Just saying hello

Hi guys, I've just bought myself an E28, first BeeEm so I'm really chuffed. Thought at first glance it was a 520 or something as there are no badges on it....


but it turns out from the logbook and insurance people that its a 525e Lux Auto 2693cc, so I'm quite excited about it. The head gasket has blown and a specialist has quoted me 300 quid to fix, but all in the car cost 150 quid and everywhere else she is immaculate. Only other problem is the 205/60 HR390 TRX wheels which require four new tyres at 180 quid a corner. I think not. Seen some cross spoke alloys off an E34 520i, are these a straight swap for the E28 ones? Let me know what you think of her.

You mean familiar as in I'm repeating myself, or familiar as in many owners before have suffered the same wallet-lightening experience? The engine guy says he has done a few of these and its likely to need a new/secondhand head as the original has likely warped. Yikes. Most of the places I went around simply refused to even touch it, most notably one German car specialist who had a workshop full of Porsche 928's yet he wouldn't touch a 5 series.

Hi Doive!
I think the e34 alloys will fit, and will improve the look of the car no end, plus be cheaper on tyres!
AG

AG is spot on. My E28 is on 15" E34 cross spokes, they fit perfectly. most folks go for 225/60 tyres which are widely available.

I recently bought 5 new tyres in a slightly unusual size 215/65 for 15 notes each, so not too dear at all.

What colour is your E28? look at the paint sticker under the bonnet by the suspension turret.

I love the green tinted glass. Does it have A/C? Green Tints normally go with A/C.

 

Hiab, I broke up a 525e a while back and offered the shell with engine for free on ebay. no takers. Do E30 heros really pay £150 for a block? the one I broke had a blown H/G, surprise surprise. It was E regd 525e Lux. It had E34 x-spokes with new tyres, which are now residing on my E28 528i.

Sets of E34 x-spokes with tyres go for 80 to 100 ish on Fleabay.

I cannot believe I am agreeing with Hiab, I must be going mad.

There are plenty of 525e's always on Fleabay at prices from £100, so no need to repair a broken one, unless you enjoy spanner work.

Let us know what you decide to do.

 

 

I collected the history folder from the glovebox yesterday. It still has the original owners manual, a well stamped service book, but the best thing of all was a wad of receipts for the last fifteen years. The owner before last had the car from almost new until a year ago, during which time he covered 25,000 miles - in fifteen years! Year upon year he spent hundreds of pounds every time she was up for the MoT, but the nicest receipt I found was for a year ago when the full exhaust was replaced, but crucially the rear subframe bushes were replaced, along with various other suspension bushes. It looks as if she has never wanted for anything.

There is an E34 at the yard with cross spoke 15 inch wheels on, I'm hoping the guy will sell them cheap or I have been offered a set from the bloke who is doing the head work. I'm afraid I have the rose-tinted specs on, I think she is lovely. Been round her and can't find any rust anywhere, other than the head gasket I can't find anything wrong. She had all suspension replaced about five years ago, and the brakes look in good nick as well. Don't want to break her! I've spent about 1200 quid on a 500 pound Chevette in the last year and a half, so its very likely I will pour some cash into this and see what happens.  

You go for it, be good to see some more nice 525e's around, instead of the more popular 528's (no offence meant Phil) that are around at the moment.

I'm very much into fixing up and keeping on the road, rather than turning over for quick profit. My mate who has a new 3-series has already told me I should have the chevette scrapped, but I refuse. Ok, she is a little rough round the edges but then she is 22 years old and they were never meant to last this long! The garage man is willing to drop in a spare 325i engine he has from an E30, but to be honest if the difference was only a hundred pounds or so I'd rather hold on to the 2.7 if I could. I thought the history was a bit special as well, the gentleman sounds like an older man, I hope he is still around so I can get in touch with him.

Just been on the phone to the previous owner. He says he took it to an MG Rover garage as one of the mechanics there was a BeeEm nut, he gave it a good going over but said to get rid of it. Problems as follows:

1) Head gasket clearly blown
2) Needs all new brakes (will do myself)
3) Oil leak from front of head (gasket?)
4) Slight petrol leak from fuel pipe at tank
5) Strange vibration above 50mph

He said he was on a dual carriageway doing about 70, when there was an almighty bang and a cloud of smoke out the back. Took it to the garage and they said the gasket had gone. Does this sound like a gasket to anyone, or is it possible the head itself may have cracked? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.....

Not worried about the brakes, 100 quid from a specialist for a set and I'll do them myself. The leak from the head will be sorted with the head off. What could the vibration be though?

The engine runs sweet once it gets over the initial smokiness and roughness. When warmed a little she seems to idle, but there is mayonnaise on the oil filler cap which says to me oil and water are mixing somewhere. Just got her back to the flat this afternoon, had the wheels off and the brakes look absolutely fine, stopped very well too on the half mile drive I had - the handbrake held the car very nicely on the 40 degree slope on the low loader when going on. The auto box changes sweetly and very quietly as well, I'm secretly reckoning I've got a good one. I hope.

Gave her a good wash as well, bodywise she really is a credit to her first keeper. Barely any rust at all on her, just the fronts of the rear arches showing any signs of it. The rest of the car is lovely. I'll post a few pictures later on of her in washed state. So everything I can see on the car appears perfect, apart from the engine starting. Even found receipts for rounds of golf, and a few golf tees in the boot! I'm guessing the first owner was a golfer then.