BMW 5 Series Ultimate Buyers Guide: Should You Buy an E28 5 Series?

[@mortkb]

I have an E28 - a 1988 528e. Had it for over 20 years now and still thoroughly enjoy it. Cool part is the 88 528e (and 325e) had the M20 "Super ETA" engine. It was still the long stroke 2.7 motor but had the 325i head and intake manifold in the top end. So I did the conversion on it by putting in a 325i cam and dual valve springs, valve job, Motronic 1.3 ECU, 325i throttle body and AFM among other things. Did a 5-speed manual swap on it which was pretty easy. It has Bilstein shocks and H&R springs and sway bars. Lowered it about 3/4" front, 1" rear. My favorite mod was the Billy Boat 535i exhaust which I had professionally installed due to the mods required but it sounds GLORIOUS with that inline 6! So fun to drive, very comfortable, and has over 200K on the rest of the motor and chassis. Great cars for sure.

[@SeventyEightCivic]

I sold my beige 528e in Oregon 20 years ago ;P It was a great car.

[@briankissel7661]

I tried the Billy Boat on my E28 M5 but I already had a “track pipe” (catalytic converter delete. I had to return the BB because it was just too over the top loud.

[@TheDaneJohni]

KEEP IT !!!!!!!!!!

[@gunsandcars3648]

one of the best cars ever built, dont fool yourself, driving one is a close to god experience, had couple, the 3.5 six one of the best engines ever made.

[@MarkRenn]

I had an E12 back in the 80's. I adored that car and I would give anything to have one again.

[@lornafuentealba237]

I got a white BMW 528e 1985 the first time I saw this car, it was brought to me. I bought it for $600 I Fall In Love immediately ,this car is a tank, needs a little bit of work ,working on it it runs strongly ,no leaking ,sunroof works just fine all the windows. Everytime I go for the ride is fun and I really enjoyed driving. well it's my baby had another baby 1980 short bed Chevy truck .I love both

[@globalcitizen8321]

My father has a 1977 E12 525. Extremely well build car, simple, and fun to drive. He bought it in 1981, second (and last) owner.

[@badtzmaru7457]

my 85 bmw 528e is by far one of the best cars ive ever driven. a true blast from the past and a car i refuse to sell no matter what situation im at in life. Its a true car made for the driver and not one you see out on the road alot. 10/10 car highly recommend

[@haysgoodman8068]

I took hydraulic steering so much for granted all those years… Even my Audi 4000 and 4000 Quattro with heavy front ends had so much pavement feedback through the rack. I really miss that.

[@briankissel7661]

I do dislike the lack of a rack and pinion setup on E28s.

[@stevevice9863]

If you are only spending $2000/year to keep it running, that is a bargain. I had an '84 633csi that I loved, but even in 1990's money I was probably spending at least $2000 year, at that time, depending on what needed to be done. I sold it with 245K miles and it was still going strong, but it was starting to use more oil and I could see an engine rebuild in my future. I wish I had kept it....such a great driving car.

[@sparkeyjones6261]

@877Media6 You're right, it's pretty minimal for maintenance just to keep them on the road. However, I get the bug every few years to do restoration and performance upgrades and spend $5-$10k at a time. I would guess average cost has easily been $3k-$4k over the past 12 years of owning my 535i. 😅

[@marekd.7350]

Just picked up a 1988 535is. This vid is amazing guys! Thanks!

[@danielgm8639]

How much you pay?

[@pawpawbandit3871]

how do you like it after a year? I feel like these are one of a very small group of modern classics worth owning./ driving

[@ScottSellsSoCal]

If yours is an automatic with the ZF 4HP…. And the transmission is shifting weird… like it’s slipping, it’s more than likely the throttle position sensor! Two screws to adjust which directly affects the shifts and their quality.

[@viperocco]

I really enjoyed this video. The format was cool and the content was informative and well presented.

[@michaeld2799md]

I’ve had my ‘87 528e for almost 2 years now and it’s been an AMAZING daily. 5 speed manual with a clean running M20B27, really glad I found this car because now I’m interested in the entire umbrella vehicles for that time period. It’s been a blast to be a part of this community and I’m grateful that I made the decision to get into these cars.

[@ImmaTbagyou]

I have been searching far and wide for a clean example.... I'm not very into BMW usually but the 528e is very clean looking and apparently reliable too. All the good ones are on the west coast

[@rudestboyem]

Also I couldn't help but noticed how great the shop is. I wish my shop looked as cool. Lol the plants inside wow !! Dream garage right there!! Not too clean and not trash. Those mechanics living the dream !!

[@Civilianart]

I had a black 82 528e std trans in the mid-90s. The engine would shut off at highway speed. I could restart and never slow down - I think I turned the key and popped the clutch...can't recall exactly. This situation was finally rectified with an expensive 'logic' board of some sorts installed behind the glove box. One of my favorite James Bond scenes ever from "Octopussy" - two green and white German Polizei 5-series chasing Roger Moore driving an Alfa Romeo GTV-6.

[@lisac4225]

Me too

[@theylied1776]

I can fix about 90% of what's on my vehicles, both Toyotas. But the only mechanic that I will let work on my vehicle is a former BMW mechanic. I really can't find any good former Toyota mechanics.

[@exptodd]

I cannot speak on the older ones but I owned a 97 7 series and it was a complete joke everything made out of plastic spent more time in the shop than it did on the road and every time anything went wrong it was at least$1,000

[@saveyourhero3307]

What 7 series was it? The 740i?

[@exptodd]

@@saveyourhero3307 740 il

[@shatbad2960]

A design classic that has only improved with age.

[@NenadTrajkovic]

Bmw E34, E39 and Mercedes W124 and W126 are, in my opinion, perhaps the best German cars ever made

[@iadubber]

The e28 is such a beautiful car

[@spencerhardy5357]

I got an 528e with 345,000 miles on it and it runs great! I’ve invested close to $1500 in the last 6 years of ownership on regular maintenance. Never left me stranded

[@ExTrumpet]

Several years ago I saw a red E28 535is for sale...shoulda bought it.

[@craig9843]

My favorite car of the past. How I would love to have one. I was a teen in the 80s and have loved them over the years and I’m insulted when someone turns their nose up when I share my love for this car of the past.

[@StorkTransportLLC]

Limited Slip differentials were available on every model E28 sold in the USA.

[@kogaerusaru5171]

1985 was the prime year for manual m30 e28s, 83-84 533i used a g260/5 which isn't inherently bad but not as robust, 85 535i got the golden g265/6 which are a pain in the ass to find now, and 86-88 went back to the g260/6 which are completely fine. i'd love to find a g265/5 dogleg but parts availability, rarity, and the fact that it's the weakest means i'd be in for it.

[@ruthdaniel6378]

Very informative and great video! I had questions on these cars and they were answered here. Thanks!!!

[@craigpilgrim5793]

I'm in Brisbane, Australia. i have 2 E28's-love 'em (both originally M535's-one had an Alpina B10 kit put on by Alpina Australia). Great show, thanks a lot for good information.

[@e28forever30]

Actually, E39 wheels are not a direct fit, they require adapter rings because the center bore is larger on those wheels. E38 wheels, on the other hand are a direct fit. I’ve got the 8x16 “style 5 “ basket weave wheels on mine. No overkill on the tires, 205/50/16 will do on a 525i. 😀

[@AirViewVideos]

I heard the same thing and wondered why he would say "direct fit" when the center bores are clearly different.

[@brinkee7674]

Always liked the E28. Knew a kid that got one from dad but he had no idea how to drive it. What pissed him off was I got a Lincoln MK VII from a geezer for $5k and put about $3k and change into it and proceeded to blow his doors off. I would of given that car and my left nut for that e28 though. Now I'd give both of them as they are just decoration. I can't believe the money they are demanding these days

[@markpiccirelli4399]

This was a record-settingly informative video!

[@HakunaAmil]

Hi. Awesome video. I have an old 524td 85 model that I’ve been working on for a while. I do need some parts. Anyone know how I can contact them? I would like to see if I can get any help with the parts. It’s and old project car that’s not running at the moment. I just want to get it running.

[@lisac4225]

I can’t believe you didn’t link anywhere in your video how to reach the shop there’s several on the webpage so how am I gonna know which one it was basic info would’ve been great

[@sparkeyjones6261]

My power headrests have always worked. Do I have some sort of rare unicorn?

[@avnostlga]

You do!

[@rudestboyem]

This was AMAZING!!!!! Great great content 💯💯👏💯

[@briankissel7661]

You can see the camshaft through the oil cap.

[@lffit]

interesting upload guys, no more shorts pleeze?

[@RivieraByBuick]

14:53 because USA cars had sealed beams

[@bck0001]

And same issue with the MBs of this era. The Euro lights look better.

[@damilolaakanni]

I personally prefer the E34 and E39, most especially the E39, but this is a great video for people who are interested in the E28.

[@P.Galore]

It is near impossible to find an e28 in decent condition or decent mileage. Rust is a huge problem.

[@e28forever30]

Mine’s rust free, except for the vents in the hood, classic rust spot..

[@samirdu]

Id buy that black with tan interior if ur selling

[@rickywilliams7217]

Do you have a front lower spoiler like on that white bmw for sell?

[@spartanchirho]

Haven't seen Toby in a while...

[@DJCallitquits]

Awesome video!!

[@buckfaststradler4629]

The US spec bumpers do not enhance the looks.

[@airopmcsmtn]

I have a 1983 535i for sell…. Who wants it? It’s not running but it has an ignition problem… paint is worn out… interior is ok and everything is original.. 5 speed manual 6 in-line moon roof brown leather interior… original rims

[@jamesonpace726]

A: these fellers are very lucky B: they're lying C: bmws are really indestructible....

[@gk-m5]

Dang bro he got the whole E28 fam... Thats whats sep🤣✨✨✨

[@blue_lancer_es]

It's cute when he says 30 year old car. 😅. My e34 is 31. So those are pushing 40 😮

[@sparkeyjones6261]

You're right, there are no 30 year old E28's. Mine was manufactured the last year they were made, and it's 35 this year.

[@SwayPromo]

Can you change the front miler to the smaller more meaner looking on that’s on the other car in this video??

[@SwayPromo]

Like basically change It to the Japanese and European style front bumper they came out with

[@bck0001]

Yes

[@ariescustom]

The same-size headlight and bumper car fenders are a great example of how US "safety regulations" uglified so many classics. Obviously there are no such safety regulations nowadays with Tesla making a 20 ton stanless steel brick that can out-accelerate a Lamborghini... 🤣

[@seangray933]

First car was an 85 535i. Buy buy buy.

[@RenoLaringo]

Owners and sellers have different approach I guess. This guy was a bit uneducated about the brand and this model unfortunately.

[@davidmilhouscarter8198]

How many times does he need to say “you know”?

[@AirViewVideos]

Or "good to know". "Good to know". "Good to know".

[@christoguichard4311]

No

[@tarasodulak6901]

84-88

[@e28forever30]

?

[@motherhen4900]

You know…..