The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 628 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not Re: E28 good project or not H&R spring identification... Help! Re: H&R spring identification... Help! e28 project or not Montreal Grand Prix ; my house is for rent E46 M3 shell for sale Re: E46 M3 shell for sale 528e Upgrades
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 09:22:25 -0700 From: Mark Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Roy, E28's are fun and relatively cheap to work on (and mechanically and electronically simpler than an E36). While I don't see too many of them for sale, there are a number of them at the local pick-n-pulls here in Sacramento. As for swapping the tranny to a 5-speed, it can be done (a local CCA member pulled a tranny and pedal box, etc, from a local pick-n-pull and did the same change over to his 528e). For motor upgrades there are two popular changes that can be performed, the first is to swap in an M30 from a 535i. The other is to leave the eta motor and swap the head from a euro 323i. For more info on the e28, check out the following forum: http://www.mye28.com/ Good luck. Mark Gold Sacramento Chapter BMW CCA On Apr 20, 2005, at 8:59 AM, Roy T. Collins wrote: > > I have an old E28 528e that is starting to feel its age. I am > considering letting the car go but I have had so many fun times in > it... > driving, I might add. It was my first BMW afterall. It is bone stock > and I was wondering if I should keep it around. I have been > looking to > get a car to play around with that is both fun to drive and reasonably > cheap to work on. I want to get a car to work on that will eventually > be something fun to drive. I am concerned with this car that I > will put > a lot of money into it and end up with a great daily driver but not an > exceptionaly fun car to drive. I already thought that it was > underpowered espescially after getting the e36. I do love the smaller > size of the car but the balance and responsiveness is what sold me on > it. The 5 year old BMW, at the time, was much better than the Taurus > when it was new. > > Anyway I guess the question I have is should I use this car to > build on > or go with a better model, maybe not even BMW? I could put a larger > motor in. 2.8l M20 I think was the largest for the series, not really > sure though. Just overhauling the motor will return a lot of power. > Plus the car has an automatic right now and I would want to put a 5 > speed in. I want a car that will take a lot of work so that I can get > very intimate with it. At the same time I don't want to put a lot of > custom work into the car since that adds to the cost quickly and makes > repairs much more expensive. Anyone know what the availablity is for > old E28's. Are there lots of them around in junk yards? I don't seem > many listed on most car selling services. > Im a just looking for any one with expirence to offer their opinion. > Is it a good project car that ends up being fun to drive? Maybe do a > track event or two in it. Reasonably inexpensive, you could buy > another > whole E28 for a couple grand so parts shouldn't be too bad, right? > Any > one have a good resource on people that modify old E28s. Any info > would > be great. > > Roy Collins > > 1996 328i still quick and lean > 1984 528e tired ol' daily driver looking for new life > > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/ > [email protected] > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ____ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the > BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:43:08 -0400 From: Dave Bell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Assuming you want to stay with E28s... As a former E28 owner (85 535i), I'd consider selling the 528e and buying a good used 535i (or is) with a manual transmission. That'll save you the first expense of replacing your automatic transmission, plus you'll get the bigger/more fun M30 engine, which is pretty darn reliable, save for the odd ICV, engine mounts, cold start sensor, etc. It's a pretty straight-forward engine to work on, though. E28s do pretty well with 16" or 17" wheels and new suspension bits. It's no M3, but you'll have a nice sleeper, and I always like the viceral feel and sound of that Big 6. Note that like most restoration projects, you'll most definitely spend a good deal more than the car will be worth when you're done. But, if you're looking for a project car that still is fun to drive and has everyday utility, an E28 is hard to beat for durability and ease of workability. If you're willing to consider other BMW models, a workable E34 wouldn't be that much more, plus you'd have a more refined platform. An early nineties 535i would be my choice, if I were going that route. Best of luck. Dave Bell Ex 84 318i <- "sluggo" commuter car Ex 85 535i <- should have kept it. 95 M3 <- Street Diva ------------------------------ Date: 20 Apr 2005 18:18:22 -0000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I owned an '85 528e (5spd) - drove it until it was hit (HARD!) with 210,000 miles on it. I also had an '85 535i (5spd) and drove it until it had 220,000 miles. It needed some significant work, and I needed more cargo space - I have a recording business on the side and haul around a lot of gear. I sold the 535i and bought a '94 525i touring (e34, automatic :( ). The e34 is not nearly as mechanic friendly as the e28s. I also thing the engines and drive train on the e28s are good for the long haul. I would agree, however that replacing it with a 535 would make more sense than transplanting and engine. You won't need to spend much to get a decent car, as long as you're not afraid of high mileage. ----- Original Message ----- From: Roy T. Collins [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: 4/20/05 11:59 AM Subject: [UUC] E28 good project or not > > I have an old E28 528e that is starting to feel its age. I am > considering letting the car go but I have had so many fun times in it... > driving, I might add. It was my first BMW afterall. It is bone stock > and I was wondering if I should keep it around. I have been looking to > get a car to play around with that is both fun to drive and reasonably > cheap to work on. I want to get a car to work on that will eventually > be something fun to drive. I am concerned with this car that I will put > a lot of money into it and end up with a great daily driver but not an > exceptionaly fun car to drive. I already thought that it was > underpowered espescially after getting the e36. I do love the smaller > size of the car but the balance and responsiveness is what sold me on > it. The 5 year old BMW, at the time, was much better than the Taurus > when it was new. > > Anyway I guess the question I have is should I use this car to build on > or go with a better model, maybe not even BMW? I could put a larger > motor in. 2.8l M20 I think was the largest for the series, not really > sure though. Just overhauling the motor will return a lot of power. > Plus the car has an automatic right now and I would want to put a 5 > speed in. I want a car that will take a lot of work so that I can get > very intimate with it. At the same time I don't want to put a lot of > custom work into the car since that adds to the cost quickly and makes > repairs much more expensive. Anyone know what the availablity is for > old E28's. Are there lots of them around in junk yards? I don't seem > many listed on most car selling services. > Im a just looking for any one with expirence to offer their opinion. > Is it a good project car that ends up being fun to drive? Maybe do a > track event or two in it. Reasonably inexpensive, you could buy another > whole E28 for a couple grand so parts shouldn't be too bad, right? Any > one have a good resource on people that modify old E28s. Any info would > be great. > > Roy Collins > > 1996 328i still quick and lean > 1984 528e tired ol' daily driver looking for new life > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:35:04 -0500 From: "tom dotzler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The e28s are great cars. They can be made to perform and be fun to drive. I would suggest that you at least swap up to the "big 6" 3.5l. And a five speed. I had the big6 with turbo from the old euro 745i in an e28 and it was a lot of fun. There are a couple e28 m5s I have seen at the track that will eat a lot of other newer car's lunch. I'm sentimental about the e28, too. Our first was an an 87 535i. We still drive it fast, although not daily, with 385,000 miles and no smoke or any more oil consumption than at 200k miles. Sometimes I dream about dropping a v8 or v12 in it. (I do have a v12 sitting around) These cars can also be lightened about 175 lbs. That and nice suspension mods will add to the fun factor, too. Good luck, have fun. E28s forever! These guys have good e28 links and info: http://www.teamdfl.com/ Regards, Tom Dotzler (still two e28s in the family fleet) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 21:36:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Tammer Farid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> And should you really want to get crazy, visit these guys: http://www.turbochargingdynamics.com 300-400+ hp at the wheels from an M30, with varying degrees of reliability (most who have used the kit have bolted it right up to 200k+ motors with no ill effects). Be prepared to replace driveline components, subframe mounts, etc. as they get shredded one by one. But it will be fun discovering the weak links downstream of the motor. :-) -tammer '87 535is 242,000 and going strong ... 1k miles last weekend with no oil usage, 25+ mpg, 76 mph avg. --- tom dotzler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The e28s are great cars. They can be made to perform and > be fun to > drive. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:17:36 -0400 From: Mark Alan Selleck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I've had four e28 cars, a '80 528i, a '84 533i, and I currently own a '85 535i, and a 87 535is. All were/are 5-speeds. The '85 has 270k on it, and is still going strong. The '87 has an engine transplanted from a sister car with 130k on it, running REALLY strong. The only real "problems" with the cars are related to air-conditioning/heating. I'm to the point where an ac blower is going to need to be replaced, and I'm NOT looking forward to it. If you get a 535, from someone who maintained it correctly, you should have a good experience. I'd stay away from major transplant work. I've been wondering how long to keep mine, maybe I should get something more recent for my wife, but they are good cars that will serve well for a long time, and they're fun to drive. I wouldn't worry about "high mileage". I'm expecting 350k, unless something unexpected happens. Mark Selleck [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >I owned an '85 528e (5spd) - drove it until it was hit (HARD!) with 210,000 >miles on it. I also had an '85 535i (5spd) and drove it until it had 220,000 >miles. It needed some significant work, and I needed more cargo space - I >have a recording business on the side and haul around a lot of gear. > >I sold the 535i and bought a '94 525i touring (e34, automatic :( ). The e34 >is not nearly as mechanic friendly as the e28s. I also thing the engines and >drive train on the e28s are good for the long haul. I would agree, however >that replacing it with a 535 would make more sense than transplanting and >engine. You won't need to spend much to get a decent car, as long as you're >not afraid of high mileage. > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Roy T. Collins [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [email protected] >Sent: 4/20/05 11:59 AM >Subject: [UUC] E28 good project or not > > > >>I have an old E28 528e that is starting to feel its age. I am >>considering letting the car go but I have had so many fun times in it... >>driving, I might add. It was my first BMW afterall. It is bone stock >>and I was wondering if I should keep it around. I have been looking to >>get a car to play around with that is both fun to drive and reasonably >>cheap to work on. I want to get a car to work on that will eventually >>be something fun to drive. I am concerned with this car that I will put >>a lot of money into it and end up with a great daily driver but not an >>exceptionaly fun car to drive. I already thought that it was >>underpowered espescially after getting the e36. I do love the smaller >>size of the car but the balance and responsiveness is what sold me on >>it. The 5 year old BMW, at the time, was much better than the Taurus >>when it was new. >> >>Anyway I guess the question I have is should I use this car to build on >>or go with a better model, maybe not even BMW? I could put a larger >>motor in. 2.8l M20 I think was the largest for the series, not really >>sure though. Just overhauling the motor will return a lot of power. >>Plus the car has an automatic right now and I would want to put a 5 >>speed in. I want a car that will take a lot of work so that I can get >>very intimate with it. At the same time I don't want to put a lot of >>custom work into the car since that adds to the cost quickly and makes >>repairs much more expensive. Anyone know what the availablity is for >>old E28's. Are there lots of them around in junk yards? I don't seem >>many listed on most car selling services. >> Im a just looking for any one with expirence to offer their opinion. >>Is it a good project car that ends up being fun to drive? Maybe do a >>track event or two in it. Reasonably inexpensive, you could buy another >>whole E28 for a couple grand so parts shouldn't be too bad, right? Any >>one have a good resource on people that modify old E28s. Any info would >>be great. >> >>Roy Collins >> >>1996 328i still quick and lean >>1984 528e tired ol' daily driver looking for new life >> >> >> > >Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > >__________________________________________________________________________ >In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > >UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate >Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! >908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:27:28 -0400 From: Ben Keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E28 good project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> all your questions on E28's will be answered at the mye28.com web site : http://www.mye28.com there are two forums - one the old outline style, the other the (sometimes) more useful threaded seperated forums, avatars & sig lines, etc, etc type. don't waste time changing the transmission. don't waste time building up the M20. find a decent condition (not rusty nor bent) 535iS 5-speed and start there. you can find a mint one for $6k and a serviceable one for half that or less if you get lucky. there are lots of people with lots of time & money invested in their E28's there who can provide motivation & assistance. Ben E28 M5 dying slow death in driveway. Roy wrote: > > I have an old E28 528e that is starting to feel its age. I am > considering letting the car go but I have had so many fun times in it... > driving, I might add. It was my first BMW afterall. It is bone stock > and I was wondering if I should keep it around. I have been looking to > get a car to play around with that is both fun to drive and reasonably > cheap to work on. I want to get a car to work on that will eventually > be something fun to drive. I am concerned with this car that I will put > a lot of money into it and end up with a great daily driver but not an > exceptionaly fun car to drive. I already thought that it was > underpowered espescially after getting the e36. I do love the smaller > size of the car but the balance and responsiveness is what sold me on > it. The 5 year old BMW, at the time, was much better than the Taurus > when it was new. > > Anyway I guess the question I have is should I use this car to build on > or go with a better model, maybe not even BMW? I could put a larger > motor in. 2.8l M20 I think was the largest for the series, not really > sure though. Just overhauling the motor will return a lot of power. > Plus the car has an automatic right now and I would want to put a 5 > speed in. I want a car that will take a lot of work so that I can get > very intimate with it. At the same time I don't want to put a lot of > custom work into the car since that adds to the cost quickly and makes > repairs much more expensive. Anyone know what the availablity is for > old E28's. Are there lots of them around in junk yards? I don't seem > many listed on most car selling services. > Im a just looking for any one with expirence to offer their opinion. > Is it a good project car that ends up being fun to drive? Maybe do a > track event or two in it. Reasonably inexpensive, you could buy another > whole E28 for a couple grand so parts shouldn't be too bad, right? Any > one have a good resource on people that modify old E28s. Any info would > be great. > > Roy Collins > > 1996 328i still quick and lean > 1984 528e tired ol' daily driver looking for new life ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:32:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Mark Andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: H&R spring identification... Help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Howdy, I have some springs are H&R, light blue. I suspect they were part of a bilstein/H&R package, but don't know for sure. Here's the markings... Front springs: H&R 9/97 KBA-Nr. 90-397 29 824 va ab.bj.22.06.92 Rear springs: H&R 9/97 KBA-Nr. 90-397 29 824 ha Anyone know what these things have for rates? A buddy with a '95 m3 is wondering if the springs would be an improvement over the stock springs. Turner's website has a listing for an E36 318i/323i/325i/328i H&R Sport Spring Set that has a part number of 29824-2... Perhaps those are the same springs? Anyone know how the dimensions & rates compare for those springs to the stock '95 m3 springs? Thanks! Mark ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:54:33 -0400 (EDT) From: Mark Andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: H&R spring identification... Help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Howdy, So, called H&R. They identified the springs as their sport package springs for a '93 e36. However, they won't tell me free length or rate specifications for the springs. Presumably there must be terrorists out there that use this information for nefarious purposes, but the terrorists are fairly dumb and don't know about spring rate checkers. She was "nice" enough to tell me that their sport springs are generally 25% to 30% stiffer than stock. So, anyone know what the free length & rates are for an e36 m3 as well as a non-m3 e36? Thanks for any info! Mark (who won't be buying anything from H&R anytime soon based on this experience) On Wed, 20 Apr 2005, Mark Andy wrote: > Howdy, > > I have some springs are H&R, light blue. I suspect they were part of a > bilstein/H&R package, but don't know for sure. Here's the markings... > > Front springs: > H&R 9/97 > KBA-Nr. 90-397 > 29 824 va > ab.bj.22.06.92 > > Rear springs: > H&R 9/97 > KBA-Nr. 90-397 > 29 824 ha > > Anyone know what these things have for rates? A buddy with a '95 m3 is > wondering if the springs would be an improvement over the stock springs. > > Turner's website has a listing for an E36 318i/323i/325i/328i H&R Sport > Spring Set that has a part number of 29824-2... Perhaps those are the same > springs? Anyone know how the dimensions & rates compare for those springs to > the stock '95 m3 springs? > > Thanks! > > Mark > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:34:31 -0500 From: "Beaudette, Roland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Uuc \(E-mail\)" <[email protected]> Subject: e28 project or not Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Roy, That eta engine would make a good junkyard turbo project since the compression low (desirable). Check out www.e30tech.net for suggestions on hybrid M20 turbos using the best of the i and eta engines. Cheers, Roland ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:04:37 -0400 (EDT) From: John Drendel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Montreal Grand Prix ; my house is for rent Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Bims, I am renting out my house the weekend of the Montreal GP. If you've never been here, you should know that Montreal is a great town, the American dollar (still) has long legs in Canada, and that this is the most important single visitor attraction of the year. If you've attended before, you know all this already, and you've got rooms reserved, because hotels have been booked for months. This year I've decided to go flyfishing rather than attend the event (life does involve choices), and since my family will be out of town as well, if finally occured to me that we could make a few bucks and serve some fellow bimmerheads by renting it out. It has three bedrooms, two full baths and lots of space. It is centrally located in an URBAN environment, i.e. rowhouses, cafes, restaurants, bars and so forth, 8 minutes from the subway line to the race venue (it's on an island and you don't want to take a car, take my word) I also live about a half a mile from Little Italy, BMW's are fine up there as long as they are dressed in red. I'm looking for about $US 1500 for a long weekend; the house will comfortably house 4 couples. If you check things out, you will find that this is a pretty good deal. You can contact me at : 514-987-3000 ext. 3687. WEB site for the Montreal GD : http://www.grandprix.ca/site.php John ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:45:56 -0400 From: "KMS- Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: E46 M3 shell for sale Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7969626 645 Brett Anderson KMS ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:15:01 -0700 From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E46 M3 shell for sale Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Wed, Apr 20, 2005 at 08:45:56PM -0400, KMS- Brett Anderson wrote: > Ebay, > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7969626 > 645 hmm, I'd get it and Fred Flintstone it home, but there aren't any Bronto Burger joints between here and there. "So is it the new Bluesmobile or what?" "Fix the cigarette lighter." -- "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster." -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 11:35:16 -0700 From: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW BMW BMW BMW" <[email protected]> Subject: 528e Upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Roy Collins wrote about his old e28 528e: > I could put a larger motor in. 2.8l M20 I think was the largest for > the series, not really sure though. Just overhauling the motor will > return a lot of power. Plus the car has an automatic right now and > I would want to put a 5 speed in. I've always likes E28s (in the 90's I had a 533i and a 535i), but it does not make any sense to put a new engine and tranny in an old eta powered E28. Even if someone gave you an engine and tranny for free you would spend so much on little parts doing the swap that you would probably come out ahead selling the 528e and just buying a 533i or 535i with a 5 speed. You might also think about selling the 528e and buying a nice E24 6 Series since they are still cheap and are on my list of cars that are sure to go up in value over the next 10 years (I've also owned a couple E24s and if I had the garage space I would be looking for a nice M6 right now). Kevin Kelly BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(14 messages) **********
