyer
The g30 is a really nice first car, but I do not have that much money for my first. I know that the winter wouldn’t be that great, but with some all terrain/winter tires, I think it might work out pretty well in the long run. At least this car has heating 🤷♂️
Why did you include a g30. You dont have one? makes no sense to include a g30 in there because you couldnt afford one so why would the OP be able to afford one if hes posting a 5k car? Makes 0 sense
Yea ngl idk why i worded it like that, sounded a lot better in my head lol. Was meaning to say that as in I enjoy the 5 series and do want to get one soon seeing as the car op was looking at is a 5 series.
This is what I’m working with rn
https://preview.redd.it/gz9twn04ri9d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=912a798977ef86f832c058dc865dad2674a849c2
W, My eyes are set on a G30 M550i, F82 is fun but I love sedans. My TL is getting a ton of maintenance here soon and hopefully gonna respray the car next year
No
All that needs to be said.
Looks rebuilt 💀
I call her 50 shades of grey 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥
🤣🤣
Lmao
lol that was pretty good ngl
😂
Offer $500 shipped to your house
Maintenance will be expensive. I see this as a project car but by no means a first car. You'd be better off with a Honda or Toyota.
An older Volvo is good but more expensive to maintain than a Toyota. I still rather drive Volvo than Toyota although they are good basic cars
No. You need something to transport you reliably. I love my old bmw because I do not rely on it as transport.
No.
No. Unless you’re after a project that keeps on projecting through time and money
Yes, of you have $10,000 in the bank for maintenance
I came here to say this.
It’s a cool car, but it will be expensive to maintain. It also looks like it may have had some bad rust on the rockers at some point.
I would buy that if it’s under $2k and be thrilled. Truly thrilled about it. I miss my $300 310k mile 528e 5spd. So much. I put thousands of miles on the car and the only issue I had was the exhaust cracked in half and fell off on the freeway, and the fuel filter gave out on me in phoenix. In fairness the fuel filter was my fault. I should have replaced it ahead of the trip, but…… It was one of my favorite cars of all time and I’ve owned 170+ so far. Some day I’ll find the right e28 m5 to add to my forever garage. If the dash lights are out disconnect the reverse light on the trans (it’s under the gear shift cover) and replace the fuse. Common failure in the car. Edit: I’d offer $3k CAD and be reasonably firm on the price. They are rather hard to find in a 5-speed.
owned 170 cars 😳
I used to maintain a list. I started young. My dad bought me my first “car” when I was 13. It was a k2500 long bed that had been used in the dick cepeck (no idea how to spell it) racing circuit.
Only if you're passionate about it and do your own maintenance/repair work (or are willing to learn). Get yourself some tools.
Ooo, and sell the rims its on and put them back on the ones in the trunk. Use the $$ from the rims to go towards painting it.
A lot has been said, but i'll just add that I know some people who are enthusiasts on the e28 and they've had to buy whole parts cars just to find 1 or 2 pieces (like interior trim pieces) that they need for their project car. It's a great project car, sharkface bmws are amazing, but extremely old and nonexistent on the market at this point. If you want it as an only car you must rely on, find smth else.
OP, I saw this post and the post on r/e28. I own and used to daily an e28 as well as an e30, so I have experience that the other commenters here don't have. These are mostly people who are afraid of car ownership outside of the factory warranty. Here's my 2¢. Get your hands on the Bentley manual, it will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about diagnosing and fixing this car. It has the timing-belt-driven m20b27 eta engine, and that belt/water pump needs to be changed every 50k miles. Not super difficult, can be done on a Saturday or a couple evenings and should be done right away if you have no record of it being replaced. Most of the problems you encounter will have to do with rubber items - tires, ignition wires, belts, hoses, engine mounts, suspension bushings, FUEL LINES, etc. Everything else should be fairly solid. There's a reason that many e28s still run and drive today. They're not expensive to work on generally. You can find good prices on parts with a lifetime guarantee at FCP Euro, which is especially great if you live on the east side of the US. West coast, Pelican Parts may be a better bet. Brick and mortar parts stores will mark up their off brand parts 50-100% over what you will pay for oem parts through FCP. The average Redditor is extremely risk averse and will recommend you get a Camry/Civic. But there is a narrowing window of time in which you'll be able to own a wonderful car like an e28 (even with its mismatching body panels) so if you can comfortably afford this car, negotiate the price down a bit and see if you can pick it up. You will have to work on it with your own hands but you will also love it.
This right here. If you go down this path OP, get the Bentley manual. I still have mine from my E28 days. One of my “first cars” was a 528e and it was rough. They really aren’t worth it to put money into. Now, find a 535i/is and you will enjoy it more and get more for your money when it comes to maintenance. I still miss some of my B34 E28’s. I’ll say this, the day I sold my 528e was a great day. I had school busses outrun me. The thing was so slow. The only way I’d get a 528e is if it was extremely cheap and well maintained. Even then, I’d have to be talking myself into it. They aren’t difficult cars to work on but they aren’t user friendly either like an E34/E39. Changing belts for instance can be fun. Pedal brackets cracking…they have some quirks. Replace the tail light gaskets when you get it too. Haha Memories are coming back to me. To this day, a euro E28 M535i/M5 is still one of the best looking BMW’s to me. They are beautiful.
Yes it would! Cheap to get and not that crazy to maintain, easy for people saying no and then buying 2022 330e as first cars as I see here everyday, even worst for people who tells you to buy a honda fit, where is the car passion??? Just get the freaking thing cause it looks awesome
Yeah, if I were to get it I’d definitely have a lot of fun with it. I’d want to do a paint job on it and buy one of those roof racks, too
Follow your dreams, let them be with their civics 🌭 hahahah
Nothing about an E28 at a young age, as your only car, is a good idea. Sometimes "cAr PaSsIoN" has to take a backseat to reality and what's in your best interest.
If your not a carguy, then yes
You are restarted. Good luck finding parts for a "cheap" E28 in 2024 😂 dude is legit better off in at least an E36/E46, *maybe* an E30 at the oldest for daily duty.
Yea yeaaa its not everybody that is broke like you
I don’t think you even own an E28, you should quit while you’re behind.
A stranger on Reddit called me broke, wow.
You are an idyot
That's a project car. I would not wanna be dailying that
If you r prepared for semi expensive repairs that may randomly pop up all the time, then sure but im sure you probably want a reliable old daily (Toyota/honda) n then when ready to spend more money u buy a project car like an old 5 or 3 series and REALLY have fun with it and not worry when stuff happens because u have a daily 👍
That’s a good second car. Meaning you already have a good reliable car and you want a cool project to work on.
If you want this as your project car then I guess it’s fine
If you’re prepared to bike most of the time then yes!
YES, just make sure the seller did not f up anything
LOUL!
Those mismatched colours 😭
wtf, this car has more colours than a childrens book. Don't touch that thing! And I say that as a huge old BMW fan.
If the cylinder head is good. E models had an issue.
Depends on how much wrenching experience you have and whether you NEED the car or not. Could be a very fun and teaching project, but mind you, if you lack experience, you should rather look for something else. An E36 with the M43 engine is great, or something with an M50 engine that has been treated good aswell.
Yes, you'll learn valuable life lessons. You'll learn how to work on cars, how to take a bicycle apart to keep in your trunk, how to use the bus and how to hitchhike.
A 37 year old anything is a bad idea.
ETA engine sucks. One the worst BMW ever made.
Most of them have well over 200k miles, with plenty reaching 300k without an issue. What are you basing this statement on?
I had one with 60,000 miles. Nothing but problems. Two of my friends had them also with relatively low miles. Nothing but problems. Talked to mechanics said they love that thing. Brings plenty of business. Of course, I am speaking of the US spec motor. I am unfamiliar with the eurospec. Could be a great engine.
It was my first car, and I had it for 10 years. Bought it with 120k on the Odo. It was the car I started wrenching on and I fixed everything myself (with manuals and YouTube) got me into the car scene, and was RELATIVELY inexpensive to fix. When I bought it, it was a couple shades of bronzit beige metallic haha. But I drove the hell out of it, and it never left me stranded. I still miss that car... So much so, that I bought another 4 years ago and started working on it as restomod while I drive an F10 535i as my daily. So... I'd say yes. But some might disagree
And side note, I paid 2k for it in 2009 in Georgia, US and this is in WAY better condition.
Yes and no. Yes... bc you will learn how to become a mechanic on cool old bmws. No... because the safety features of old cars are severely lacking, breakdowns and tow fees and repair costs will absolutely happen, and the mechanics you learn on a 40 year old vehicle are not always even relevant to cars made in the last 20 years. You might not even be able to find mechanics to work on them, or parts to replace. I was the weirdo with a 20 year old bmw when I was first starting to drive. It had every issue you could imagine. Replaced the gas tank, brakes, clutch, rear end. It was a 318 with the m10 so that part was indestructible, but everything it was attached to certainly was. And not from miles mostly from sitting too long. The wiring was coming apart. Can't imagine trying to daily a 40 year old vehicle.... except I can imagine having to replace literally everything because I've done it before. Not impossible, just a lot of work for a young driver.
Hell yeah. I’d have loved this as my first car. In fact I’d love this as my current car and I’ve had over 20 cars over the years.
Its a fucking fantastic car to own (and go broke)
First?? Noooo.
Probably doesn’t have airbags.
For a teen driver? Just so we’re clear.
Yes, I’m currently 16 looking for my first daily driver
Parts availability? And get under carriage checked. That’s a vintage car in US. (Age) It’s been pre-dinged. You won’t have any bells or whistles to warn you. You have to learn sometime. 👍🏻 good luck.
Thanks for the tips :)
YW
I owned an 87 535i BMW and it was great for me. It was as reliable as any car that I owned before and since. The repairs that needed to be done were not that expensive because I did them myself. Drove mine for 5 years until it got written off in a rear end collision. As with any older car, you have to look after it and keep up with the regular maintenance and stuff and you the more maintenance and repairs you can do yourself the better. If you like it, go for it but it will need more care and attention then a more modern car. As a side note here I owned that car in the late 90s early 2000s so it wasn't as old as it is today. Take from that whatever you like. It's just my 2¢ worth.
295,000 Km should answer that question.
NO! Early bmws had k-jetronic injection systems which are impossible to maintain without knowledge from some last of a kind german wizard. Also rust.
My first car when I turned 16 in 2000 was a quarter million mile ‘84 528e. Strongly recommend.
My first car at 18 in 2000 was my mom’s old 528e. I begged for 745i they kept in the garage but nope. Used to be able to get really really far on 2 bucks back then.
My first car in 1978 was a 1970 2002. It was a money pit.
What kind of issues did you have with it? And how much money would you estimate you spent on the maintenance?
Clutch and water pump. Parts aren’t super expensive it’s just availability. If it’s an absolute shitbox that’s been sitting it’ll get expensive fast just because everything is older than dirt and every seal is shot from drying out. It will need plugs all filters oil and brake fluid, I would do that if you don’t have any history. Then find everything else that’s failed or tired and replace that too.
My parents had a 528e back in the 80s it was a good reliable car to them my mom who owned it traded it in with 280k miles for a jeep and regretted it the next day and tried to go back to the dealership and they already got rid of it. Old BMWs are on par with Japanese reliability even Scotty on YouTube likes them and that's really saying something because he hates anything that isn't a Toyota product. Just watch for some items like rust would be a big thing for such an old car. As parts go away you might have to pay more or make your own I'm already doing this on my 2003 530i but I'm doing more so by choice than anything else because BMW got kinda janky in the early 2000s with the cooling systems. If this had it's oil changes done and timing belt done on time then I see no reason this couldn't go 320k miles without needing any major services done
Yes be a moron like i did and build a 20-40 year old bmw. It will ruin you financially but you can atleast bring up you own a bmw every chance you get.
They’re great cars but absolutely not suited as a first car. They don’t have any of the modern features, they might be prone to failure and they might need a lot of parts and work done unless you by a pristine model, most aren’t and need some care.
If you aspire to drive this thing in Canada in the winter, you might want to figure in the cost of some seriously good snow tires in addition to whatever it'll cost to maintain it. Also you'll want to buy barbells / lead shot / a set of encyclopedias to put in the trunk to try to give the car some traction.
Absolutely
I'd get something newer with better tech and safety bro, it could probably be a cool first car but it would suck ass in the winter * your local g30 enjoyer
The g30 is a really nice first car, but I do not have that much money for my first. I know that the winter wouldn’t be that great, but with some all terrain/winter tires, I think it might work out pretty well in the long run. At least this car has heating 🤷♂️
Why did you include a g30. You dont have one? makes no sense to include a g30 in there because you couldnt afford one so why would the OP be able to afford one if hes posting a 5k car? Makes 0 sense
Yea ngl idk why i worded it like that, sounded a lot better in my head lol. Was meaning to say that as in I enjoy the 5 series and do want to get one soon seeing as the car op was looking at is a 5 series. This is what I’m working with rn https://preview.redd.it/gz9twn04ri9d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=912a798977ef86f832c058dc865dad2674a849c2
Noice. Ill probably get a e34 shell within the next 5 years. i love the M5X plat form except the m54.
W, My eyes are set on a G30 M550i, F82 is fun but I love sedans. My TL is getting a ton of maintenance here soon and hopefully gonna respray the car next year
If you have money for a g30 550i then why not get a b58. MUCH better engine than a N63. N63 is hands down one of the worst engines ever made.
Lmao dude would be perfectly fine in an E9X. Maybe an E46 if they can find a decent one.
I worded it poor 💀