Vlad: The Zinno '87 535is
I guess wheels are your own personal taste, but I wouldn't change a damn thing on the car. I would suggest driving the car a little bit before you decide to turn it into something it isn't. Style 8s are a fantastic wheel. M-Parallels are probably one of the top five ugliest wheels ever made and nothing will cheapen the look of a nice 535is more than those.
One wheel I think you've over-looked is the BBS RK. They're not terribly attractive in my opinion, but they look better than the RX and are easy to clean. Of course, the RC is perhaps the best BBS wheel ever made, but I'm a bit biased.
Of course, if you plan to ACTUALLY DRIVE your E28, you will soon find that nothing beats 16" wheels.
Style 8s are hot stuff.
I wasn't going to say anything, but this is getting ridiculous. Also, Your West-German-made car has a Soviet-sounding name.
One wheel I think you've over-looked is the BBS RK. They're not terribly attractive in my opinion, but they look better than the RX and are easy to clean. Of course, the RC is perhaps the best BBS wheel ever made, but I'm a bit biased.
Of course, if you plan to ACTUALLY DRIVE your E28, you will soon find that nothing beats 16" wheels.
Style 8s are hot stuff.
I wasn't going to say anything, but this is getting ridiculous. Also, Your West-German-made car has a Soviet-sounding name.
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GaAlpinaOwner
- Posts: 1120
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Atlanta Georgia USA
This thread kills me. When I saw your 'wanted' post my first thought was, "He sounds just like me (except for having more $$$)", and then, "I bet he's going to get the one on BAT".
We were planning on being in Santa Barbara next week, and I emailed the BAT seller in the off chance it would still be available then (but I knew it wouldn't).
In all seriousness, congrats on the buy. One question is how did you pick a shop to do the PPI? I've been looking for one just like what you bought (preferably with less miles, but definitely want an original CA car), but would have no clue where to go for a PPI. Yeah, I could ask around (which is probably what I'll have to do), but in the case of the BAT one by the time I got my ducks in a row it would have been gone.
We were planning on being in Santa Barbara next week, and I emailed the BAT seller in the off chance it would still be available then (but I knew it wouldn't).
In all seriousness, congrats on the buy. One question is how did you pick a shop to do the PPI? I've been looking for one just like what you bought (preferably with less miles, but definitely want an original CA car), but would have no clue where to go for a PPI. Yeah, I could ask around (which is probably what I'll have to do), but in the case of the BAT one by the time I got my ducks in a row it would have been gone.
Re: PPI:
I asked the seller where he had work done in SB. He told me, The Engine Co. I checked out their website and they looked legit. I called them and asked about the car. They said he bought lots of parts from them and got lots of advice but they didn't really work on the car that much; the PO did most work himself.
I asked them to schedule the PPI, and paid via CC. I asked them to double/triple check the PO's DIY work as part of the inspection.
I ended up talking for quite a while with Peter, the head mech/owner of Engine Co, and felt really good about the car as a result. He was very complimentary of both the car and the quality of the POs work. The biggest issues were worn felt on drivers door sill and a dent in the muffler.
I specifically asked about any concerns re: me driving to Seattle. He laughed and said, "no, really, this car is about the tightest E28 I've seen. Bring a few quarts of oil and a bottle of distilled water just in case."
Of course, the proof will be exposed for sure when my son & I show up Thursday. ��
I asked the seller where he had work done in SB. He told me, The Engine Co. I checked out their website and they looked legit. I called them and asked about the car. They said he bought lots of parts from them and got lots of advice but they didn't really work on the car that much; the PO did most work himself.
I asked them to schedule the PPI, and paid via CC. I asked them to double/triple check the PO's DIY work as part of the inspection.
I ended up talking for quite a while with Peter, the head mech/owner of Engine Co, and felt really good about the car as a result. He was very complimentary of both the car and the quality of the POs work. The biggest issues were worn felt on drivers door sill and a dent in the muffler.
I specifically asked about any concerns re: me driving to Seattle. He laughed and said, "no, really, this car is about the tightest E28 I've seen. Bring a few quarts of oil and a bottle of distilled water just in case."
Of course, the proof will be exposed for sure when my son & I show up Thursday. ��
Tomorrow morning my son, Coco the new family mutt, and I fly to Santa Barbara for a road trip back to Seattle. We have the following objectives:
1) Pick up my 'new' 1987 BMW 535is from the previous owner.
2) Visit Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo to see if it's a candidate school for CJ.
3) Get home by Sunday evening.
4) Don't lose or otherwise do harm to the dog.
Q & A:
- Why are you taking the dog? I refuse to answer that.
- Why an '87 BMW with 170,000 miles on it? I've always wanted a red car.
- What route are you taking? The one Google Maps suggests. Says it's about 1,200 miles and will involve about ~18 hours of driving.
- Any other college visits? Yes. We plan on stopping at Santa Clara, Cal, and Oregon although CJ has been pretty clear he has no interest in those schools.
Watch for regular updates from the road...
1) Pick up my 'new' 1987 BMW 535is from the previous owner.
2) Visit Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo to see if it's a candidate school for CJ.
3) Get home by Sunday evening.
4) Don't lose or otherwise do harm to the dog.
Q & A:
- Why are you taking the dog? I refuse to answer that.
- Why an '87 BMW with 170,000 miles on it? I've always wanted a red car.
- What route are you taking? The one Google Maps suggests. Says it's about 1,200 miles and will involve about ~18 hours of driving.
- Any other college visits? Yes. We plan on stopping at Santa Clara, Cal, and Oregon although CJ has been pretty clear he has no interest in those schools.
Watch for regular updates from the road...
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Mike in Seattle
- Posts: 1561
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Maple Valley, WA
Nice looking car and good luck on the road trip. If I was ever heading North from SB, I don't know if I could resist coming up the Pacific Coast Hwy. it is one of my dream drives in my E28.
Maybe I will see you driving around the PNW. I go thru Bellevue every once in a while.
I am heading over to Spokane tomorrow to check out Whitworth University for my daughter. I am willing to bet you have better weather than I do!
Maybe I will see you driving around the PNW. I go thru Bellevue every once in a while.
I am heading over to Spokane tomorrow to check out Whitworth University for my daughter. I am willing to bet you have better weather than I do!
First update.
We land in Santa Barbara and the PO meets us at the curb. Vlad looks resplendent in the gorgeous 70 degree California weather.
We head off to some local fare (fish tacos) then to the PO's house where he gives me all the documentation and spare parts and does a complete rundown of everything on the car. I learn how he wired the additional brake light bulbs, and he points out parts that I likely will have to replace. Things like that. Super useful.
The car is exactly as advertised. It really is in as good of shape as the pictures and description indicated. It drives amazingly tight. There are little nits like the odometer gears making noise and the driver's seat being slightly loose on its mounts, but fundamentally, this is a fantastic car...everything I had hoped for.
We had to get gas right away; here's the boy. I think he is starting to think this might be a good car for him. Haha.
My son & I headed north towards San Luis Obispo, taking 101. We stop at Pismo beach and literally head onto the beach to take some photos. I'm not going to admit here that I got stuck in the sand and had to get a 4x4 to pull me a few feet out. But it might have happened.
We get to our hotel and I realize I left my kit bag on the bathroom counter at home. A quick run to the drugstore is in order. Any excuse to drive the car. Night shot:
We drove about 100 miles today. Most of it was freeway, but we did a fair amount around town. I'm really, really, pleasantly surprised by how solid the car feels on the road. There was a risk that the steering would be loose, the shifter flimsy, and the body full of creaks and groans. But no, this is a very, very well cared for and maintained 170K mile BMW.
The stereo the PO put in works great and bonded with my phone via BT easily and we streamed music no problem. The key-fob-remote door lock system is handy. And tonight, in the drugstore parking lot, I appreciated the interior lighting upgrades.
More tomorrow!
We land in Santa Barbara and the PO meets us at the curb. Vlad looks resplendent in the gorgeous 70 degree California weather.
We head off to some local fare (fish tacos) then to the PO's house where he gives me all the documentation and spare parts and does a complete rundown of everything on the car. I learn how he wired the additional brake light bulbs, and he points out parts that I likely will have to replace. Things like that. Super useful.
The car is exactly as advertised. It really is in as good of shape as the pictures and description indicated. It drives amazingly tight. There are little nits like the odometer gears making noise and the driver's seat being slightly loose on its mounts, but fundamentally, this is a fantastic car...everything I had hoped for.
We had to get gas right away; here's the boy. I think he is starting to think this might be a good car for him. Haha.
My son & I headed north towards San Luis Obispo, taking 101. We stop at Pismo beach and literally head onto the beach to take some photos. I'm not going to admit here that I got stuck in the sand and had to get a 4x4 to pull me a few feet out. But it might have happened.
We get to our hotel and I realize I left my kit bag on the bathroom counter at home. A quick run to the drugstore is in order. Any excuse to drive the car. Night shot:
We drove about 100 miles today. Most of it was freeway, but we did a fair amount around town. I'm really, really, pleasantly surprised by how solid the car feels on the road. There was a risk that the steering would be loose, the shifter flimsy, and the body full of creaks and groans. But no, this is a very, very well cared for and maintained 170K mile BMW.
The stereo the PO put in works great and bonded with my phone via BT easily and we streamed music no problem. The key-fob-remote door lock system is handy. And tonight, in the drugstore parking lot, I appreciated the interior lighting upgrades.
More tomorrow!
Last edited by tig on Apr 03, 2016 11:53 AM, edited 1 time in total.
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bavarianautowrks
- Posts: 555
- Joined: Mar 06, 2011 2:04 PM
- Location: Asheville, North Carolina
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grahamular
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
I'm sure you are all curious if we made it home safely.
We did.
Mission accomplished:
Car is awesome. Super awesome. As good as I had hoped. 21-22mpg over about 1000 miles. Didn't drink a drop of oil.
Everything actually does work**.
We got home.
My son can now drive a stick.
And the dog survived.
Note Vlad in the background. This was at Cal Poly, which my son loved.
Some more travel pr0n:
Stayed at my sister's in San Fran. E-brake works just fine
I had to check the Redding Pick-n-Pull just to really, truely, prove that the whole M535 thing was an April Fool's joke (no, seriously, my son had never been to one, so it was a good excuse to just check one out).
And, finally.... Home.
Now to wash him for the first time...
We did.
Mission accomplished:
Car is awesome. Super awesome. As good as I had hoped. 21-22mpg over about 1000 miles. Didn't drink a drop of oil.
Everything actually does work**.
We got home.
My son can now drive a stick.
And the dog survived.
Note Vlad in the background. This was at Cal Poly, which my son loved.
Some more travel pr0n:
Stayed at my sister's in San Fran. E-brake works just fine
I had to check the Redding Pick-n-Pull just to really, truely, prove that the whole M535 thing was an April Fool's joke (no, seriously, my son had never been to one, so it was a good excuse to just check one out).
And, finally.... Home.
Now to wash him for the first time...
Note the ** above?
I'm gonna start a list of things that need to be done:
I'm gonna start a list of things that need to be done:
- PO notes the voltage regulator has never been replaced and likely needs to be. After driving 1200 miles, a bunch at night in the rain, and seeing the stereo & my phone do some freaky things with Bluetooth, I tend to agree. New one ordered.
- Rear shocks are OK, but with my sister in the car, and my 245lb son in the rear seat you can clearly tell they are tired. I'm going to do the fronts at the same time (HDs).
- A/C button doesn't always stay in/come out. Advice?
- Indicator for fog light button does not light up.
- Driver's seat is a bit loosey/goosey. Power mechanism giving up ghost?
- Odometer makes a grinding noise. PO said it would. Says when new gearing was installed, it was not greased correctly. True?
- Car pulls slightly (very slightly) to the right (PO said it would, PPI said it did, but also the car is aligned to spec). Advice?
- Smell of burning clutch several times when we stopped after long highway runs (with me driving, so it was not my noob-stick-shift-driving-son). Advice?
- PO says the connector indicated in photo below needs to be replaced; apparently it's brittle & likely to break. What is it and where do I source one?
Glad to hear/read that your trip was successful and you are safely back home. Thanks for the write up and the great travel pics - we always enjoy seeing them! The connector you show in your pic (brittle, likely to break) appears to be the coolant temp sensor. You can get one from BMW, or likely from AutohausAZ.com. Get a copy of the Bentley Service Manual (Robert Bentley Publishers) for the "5 Series, 1982-1988" its the favored manual for DIY work and/or just to get to know these cars' mechanicals. Its available on Amazon.com and well worth the forty-something bucks.
I'll be visiting Seattle in mid June (grew up there and still have family in the area) - I'll keep an eye out for a gorgeous looking 535iS while I'm there.
Jim
I'll be visiting Seattle in mid June (grew up there and still have family in the area) - I'll keep an eye out for a gorgeous looking 535iS while I'm there.
Jim
Thanks Jim. Car came with a Bentley's; I just hadn't opened it yet.5280 JB wrote:Get a copy of the Bentley Service Manual
I'll be visiting Seattle in mid June (grew up there and still have family in the area) - I'll keep an eye out for a gorgeous looking 535iS while I'm there.
Jim
Enjoy your trip to Seattle!
After the first wash I put him up on the lift for a first look-see underneath.
Nothing too exciting. Everything looks in order.
As noted by the PO the rubber boots on these links have been replaced by some rubber hose and probably need to be redone correctly.
My first upgrade. Brand new floor mats:
My second 'upgrade'. Deleted the 3rd backup light the PO had installed by the exhaust tips!
My two German babies.
Now going over the PO's files and documenting all prior work in a spreadsheet. This is going to take a while...
Nothing too exciting. Everything looks in order.
As noted by the PO the rubber boots on these links have been replaced by some rubber hose and probably need to be redone correctly.
My first upgrade. Brand new floor mats:
My second 'upgrade'. Deleted the 3rd backup light the PO had installed by the exhaust tips!
My two German babies.
Now going over the PO's files and documenting all prior work in a spreadsheet. This is going to take a while...
Last edited by tig on Apr 07, 2013 9:03 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Going through a car's history as a new owner can be fascinating. Thing's I've learned:
I am, in fact, the 3rd owner (as advertised by the PO).
The car was purchased originally from Saddleback BMW in Irvine, CA on February 27, 1988. The car was BUILT in September 1986. For some reason it sat on the lot for quite some time!
It had a 1200 mile service on March 22, 1988. Quite a few things were addressed at this service, including the front & rear glass moldings, a speaker grill, tachometer, L seat headrest inop, MPG needle stuck, front spoiler loose.
Inspection I happened at 14,968 miles on Jan 6, 1989. Engine oil leak fixed. PS pump replaced (leaking). Etc..., etc...
Looks like the 1st owner serviced it exclusively at the dealer until he sold it to the guy I bought it from on October 6, 2000. The 'bill of sale' indicates it sold for $4K. I'm sure that was for tax purposes.
Other interesting finds:
"Stellar" keyless entry system was installed in 2002. It still works great, except for the trunk because the new trunk gasket made it too tight a fit for the actuator.
The driver's door was damaged in 2005. The PO had gotten an estimate for refinishing the front air dam at the same time, but apparently opted out of that. He had to return it to the shop to have them blend the paint on the passenger door and fender better.
The 2nd owner did much of the work himself and keep very detailed notes. Every time he put oil in the car he made note of it. I guess I better keep up...
I am, in fact, the 3rd owner (as advertised by the PO).
The car was purchased originally from Saddleback BMW in Irvine, CA on February 27, 1988. The car was BUILT in September 1986. For some reason it sat on the lot for quite some time!
It had a 1200 mile service on March 22, 1988. Quite a few things were addressed at this service, including the front & rear glass moldings, a speaker grill, tachometer, L seat headrest inop, MPG needle stuck, front spoiler loose.
Inspection I happened at 14,968 miles on Jan 6, 1989. Engine oil leak fixed. PS pump replaced (leaking). Etc..., etc...
Looks like the 1st owner serviced it exclusively at the dealer until he sold it to the guy I bought it from on October 6, 2000. The 'bill of sale' indicates it sold for $4K. I'm sure that was for tax purposes.
Other interesting finds:
"Stellar" keyless entry system was installed in 2002. It still works great, except for the trunk because the new trunk gasket made it too tight a fit for the actuator.
The driver's door was damaged in 2005. The PO had gotten an estimate for refinishing the front air dam at the same time, but apparently opted out of that. He had to return it to the shop to have them blend the paint on the passenger door and fender better.
The 2nd owner did much of the work himself and keep very detailed notes. Every time he put oil in the car he made note of it. I guess I better keep up...
Thanks. I made a typo above and said "brake light". I've fixed it to say "backup light". If you look at older pictures of the car you'll see what I mean.gaberdee wrote:Nice pics, nice car. Enjoy. If you mean the third brake light above the parcel shelf, it looks like an afterthought, but it was standard equipment for that year. And oh yeah, keep those wheels!
I'll keep the wheels, but I'm going to put winter tires on them...
Congratulations on the purchase and the successful drive home. A belated "Welcome" to our fair state of California; did you take someone with you? (old joke. But no, really did you?)
SLO is a great school and great town; your son should love it, provided he can get in. Most of the programs like Engineering and Architecture are impacted which means the waiting lists are long especially for out of state students (good thing he's still a junior in HS). I'm sure you're aware of this by now, though.
good luck with the new ownership. Look forward to seeing you and this car come July in Portland.
SLO is a great school and great town; your son should love it, provided he can get in. Most of the programs like Engineering and Architecture are impacted which means the waiting lists are long especially for out of state students (good thing he's still a junior in HS). I'm sure you're aware of this by now, though.
good luck with the new ownership. Look forward to seeing you and this car come July in Portland.
