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Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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VOM99
Posts: 4
Joined: Jun 07, 2025 8:19 AM
Location: Atlanta

Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by VOM99 »

Hola e28ers. Great to meet you. Newbie in Atlanta here- just picked up a 1983 533i. It’s my first e28 (and my first classic.) Can’t wait to get tinkering. 
It runs and drives great, but needs some cosmetic work. Also, immediate focus is a grabby driver’s side front brake- first guess is it probably needs a new master brake cylinder.
Will try to add a couple of pics once I figure out the uploader…
Please bear with me- I’m going to have a lot of stupid questions!
VOM99
Posts: 4
Joined: Jun 07, 2025 8:19 AM
Location: Atlanta

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by VOM99 »

olim
Posts: 6
Joined: Jul 18, 2023 11:28 AM
Location: Texas

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by olim »

Welcome! Fellow newbie here too, well to e28s that is lol. Love the color of your car and your steering wheel. As far as your brake issue goes have you checked the caliper on that specific wheel? Sometimes slide pins can give you weird stuff if they’re seizing, just my two cents. Either way sweet ride, enjoy it!
Mike W.
Posts: 27452
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by Mike W. »

Welcome to the group!

I too would look at the caliper and pads before the M/C for the grabby brake.
4DSC
Posts: 169
Joined: Sep 21, 2012 1:53 PM
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by 4DSC »

Welcome! 3rd checking the brake hardware on that side first. I'm in Atlanta as well and I have a whole box of used stock e28 brake parts and a new set of pads if you would like them for free. Removed from my 535 when I upgraded the brakes and worked fine when removed. It does look like the part numbers for a 533 are different for the calipers but not quite sure if they are actually different dimension wise.
Shawn D.
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 22151
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Contact:

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by Shawn D. »

Welcome!  Please read and heed the Forum and Tech FAQ sections!

I'm in Metro Atlanta myself.  An Atlanta native, to boot!
VOM99
Posts: 4
Joined: Jun 07, 2025 8:19 AM
Location: Atlanta

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by VOM99 »

Thanks- will definitely check the pads and calipers first. They were new in the last 6 months (doesn’t mean that isn’t the problem though.) The brake gets grabby once the car warms up. Then releases when cool- I read that was a likely symptom of master cylinder.
VOM99
Posts: 4
Joined: Jun 07, 2025 8:19 AM
Location: Atlanta

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by VOM99 »

Also good to know there’s some folks here in Atlanta. I’m actually a Brit but I’ve been here 15yrs. Right in the city.
dsw99a
Posts: 412
Joined: Jan 07, 2012 5:22 AM
Location: Hawaii

Re: Newbie in Atlanta- 1983 533i

Post by dsw99a »

Plum Crazy!!!🤩
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