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SOLD: 1985 528e 5-speed in DC

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patBU
Posts: 8
Joined: Jun 30, 2014 3:05 PM
Location: Washington, DC

SOLD: 1985 528e 5-speed in DC

Post by patBU »

1985 BMW 528e w/ 269k miles. $3,500 OBO.
  • Cosmos Blue metallic over blue cloth
  • 5-speed manual
  • One owner since 2011
  • Car is US spec but was originally delivered to a US military officer in Germany. It has since lived in Texas and Maryland; then during my ownership: upstate NY, Virginia, and now DC.
  • Full maintenance history since 2011 (spreadsheet and records available on request)
  • Garaged/kept off winter roads most of the time during my ownership
  • Not much rust
I have owned this car since 2011 and have driven it ~50k miles since – I have taken it up and down the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England. It has been my daily driver for a few periods of time. It has completed many 300-500 mile trips without missing a beat. Have only had two breakdowns in my entire time owning this car, both of which turned out to be simple, affordable fixes and only one required a tow. The car always starts, the engine runs like a clock, and there are no electrical foibles. It was garaged for several years in upstate NY and then Northern Virginia, and more recently street parked in DC. Most of the paint is original and it has largely been kept off salty winter roads.

Link to photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

If you can give it a paint job and give some attention to the heater and A/C, this will be a fantastic 5-speed eta you can drive any day of the week. I’m only selling since I am no longer able to justify owning a second/classic car. 

The good:
  • Solid mechanicals, clean underbody for an east coast/northeast car
  • Car starts great every time, even after periods of sitting during winter
  • Car accelerates, steers, and shifts well
  • Does not overheat – can handle DC traffic on hot days no problem
  • Full maintenance history available since 2011 and has been regularly driven and maintained during that time. Limited service history from 80s and 90s also available.
  • Clean Carfax with records dating back to 1985 – available on request
  • Interior is clean. Front seats were professionally reupholstered in 2012 (w/ non-OEM fabric)
  • Not many cracks in the dash
  • Stereo sounds good – head unit and speakers have been replaced
  • Shocks and essentially all suspension/steering bushings were replaced in 2019
  • No leaks (at least no drops left on the ground after parking)
  • No electrical gremlins. Gauges and major electrical components, check lights work
  • Tires replaced in 2024
  • Timing belt and water pump replaced at 242k
  • Power windows, power sunroof, and power seats work
  • Short throw shift kit installed, and all shifter bushings have been replaced
  • No real modifications besides the short throw shift kit, stereo, and reupholstered seats
  • Passed safety and emissions inspections in multiple states every time without problems
  • Odometer works. It did break once during my ownership and I put on ~3,600 miles during that time. Current odometer reading is 265,700 miles so actual mileage is estimated at 269,300.
  • Several spare parts, fluids, original owner’s manual, and Bentley repair manual included in the sale. I have one original BMW key plus one spare key 
The bad:
  • Paint is pretty rough. Most of it is original and has faded, especially the hood, roof, and trunk. Some panels (front left fender, driver’s side doors, and right rear fender) were repainted by a previous owner and are mostly in good shape, however the clearcoat on the front driver’s side fender is peeling off.
  • AC does not work (several years ago, had it checked and the condenser leaked. Did not replace anything. The AC did work when I originally purchased the car)
  • Heater does not work well above ~30-40 mph but works great at low speeds
  • Some rust (see photos) – spot on passenger side front fender; small spots below rear bumper; bottom edge of driver side rear door; undercarriage is mostly clean but some rust is present
  • Rear power windows work but are a little slow
  • Dent in trunk lid
  • Shift boot leather piece does not fit well and comes loose
  • Rear door trim fabric hanging at the top
  • Cruise control does not work
  • Power antenna does not work
  • Back seat lower bench is a little wonky, not fastened properly
  • Brakes currently pulse a little after sitting for the winter
Last edited by patBU on May 20, 2025 7:23 PM, edited 1 time in total.
1st 5er
Posts: 21934
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Re: FS: 1985 528e 5-speed in DC

Post by 1st 5er »

Finally a I don't want to retire off the sale of the car ad. 

GLWS 
patBU
Posts: 8
Joined: Jun 30, 2014 3:05 PM
Location: Washington, DC

Re: FS: 1985 528e 5-speed in DC

Post by patBU »

Thank you. The car is also listed on FB marketplace FYI and have gotten a lot of interest there. Increasing the price to $4500 due to that. The car may sell anytime this week on FB.

Please let me know ASAP if anyone here is interested, thanks.
patBU
Posts: 8
Joined: Jun 30, 2014 3:05 PM
Location: Washington, DC

Re: SOLD: 1985 528e 5-speed in DC

Post by patBU »

Sold locally.
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