Build opinions needed!

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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Spaz!
Posts: 77
Joined: Jan 13, 2014 3:40 AM
Location: Moriarty, NM

Build opinions needed!

Post by Spaz! »

So I have too many options and can't decide which way to go. Terrible problem, I know...

So I have three e28's and one 325 is engine and manual trans.
First e28 is an '85 524td auto in pretty damn good shape, shows 85k on the dash and has been parked for 20+ years. Kinda hate to tear it apart, it runs and drives but I think the governor is stuck. It's been a long list of little things with this car since I got it. No surprise considering how long it sat.

Next is an '85 535i manual that's rotten in the body beyond repair. It also runs and drives but has been ragged on pretty bad, has a dead miss on cyl 4, unknown cause.

3rd is an 88 super ETA auto, bit of a basket case. It has 5 broken rockers and who knows what else wrong with it. Solid body and an ok interior though.

I also have an m20 b27 block in useable condition and the engine out of my old '87 325is as well as the matching trans. It has IE +1mm stainless valves, schrick 272 cam, WAR chipped and was running when pulled from the wreck.

What do y'all think? I want one running car out of all of it.
Mike W.
Posts: 26872
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Mike W. »

You said the 88 Super E is a basket case, but good body and interior. Assuming that includes paint, I'd go with that one. Do some sort of an E to i conversion, ideally with a 2.7, and the 5 speed it sounds like you have. The TD I don't know what to say about, except maybe sell it to someone in California who wants a smog test free E28 to do a conversion on. The 85 535i? Part it. 85 would have the very desirable G265 manual tranny that either by itself or with lots of parts would be a nice conversion package and likely pay for the other bits and pieces you invariably need.
kojo96
Posts: 798
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by kojo96 »

That g265 is dependant on actual month of production. Not all 85 535i cars (manual transmission) got it.
Mike W.
Posts: 26872
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Mike W. »

kojo96 wrote: May 02, 2022 8:48 PM That g265 is dependant on actual month of production. Not all 85 535i cars (manual transmission) got it.
My understanding, confirmed by Realoem, is all model year 85 535i's got 265s. Obviously an 86 model year manufactured in 85 calendar year would not have part from an 85 model year car.
kojo96
Posts: 798
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by kojo96 »

I'm not sure on where the split was related to production but I have an 85 titled e28 535i manual and it did not have the 265, it had the 260/6. Spoke to Ivo about it and he confirmed that the later month production cars got the g260.
My cars production is 9/85 and its titled as an 85.
Spaz!
Posts: 77
Joined: Jan 13, 2014 3:40 AM
Location: Moriarty, NM

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Spaz! »

The super ETA's paint is not great, not terrible either but it is bronzit. I also have a '82 633csi that I would like to keep the m30/g265 for if I don't go the big six route on the e28. Selling the td is definitely an option. I bought it just because it was really straight and I thought I could swap it with a gasser but thats a bit more of a project than I want to deal with and I kinda hate to cut it apart. Probably trade it off for e24 or e28 parts.

Is there a sticky here for the 2.7i build? I think there is one on r3v if not
Spaz!
Posts: 77
Joined: Jan 13, 2014 3:40 AM
Location: Moriarty, NM

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Spaz! »

Kojo was yours imported? My e24 is titled as an '83 but it's an early '82 DOM, my guess is that it was titled as an '83 when imported.

Well I have no idea what my 535i has for a tranny now I guess. Door tag says it's an auto chassis. :? Reverse is up and to the left but that's all I recall from the last time I drove it. Pretty sure it's a 5spd.
Last edited by Spaz! on May 02, 2022 9:26 PM, edited 1 time in total.
kojo96
Posts: 798
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by kojo96 »

Spaz! wrote: May 02, 2022 9:20 PM Kojo was yours imported? My e24 is titled as an '83 but it's an early '82 DOM, my guess is that it was titled as an '83 when imported.
No, USA spec. Had a bunch of euro stuff on it though.
Sundeep
Posts: 34
Joined: Jul 26, 2016 6:12 PM
Location: Bay Area

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Sundeep »

Spaz! wrote: May 02, 2022 9:20 PM Kojo was yours imported? My e24 is titled as an '83 but it's an early '82 DOM, my guess is that it was titled as an '83 when imported.

Well I have no idea what my 535i has for a tranny now I guess. Door tag says it's an auto chassis. :? Reverse is up and to the left but that's all I recall from the last time I drove it. Pretty sure it's a 5spd.
I'm pretty sure the black sticker always says 535i/A no matter the transmission. You can identify a g265 by going under the car and seeing if the trans has a removable bell housing
Spaz!
Posts: 77
Joined: Jan 13, 2014 3:40 AM
Location: Moriarty, NM

Re: Build opinions needed!

Post by Spaz! »

Interesting I'll have to crawl under there and look. I still can't find the sticky on 2.7i builds. If anyone has a link I'd really appreciate it.
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