New Member & New M5 - Slow Return to Glory Thread

[FinSport]

Hello MyE28!

I just bought a Canadian spec M5 (sadly no black interior) off BaT that needs a good bit of sorting. Maybe buying sight unseen was a bad idea

It has 180k miles and I want to return her to her glory days. I've had/have E30s and other M-cars but have wanted one of these for some time and finally decided I needed one before there weren't any left. My goal is to keep her mostly US/Euro stock. I'm hoping this will be a good thread to show my progress and be a resource to others. I know there is a ton of knowledge in this forum, but a lot of it is also old with bad links, no pictures, NLA parts, etc. Regretfully, the original owner died so I didn't get any records (yet, still hoping).

Here is the list of things to do/fix. I'd welcome any comments from you experts...

Basic Maintenance:
-Full PPI at my independent BMW shop (yes, smart people do these before buying)
-Compression & leakdown test (I'm concerned the engine is burning oil)
-Valve check & adjust (no idea when last done)
-Full tune-up (idles rough, runs fine)...I would welcome recommendations on what to replace while there
-Replace all fluids

Repair/Replace:
-Replace windshield (cracked badly, doesn't leak)
-New tires (tires turn 24 years old this year...throw a party?)
-Check all bushings for wear
-Replace leaky SLS with SLS or euro coils/shocks
-Replace brake fluid, check pads/rotors
-Adjust handbrake tension
-Fix stock exhaust (leaks)
-Replace shifter bushings (sloppy and can barely get in reverse)
-Fix oil leak (don't need to do an oil change at the rate its leaking)
-Fix heater valve (worked only briefly on my 14 hour drive home in 36 degree weather)
-Install battery shutoff
-Install Holy Grail fusebox (sell bullet fuses to my Son for his E21 at $5 piece as collector's item): purchased, in transit
-Replace headlights with e-code Hellas and aim them (cracked low beam, also pointed to passing billboards and powerlines)
-Check all bulbs (HVAC burned out, seat heater backlight out)
-Fix tach (doesn't work)
-Check SI board (apparently Ivo's doesn't work on my production date)
-Fix OBC (doesn't work)
-Fix radio (lights up, no sound)
-Fix door locks (only some are automatic)
-Replace M-badges on seats (currently cracked/missing)
-Anchor floormats
-Re-install knee panel under steering wheel (sags)
-Check door/truck seals and replace
-Replace hood struts: purchased E32 for extra opening...Stabilus 51231908465
-Buy license plate plastic nuts and then install license plate: purchased Genuine BMW 51181916071 and M5x8 screws
-Replace wavy black plastic piece above rear bumper
-Replace yellowed wheel roundels
-Touchup paint chips
-Thorough wash/wax

Future Plans:
-Check current chip, replace with Mark D chip (stock rev limit)
-Euro bumpers?
-Recover dash in leather

Current Questions & Answers:
-What should I do as part of the tune-up?
-Am I missing important things in the above?
-Do the coolant systems fail in these?
-Any other obvious things to check?

Thanks for reading this far!!!

FinSport

[1st 5er]

Welcome to the forum and ///M5 ownership.
Looking forward to following your restoration process.
When I bought my first one, all it did was run and stop. Interior, exterior, suspension, etc., were all trash. It took a few years, but it finally got presentable enough to make the trek from Tejas to Vintage (in the Vineyard).

Enjoy the ride.

[Galahad]

-Install Holy Grail fusebox (sell bullet fuses to my Son for his E21 at $5 piece as collector's item)

If your son needs a kit too we've almost got those available again! Then he can mount the fuses in a display case

[stuartinmn]

Welcome, and congratulations on the car. Be sure to check out the tech FAQ section here, there are answers to a bunch of common e28 maintenance questions there. As for euro bumpers, in recent years reproduction stainless steel euro bumpers are on the market and I believe their quality is supposed to be very good. However, the Blunttech catalog says they are 'temporarily unavailable' so it would be best to call and check. https://www.blunttech.com/shop/replacem ... r/1490btkt

[Panici]

Following!

I've bid on BaT before but never won a car.
How was the process for you?

[FinSport]

Following!

I've bid on BaT before but never won a car.
How was the process for you?

I’ve bought off BaT and C&B…and sold on BaT. The process is easy. They charge you their fee and you handle the purchase the same as a private party purchase. I’ve always handled the purchase/pickup face to face. I’m not sure what others do.

The big downside is if the seller didn’t accurately present the car (not sure what they do or what you can do) or if the buyer doesn’t actually buy (they let you relist and ban the buyer’s email and keep the buyer’s premium).

This M5 was rougher mechanically than I anticipated. I could have asked more questions, asked for more pics, asked for videos…but it was sitting for a bit (recent owner bought from the deceased with no records) and the current owner did his best. That said, I did drive it 14 hours home with only minor issues. Provided leak down/compression is ok, it should be a good car in need of some mechanical sorting (like most of my 70s and 80s purchases…even my 190 16v with 50k original miles needs SlS repairs and now has an oil leak).