E28 528e ?s

MaserMan · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 02:00 PM

I recently sold my toy and my current daily drive is on it's last legs, so I've been exploring for good, cheap daily transportation that I can have fun with until I can afford a new toy. I've come across a 1988 e28 528e 5spd for $4700. It has a 162k on the engine, but the guy selling it is a friend of mine and would warranty the engine because he's got a parts car he can strip of any necessary parts and wouldn't charge me labor for drivetrain work. The interior is in perfect shape, the exterior is in decent enough shape and there's no rust on the car. I'm thinking it's a good buy, but I was curious about the durability of this car. Are there any leak problems anyone is aware of? Any electrical issues I should be concerned about? Any thing I should ask before I take delivery of the car outside of the normal things? How much should I anticipate for annual maintenance? Are they reliable transporatation? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

vodomagoo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 04:48 PM

well if mantianted well the eta engine will last for a very long time, but 4700 dollars sounds a bit much for a car with 162k on the clock and not a perfect exterior

MaserMan · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 05:26 PM

Well, would be a reasonable price? My friend took the car in as a trade and put $4500. He did say that any imperfections he can fix by switching out parts (such as the scratched up roundel, loose seal around the rear passenger side window, etc) he would take car of for free, plus state inspect it and whatever costs that entailed.

Ryan · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 05:42 PM

well lets put it this way. When we paid 5311.50 for the car it had about 90k miles. Some rust but otherwise ran pretty good. Since then we have put about an estimated 2.5-3gs of maintanece into it. Its a fun car though. I like it.

MaserMan · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 06:41 PM

hmm... now the question becomes, how much is that warranty on the engine worth to me, I guess? The exterior can be taken care of with things from the parts car and in my buddy's shop for free (resealing a panel next to the rear passenger window, new roundels, removal of ugly pin stripe, basically everything but a new paint job). This is going to be as easy as I had hoped.

Ryan · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2002, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaserMan
...removal of ugly pin stripe, .,..

yea my pin stripe is pretty gross. I don't know how to take it off without acratching the car though.

Malcolm · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2002, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryan

yea my pin stripe is pretty gross. I don't know how to take it off without acratching the car though.

If it is a tape pinstripe, you should be able to heat it up with a hair dryer and slowly pull it off. Do a small section at a time. Any residual adhesive can be cleaned off with some 3M Adhesive Cleaner.

6piston · #8 (**permalink**) 01-14-2002, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryan

yea my pin stripe is pretty gross. I don't know how to take it off without acratching the car though.

hey ryan.
are those 18"s or 19"s
they look like 19"s

classics.

ktec28 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-14-2002, 03:07 PM

Well the $4700 is kinda expensive. How's the clutch on the car? (clutch is about 160 for the e28 plus labor) You can also do simple inspections on the engine if your worried about it not holding up since this is going to be your "toy". Do a compression test, the compression gauge is only about $40 at your local automotive store and see if the engine holds, if its below 100 psi in 3-4 cranks that cylinder is gone. The e28 have heavy duty engines so i wouldn't worry just to the compression test and take it from there. When was the last timing belt changed? How's the exhaust system, will it pass emissions? As in electrics you might encounter minor problems just cause the car is old. O2 sensor might also need to be replaced. These are all minor things but all this adds up in $$$. I have a '89 e34 with 240,000 miles so these engines are built for the long haul but have to be maintain well. If you have specific questions feel free to ask. About the price go to www.kellybluebook.com and see how much its really worth. In my opinion, its kinda expensive $3,000 sonds more acurrate.
just my .02

FastFourDoor · #10 (**permalink**) 01-14-2002, 03:41 PM

$4700 seems like a lot for a eta with that many miles, unlesss its in perfect condition. E28s are very reliable though, I have had my car for about a year and spend $15 on repairs. E28s do have some problems you need to look for, take the car up to 55 and make sure it dosn't have a shimmy, if it dos you need to replace thye upper control arm bushings, also check the exhaust they rot pretty quickly on those cars and are very expensive. Good luck e28s are great cars.

Ryan · #11 (**permalink**) 01-17-2002, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 6piston

hey ryan.
are those 18"s or 19"s
they look like 19"s

classics.

Which car was it? I change sigs ofter sorry.

Ryan · #12 (**permalink**) 01-17-2002, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Malcolm

If it is a tape pinstripe, you should be able to heat it up with a hair dryer and slowly pull it off. Do a small section at a time. Any residual adhesive can be cleaned off with some 3M Adhesive Cleaner.

sounds like a good idea. I'll try it out. Thanks.

MaserMan · #13 (**permalink**) 01-17-2002, 01:52 PM

Well, here's the deal I have in front of me now. $4500 for the afore mentioned bimmer (with new O2 sensor installed and the few electronic issues it was having fixed) or $4500 for a 1986 Porsche 944 (naturally aspirated) with 117k (newer water pump and timing belt, but needs a new driver's side door panel), and the guy selling will give me $1900 for my 91 Jeep Wrangler saraha with it's cracked cylinder head and all.

e28Jay · #14 (**permalink**) 01-17-2002, 05:37 PM

Well that is pricey for an 88 528e! I only paid $5k for my 535is and it only had 110k on it. Just needed a tune up and a good detail job.
But the 528e is a solid car. Can easily go up to 300k. We just rebuilt the motor in my wifes 528e and it runs so damn good now. Yeah they are not that fast but it is work horse!
As or the 944, I would pass just because it is not a real Porsche in my opinion. Look under the hood and under the car and you will see the VW/AUDI stamp all over it! NOT COOL! But they are fun cars. Good luck and sorry for my useless 2 cents

rickydgreat · #15 (**permalink**) 01-24-2002, 03:34 PM

dont pay $4500.00 thats a ripe off, 1st my dad got me my 528e for $1500 with only 70k on it, 2nd i just went to kellys blue book and put in the numbers for a private party and it came out to be 2570$ I then did dealership (what the dealership would sell it for) and it came out to be 4100$ and thats in good conditioin with no mechanical or outside problems whatsoever, dude he is trying to take u for a ride, if your friend is a friend he would let u pay that much for that car. its not worth it, get the porshe or tell him 2500$ for the car. peace