MyE28.com

Removed the brake bomb assembly only to realize I didn't order a o-ring months ago...I ordered a gromet for mounting bolts.

Lesson learned: double check your part numbers before ordering

In the process of replacing the accelerator cable and various bushings, springs, clips, associated with that function. Hope to get a smoother throttle pedal feel and response. Will report back after the work is done.

Windows out repaint.
New windshield.
Replaced what chrome trim we could get new.

Dash cap - I struggled with the three options here (cap, new dash, or sending it into a place like Just Dashes).
Replaced vapor barrier liner in the doors with thin dynamat.

topher800 wrote:

such an attractive color. looks fantastic

That looks amazing, Chris! Nice work!

topher800 wrote:Windows out repaint.

You had me at that. My complements.

topher800 wrote:Windows out repaint.
New windshield.
Replaced what chrome trim we could get new.

That is so unfair, putting those images in my mind to be spoiled when I see mine in all it's lack of that. If only...

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Of course what we all really want to know is how they got style 5 wheels so clean! The car has really come a long way in the 11 years I’ve had it. I suppose I should have started a thread on the car, but I didn’t realize it would become a rolling refurbishment. I still daily drive it.

We drove it down to Taos yesterday from Denver on the back roads. It’s a bit anemic on the hills at 8,000-10,000 feet with the AC running. AC is the next thing to upgrade. With all the suspension rubber/bushings/tower mounts replaced over the last several years, it rides amazing.

topher800 wrote:Thanks for the compliments everyone. Of course what we all really want to know is how they got style 5 wheels so clean!.

go pick up a very small wheel brush. stabbing in the spokes after some wheel cleaner sits on it should do the trick if you dont let it get too bad.

Yesterday I had a satisfying drive around my block. The o-ring for my brake bomb came in the mail earlier than expected, and I was able to button everything up pretty fast. It idles and drives much smoother than it did before, with no flat spots in power delivery. While the car was down I replaced:

AFM with a known good unit
Spark plugs with correct ones
Voltage regulator
Coil/Wires/Cap/Rotor
Vacuum lines
Brake Bomb

I think my next task will be to replace my cluster batteries, debating if I should attempt a remote battery setup or OE style replacement.

There is a way to remove the batteries and the SI card or light board and have everything work except NO SI reminders. Ask me if I care about that function or ever followed it.

I'm a little clearer on how I do this with an e30 where I had to put in a jumper to pass the temp signal... but I know there is a way on an e28 also. Someone may chime in or ask in Tech Talk.

EDIT: What I don't remember is IF this had an impact on the Econometer. My 535 IC has another issue now so Speedo and Econometer are not working right at the moment.

I can report that my new accelerator cable, bushings, grommets and bits ( see above post) resulted in a noticeable improvement in driveability. The whole diy job can be done for about $50 in parts. There have to be lots of e28's out there with now absent linkage bushings, etc., just like mine was.

Yesterday I did a hard launch and the instrument cluster popped out

Installed these:

had it towed home after the transmission decided it did not want the fluid inside of it anymore.

Not today but labor day weekend I did a few things to my old 535. It hasn't had much if any attention in a long time.

New cat back which is always a pain an doesn't seem to line up correctly. One of the hangers ahead of the subframe I had to improvise. But it's quiet and smoother through range again. I think this motor needs that little bit of backpressure.

Adjusted the strike on the passengers door and the hood latches as they have never been right since my son tweaked that side of the car years ago. Both much better but I need new door latch buffers, probably all around. It freaked me out when the drivers side of the hood popped open at about 70 mph recently but the safety catch got it.

Checked out why the rear doors don't lock/unlock and why one wouldn't lock at all. Both actuators appear dead so I took them out and fixed the problem with the lock. My backseat gets used about 1x per year so they can stay locked.

Ordered some new tires with the labor day sale at DTD. My son has had good experience with the GMax AS-05's (aka poor man's DWS). No hurry but need to go on before winter gets here as my current tires are about 7-8 years old.

I wish my old 5er was worth painting and restoring like so many others have done but it just isn't. A couple big (liek the right from frame pushed up) and way too many little things to fix or replace.

It still needs some front UCA bushings as the wobble has been back and a couple more small things but at over 300k miles it still runs great and makes a good everyday car with very little trouble in approx 15 years I've owned it. I've even had more than a few younger people (20-30 ish) tell me they like this older car, so there is some who appreciate the e28 in the next generation

tn535i wrote: I've even had more than a few younger people (20-30 ish) tell me they like this older car, so there is some who appreciate the e28 in the next generation

Whenever my wife drives mine, every teen/college boy is pawing at her.

Wiper linkage recently broke...getting that done today.

Finally got the stereo finished. Some ridiculously expensive Focals for the front (tweeters & floor). Average speakers for the rear. Kenwood KDC-X500 head that I can set the color, and it has orange! So glad to have the PO's sub-woofer thing out of the trunk

Took out the floating cigarette lighter and installed a USB charge port with switch. Had a spare AC grill cover with unbroken slats- been wanting to swap that in for a while. The switch I chose fits between the slats so no cuts necessary.

Put a new clutch in at 165K. In progress now. I look forward to picking her up this evening. My buddy and I had done the hydrualics ed of it last year so that will save a little time/money but it is... what it is.

Not today...but over the weekend....trying to pick away at some things on this 86 528e that I just picked up the other weekend.

Have been working to address a loss of power (bogs down like a bad flat spot, then surges under accel) only when cold, and erratic high idle at times. Been checking for vac leaks (all forum searches mentioned this as prime cause...) and none were found although I do not have access to a smoke machine.
Stumbled on an old R3V thread about a missing bolt holding the cold start valve into the manifold....and sure enough I was missing two !! Pulled the valve out, applied a very small amount of gasket sealer (suzuki vc gasket sealant) and fit new bolts. Surging gone, and driveability was actually pretty smooth.

Also read about a restrictor in the vac line that routes from the manifold port to the HVAC cabin air sampling sucking thingy under the driver's side dashboard kick panel. The hard pipe to it was stuffed in the end of a piece of std rubber vac line and attached to the port on the manifold. Sooo...I cut tabs off a small bore vac line connector I had and stuffed it inside the std black vac line to act as a reducer. May be unrelated but I have a flat spot that has returned under cold accel. No surging, but def flat on power since doing that. Completely gone when engine starts to warm...like 2-3 miles tops.

Adjusted the throttle cable...very loose

Fixed the wiring to the low and high speed aux fan control switches

Replaced several missing fasteners for the interior bits...Rattling has been reduced to a dull roar now...

Lubed sunroof tracks... it works fantastic...just wanting to keep it that way

Attempted to remove the hose from the intake boot to the ICV and cut off the badly cracked end at the ICV...only failing to understand that end was flared as you e28 pros know. Needless to say I could not get that cut-down hose back onto the ICV. With the car "out of service" now, a midnight recon run to my storage shed netted a small length of garden hose which fit right nicely to the ICV and the port on the boot. Seems to run fine and should do till I get the new hose. (engine flat on power occurred prior to this...it's what led me to think the cracked end may be leaking and still giving me an issue...)

I do have the Bentley manual for it...and you all...so thank goodness. Lots of component testing to come but work, night classes, and kids, make time limited.

tony

Put $150 worth of relays and today going to try to get fire

Adjusted valves, oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket along with the thermostat housing gasket

Removed the old, purple, and bubbly window tint. The rear was getting really bad and it was getting harder to see out of. TurtleWax sticker remover from AutoZone, a spray bottle with soapy water, and a non-scratch abrasive got rid of the excess glue on the rear.

Swapped out my red radiator fan for a newer black one that I had in my parts stash. The red one had a slight wobble due to the metal backing plate being a little out of shape. Not sure if it would've affected my water pump long term, but I don't want to find out.

I had already tried beating it flat but obviously didn't get it perfect...maybe I'll keep trying. Would love to have the ever-so-sought-after red fan back on the car someday. We'll see...

Parked my car for the winter today. It may turn out I did it earlier than necessary, but the forecast is for cold and wet weather for the next couple weeks, and once we're into November all bets are off for any more good weather.