Pursuaded: Bought another 5er - Updated 6/7

[unt0uchable]

So here is my predicament. I placed my car for sale and am trying to work a deal with the only soul to show interest. Here are my options:

1. Keep my car shown here and deal with it's rust, paint issues, and everything listed in that thread. Here is the build sheet on it:

Vehicle information
Type
Value
VIN WBADC7402J1718234
Type code DC74
Type 535 I US (USA)
E series E28 ()
Series 5
Type LIM
Steering LL
Doors 4
Engine M30
Displacement 3.50
Power 0
Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour DIAMANTSCHWARZ METALLIC (181)
Upholstery (0206)
Prod.date 1987-05-14

Options
Code
Description (interface)
Description (EPC)
S209A SPERRDIFFERENTIAL 25% Differential lock 25%
S226A SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG Sports suspension settings
S458A SITZVERSTELLUNG ELEKTR.FAHRER/BEIF. Electr. front seat adjustment
S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S551A BORDCOMPUTER II MIT FERNBEDIENUNG On-board computer II with remote control
S716 M-TECHNIC HECKSPOILER
S841A AUSSENSP.IN WAG.FA.U.325IS SCH Optional extra pack, pseudo code no.

2. Sell my car and buy a Zinno on black 87 535is that is virtually rust free, has spent it's whole life in TX, LA, AR and needs the following (for sure, could need other suspension components similar to my current cars needs, only a lot less rusty)
-front seats (already sourced a pair of of e34 comforts locally)
-front control arms
-exhaust system redone (capable of doing myself, cost of materials + time in my garage)

Build Sheet to Zinno Car

Vehicle information
Type
Value
VIN WBADC8401H1721402
Type code DC84
Type 535 I A (USA)
E series E28 ()
Series 5
Type LIM
Steering LL
Doors 4
Engine M30
Displacement 3.50
Power 0
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour ZINNOBERROT (138)
Upholstery (0203)
Prod.date 1986-09-22

Options
Code
Description (interface)
Description (EPC)
S226A SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG Sports suspension settings
S458A SITZVERSTELLUNG ELEKTR.FAHRER/BEIF. Electr. front seat adjustment
S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S551A BORDCOMPUTER II MIT FERNBEDIENUNG On-board computer II with remote control
S716 M-TECHNIC HECKSPOILER
S841A AUSSENSP.IN WAG.FA.U.325IS SCH Optional extra pack, pseudo code no.

As you can see from the build specs, the Zinno is an auto, non LSD car. Those are the two major mechanical differences. Other than that, it has a clean body, decent paint but it does have a wrinkle on the hood right near the roundels. Both car's are current qualifiers for the $2000 rule we all know so well.

I'm torn, for some reason. I LOVE red on black color schemes, especially when rust is a non issue. The auto is a down fall since I haven't daily driven an auto since my first car...but I think I can overcome that for a year or so while I save for a swap of some sort. I think it will allow me to focus on other parts of the car that might need attention.

Whatyda think guys?

[Mike W.]

Clean, not rusty in a heartbeat. With a 5 speed swap. I'd much rather do a tranny swap than paint, let alone rust repair. Remember Neil Young, Rust Never Sleeps.

[stuartinmn]

If you're going to keep a car for the long term, lack of rust is a Big Deal, so even though it has an auto I'd go for the red car. You can always change it over to a manual transmission later, but rust is expensive to fix.

[jhall]

x 1 million.

My white '88 (auto & pac blue) was the best e28 purchase I've ever made. Mechanicals can be fixed a million times, rust and bad paint, body damage whatever- takes the real money and time/ skill to repair.

Every time you crawl underneath a rust free car and just look around you will thank yourself. Trust me.

[Brad D.]

5spd swap is easy. Making a rustbucket clean is hard.

[1st 5er]

Option # 3 - Buy the Zinno, swap your 5 speed, and the Zinno's auto, and then sell Diamond car.

[shagrath]

Clean, not rusty in a heartbeat. With a 5 speed swap. I'd much rather do a tranny swap than paint, let alone rust repair. Remember Neil Young, Rust Never Sleeps.

THIS

[unt0uchable]

Option # 3 - Buy the Zinno, swap your 5 speed, and the Zinno's auto, and then sell Diamond car.

I'd LOVE to do this but unfortunately for me, money from one will be paying for the other and with a wedding around the corner (June 22nd) I can't pull money from the savings as it is already spoken for (filet mignon's are stacking up on my RSVP list )

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going head first.

[davintosh]

Clean wins over rust every time. Do eeet!

[1st 5er]

You're welcome.
Swap filets for wings, tell them it was a typo on the invitation.

[MicahO]

5spd swap is easy. Making a rustbucket clean is hard.

This was the logic behind my vote.

Either way, it's a good decision to have to make, so good luck with the endeavor!

[WH]

Option # 3 - Buy the Zinno, swap your 5 speed, and the Zinno's auto, and then sell Diamond car.

I'd LOVE to do this but unfortunately for me, money from one will be paying for the other and with a wedding around the corner (June 22nd) I can't pull money from the savings as it is already spoken for (filet mignon's are stacking up on my RSVP list :shock: )

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going head first.

Keep your current car till after the wedding (1.5 month isn't long and you'll need more $ now than you think). Then look for another 535is with a 5 speed already. They aren't that hard to find. Look in California, buy a nice one and drive it home.

Never, ever, ever buy a rusty car.......

WH

[ahab]

I'll say it in case you haven't heard it enough. Get the Zinno car. Rust puts a finite life expectancy on a vehicle. There's no getting around that.

[davintosh]

You're welcome.
Swap filets for wings, tell them it was a typo on the invitation.

This. I missed the bit about the wedding and the filets. Let's be serious; who ever remembers the food that's served at a wedding? Filet mignon or tube steaks, the guests should be there to help you celebrate, not to help put you and your bride's family in debt. Dang kids these days...

When my wife and I got married (in 1986; that sounds like a looonnngggg time ago) we were paying for our reception, and kept it simple because we didn't have a lot, nor did her parents; four hours in the glorified gymnasium at the church, with cake, punch, ham sandwiches and other little tidbits. No fancy catered meal, no band, no open bar... just us enjoying the time with the friends and family who came to witness the ceremony. Since then I've been to many, many weddings, and really have to question the sanity of families that spend exorbitant amounts of money on pretentious bashes and eight-attendant wedding entourages and five-figure wedding dresses. How many of our guests remember our simple do as compared to any other where tens of thousands of $$$s are spent? Sure, it's a special day and you want it to be memorable, but be realistic. /rant (sorry; it's probably your bride that's calling the shots on all of this, not to mention a month & a half out it's a little late to change anything, but still... )

[unt0uchable]

You're welcome.
Swap filets for wings, tell them it was a typo on the invitation.

This. I missed the bit about the wedding and the filets. Let's be serious; who ever remembers the food that's served at a wedding? Filet mignon or tube steaks, the guests should be there to help you celebrate, not to help put you and your bride's family in debt. Dang kids these days...

When my wife and I got married (in 1986; that sounds like a looonnngggg time ago) we were paying for our reception, and kept it simple because we didn't have a lot, nor did her parents; four hours in the glorified gymnasium at the church, with cake, punch, ham sandwiches and other little tidbits. No fancy catered meal, no band, no open bar... just us enjoying the time with the friends and family who came to witness the ceremony. Since then I've been to many, many weddings, and really have to question the sanity of families that spend exorbitant amounts of money on pretentious bashes and eight-attendant wedding entourages and five-figure wedding dresses. How many of our guests remember our simple do as compared to any other where tens of thousands of $$$s are spent? Sure, it's a special day and you want it to be memorable, but be realistic. /rant (sorry; it's probably your bride that's calling the shots on all of this, not to mention a month & a half out it's a little late to change anything, but still... )

No doubt, I hear every word you are saying (err, typing?) And trust me when I say this, we are keeping it simple. Neither of us belong to a church so we decided to do an "all in one" sort of venue. It's a banquet hall that makes there own food and also has an outdoor open-air chapel for the ceremony to be held in. The price was very inexpensive compared to the country club venues we looks at. Crazy ass $12000 food bill MINIMUM for a Saturday night. We have managed to do a lot ourselves (invitations, favors, lots of little knick knack sort of stuff) and we had some help from her brother and his life partner because they are so generous and awesome. Other than that, it's all coming from yours truly's savings account. We managed to save for the last 2 years (long engagement helped that) and we aren't going all out by any means. The dress wasn't 5 figures (barely 4 figures actually), it seems food and venue are the priciest these days, but we have managed to save so that we aren't going into debt for one day. It's going to a great time and we are excited, but rest assured, it's not costing $20k+ like most other weddings we've seen in the last year or two (cousins, friends etc.)

[Coldswede]

Rust it bad! M'kay?

[unt0uchable]

Well, it worked.
It's on the way right now from Mid Michigan.






The hood is a little wrinkled...no sign of any other impact. Not TOO worried about this right now...

[TheE28Ranch]

Don't take on the albatross of a rusting car, if you can avoid it. You either deal with it ($) or let it go (acceptance). Think of all the other things that get rusty along with it, we aren't just talking about fenders here. Tow points, bumper foundations, sway bar links, places like that.

Edit: gee, wasn't my response timely.

Congrats on the acquisition!

[unt0uchable]

...
Edit: gee, wasn't my response timely.

Congrats on the acquisition!

LOL - I saw your reply right after I posted/updated this. I thought we just posted at the same time.

Thanks! I plan on making it a fraternal twin to this car here: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=115049

There might be some other fun stuff in the works for it too. I won't drop any hints yet because nothing is for sure.
But it would = a few more than before...

[tig]

Subscribed. Vlad is too.