E28s what makes em so special?

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Mar 04, 2014 11:41 AM

As the e28 is gaining a cult following, it might be time to mention why the car is so special to you. Let's make a list. What do you think makes these cars so special?

I'll go with the fact that it is from the era where BMWs were still reliable, user serviceable cars. Maybe their best ever all things considered.

heinrich535i · Post by **heinrich535i** » Mar 04, 2014 11:54 AM

Where do I even start with my e28, possibly the fact that I lived out of it? Its been my money pit and baby since I was a teenager, possibly because it was my first car? Theres many reasons

Cactus · Post by **Cactus** » Mar 04, 2014 12:01 PM

What makes a tiger special?

Tammer in Philly · Post by **Tammer in Philly** » Mar 04, 2014 12:20 PM

What does the fox say?

Srsly, though, it's the intersection of modern-enough, light enough, robust enough, rust-proof enough, and classic styling. Pre-accountant-driven engineering.

Everything newer is slightly too heavy and too numb (though there are many great cars in the mix); everything older feels old (though there are many great cars in the mix).

I still miss mine and still want the right replacement.

leadphut · Post by **leadphut** » Mar 04, 2014 12:23 PM

Tammer in Philly wrote:
...it's the intersection of modern-enough, light enough, robust enough, rust-proof enough, and classic styling. Pre-accountant-driven engineering.

Everything newer is slightly too heavy and too numb (though there are many great cars in the mix); everything older feels old (though there are many great cars in the mix)...

I think that sums it up for me. I do wish they had a few more safety features, but I'll save that for the next thread.

Motronic · Post by **Motronic** » Mar 04, 2014 1:07 PM

Blue Shadow wrote:What do you think makes these cars so special?

This forum for one.

bbaxter · Post by **bbaxter** » Mar 04, 2014 4:02 PM

Tammer in Philly wrote:What does the fox say?

Srsly, though, it's the intersection of modern-enough, light enough, robust enough, rust-proof enough, and classic styling. Pre-accountant-driven engineering.

Everything newer is slightly too heavy and too numb (though there are many great cars in the mix); everything older feels old (though there are many great cars in the mix).

I still miss mine and still want the right replacement.

That does say a lot about the e28. It was built at just the edge of modern but still has simplicity. Adding 200 more hp and upgraded suspension improves the e28 even more.

Mab1957 · Post by **Mab1957** » Mar 04, 2014 5:36 PM

4 doors. Also, may be the amber dash lighting or leather seats and premium sound system. Versatility - lots of owners and drivers like the model.

bbaxter · Post by **bbaxter** » Mar 04, 2014 5:46 PM

Yes 4-doors. It's like a small personal size sedan. You can pack 4 bodies in the trunk also!

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Mar 04, 2014 5:47 PM

Mab1957 wrote: may be the amber dash lighting

Wrap around the driver dash. Others be damned, leave the controls alone.

Aftermarket sound system.

4-doors? Well for less money than a 6, one gets a faster car that handles better. Doesn't look the same but carries more real sized folks.

Coldswede · Post by **Coldswede** » Mar 04, 2014 5:55 PM

As Trey said last Fall in our epic trip from California to Michigan then to Fontaina Village. "Once we get to my house and get the M5, everything will be fine and we can relax", and he was right.

What other $500 (my 528e not Treys M5

), 32 year old car can you climb into and drive 1500 miles with not a thought about it making the trip?

As Matt mentioned, the outward visibility of the greenhouse is a big deal, especially in traffic.

An e28 may not be the best at anything anymore, but it does everything pretty damn well!

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Mar 04, 2014 6:07 PM

And on the epic trips folks make, the car hauls all the junk and when unloaded can then be used for an enjoyable attack of the apexes out there. Trips to TN are sweet with all the crooked roads they have. Kansas destinations, not so much.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mar 04, 2014 7:13 PM

Cactus wrote:What makes a tiger special?

Low production numbers

Little car, big engine

Carol Shelby lineage

Wood dashboard

Easily modified for more performance

Selling price in the $80K range and rising

Damned Sexy

Cactus is green because he does not have one

Cactus · Post by **Cactus** » Mar 04, 2014 7:15 PM

Duke wrote:
Cactus wrote:What makes a tiger special?
Low production numbers

Little car, big engine

Carol Shelby lineage

Wood dashboard

Easily modified for more performance

Selling price in the $80K range and rising

Damned Sexy

Cactus is green because he does not have one

That was a rhetorical, yo. I actually prefer the looks of a whole bunch of other, similar, contemporary cars to the Tiger.

I would take nice care of one if it fell into my lap, though.

Chimi-Changa · Post by **Chimi-Changa** » Mar 04, 2014 7:37 PM

Uno Palabra: Character

Greg E34 · Post by **Greg E34** » Mar 04, 2014 7:42 PM

Haven't owned one yet.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Mar 04, 2014 7:52 PM

Just look at it:

Yum. Best part is that when you're in it, it drives better than it looks.

Greg E34 · Post by **Greg E34** » Mar 04, 2014 7:55 PM

wkohler wrote:Just look at it:

Yum. Best part is that when you're in it, it drives better than it looks.

That makes me want one very badly.

Zieg · Post by **Zieg** » Mar 04, 2014 8:39 PM

I am an older guy no two way's about it. I was lucky enough to purchase 3 E28's brand new an 84 533i, 86 535i and an 88 535is. I never forgot how every time I drove any of those cars a big smile of satisfaction came on my face.

In 1998 I was looking to purchase something to drive and restore. I wanted an E 28 535is but settled on a very nice E30 325es. I then purchased most of the parts to build a stroker motor for the car. Then at an Everglades BMW CCA meeting a guy told me about an 88 535is in nice shape for sale. I called the guy the next day and traded the E30 plus all the parts for the 535is. I loved that car and did everything I could to make it special. One day I had a brain fart and decided to sell it. What an idiot I was. Since then I have purchased two more E28's including the one I purchased for my wife from Bimmer Sultan last year at the Vintage. Why are these cars so special. . . . because they are the cars BMW built their reputation on. If you own and drive one you all ready know the answer!!

waxonwaxoff · Post by **waxonwaxoff** » Mar 04, 2014 8:40 PM

wkohler wrote: Yum. Best part is that when you're in it, it drives better than it looks.

One of the reasons I don't lust too much for her to have euro bumpers.

Post by **tig** » Mar 04, 2014 9:58 PM

Everything form the 80s is special. Like Depeche Mode.

Drew in NYC · Post by **Drew in NYC** » Mar 04, 2014 11:52 PM

Just look at it:

To paraphrase the great Louis Armstrong, if you have to ask, you'll never know.

Drew in NYC · Post by **Drew in NYC** » Mar 04, 2014 11:53 PM

cek wrote:Everything form the 80s is special. Like Depeche Mode.

You know, you're absolutely right.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mar 05, 2014 12:43 AM

Tammer in Philly wrote: ... it's the intersection of modern-enough, light enough, robust enough, rust-proof enough, and classic styling. Pre-accountant-driven engineering.

Everything newer is slightly too heavy and too numb (though there are many great cars in the mix); everything older feels old (though there are many great cars in the mix).

Damn you Tammer.

VW+bimmer=bliss · Post by **VW+bimmer=bliss** » Mar 05, 2014 12:00 PM

The fact you can control a slide so easily. Oh and views from the driver seat are nice as the lack of a fat C pillar in the back and windows everywhere.
That and and I think the lines of the car are great and will be for awhile

Acid House · Post by **Acid House** » Mar 05, 2014 2:14 PM

The view from the cockpit, so much glass but clean and modern on the inside

I've driven mine across the country, and back and forth over the Continental Divide a dozen times the last two months, and it takes it all in stride.

The dash lights, the exterior aggressiveness, it's the whole package. Just a great automobile.

option00002 · Post by **option00002** » Mar 05, 2014 4:05 PM

Back in '89 my father investigated trading his Corvette in on a 535is. In '89 the Corvette was pretty damn cool for a kid, but that BMW was so much cooler! Ultimately, he kept the Corvette because of perceived maintenance costs and I was so disappointed. That was when my love affair began.

If they weren't practically 30 years old at best I would own one. The reality is that because of the age they are constantly requiring work. I can't keep up with it or rather choose not to spend my weekend virtually doing yoga positions.

option00002 · Post by **option00002** » Mar 05, 2014 4:38 PM

Tammer in Philly · Post by **Tammer in Philly** » Mar 05, 2014 4:56 PM

option00002 wrote:

:heehee:

Carroll Shelby would stick his name on any POS for enough money. Ask Duke.

Coldswede · Post by **Coldswede** » Mar 05, 2014 5:03 PM

option00002 wrote:Back in '89 my father investigated trading his Corvette in on a 535is. In '89 the Corvette was pretty damn cool for a kid, but that BMW was so much cooler! Ultimately, he kept the Corvette because of perceived maintenance costs and I was so disappointed. That was when my love affair began.

If they weren't practically 30 years old at best I would own one. The reality is that because of the age they are constantly requiring work. I can't keep up with it or rather choose not to spend my weekend virtually doing yoga positions.

Yeah, the maintenance on a 30 year old Corvette might be demanding.

That is the one thing about an e28, I sometimes feel guilty about not working on it, but it just never needs it. So I "Upgrade" to stave off the guilt.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

E28s what makes em so special?

E28s what makes em so special?

Re: E28s what makes em so special?

Why I own an E28