New Euro 528i, "Walt"

[wkohler]

I have never had a more enjoyable drive in an E28 than this one. It's a truly great car. I was a bit concerned about my journey given that I spent a grand total of six minutes with the car before I began my trip, but this car just eats up the miles and is a genuine pleasure to drive. We had a Dodge Avenger which we used to go from Dallas to Wichita Falls and back. This car is more comfortable, quieter and everything we had fit in the trunk with room to spare (my dad flew home after I left - only beat me to El Paso by three hours).

This example is so well preserved and the previous (original) owner, Miles and his wife are great people. I am just in awe of how nice the car is with 150k miles. The lack of sunroof is excellent as well. I would love to have this car and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm just honored to drive it. I'm amazed at how pleasant these cars are in their stock form. It's definitely a good one. Obviously, I look at things differently, but I don't think anyone could argue with me.

I hope to leave here in the morning, which should put me in Phoenix in the late afternoon. Fingers crossed and the necessary paperwork submitted to St. Christopher for a smooth journey.

I love this car.

[ldsbeaker]

... and I haven't even seen this car with my own beady eyes yet.
Chris, words will never be able to express how grateful I am that you're bringing her home.

[BuzzBomb]

I would consider swapping out cruise control stalks with you, since I care enough to help you avoid any confusion with a stalk that says "tempo". I'll be there in SD, ready to preform this selfless task, and I'll even do all the work. Just don't ask anyone else's opinion on the matter. This is just between you and me.

[ldsbeaker]

Orly? How am I so lucky?!?

Truth be told, i had no idea of the difference. I think this car also has the much coveted "maintenance lightbar" delete...

I think i'm stuck with doing MPG calculations on my own, and that pesky extra 2 gallons of gas...

[wkohler]

It's in Phoenix.

[Mr.3-5-7]

ooooooh can i come see it?

[wkohler]

Sure, if its okay with Adam. Haha.

[TheE28Ranch]

Nice score. You got it for $5k? That's a totally reasonable price. I wouldn't bat an eye at paying that, especially considering the reviews.

[tsmall07]

I am experiencing extreme jealousy...

[m-racer]

I have never had a more enjoyable drive in an E28 than this one. It's a truly great car. I was a bit concerned about my journey given that I spent a grand total of six minutes with the car before I began my trip, but this car just eats up the miles and is a genuine pleasure to drive. We had a Dodge Avenger which we used to go from Dallas to Wichita Falls and back. This car is more comfortable, quieter and everything we had fit in the trunk with room to spare (my dad flew home after I left - only beat me to El Paso by three hours).

This example is so well preserved and the previous (original) owner, Miles and his wife are great people. I am just in awe of how nice the car is with 150k miles. The lack of sunroof is excellent as well. I would love to have this car and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm just honored to drive it. I'm amazed at how pleasant these cars are in their stock form. It's definitely a good one. Obviously, I look at things differently, but I don't think anyone could argue with me.

I hope to leave here in the morning, which should put me in Phoenix in the late afternoon. Fingers crossed and the necessary paperwork submitted to St. Christopher for a smooth journey.

I love this car.

WOW

[OcCoupe]

Adam congratulations!!! That is a very cool and special car. I hope you decide to leave it bone stock as a tribute to originality!

I can't wait to see it and take it home next week.

[ldsbeaker]

I went to phoenix on thursday night; saw and drove the car. (In the dark)
Wow. Clean.
It's really the little things that do it for me.

That vast, smooth expanse of unbroken roof.
Manual locks
How light it feels when driving.
The upholstery and carpet are STILL plush, soft, and colorful.
BRAND NEW (okay, never been used, 28 year old) euro lights and grills in the trunk.
It's tight and no rattles or squeaks. (You can EASILY hear the driveline in the car at 60-70 mph.) obviously nice door seals and all, too.
The shifter is still stiff.
Clutch is smooth and light.


I mean, REALLY, I don't want to do ANYTHING to it. I know I will, but the process will be slow. I didn't even turn the radio on, but I think I will probably change it out for a more vintage, "correct" looking unit.
And, and, and...
Also, it was funny driving an e28 with hydro brakes again. Go figure, that's the ONE leak on the car...

[1st 5er]

Awesome adventure.

Enjoy her.

[cddallara]

What a find!
That sounds like an ideal e28. A car without all the electric crap to clutter it up.
And the clean euro trim to top it all off.

[ldsbeaker]

Got to follow it to san diego friday. When we started our climb out of the desert, i decided to take it easy on my car and not wind it out. Chris (driving the 528i) and Ray did the opposite and chased each other quickly up and over. She's still got it.

Saturday found us FINALLY, after 28 years, re-installing the Euro headlights as BMW intended. Looked terrific; the housings and grills were perfect. Took her to the show, and she looked so pretty in the sun breaking through the high fog.
I was a bit distracted with mechanical issues on my red car, but after I messed with it, And gave up, I decided to enjoy the 20+ e28s that showed. I couldn't help but compare her to Ron's "Time Capsule" a few cars down. I came to the decision that I had picked the right car, and it will remain in my grubby paws for the duration.

I received several congratulations, compliments, and warnings that if I screwed the car up, "THEY" would find me and do bodily harm. Duly noted.

Due to events, I ended up driving "The One" back to yuma on sunday afternoon. It's stock. There are comfort seats that don't hold you like my Monacos or sport seats. Tall tires on 14" rims. It rolls a bit. There is a slight vibration from the driveshaft when moving off.
Chris left me a CD with a rather eclectic collection of music on it, I listened for a while and soaked up the 80s. Every time the track changed there was a pregnant pause where i got to enjoy the sound of the car.

Here is the text I sent Kohler:
"It's like riding at 30k ft in an airplane... In between tracks on your CD, you just hear the turbine like whine of the driveline, and that's it..."

And that's the truth. ZERO rattles, squeaks, wind noise... I mean, you can THINK in this car at 80 mph.

So that's what I did. Along with stroking the PERFECT cloth on the passenger seat. I finally got it. The car, that is.
Tyler, I don't know why I ever doubted you. White over Blue IS the perfect combo for BMWs.
Blau mit Weiss, indeed.

I can feel the soul of this car. It speaks to me. I'm in love and will care for her as I would a child. This is "The One", and I am honored to be the new owner.

[JohnH]

Belgium and its got a 3.46 lsd. Good find. Keep it exactly as it is.

[m-racer]

Very cool story. Glad you and the car found each other.

[ldsbeaker]

Took her out for her second bi-weekly drive.
Up and over the pass, and into wellton. Good drive to charge the battery and get her nice and warm.

Got 5 gallons of gas, then came back.

Saw the "certified scales" sign and figured, what the heck.

3060# with half tank of gas and probably 40lbs of stuff in the trunk.
If I took that stuff out, and the spare, I KNOW I would break 3000.

[grahamular]

Took her out for her second bi-weekly drive.
Up and over the pass, and into wellton. Good drive to charge the battery and get her nice and warm.

Got 5 gallons of gas, then came back.

Saw the "certified scales" sign and figured, what the heck.

3060# with half tank of gas and probably 40lbs of stuff in the trunk.
If I took that stuff out, and the spare, I KNOW I would break 3000.

With only a gallon or two of gas in the tank, my 528i weighed 2904 lbs. when it rolled on to the ship in Bremerhaven. So with less gas and without the "stuff" in the trunk, I bet you yours would be about the same.

-Graham

[m-racer]

Took her out for her second bi-weekly drive.
Up and over the pass, and into wellton. Good drive to charge the battery and get her nice and warm.

Got 5 gallons of gas, then came back.

Saw the "certified scales" sign and figured, what the heck.

3060# with half tank of gas and probably 40lbs of stuff in the trunk.
If I took that stuff out, and the spare, I KNOW I would break 3000.

With only a gallon or two of gas in the tank, my 528i weighed 2904 lbs. when it rolled on to the ship in Bremerhaven. So with less gas and without the "stuff" in the trunk, I bet you yours would be about the same.

-Graham

That is pretty amazing when you think about it. My former M2 with a custom aluminum core support and carbon fiber hood and trunk lid weighed in a about 2450 when I had it corner weighted. It had a couple of hundred pounds of cage, but no ac, etc. Your car is almost exactly the weight of an E36 M3 LTW.

[ldsbeaker]

Took her out for her second bi-weekly drive.
Up and over the pass, and into wellton. Good drive to charge the battery and get her nice and warm.

Got 5 gallons of gas, then came back.

Saw the "certified scales" sign and figured, what the heck.

3060# with half tank of gas and probably 40lbs of stuff in the trunk.
If I took that stuff out, and the spare, I KNOW I would break 3000.

With only a gallon or two of gas in the tank, my 528i weighed 2904 lbs. when it rolled on to the ship in Bremerhaven. So with less gas and without the "stuff" in the trunk, I bet you yours would be about the same.

-Graham

I can't remember, is yours a slicktop?

[grahamular]

I can't remember, is yours a slicktop?

No, it has a manual sunroof...

[ldsbeaker]

Original owner had the car switched to R134 years back. Of course, AC was inop when I got the car...
When I did 5000 miles for Vintage and RTT in '13, I was going to get the car fixed in Looserana, but my caravan mates promised to 'Top Gear' comfort mode if it was engaged. They looked kinda serious, so i held off.
Screw it. I'm hot and taking my keedz back and forth every day!
So I jaunt out to Phoenix in triple digits and hope for the best.
Alex said there was 5 lbs of system pressure. Better than zero...
Fill with Nitrogen, held.
Pulled vacuum, then top up coolant. As he was disconnecting the fill or drain hose, the schrader valve exploded.
Okay, let's try again...

AAAHHHHHH!
I have cold air coming from an e28!!
Leaving little puddles everywhere, too. Sweet.

[dsmith]

I still have an M5 waiting in trade and I will remind you every chance I get!

[ldsbeaker]

Figure I may as well update this one, too.

So the AC worked for a grand total of THREE DAYS. ugh. I have since bought all of the tools to do my own AC work, and will be trying to find the leak very soon. I already searched all over the engine bay for the dye, but nothing. Kohler opined that maybe an o-ring from the 134 conversion... ugh. (reading my last update, I completely forgot about that Schrader valve exploding, hmmmm) I REALLY hope the leak isn't in the evaporator area. It would be good to get in there and refresh all of that, but those of you who have done it know how much work and PITA it is.

I really haven't done much to the car. It's so nice that there really isn't much to be done.
30 years and 90% original still, yeah, I'm doing okay.

Really, the only things I've changed are the steering wheel (coarse spline M-tech, Thank you Kohler!)
... and ... after much thought and deliberation...

February 2015
Last time on 14s
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oh yeah...
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Look better already.
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Now, I was SO excited to get these on the car that I didn't even check the pressure in them. They looked okay, felt a little soft, but whatever...
Installed them, THEN realized that they were at about 5-10 psi. Yum. I think the 1/8 inch of tire shine actually saved them and kept the air in the tires till I rolled ever. so. slowly. to the gas station. Aired them up and ready to go!

Let's celebrate
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Well, okay, we have a little time for golf...
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These are just e28 M5 wheels shod in 225/50 rubber. The tires were "shot" according to Kohler, but I still managed to get a few thousand miles and a few months out of them. I think it was the PERFECT "stock" upgrade, and it allows for a little more modding, just in case.

Smooth sailing. The car felt a little more solid and planted with more tire to roll on. In a good way. Plus the car LOOKS all growed up now, too.
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I <3 Arizona roads. So much time to think.

July 2015
Fast forward a few months, and I've started to get a wobble on the driver's front. I figured it was just time to replace the tires FINALLY, but the tire only looked bald, not out of round or anything. Eventually, it became almost undriveable.
This was also my chance to upgrade the brakes since I have 16" wheels.
While I was in the wheel wells, I thought I would finally get a start on finding out what color this car REALLY is.

Wow, yuck. Front.
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... and rear.
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First pass, I can't believe it's actually supposed to be body color!!

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Bigger is better? Or maybe it's just heavier...
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Then I started squeezing all the joints looking for looseness/clicking/popping. Found it!
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Driver's tie rod. Both joints were toast. I could articulate them by hand in all directions. Not good. Quick trip to NAPA, and they actually had the part on the shelf. Nice! Did my best measure and eyeball, but the car wandered EVERYWHERE.

Just a few days of that, and the tires finally tapped out. The other side was not quite as bad, but scary enough that I put the spare on and drove it to the tire shop like that. You should have heard what this sounds like. Weird.

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Soooo, it turns out that they don't make the Michelin Super Sport in 16" anymore. That REALLY sucks, because I know that has been the go-to tire for decent builds. But they have the Pilot Sport that does come in 16, and it looks and acts like a pretty decent tire so far.
Many thanks to Kohler and Mike Burger for offering advice and excellent parts!

NOW the car is really planted. FINALLY, I can boss the car around a little more, and I can trust the rubber. Looks terrific, too.

[stoney]

Nearly exactly a year between each update!

Very clean base model.

My manual E34 535i was very similar, cloth, no sunroof, un optioned on everything except the LSD too. Was so much more fun than the auto executive model I had prior to it, noticable weight difference.

[tig]

I love your threads.

[OcCoupe]

Excellent choice of wheels. I was soooo happy when I put them on the m5! The 16" wheels make me rethink so many things.

By the way, this picture is so apropos to the author.

[Hffvdbl]

This really is a beautiful car. Hope to see it in person some day.

[Sapotorito]

Nice thread idsbeaker... we should organize a little Arizona meet!