85 535i Stolen

[B.Green]

I am happy to report that the car was found and I recovered it in Oxnard, CA.

I am sad to report that the car wasn't just used as a getaway car and parked - left as it was stolen. Instead, the rats continued to use it for additional thefts based on the items found in the car. No one was found associated with the car or arrested.

There were no bent body panels, but the car was thrashed. Deep scratches to the original paint and the interior violated with filth and stains (no torn leather though). I elected to drive the car home but I will get it up on a rack to look for damage and drain / analyze fluids. The metric wheels and tires survived...

I am very thankful for your support here and thankful I found your site. I will probably need it to help locate things in an attempt to restore the car (torn steering wheel etc.).

Kind Regards to you and yours...
Bob

[wkohler]

That's great it was recovered but terrible to hear it's in that condition. Can we see some photos? I'm hoping the mental image in my head is worse than how it actually came out.

Too bad the thieves weren't millennials. Wouldn't have made it very far with that manual transmission.

[Mike W.]

Well, half a win is better than nothing I suppose, but I'm sorry to hear about the condition it's now in. I know thieves don't care but it's amazing how fast a car can be thrashed. Glad you got it back and good luck on returning it to it's former glory! And BTY, that's a great shot of your folks with it and the Bav.

[stuartinmn]

Glad to hear it was recovered. Hopefully the damage is limited to the cosmetics.

[Shawn D.]

Sorry to hear it was somewhat trashed, but the news of it being recovered is great!

[B.Green]

Do you folks know if in 1985 where they using single stage paint or was it two stage (base color and clear coat)? The new scratches in the original paint are pretty deep, but I am tempted to go after them rather than respray. If the original is two stage, perhaps a light sanding and clear coat would be possible?

Trying to retain the original paint...

[wkohler]

All metallics were two-stage paints. I would recommend having a professional look at it. There are some people who can do amazing things while maintaining original finishes.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Glad to hear that you got it back and the damage is mostly cosmetic. I'm with Chris on having a pro look at the paint issues. I've seen some amazing results when a detailing wizard has it for a day or so.

[Batushka]

It's stories like these that make me lose my faith in humanity, just pisses me off to no end. I lived in Santa Barbara for a couple years, what a gorgeous place. However, in the last few years, the city has been turning to the gutter; just like the rest of California. Huge spike in criminal activity, in a place that was as peaceful as can be. I'll keep my eye out whenever I see any E28 to check for those plates. I caught someone trying to break into my mom's car one morning a few months back. Luckily her alarm went off. It was something I thought I would never see in my life, I installed surveillance cameras after that at my mother's home.

Have you checked in IV? That place is like a pirate's hangout, low life gang bangers live there selling drugs and stolen goods to the ambivalent student population.

[Corner Carver]

Glad she's back Bob!! Bummer about the state it was in. But it's back!! And all that can be fixed!! And it was in the 'Nard!! That figures. Colonia or El Rio?

Regarding the paint fix, Mr Kohler is right, and I know a guy. If it's possible to fix Dave will know how. I will PM you his info. You may already know of him if you have any friends with old military equipment (tanks, halftracks, etc). Restoring those is a hobby of his that got out of hand. lol Dave builds racecars for a living but you know how rich kids like their toys and he's the best. He once put an S38 in a motorcycle. True story. He daily drives an Alpinweiss 1984 628csi and he's restoring a'74 3.0 coupe that's his special project 'cause he's always wanted one. His work list is years long but he has a real soft spot for old bimmers and I'm sure when you talk to him, especially with this ones story, you'll be able to get to go ahead of the '41 Sherman Tank or the super light '68 Camaro
Well, now you have to keep us up on the recovery.