Your opinions please, re: E28 528i

[scarebus]

I have been looking for an interesting banger and stumbled across this....


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-528-SE-AUTO-WHITE-/2...


It looks like a nice little car. Not too fond of it being an auto, but I guess the engine would be unstressed by this. Looks in great condition though.

Are there many pit falls with this model? Future classic? or too much of a gamble?

Thanks for your advise

[DavidHM]

Chrome arches are a bit worrying althoug the seller says it's "nothing serious."

Other than that, it looks like it's in great condition and well worth the money it's on at. Could easily be valeted, presented a bit better and knocked out at £4k by a certain doctor...

[sprouting]

Here you go, it may only be a 2.0 but it's manual and the fairly light by today's standard.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3444509.htm

Exactly the same as the one i used to have, apart from the wheels

[Gruber]

Rust is the main risk - you'd need to check inner and outer wings, around the screens and lights, the sills, etc. I wouldn't touch one with chrome arches to be honest. They hide too much and provide a breeding ground for more rust.

The "big six" engine is very strong and the gearboxes tend to be ok if properly looked after.

Also, check what tyres it is on. If they're metric, budget for a set of imperial wheels and rubber. The metric tyres are circa £350 a corner.

[scarebus]

DavidHM said:

Chrome arches are a bit worrying althoug the seller says it's "nothing serious."

Other than that, it looks like it's in great condition and well worth the money it's on at. Could easily be valeted, presented a bit better and knocked out at £4k by a certain doctor...

a certain doctor? I think I am missing something...

edit, I found him Dr Oloyede

Edited by scarebus on Monday 2nd January 19:42

[YeahYeahWhatever]

DavidHM said:

Chrome arches are a bit worrying althoug the seller says it's "nothing serious."

Other than that, it looks like it's in great condition and well worth the money it's on at. Could easily be valeted, presented a bit better and knocked out at £4k by a certain doctor...

4k - you really are having a larf

[scarebus]

YeahYeahWhatever said:

4k - you really are having a larf

This is going for 8K http://pistonheads.com/sales/3375616.htm

[Bogracer]

I have properly refreshed many BMW's, it helps with my OCD!

Rot, evidence that the brakes, suspension and cooling system have been attended to in full and recently - dig into those invoices. If the inferior is in good nick, the body good, and the car does not overheat on a 15 mile run, evidence the mileage is genuine and service history, do it for under a grand. The E23 528i is a lovely car.

Budget £3,000 for a mechanical refresh and you will have a nice driving gem, which you can use every day. Enjoy for a couple of years, and you will recover a fair chunk of your money when you sell. Nice cars with evidence of love do make the money.

Take all the assessing advice form the contributors.

It's less than a years depreciation on a Ford Fiesta!

I am working on a lovely E34 535i for my own use, trials and tribulations on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/1992-E34-535i-Restor...

[roofer]

Thats a nice car, its sitting 'square' Trim is in remarkable condition too, especially the drivers seat bolster.Jacking points, screen surround, bootlid seal/taillight issue etc tc, but if you get it cheap it has potential. Tempted myself if i'm honest.

[Output Flange]

As said, rust is the big enemy. The additional area to check is around the rear subframe mounts - if it goes there, it's a pig of a job to fix (and pay for).

And the £8k car at 4Star is Derin's old one, by the look of it.

The autobox is fine - a manual conversion is pretty straightforward if you find you don't get on with it.