MyE28.com

I have a chance to purchase a sweet blk/blk 535is but it is auto.

Should I even bother? How bad is it compared to the 5-speed?

If it's a great deal, buy it and run the ZF into the ground. While doing that, acquire the necessary parts for a 5-speed conversion and DIY or find someone to do it for you. As cheap, or cheaper, than rebuilding the slush-box.

I wouldn't bother...

I'm interested if you aren't if you'll send me a link.

Well I wasn't about to pass on a clean chassis and interior 535iA and now I am driving it and loving every minute.

Only those with complexes get caught up on a transmission and would pass on a good car because of it.

I am getting the parts for the swap but right now I am enjoying the car.

I've owned a couple BMW's with automatic transmissions and I have to say, I didn't mind having it in my old 535is. It performed really well and the EH switch came in handy during mountain driving in Colorado. My daily commute also consisted of bumper to bumper traffic most days, so having an auto was also handy there.

At the end of the day, my preference is for a manual transmission. Personally, something about it makes me feel more connected to the driving experience and a bit more in control of the vehicle. But if this auto 5-Series is in good mechanical condition, I say go for it! You can always do a swap later on down the line

Fox
Denver, CO

dinanm3atl wrote: Only those with complexes get caught up on a transmission and would pass on a good car because of it.

I've had the trans out of my car and it was enough of a pain in the ass to rebuild it and put the same one back in. The car would have to be in really great condition and pretty close to free to get me to want to go through the extra trouble to swap in a manual. Especially when there are plenty of nice examples with manuals already installed.

tsmall07 wrote:

dinanm3atl wrote: Only those with complexes get caught up on a transmission and would pass on a good car because of it.

I've had the trans out of my car and it was enough of a pain in the ass to rebuild it and put the same one back in. The car would have to be in really great condition and pretty close to free to get me to want to go through the extra trouble to swap in a manual. Especially when there are plenty of nice examples with manuals already installed.

In my search I have not seen too many "nice" examples of the e28... They are becoming more and more rare.

I wouldn't buy a car with an auto because when it was swapped, it wouldn't match the build sheet. Say what you want about that, but that's pretty much one of two reasons I didn't buy the car Murfinator now has.

Alot depends on > is it gonna be a daily driver? Weekend garage queen ?? City driving or rural ?? Myself would`nt want a 5 spd. Luv them AutoMatics Randy/ 8)

Auto tragic......enough said

VJR021 wrote:I have a chance to purchase a sweet blk/blk 535is but it is auto.

Should I even bother? How bad is it compared to the 5-speed?

How will you be using this car? If you will use it for a lot of congested stop and go driving, an automatic has its advantages. If, however, it is more of a hobby / weekend / fun car, then I would go manual.

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that these cars aren't exactly fast to begin with, and there are times when an automatic will make them feel especially slow.

If you do buy an automatic, make sure you drop the pan and take a look at the fluid. If you need to replace the trans, the four speeds aren't horrendously expensive, and the manuals, while they don't fail, develop their own issues (leaks, clutch hydraulics, pedal bracket failure) with age that are also a pain in the ass. So, if the car is a good one, I would go by condition and the availability of service records, as is always the case.

Ask this question and you will get as many different opinions as you will posts....I say if it is a nice car, just swap the damn trans when it shits the bed...

I like automatics for trucks (like my Suburban) or for family commuting & when shared by folks with different interests in shifting gears & used on long road trips (like my E320). For a car that a significant part of my ownership has to do with the enjoyment & human/mechanical interaction of driving, then I want to shift the gears myself. For a car that is more likely to be a ragged out POS, I'd rather have a manual transmission too (funny, the two uses end up in the same category). I do a lot of stop & go commuting in automatics & I don't feel like I'm missing out on something. But, if I go for a nice drive on a country road away from 'everything' i want to be more closely linked with the machine. It's my choice & I make it. All others' choices have no relation.

In the mid '80s a friend had a grey market 323 (E30) that was automatic. I drove that car a good bit when it was very new & that was the first time I drove an automatic that could do a pretty decent job of keeping the car in the proper power band & petty much keep driving fun....so, fwiw, as the technology improves the question I believe really becomes one more of taste/preference than performance/economy/longevity....of course, that has very little to do with our 20+ yr old E28s, does it?

I wouldn't pass up a straight, rust free e28 just for an auto trans. You can swap those out, you know. Problem solved. And its easier to swap a tranny than to fix body damage or rust.

NO AUTO'S !!!! , manual swap can be spendy unless you do the work.

Must be nice to be able to be so picky.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts... I am going to thoroughly go over the car, and if the tranny is the only thing keeping me from getting it, I won't let it stand in my way.

I love the 535is/635is body style, and this will be a daily driver that I will need to put some miles on, so maybe the auto won't be so bad.

Unless I come across another one (or a 635is) I will pick it up.

If I don't but it look for pics and info on this post later in case anyone else wants it.

Thanks for being so helpful, can't wait to be back in "the club"

Vinny

bkbimmer wrote:NO AUTO'S !!!! , manual swap can be spendy unless you do the work.

You pay someone to work on your car ??? If you have deep enough pockets for a 20+ yr old car, You should pay to build something that will go up in value. Most of the people I know work on there cars and do crazy swaps all the time.

dinanm3atl wrote:Only those with complexes get caught up on a transmission and would pass on a good car because of it.

You just keep telling yourself that!
To each their own.

But since the Original Poster asked: I agree with tsmall07. The car would have to be nearly perfect and close to free for me to consider it even for a swap. For a learner for my daughters, maybe, though there are plenty of newer BMWs for not much more money that have air bags. 'Nuff said.

83533i wrote:Most of the people I know work on there cars and do crazy swaps all the time.

Most of the people I know work for a living and have to balance their productive time and income potential versus paying other so do heavy lifting. For me, such work in the gravel driveway is no fun and I'd have the patience to wait for a stick. But then most of my friends can spell, too.

This car is in great condition, original paint, no dents, I would be the second owner, rubber is all good all the way around, it is a black metallic with blue interior(not my favorite, but it will do)

I also found a 535i with a 5-speed for a little less money and in a little rougher condition. Better choice?

Condition condition condition. It's all important.

Condition and rust and being straight and 1 owner and you will pass because of the transmission?

That is just stupid in my mind.

I am third owner of my car. 150,000mi and it was in Cali and Georgia... It has zero rust and 1 or 2 small dings but the body is perfectly straight and original paint is still smooth after a good wash. Can't wait to see what it does after a huge detail. The interior has 2 problems. 4 cracks in the dash and and the driver side bolster has a 1in hole.

Fresh tires and 15" wheels. The car rides smooth as glass at 80mph and shifts great. No rattles and weird noises.

Not going to pass on that because of a transmission.

VJR021 wrote: it is a black metallic with blue interior

They never made the 535is in that combination. Somebody's screwing with you, or something's been done to it.

I'm still finding it hard to believe people actually consider the 5-speed and the automatic as the same car. They're not. I own both. There's no comparison. Not saying that those with autos don't love them, but if you're a stick-shift kind of guy, there's very little to satisfy you in an auto E28. They're just not the same. If you really want to drive it. If you're just commuting or you like the style, that's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish. Of course that's IMHO.

A good 535i with a auto trans will out last three or four clutches. My 1987 535is auto is a rocket! I never could understand power everything and stick shift.

BMWCCA2 wrote:

VJR021 wrote: it is a black metallic with blue interior

They never made the 535is in that combination. Somebody's screwing with you, or something's been done to it.

I'm still finding it hard to believe people actually consider the 5-speed and the automatic as the same car. They're not. I own both. There's no comparison. Not saying that those with autos don't love them, but if you're a stick-shift kind of guy, there's very little to satisfy you in an auto E28. They're just not the same. If you really want to drive it. If you're just commuting or you like the style, that's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish. Of course that's IMHO.

I own a 1999 BMW M3 IP/GTS3 Racecar and it is 5speed. My e30 is 5 speed and I am a HUGE anti-auto guy. I love to drive for the thrill of it and the e28 is a great driver's car. However the automatic I am loving it actually. I love my comfort seats with the armrest and my 1001 way adjustable power seats. The auto just fits and has not taken away from the fun yet...

Now that is not to say that I am not hunting for 5 speed swaps but the swap won't be done until the auto explodes

dinanm3atl wrote:Not going to pass on that because of a transmission.

You're coming at this from a different angle. You said when you got the car the you were looking for an automatic because of your wife. I don't think I'd marry a girl that didn't drive stick, but if I did I would do what you did. The OP doesn't appear to be in your situation.

e28ranch wrote:A good 535i with a auto trans will out last three or four clutches.

Only if you suck at driving a stick. A clutch can easily last over 100,000 miles.

e28ranch wrote: My 1987 535is auto is a rocket!

Lets race. 8)

e28ranch wrote: I never could understand power everything and stick shift.

Luxury doesn't mean you have to have a slush box. If I ever get too lazy to change my own gears I may as well just die...

That is wrong. I said that it is was a benefit and it didn't bother me because I can use our tow vehicle whenever I want. I wasn't shopping for an auto but when I stumbled upon one it fit the bill.

If you pass on a girl because she can't drive stick you are missing out

dinanm3atl wrote: If you pass on a girl because she can't drive stick you are missing out

Not really, I got me one that learned on a stick and thats all she wants! 8)

She drives an e36 M3, too!

WOW I didn't mean to stir up this much crap from everyone...

thank you for all of your opinions... I'll let you kn ow what I do this weekend.