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My new E28....

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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Azure
Posts: 1480
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Melbourne, Australia

My new E28....

Post by Azure »

So, it took me a while to get back, sorry about that - I've been working a considerable amount lately, so I've hardly had time to drive it, let alone anything else.

Without further ado, here's my new E28...

As you can see (if you've scrolled down already!), it's an M535i. 1985, mid-year production, RHD (of course, since I'm in Oz), 5-spd, it's also a UK-spec high comp - which is the best part! (DC72).

Options list:

S300A Emergency spare wheel
S314A Door mirror / driver's lock, heated
S350A Therm. insulat. glass green
S403A Glass roof, electrical (Yup! Factory electric moonroof!)
S411A Window lifts,electric,front/rear
S500A Headlight wipe/wash/Intensive cleaning (Wipers aren't installed, not sure if it works)
S551A On-board computer II with remote control
L812A NATIONAL VERSION GREAT BRITAIN
S860A Additional turn indicator lamp
S850A Additional Export tank filling

She needs some work. The clearcoat on the roof and boot is pretty much toast, besides that the paint is not bad, but it's received some battle damage over the years. The rear half of the exhaust is some custom POS which is a bit loud for my taste. There's a pretty awful aftermarket oil pressure gauge that needs to go. There's a couple of real small minor rust spots. Bit of an oil leak at the rear of the engine, but not super serious, coolant looks pretty feral. It could do without the "535i" on the boot lid, too. :roll:

On the up side, all the electrics work, mechanically besides a very slight vibration (likely wheel balance) mechanically it's in really good order, front end is pretty new, feels like it could use some new dogbones, head has been reconditioned, pulls like a freight train, it sure feels like a high comp should. The wheels are E39 M5 knockoffs, which aren't really my taste (I'm thinking 17" style 5s).

It was originally spec'd with anthracite cloth, which has been reupholstered to black leather (which is almost mint), although I'm inclined to return it to factory.

Already on the BMW M Registry (twice, in fact), I've tried to reach out to the prior owners to find out some history, but without luck so far.

It's now on club registration, to live out it's days in a warm garage (which it now shares....).

Not many at the moment, but here are the pics!

Image
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I got to take my first real drive in her on Tuesday, down the Mornington Peninsula to have her inspected for BMW CCV club registration, I have to say, I rather enjoyed that drive. :D :D :D

Cheers!
m-racer
Posts: 5274
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Tampa Bay Florida

Re: My new E28....

Post by m-racer »

Very, very nice. Might even like it better than the red car!
Thatguy087
Posts: 306
Joined: Aug 28, 2012 4:08 AM
Location: Perth, Down Under

Re: My new E28....

Post by Thatguy087 »

Looks clean! Nice! I am a huge fan of the m-tech kit on e28's
ahab
Posts: 6211
Joined: Jun 11, 2006 9:12 AM
Location: Chalfont, PA

Re: My new E28....

Post by ahab »

Great score and welcome back. I prefer the silver as well. I'd consider replacing the wheels if it were mine however. Get some pics in the sunlight and I bet she's stunning.
Mab1957
Posts: 2258
Joined: May 14, 2010 1:33 PM
Location: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: My new E28....

Post by Mab1957 »

:clap:

In for more pictures of you and your new M535 in action.
bobby in Derby City
Posts: 980
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Hidin' in a bowl of rice ready to put a cap in an a$$

Re: My new E28....

Post by bobby in Derby City »

I use to LUST :D after your 'ol Zinno MTech'd gurl. I remember that sweet lady at '06 TireRack. Didn't know you also moved from Florida to Australia? I got an uncle in Kingston! I would have tried to find a Zinno M535i ;) down there in one of many "lands of milk and E28 honey!" Glad you back in da saddle :rockon: :cool:
Azure
Posts: 1480
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: My new E28....

Post by Azure »

Thanks for the comments, lads!

Ya know, if I had to change ONE thing about the car, I'm with Bobby. I'd make it Zinno. There's something about owning a red e28, I've gotten the zinno bug. I like the silver just fine... but when all cleaned up I don't know as if there's anything quite as awesome as a zinno e28.

It might just be me. Note, however there is NO WAY I'd respray it in anything but polaris.

ahab, yeah, I'm not that hot on the wheels myself. 17" style 5s is what I'm thinking.

What the pics don't show is the abysmal state of the roof/boot paintwork. It looks like the clearcoat started to fail, so someone thought it would be a good idea to attack it with steel wool. :bawl: Discovered a hole in the floor carpet today. The ECU is flapping around in the glove box. The interior has been reupholstered in black "leather". In one area there's a hole, and the back of it looks like it might be leatherette. Sadly. Which seems to be slapped straight over top of what should be anthracite cloth (there's unfortunately a hole in one of the seats, and it's anthracite cloth underneath, not padding).

The more I check out the new girl, the more I realise this is going to be a multi-year project. Not that I mind, however, I've always wanted an M535i (as my 535is/M535i conversion would attest), since I don't plan on living anywhere but Australia the rest of my life, the plan is to get buried in the car. :D
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