E28 528i- whats it worth?

[OllieBirmingham]

They have taken one in part exchange where I work. Its C-reg, so 1986, metallic black and its in really good condition. Its got light cloth, its manual and it has 136k miles on it. Cosmetically it is really tidy, interior is clean apart from some threading on the drivers seat. It has the original radio, unmarked original wheels, ticket until 04/09 and drives perfectly except the steering is a bit vague. The temp guage doesn't work and the lights are poor when dipped, but I absolutely loved driving it home tonight. We had a sales meeting in Portsmouth and I drove the long way back aftwerwards to Winchester down the A272 and loved every second of it. I had Ocean FM on and it was a perfect 80's soundtrack for the floaty, underbraked luxo barge. I haven't had as much fun in a BMW since I sold my E30 Sport, and I mostly drive E46 Diesels and my parents E92 330d which are twice as capable but half as fun and involving.
I am broke, but if I bought it cheap enough and knew I could always get my money back say if I broke it or something I'd have it in an instant. What is it worth?

[dan101smith]

The market for E28s is all over the place. The problem is that they hide the majority of their problems under the skin, so a cursory glance doesn't give a good indication of condition - they rust around the sills and jacking points, under the M-Tec kit (if fitted) and various other places.

If it is in really good condition (NOT concours) then it could be worth up to £2k - but to sell it at £2k would require a lot of patience, and luck in finding the right buyer.

[OllieBirmingham]

It looks really tidy, tiny little bubble on one of the wheel arches about the size of a 10p coin, underneath looks fine. I can probably buy it for less than £500, should I or not?

[dan101smith]

If it has a long MoT then go for it! Can't go wrong at that price.

[chrisr29]

For 500 notes would be rude not to! What's the top end like, quiet or rattly?

[OllieBirmingham]

The engine sounds superb, doesn't like to rev out like my old E30 325i but seems to have more torque. The E30 used to come alive at 4k revs, engine note changed and launched into horizon. Wonder if it had an uprated cam? I used to think my sport was tricky in the wet but this E28 takes the biscuit, had a few arse clenching moments on the roundabouts on my way in to work this morning!! Great fun though......

[Job38]

Sounds cool for £500.
DO IT !

(expect plenty of rust adventures though..........)

[dan101smith]

Is it on the original metrics then? Deadly, I tells ya!

My old 528i had the cam replaced with something a little more potent, and that liked to be revved over 4k. Sadly it was an auto though

[OllieBirmingham]

I've never known a car that wants to let go at the back with such little provocation. Except maybe the big power LWB Sprinter vans when they are unloaded. Where I used to work they fitted these plasticy tyres that lasted for 1000 years but offered less than no grip in the wet, and feeding in full opposite lock on a 14ft Sprinter van is enough to give anyone a heart attack.

[Job38]

If it does have metrics, get them off sharpish!

Find some second hand 16" BBS rims and clad in Falken 452s.