First Post - First E28

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chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

Hello all.

A little background:
I got the BMW bug in 1992 with a leased E36 325is. I loved it and was hooked, although after I turned it in, I was Bimmerless until 2008 (family, etc.) when I moved to Colorado. Got a used 2002 E46 325xi A/T until I spotted a low mileage 2004 E46 330xi manual trans! I still have that car and have put well over 100,000 miles on it. Great car, great in the snow. A couple of years ago I got a 2008 E85 Z4 3.0csi which I also loved but I wanted an M car. I lucked out and found a 2007 E85 M Roadster with 24,000 miles on it. It now has 27,000 miles on it and it looks like a new car, inside and out. It's a definite keeper! We are a BMW family, big time. One daughter has a 2015 F22 M235i xdrive and the other has a 2014 F32 435i xdrive and a 1991 318is project car that we are putting an M50 motor in, AND she's on her way, as I write this, to New Mexico to pick up an E36 328i, drift car. So yeah.

Anyway, I've wanted an E28 forever.I wasn't really looking, but while we were searching online for her drift car I spotted a 1987 535is for REAL cheap. We picked it up two days ago and I'm excited. It needs a LOT of work but I'm ready (famous last words).

It's a 5 speed. it has 361,000 miles on what the seller believed to be the original engine. Everything works, for the most part, except the horn. The body is pretty much completely straight but a little rust on the right, lower valance and the rear, lower, front fender. Carpet is dirty but intact, headliner is surprisingly good. sunroof is fully functional and it even has the tool kit.

Mechanically, it runs strong but leaks oil, front and rear. Seller said the clutch is new and it feels like it. Driveshaft CSB is completely shot and it ran very cold. I changed the thermostat and is now up to temp. Three of the four axle boots are torn but no axle noise. New diff mount and LCAs.

It's gonna be a long road but I can't wait to dive into it!
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jhh925
Posts: 913
Joined: Jul 11, 2015 12:23 AM
Location: Reno

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by jhh925 »

Congrats! Looks like that will be a fun project.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

Thank you!
BMWCCA2
Posts: 4060
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Central Virginia

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by BMWCCA2 »

Good for you, and for raising great kids! :up:

Just curious, what's with the single exhaust, and how does a 535is have no front air-dam and those bumper-mounted fog lights and guards? Doesn't really look like it has sport seats, either. Good luck with the project.
tschultz
Posts: 4059
Joined: Mar 01, 2009 7:58 PM
Location: Denver, Colorado
Contact:

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by tschultz »

Saw it for sale and thought the same. Good luck with it as a project.
jhh925
Posts: 913
Joined: Jul 11, 2015 12:23 AM
Location: Reno

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by jhh925 »

Chilone: If you're up for it, maybe let us know the VIN and post a pic of the engine. If nothing else, all the good folks here will be better able to give you guidance as you dig into the project.
Foonfer
Posts: 702
Joined: Mar 18, 2015 11:33 PM
Location: New York, NY

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by Foonfer »

C'mon, let Chilone have his moment. He got himself what he wanted, an E28 project car that "needs a ton of work". Good headliner, good sunroof? - yay! 361k on the odo but straight-ish body and seemingly uncracked stock aluminum bumpers? - yayyy! 5-speed? YAYYYY!

No "is" airdam, no Sport seats, single exhaust - who cares? It's a PROJECT CAR that the guy got, and I quote, "for REAL cheap".

For all we know, this car has a Honda Civic motor and was a week away from the crusher before Chilone took her up and will (hopefully) give her a new lease on life. That's always a great thing to see, and that's what this community should celebrate every friggin time it happens.
muleskinner
Posts: 1339
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 11:17 AM
Location: John Graham ATL

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by muleskinner »

Slow n steady. Turn that ugly duckling into a swan.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

Thanks for the replies, guys!

I'm far from an E28 expert, so any help is greatly appreciated. I decoded the VIN and of it comes up as 1987 535i/is so I don't know. The seller said the sport seats were ruined and replaced with luxury seats and the entire exhaust from the manifold back is new, One pipe all the way. The trunk and 535is emblem look original. As far as the air dam, did all the 'is' models have it?

Here's the VIN if anyone can get more clarity from it than I could: WBADC740XH0964545

Either way, I'm excited to have it as a canvas for my "vision".
jhh925
Posts: 913
Joined: Jul 11, 2015 12:23 AM
Location: Reno

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by jhh925 »

One super helpful resource (if you don't know about it already) is RealOEM. It has complete parts diagrams for many BMWs, including yours.

Here's the link for your car: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select?vin=0964545. Note that RealOEM only uses the last 7 of the VIN.

BMW 535i, manual, production month 9/86.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

I also have a question. In the picture, there's a small hose going down past the injector. It connects to nothing and doesn't look like it ever connected to anything. I haven't been able to find any info on what it is, does, or goes. Does anyone know?

P.S. I've ordered my Bentley. $62.00!!!!

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Last edited by chilone on Jun 28, 2022 12:56 PM, edited 1 time in total.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

jhh925 wrote: Jun 28, 2022 12:30 PM One super helpful resource (if you don't know about it already) is RealOEM. It has complete parts diagrams for many BMWs, including yours.

Here's the link for your car: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select?vin=0964545. Note that RealOEM only uses the last 7 of the VIN.

BMW 535i, manual, production month 9/86.
Oh yes! RealOEM is awesome.I use it all the time. :D
saruma
Posts: 66
Joined: Oct 10, 2020 4:33 PM
Location: Denver

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by saruma »

awesome, was watching this FS post on marketplace and wondering who was gonna snag it. will be cool to see around town, not sure what part of CO you're in though.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

saruma wrote: Jun 28, 2022 2:03 PM awesome, was watching this FS post on marketplace and wondering who was gonna snag it. will be cool to see around town, not sure what part of CO you're in though.
The mountains, west of Colorado Springs. :)
BMWCCA2
Posts: 4060
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Central Virginia

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by BMWCCA2 »

Just dug up the BMW NA warranty report and MSRP report on my '87 535is and it does identify it as an "is". I'll check the OP's vin when I get back to work. Always nice to know, that's why I printed mine out.
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

BMWCCA2 wrote: Jun 28, 2022 7:06 PM Just dug up the BMW NA warranty report and MSRP report on my '87 535is and it does identify it as an "is". I'll check the OP's vin when I get back to work. Always nice to know, that's why I printed mine out.
Thank you!
BMWCCA2
Posts: 4060
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Central Virginia

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by BMWCCA2 »

Here you go:

Originally sold by Vickery BMW in Greenville, MS
Built 09/1986
Original retail date 12/31/1986
NA Model Code/Desc: 8753 - 535IS
No LTD Slip option

Vehicle Data
VIN: WBADC740XH0964545
Chassis Number: 0964545

Line Make:

01 - BMW Car

Model Year: 1987

AG Model Code/Desc: DC74 - 535I/4

NA Model Code/Desc: 8753 - 535IS

Motor Type: M30

Exterior Color Code: 138 (CINNABAR RED)

Interior Trim Code: 0206 (PEARL BEIGE LEATHER)

MSRP: $36,300.00

Vehicle Production Date: 1986/09

Series: E28

Wholesale Center ID/Loc: 86773 - 01 (Century BMW Huntsville, AL)

Wholesale Date: 11/29/1986

Retail Center ID/Loc: 56851 - 01 (Vickery BMW Greenville, MS)

Retail Date: 12/31/1986

In-Service Date: 12/31/1986

Option Information
Code Description

0226. Sport Suspension

0458. Seat Adjustment - Electric

0481. Sport seats

0551. ON-BOARD COMPUTER

0716. Aerodynamic package

0841. MODEL DESCRIPTION

0905. special inspection demo car

0947. PIONEER ANTI THEFT RADIO

0972. AIR DAM W/FOGS 535I
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

BMWCCA2 wrote: Jun 29, 2022 9:23 PM Here you go:

Originally sold by Vickery BMW in Greenville, MS
Built 09/1986
Original retail date 12/31/1986
NA Model Code/Desc: 8753 - 535IS
No LTD Slip option

Vehicle Data
VIN: WBADC740XH0964545
Chassis Number: 0964545

Line Make:

01 - BMW Car

Model Year: 1987

AG Model Code/Desc: DC74 - 535I/4

NA Model Code/Desc: 8753 - 535IS

Motor Type: M30

Exterior Color Code: 138 (CINNABAR RED)

Interior Trim Code: 0206 (PEARL BEIGE LEATHER)

MSRP: $36,300.00

Vehicle Production Date: 1986/09

Series: E28

Wholesale Center ID/Loc: 86773 - 01 (Century BMW Huntsville, AL)

Wholesale Date: 11/29/1986

Retail Center ID/Loc: 56851 - 01 (Vickery BMW Greenville, MS)

Retail Date: 12/31/1986

In-Service Date: 12/31/1986

Option Information
Code Description

0226. Sport Suspension

0458. Seat Adjustment - Electric

0481. Sport seats

0551. ON-BOARD COMPUTER

0716. Aerodynamic package

0841. MODEL DESCRIPTION

0905. special inspection demo car

0947. PIONEER ANTI THEFT RADIO

0972. AIR DAM W/FOGS 535I
That is awesome! I called my local stealership and they said it was a US designation, 535is and a Euro 535i.

Thanks for doing that! :D
tschultz
Posts: 4059
Joined: Mar 01, 2009 7:58 PM
Location: Denver, Colorado
Contact:

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by tschultz »

chilone wrote: Jun 28, 2022 12:49 PM I also have a question. In the picture, there's a small hose going down past the injector. It connects to nothing and doesn't look like it ever connected to anything. I haven't been able to find any info on what it is, does, or goes. Does anyone know?

P.S. I've ordered my Bentley. $62.00!!!!

]Image
Here you go, old resource that explains it all pretty well, Just a new link:
https://hpsimotorsports.com/blogs/tech- ... ch-article
chilone
Posts: 47
Joined: Jun 27, 2022 9:59 AM
Location: Colorado

Re: First Post - First E28

Post by chilone »

tschultz wrote: Jul 11, 2022 12:41 PM
chilone wrote: Jun 28, 2022 12:49 PM I also have a question. In the picture, there's a small hose going down past the injector. It connects to nothing and doesn't look like it ever connected to anything. I haven't been able to find any info on what it is, does, or goes. Does anyone know?

P.S. I've ordered my Bentley. $62.00!!!!

Here you go, old resource that explains it all pretty well, Just a new link:
https://hpsimotorsports.com/blogs/tech- ... ch-article
Thank you. I figured out where that and two other hoses go and got them all run properly. The car runs much better.

I will say this: Vacuum hose and fuel line diagrams have been next to impossible for me to find. My Bentley doesn't even have them.
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