E28s what makes em so special?

[option00002]

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.

Just to be clear the Corvette was virtually new at the time and despite all my misgivings of my father he was right. The damn thing just ran and ran and could be taken to your average service shop. Either way the Vette was my 17th Christmas present soon to be wrapped around a pole. Circling back to the point of this thread I fell in love with an e28 when I was ten years old. The salesman told him it was a 4-door Ferrari.

On a side note I can't speak for Duke and his vagina car.

[Greg E34]

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

Shame they didn't make the Tiger in a men's model.

[Blue Shadow]

I test drove an 85 vette, the dealer demo before buying my 5. The thing rattled something fierce and that gimmicky dash...Fortunately, the salesman did not even talk when I offered within a couple grand of what I knew they would sell it for. Maybe he thought I was just yanking his chain or too poor to buy it. I showed him the more expensive 535i, the fastest 4-door sedan in America in 1985, that I bought a couple weeks later. Don't care if he cared, it felt good.

[garageboy]

I was having this very same conversation the other day. I firmly believe that the closest BMW got to the perfect car was the E30 and the E28. Everything since has been a compromise or worse. The stuff that is "better" in these cars than my E28 is more than overshadowed by the stuff that is "worse". One step forward, two steps back, as they say.

Having owned at least one E28 at a time since 1988, and having lived and worked in Europe in the 1980s, it became clear to me that the Germans were trying to build up their reputation that even a couple generations after WWII needed remediation. BMW was at their peak in the 1980s. I've been driving them for 26 years because they're the only car I have ever been able to afford to own and maintain.

[bunty]

personally i prefer the styling of an e12 over the e28, but when it comes to a mass appeal and overall look the e28 takes the cake.

1 - unique smaller proportioned sedan with a robust & torquey 6 cyl

2- that famous beltline that goes all way around.

3- THAT SO AGGRESSIVE SHARK LIKE SNOUT ! and yet so
dignified.

4- the rear has a nice quite up to date gentlemen style docile appeal. large tailamps being part of the form.


5 - interior is no different driver oriented cabin with not so intimidating controls, clean & simple but wait no boring at all.
"flight like diagnostic controls", trip computer is just the right size. climate control knobs are nice & big for those big hands.

6- robust suspension & drive train

7- ' BOYSEN MUFFLER !!! love that muffler the way it tucks under that floor the way they made it accomodate between the spare and the tank ! too good.


8- My dept director Tom Matano worked for bmw in the early 80s and he told us about this story while he was there, and it goes like this......

ok back in 80s when i was at bmw and we were working on the e28 i saw the German clay modeller working on the edge of the hood he was making a break in the surface creating a lip on the edge.

when asked for the reason he said " well the mold wont be able to release the metal if we have a continuous curve and apart from that once done itll look just right."

What Tom had to say was "German modellers and engineers had a greater sense of aesthetics it came natural to them didnt have to try hard.

well i could go all night typing this but gotto go.

[Blue Shadow]

4- the rear has a nice quite up to date gentlemen style docile appeal. large tailamps being part of the form.

You left a space after this one apparently for the comment that the brake lights need an upgrade since they are not a bright as they could be. Fortunately, BMW provided the rear fog lamp delete on the US cars just for this purpose.

[RAL]

They are great cars, although I agree with the point made above that they are now too old to deal with as daily drivers.

For me, the attraction of them is the way they feel, and how communicative they are. And then there is the intangible -- that in my case they harken back to what was a simpler and very enjoyable time in my life.

[Blue Shadow]

They are great cars, although I agree with the point made above that they are now too old to deal with as daily drivers.

I don't believe age has had anything to do with use as a daily driver since cars could achieve 60 mph in under 12 or so seconds.

The determination of DD status has a lot to do with the maintenance the vehicle has seen over its life and especially more recently and how much rust it has be able to avoid.

Well maintained 225,000 plus mile cars are well represented on these pages for good reason. But then some of these people actually spent a bit of money on the car to keep it going. Maybe 2 to 4 new BMW car payments a year.

[wkohler]

I guess if you're going to half-ass everything, an e28 wouldn't be a good daily driver. Other than that I don't imagine a reason it couldn't be.

[option00002]

I guess if you're going to half-ass everything, an e28 wouldn't be a good daily driver. Other than that I don't imagine a reason it couldn't be.

I think the fact you live in Arizona bears mention. Further cars get old and life demands at times other things then obsessing about old things.

I would own one of your cars, though.

[RAL]

They are great cars, although I agree with the point made above that they are now too old to deal with as daily drivers.

I don't believe age has had anything to do with use as a daily driver since cars could achieve 60 mph in under 12 or so seconds.

The determination of DD status has a lot to do with the maintenance the vehicle has seen over its life and especially more recently and how much rust it has be able to avoid.

Well maintained 225,000 plus mile cars are well represented on these pages for good reason. But then some of these people actually spent a bit of money on the car to keep it going. Maybe 2 to 4 new BMW car payments a year.

It was not my intention to insult anyone.

We all have different skills and interests, and demands on our time and differing priorities that change depending on where we are in life. There's nothing to argue about on that score as it is simple reality and serves to keep life interesting, or at least varied.

It sounds like you are an original owner of your car. That's great, and very admirable. However, by way of illustration, back in the mid-80s it could also have been said that you probably could have kept the car you had at that point running in a good state of repair had you been willing to invest a relatively modest percentage of the cost of a new 5 series -- the two to four BMW payments to which you refer, in other words. But yet you wanted a new car, or perhaps didn't have time to fuss with the old one, or maybe you just didn't have the inclination. I could also be omitting the reason. Point is that it sounds like in the mid 1980s -- whenever your car was new -- your outlook was more like mine, and then it changed. Again, there is nothing wrong with any of that.

As far as maintenance and repairs go, it has been my practice to only use factory parts and specialty shops or the dealership (when they are under warranty) with my cars. At one point I was able to do certain things myself but given the other demands on my time this is no longer an attractive option. This means that the cost of keeping them roadtrip ready is not inexpensive, and that reality enters into the mix when deciding the time is right to move on to a newer driver.

None of this means that the E28 is no longer an attractive car, just that the time for me to own and drive one has run.

[option00002]

They are great cars, although I agree with the point made above that they are now too old to deal with as daily drivers.

I don't believe age has had anything to do with use as a daily driver since cars could achieve 60 mph in under 12 or so seconds.

The determination of DD status has a lot to do with the maintenance the vehicle has seen over its life and especially more recently and how much rust it has be able to avoid.

Well maintained 225,000 plus mile cars are well represented on these pages for good reason. But then some of these people actually spent a bit of money on the car to keep it going. Maybe 2 to 4 new BMW car payments a year.

It was not my intention to insult anyone.

We all have different skills and interests, and demands on our time and differing priorities that change depending on where we are in life. There's nothing to argue about on that score as it is simple reality and serves to keep life interesting, or at least varied.

It sounds like you are an original owner of your car. That's great, and very admirable. However, by way of illustration, back in the mid-80s it could also have been said that you probably could have kept the car you had at that point running in a good state of repair had you been willing to invest a relatively modest percentage of the cost of a new 5 series -- the two to four BMW payments to which you refer, in other words. But yet you wanted a new car, or perhaps didn't have time to fuss with the old one, or maybe you just didn't have the inclination. I could also be omitting the reason. Point is that it sounds like in the mid 1980s -- whenever your car was new -- your outlook was more like mine, and then it changed. Again, there is nothing wrong with any of that.

As far as maintenance and repairs go, it has been my practice to only use factory parts and specialty shops or the dealership (when they are under warranty) with my cars. At one point I was able to do certain things myself but given the other demands on my time this is no longer an attractive option. This means that the cost of keeping them roadtrip ready is not inexpensive, and that reality enters into the mix when deciding the time is right to move on to a newer driver.

None of this means that the E28 is no longer an attractive car, just that the time for me to own and drive one has run.

If I saw that seat back fall off one more time I was going to kick my puppy. On the other hand I rarely have to touch my current cars and per your note typically allow others to do it.

[m-racer]

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

I was going to say that E28's were the only real contribution from the 80's since obviously there was no music

[Mark in Toronto]

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

I was going to say that E28's were the only real contribution from the 80's since obviously there was no music

Huh, no music from the 80's?



Prince
U2
Public Enemy
The Police
Metallica
Rush
Talking Heads
Genesis
R.E.M.
The Cure
Queen
Beastie Boys
The Smiths
Peter Gabriel
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
Eurythmics
The Cars
Aerosmith
David Bowie
Paul Simon
Depeche Mode
Sonic Youth
New Order
Pete Townshend
Chicago
Yes
Men at Work
Pixies
Pink Floyd

[Blue Shadow]

Actually, I'm talking about a decent used car purchase post $2000 rule needing only a few current BMW car payments per year for upkeep. There is so little to go wrong with these cars that the replacement, yes, down right replacement of working electrical components will make the considerably more reliable than many think they are. New AFM, position sensors, CTS and such keeps the ECU happy.

Obviously, a bunch of rubber components need to be done, too but that is still reasonable cost since these and the electrical parts are a one time expense for another 15 years life.

But one needs to start with a decent example so there can be a big issue in getting started. Rear seat back falling down? Maybe not one for the exercise of making it long trip reliable.

[option00002]

Maybe not one for the exercise of making it long trip reliable.

I suppose not. With a 100k example it was always one issue or another effectively making it a hobby. The seat back was just a major irritation. It was one of those situations where the dream didn't meet reality. I was taking six college courses and working 35 hours per week when I purchased it at 27y/o mind you. Maybe it's New England weather, perhaps it is our own rationalizations. My tech hated working on it and would charge me accordingly. Time was so short I didn't envision my days off spent in that fashion. I'd work on it myself, loosen up rusted bolts, you name it! 60k miles later with the e38 it has been a totally different experience. And the e46 has been a joy. I love e28s, but they're just f'n old now.

I got rid of my Volvo V90 for it. I'd call it a lapse of judgement.

[wkohler]

Never had a problem with the seat back falling off.

[BimmerSultan]

Maybe not one for the exercise of making it long trip reliable.

I suppose not. With a 100k example it was always one issue or another effectively making it a hobby. The seat back was just a major irritation. It was one of those situations where the dream didn't meet reality. I was taking six college courses and working 35 hours per week when I purchased it at 27y/o mind you. Maybe it's New England weather, perhaps it is our own rationalizations. My tech hated working on it and would charge me accordingly. Time was so short I didn't envision my days off spent in that fashion. I'd work on it myself, loosen up rusted bolts, you name it! 60k miles later with the e38 it has been a totally different experience. And the e46 has been a joy. I love e28s, but they're just f'n old now.

I got rid of my Volvo V90 for it. I'd call it a lapse of judgement.

Please turn in your man card. That is if you ever really had it.

[option00002]

Never had a problem with the seat back falling off.

Oh, Chris. I know you love these things. All I can say is I had a problem with it. I'm sure I wasn't repairing it properly - just kept putting back the same screws instead of something more intelligent. It was a nice car. demetek's (sp?) daughter is still driving it

Please turn in your man card. That is if you ever really had it.

Hey, man. That was one of the best cars I have ever owned. I can't believe my card has been revoked again!

[tn535i]

I thought it was only because of the thwack sound with the slight thwing in the background it makes when you lock or unlock the doors.

The e24 clearly wins in the beauty competition. The e24 could move up on beauty if it were not for the most ugly possible US required bumpers. I think the e30 wins in handling but on overall score the e28 is still the winner. I keep one of each just in case. Unfortunately the e28 has the most miles, the most wear and has been the most abused at my house. Someday I would like to get a better example.

Is there another era and automaker where there was a whole line of cars still worth having at 30 years old.

[Blue Shadow]

I was taking six college courses and working 35 hours per week when I purchased it at 27y/o mind you.
I got rid of my Volvo V90 for it. I'd call it a lapse of judgement.

Just purchased at the wrong time in your life, but 100k should be a fabulous car with the proper full inspection II and other issues attended to to make it right. Then just drive it.

[Blue Shadow]

I thought it was only because of the thwack sound with the slight thwing in the background it makes when you lock or unlock the doors.

The E23 door lock sound makes the E28 sound like a cheap tin can.

[garageboy]

I bought my first E28 in 1988 with 70+K miles.
I bought my second E28 in 1995 with 70+K miles.
I bought my third E28 in 2010 with 70+K miles.

Each was a one owner car. Each time, I had found un-fucked-with cars. A minimal amount of maintenance had been done on each of these cars before I got my hands on them, the most being done on the newest one because it was 22 years old when I found it.

The first two served as my daily drivers and ran up to 300K apiece. The latest one serves as daily driver for all but the salt-on-the-road months. It has 109K now and I expect to run it up to 300K as well.

What makes these cars special is the fact that I can confidently own this car as a daily driver today, in 2014, with no worries that I will have car trouble. I will continue to use super unleaded gas from trusted brands. I will continue to maintain it on a regular schedule (that means cap and rotor will get tossed at 120k (60k intervals), no matter how well they work, timing belt approx. every 4 years) and I will continue to not have any appreciable issues with the car. Ever. Just like the first two.

In contrast, my E39 front turn signal bulb has gotten flakey. Because it is buried, it is hard to reach. Because of the excessive heat from the under-engineered coolant system, the heat-cycling has ensured the turn signal fixture is cemented into its holder, and as I have learned in the past, I am guaranteed to bleed, and the fixture might crack while I'm getting it out since it is 13 years old and brittle, and a "bulb replacement" would turn into a $25 parts replacement. Now do you understand how this sort of abject stupidity by comparison makes the E28 so special??

[tn535i]

I thought it was only because of the thwack sound with the slight thwing in the background it makes when you lock or unlock the doors.

The E23 door lock sound makes the E28 sound like a cheap tin can.

So the e23 wins the competition for audio and of course mass. Funny I never think of the e23 cause I so rarely ever see one. I wonder if there are many pristine examples lurking out there.

[Blue Shadow]

Pristine E23s are not too common, but the better units (745s, tuner cars and such) are being made nice and right. Of course, there are some survivors, too. A 2881 mile 735i that had been Callawayed was on the bay a few years ago. It did look very nice and reflected the miles in the condition of the car.

[Chris H]

It's been a few years since mine has been driven, and I may be remembering this through rose tinted glasses, but let's see what I remember:

- The car was docile under partial throttle, and an absolute animal with the throttle cracked wide open.
- She had lively & communicative handling that made her feel alive in my hands and encouraged me to drive her in a manner that was far less than responsible.
- No matter how much I neglected her, she was always reliable.
- When she wasn't reliable, her mechanicals and electronics were so simple that I could always fix her myself.
- The communities that form around these cars are second to none. Some of the most interesting & sincere people I know I've met because of that car.

These days she lives in the garage of a very patient and understanding parent, gathering dust & waiting for the day I have the time and money to give her the TLC she deserves. I still get excited every time I look over her lines and sit in the driver's seat, and afterwards find myself scheming for days of ways to get her back in to my own garage.

Simply saying this car has character doesn't do it justice. Of all the cars I've had the privilege to own & drive it is without a doubt my favorite and is the one car I could not bring myself to part with.