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E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 3:23 PM
by funfunfer
SOLD and and on its way to a Father-Son Team ~20 miles from where I bought the car 10+ years ago. Very happy that it will continue to live on. New owner is Chris. I bought my E28 M5 back in 2009 to save it from going to the "Cash for Clunkers" program. It still has the paper tags from that purchase and the drive home (titled in Texas, but not hwy registered. That tells me that I'm never going to get this rusty (Connecticut origin) car back on the road.
Rather than post a list of defects (longer than I anticipated) and new parts, I'll just say that I'd value the car at ~$12000. A skilled restoration might pay off, but I'm not the guy to take on that project. I'll focus on my E34, E23 and 335d and pat the E28 on its little head and send it on its way.

If this type of project is something you might be interested in, please shoot me a PM with specifics of the details you need.
The car is in the Houston area and has been stored inside for the last 8 years.

I'll also put this on the TexFest FaceBook page, but the auction sites are not interested in a car in this condition.

If Covid/EOY/full garage considerations are an impediment, a good story could hold your place in line.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Nov 28, 2020 2:33 PM
by funfunfer
Oh, one more point. If your plans might include cutting out the M5 VIN stampings and welding them into a donor chassis, please don't tell me. I won't sell you the car.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 2:31 PM
by Mike W.
funfunfer wrote: Nov 28, 2020 2:33 PM Oh, one more point. If your plans might include cutting out the M5 VIN stampings and welding them into a donor chassis, please don't tell me. I won't sell you the car.
Gee, who would ever do something like that? Not a guy once based in Germany I wouldn't think. (old reference for more recent members)

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 2:53 PM
by cek
funfunfer wrote: Nov 28, 2020 2:33 PM Oh, one more point. If your plans might include cutting out the M5 VIN stampings and welding them into a donor chassis, please don't tell me. I won't sell you the car.
If you are serious then post the VIN here.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 5:15 PM
by funfunfer
No problem
My car
Year Model VIN Last 7 for parts lookup
1988 BMW M5 WBSDC9300J2791346 2791346

I mentioned the issue because I once saw a "restoration" in progress with exactly that issue.
No, I do not know the VIN of the modified shell.
Unaware that this forum has a history.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 6:12 PM
by austin8753
Mike W. wrote: Dec 01, 2020 2:31 PM
funfunfer wrote: Nov 28, 2020 2:33 PM Oh, one more point. If your plans might include cutting out the M5 VIN stampings and welding them into a donor chassis, please don't tell me. I won't sell you the car.
Gee, who would ever do something like that? Not a guy once based in Germany I wouldn't think. (old reference for more recent members)
*chuckle chuckle*

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 8:47 PM
by cek
funfunfer wrote: Dec 01, 2020 5:15 PM No problem
My car
Year Model VIN Last 7 for parts lookup
1988 BMW M5 WBSDC9300J2791346 2791346

I mentioned the issue because I once saw a "restoration" in progress with exactly that issue.
No, I do not know the VIN of the modified shell.
Unaware that this forum has a history.
Thanks.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 02, 2020 11:38 PM
by wkohler
Funny I was just thinking about this car the other day. Had no idea it had been idle for all this time. Best of luck in finding it a home!

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 03, 2020 12:06 PM
by funfunfer
I was clearly in over my head (or bodywork skill set) with this one. My original vision was a bumperless track rat, but then the BMW price elevator took off. At this point almost any 1st gen M5 ought to be saved... just not by me. I've actually had 2 good E28 donor chassis in the garage, but circumstances sent both of them to the crusher.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 03, 2020 1:30 PM
by austin8753
do you have a way of posting some pictures? i may know someone interested. thank you.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 04, 2020 12:22 PM
by funfunfer

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 26, 2020 5:44 PM
by Seeker
At the price you are offering it is worth more in parts but that’s just my opinion... as long as the engine has good compression, maybe part it out... a entire drive train out of an like M5 sold for $13.500 this year on BAT and it didn’t come with a driveshaft...

GLWS

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 27, 2020 3:07 PM
by funfunfer
Seeker,
Thanks for the input. At this point I'd rather see the M5 go to someone who can get it back on the road rather than part it out. A full part-out is more effort than I can currently put into the car.
Thinking of stuffing the drive train into my E23 to build a NA version of the South African 745, but that makes no economic sense either.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 27, 2020 3:55 PM
by wkohler
These cars have reached a point where you save them. Too many decent cars have been parted over the years sadly.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Dec 27, 2020 4:21 PM
by funfunfer
wkohler wrote: Dec 27, 2020 3:55 PM These cars have reached a point where you save them. Too many decent cars have been parted over the years sadly.
That's my thinking, too. I'm in no rush to get this one out of my garage other than the general march of time for someone my age.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Jan 02, 2021 11:07 AM
by AdamB
Big job. Good luck to future owner!

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Jan 04, 2021 9:29 PM
by Grimes414
I own an e28 M5 in need of a motor. The body is fully restored just needs a heart. Yes a real M5. How is the engine in yours?

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Jan 07, 2021 12:11 PM
by funfunfer
Grimes414 wrote: Jan 04, 2021 9:29 PM I own an e28 M5 in need of a motor. The body is fully restored just needs a heart. Yes a real M5. How is the engine in yours?
Engine is good, although only occasionally started in the past few years. PO had timing chain and guides replaced at ~185,000.
At this time, I'm not interested in parting out the car.

I do have a S38B36 long-block from a low mileage E34 M5 that was totaled because of an HVAC blower motor fire. I had purchased this engine because I spun a rod bearing in my E34 M5 and, at the time, BMW had no crankshaft in inventory. Turned out that a local drag racer machine shop was perfectly capable of repairing my crank for ~$150.

I've been told that, externally, the B36 and B35 are a match. If you have the intake system from your E28 motor, this might be a cost effective way to get your car on the road. I'm into the motor for $3500 if you might be interested.

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Mar 11, 2021 8:06 PM
by Grimes414
Idk how I'm just seeing this. Is the motor still available??

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Mar 15, 2021 5:22 PM
by Fanclutchnut
I just wanted to chime in and say hi. I’m the new owner, Chris in Westchester Co. NY. I took delivery last week and I hope to have a post up on the M5 section soon.

Working with Jim Funfunfer was really great. He made the purchase an enjoyable journey.

Doing a lot of reading and picture taking right now!

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Mar 15, 2021 7:30 PM
by wkohler
Congrats and I’m glad you’re going to save it. Good luck!

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Mar 16, 2021 10:47 AM
by Foonfer
Fanclutchnut wrote: Mar 15, 2021 5:22 PM I just wanted to chime in and say hi. I’m the new owner, Chris in Westchester Co. NY. I took delivery last week and I hope to have a post up on the M5 section soon.

Working with Jim Funfunfer was really great. He made the purchase an enjoyable journey.

Doing a lot of reading and picture taking right now!
Hello Chris, welcome. Looks like you got yourself into an amazing adventure, and look forward to see the results. I would guess you already have a shop lined up to tackle the restoration... would it be an indiscretion to ask which one? ;)

Not sure where you are but there are a lot of interesting cars in Westchester; there is a group of enthusiasts that gathers every now & then in a coffee place called Hayfields, in North Salem. BMWs are usually underrepresented, and you will have a fantastic conversation piece to change all that.

Good luck with the process!

Re: E28 M5 - I'm not going fo finish the project, so it's for sale

Posted: Mar 18, 2021 7:15 PM
by Fanclutchnut
Hey Foonfer/wkohler,

Thanks for the warm welcome! I don’t have a shop in mind right now although I know this car has a history with Graham at Bimmers Only. Our intention is to do a majority of the work ourselves. I’ve been working on Germans since I had an E30 318i in the mid 90s. There’s still lots of learning involved and we have some short and long term goals to plan for. That said, we’ve already begun and as soon as I figure out where I’m hosting photos, I’ll get that thread going.

I knew about the C&C that has been bouncing around Westchester but not specifically that North Salem one. We’ll check it out when she’s on her feet. Do you ever take drives up to Westchester? We love to meet up and see your car some time.
Foonfer wrote: Mar 16, 2021 10:47 AM
Fanclutchnut wrote: Mar 15, 2021 5:22 PM I just wanted to chime in and say hi. I’m the new owner, Chris in Westchester Co. NY. I took delivery last week and I hope to have a post up on the M5 section soon.

Working with Jim Funfunfer was really great. He made the purchase an enjoyable journey.

Doing a lot of reading and picture taking right now!
Hello Chris, welcome. Looks like you got yourself into an amazing adventure, and look forward to see the results. I would guess you already have a shop lined up to tackle the restoration... would it be an indiscretion to ask which one? ;)

Not sure where you are but there are a lot of interesting cars in Westchester; there is a group of enthusiasts that gathers every now & then in a coffee place called Hayfields, in North Salem. BMWs are usually underrepresented, and you will have a fantastic conversation piece to change all that.

Good luck with the process!