'80 528i: new project

[Hffvdbl]

So, I found another e12 to work on as the '79 528i I had bought a few years ago just needs to much (engine bay fire that came into the dash)

This is the link to that car:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=136209&start=25

Found this new one in Reno on craigslist.

1980 528i
Polaris Silver
black cloth
slicktop
automatic
~111k miles
inop a/c (just needs a charge )

Seems like a pretty nice car, I cant find rust anywhere really which is nice. The flip side of buying dry California/Nevada cars is that the rubber bits and interior are all sunbaked and dry as well. So the first thing I did was replace the engine bay fuel lines as they were functioning more as soaker hoses.



I'll add more as I progress.

[Nebraska_e28]

Subscribed!
What's the plan for the powerplant?

[cek]

Subscribed!
What's the plan for the powerplant?

Ditto.

[Zengineer]

I cant find rust anywhere really which is nice. The flip side of buying dry California/Nevada cars is that the rubber bits and interior are all sunbaked and dry as well. So the first thing I did was replace the engine bay fuel lines as they were functioning more as soaker hoses.

Well don't I know this to be truth! We both need a PNW parts car to combine it with, lol.

[Hffvdbl]

Subscribed!
What's the plan for the powerplant?

Great question LJ and Charlie. All motor or forced induction? I'm thinking something with 24 valves and high compression or something with 12 valves and a snail. Or maybe something with 24 valves and snail

[Zengineer]

Do I hear a 24v and 2 snails? Or maybe a compounding setup with a supercharger.

[Hffvdbl]

I was able to get some help from my buddy to get the bumpers built and mounted, euro headlights swapped on, and got some tires mounted on the BBS Mahles that I bought for this a few years ago. Mounting the bumpers was fun! Not bad really compared to the couple of e28s I've euro converted. This thing is really a lot of fun to drive.

[Bonsaibacker]

Those bumpers made a huge improvement on the lines for that car. I like the Euro bumpers on the E28 but they radically transform the E12. More pics!

[muleskinner]

Looking great. Now the sidemarkers need to be deleted. Looking forward to seeing the progression.

[Adam W in MN]

Love the transformation so far, keep up the great progress.

[Foonfer]

Noooo don't delete the sidemarkers! The massive ones in front are such a cool feature, love them

Awesome project.

[Hffvdbl]

Making some more progress here and there. Decided to try the full french euro setup instead of just the high beams. The high beams are Hella but I had these Cibie low beams and really wanted to try them out. I like the look and I don't mind the light at night.





Drove it to work the other day. Always forget how tiny these cars are compared to more modern vehicles. Thats a Hyundai or Kia next to me in the parking garage.



Tried my staggered set of style 5s on the car for fun. TOO BIG The rear tires are 255-40/17. I also didn't like the look really. Much prefer the 16" BBS Mahle wheels



Thought this was a cool picture with my wife's e61 and the e24

Noooo don't delete the sidemarkers! The massive ones in front are such a cool feature, love them

Awesome project.

Thanks Foonfer, I really don't mind the side markers in the front.

Love the transformation so far, keep up the great progress.

Thanks Adam, your M535i is an inspiration for sure.

Looking great. Now the sidemarkers need to be deleted. Looking forward to seeing the progression.

Thanks, I'll try to post progress regularly

Those bumpers made a huge improvement on the lines for that car. I like the Euro bumpers on the E28 but they radically transform the E12. More pics!

I feel the same way about the e28 vs e12 transformation. It made me appreciate the styling in the rear of the car. Almost a boat tail type shape. I have BBS front and rear spoilers but I'm hesitant to add them for now.

What's next:
I need to do some maintenance things like pads, plugs and a coolant flush but my next big thing is a 5 speed swap. Initially I didnt mind the automatic but it is dangerous in traffic trying to pull out from side streets because it is so slow off the line.