Anyone here into E12 or E28 BMW's?

gn3dr

Hi
Been looking at early 5 series (E12 & E28) recently on the web and am tempted by them. They seem like they would be modern enough to be a daily driver and look great. Not many of them for sale though it seems in Ireland? Are they all rusted into the ground or what?

Anyone here into them?

bijapos

Had 3 E28's, all diesel, two normal, one turbo diesel and can only say they are fantastic cars. Used to drive a lot of W115's and W123's but the Beemer was an eye opener. Far more economical, much better to drive regards handling and so on. Engines have a timing belt, make sure its changed at the correct intervals, give it a full oil change when due and they will go for ever. Only had one with rust issues, it was at the jacking points but the car was a winter only driver for the previous owner (this was in Germany).

Never had an E12, I prefer their shape and interior, especially the first couple of years they were in production, before the facelift.

I was looking at getting one myself, there was an E12 M535i RHD for sale in Holland a while ago for €4500 but it was gone by the time I had my mind made up.

Prices for E12's seem to be rising, they aren't getting any cheaper anyway, good E28's can still be picked up in the UK for under £1000 but then you have VRT and high road tax.

Have rarely seen them in Ireland, any ones seem to be imports from the UK judging by the reg number, but I intend getting one for a daily driver next year myself.

alpina

Have an E12 based Six series, basically the coupe version of what you are talking about, literally! Same suspension/engines & so on...You can see it here; http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/f42dbabc#/f42dbabc/46

Bulletproof engines [M30] as long as any bit respected. Has passed it's NCT each time without issue, starts first time every time, excellent ride quality & comfort, very good brakes & no electrical gremlins have been reported, so as for considering as a daily driver, should be fine...As for the dreaded tin worm, basically do your homework, they are out there, albeit getting pricey. As per usual pay as much as you can for the right car, buy cheap buy twice

Happy hunting;)

gn3dr

Thanks for the replies

Nice E24 there. I see one of those in my furture as well. Actually it was E24's I initially was looking at. I was considering fitting a 525tds engine but doing this to the coupe seemed wrong whereas converting an E12 or E28 would seem like a natural evolution - plus I need the 3 seats in the back rather than the 2 in the coupe.

Itsfixed

Hi

You should put your question to our website devoted to the classic sharknose bmws, including the e12 and e28. There are a couple of us with e12s and e28s though not a lot.

I'd love an e28 525e as a daily driver, but since the earliest was only built in 1983, i would prefer to wait until they are or close to classic tax exemption.

Or if a nice rust free e12 528i came up, i'd look at that too.

good luck with your search

colm_mcm

I love the idea of getting one.
I was looking to buy an E3 (New Six) a while back and was amazed at how modern it was despite being launched 40 years ago.
Chronic sill rust prevented me from getting it, but I still want one. Will have to get saving!

8~)

I have an E28 which was my daily driver for a couple of years until a couple of years ago... still have it, using it during the summer months. They have a few faults but not too many. They're a great modern classic. Mine's a 518i so gives just tolerable performance but good fuel economy.

Bios

hi gn3dr

My dad has a 1973 e12 525 that he is willing to part with. It is one of the most rust free examples of any car I have seen of that age and I have sent you a private message with his contact details.

Blue850

520 on donedeal

unkel

Looks like a bargain!

Bios

I'd have to agree, sounds like a great car. Personally, I prefer the e28 but that's only coz my first car was a 1984 520i. Which I still have partially stripped next to all my other projects that I don't have time for

MercMad

I see a black 525 being used around Swords as a daily, 79D reg, lovely car.

Wasn't the early 520 a 4 cylinder ?

They are modern to drive, look for valve guide/stem oil seal wear and notchy boxes.Apart from that they are prolific rusters !

gn3dr

Think the 520 became a 6 cylinder in 1977. I'm going to go look at that car once the weather clears - looks OK - but you never know until you look underneath.

The only slight fly in the ointment is I've had a small bit of a problem with my current daily (P38 Range Rover 4.0 V8) which might quell my purchasing power a little bit for a while:(

junkyard

This beauty was in the NEC classic car show, car of the show in my opinion.

artic

junkyard wrote: »

This beauty was in the NEC classic car show, car of the show in my opinion.

That car is massive !;)

unfit2006

Itsfixed wrote: »

Hi

You should put your question to our website devoted to the classic sharknose bmws, including the e12 and e28. There are a couple of us with e12s and e28s though not a lot.

I'd love an e28 525e as a daily driver, but since the earliest was only built in 1983, i would prefer to wait until they are or close to classic tax exemption.

Or if a nice rust free e12 528i came up, i'd look at that too.

good luck with your search

The new NCT Regs may well put a stop to any car registered after 1979 ever acquiring classic tax status.

artic

Well i have looked at the picture of that E28 at the NEC and all i can say is stunning,that is a nice motor. I was in the market for a merc but after seeing that car i have done a complete 360, So much so i have been in contact with the man selling the car in the above link. What do you think? I think this could be the one if everything checks out. Apoligies i dont know how to insert the linky thingy properly.

8~)

I'd run a mile from that one, Artic. Only 600 miles since engine rebuild means that it'll be you finding out how good of a job was done (or not). Also, regardless of a sob story, I always prefer to buy off a long term owner, not someone who's bought a car and is selling it on quickly (unless they're obviously a dealer).

BTW, if handy for you I can show you a good E28 (mine) and what to look for when inspecting.

junkyard

In fairness though it's a good price and there's room to haggle too, I rang him about it too. Even if you had to put an engine in it it wouldn't break the bank. Providing the shell is sound of course.

8~)

Maybe I got lucky or the values of E28s have shot up in the last 2-3 years but I think 3.5k for a 525 is OTT. I've been in and around 4 of 5 in good order (bodily, some engine issues) for a lot less than that, though not in about 3 years.

Now I think of it I am pretty sure that same car was on ebay for under 2k asking price a while back.

junkyard

It was 2250 when I rang about it a few days ago.........

8~)

Here it is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1983-BMW-525-E-AUTO-BRONZE_W0QQitemZ170428840217QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item27ae59b919

The seller's removed comments from watchers about what he paid for it, etc. Not saying there's anything wrong with buying something and selling it on... but I'd rather deal direct with a long term owner.

If I was spending 2k plus on an E28 I'd be after a tidy early 2.8 manual.

artic

junkyard wrote: »

It was 2250 when I rang about it a few days ago.........

Junkyard,

Was 2250 the asking price when you rang up or was it the highest bid at the time ? I see on EBay the reserve is lowered. Im confused now

junkyard

Sorry, my mistake, I thought you were talking about the one on donedeal artic.

artic

Funny i was looking at the add on Ebay and i see he is a dealer and is selling a jeep and using the same old line of being made redundant !:mad: