1981 BMW E28 528

[stewart528]

Hi folks
This is my 1981 E28 528i Auto



The plan is to keep the classic look as much as possible but try and improve/update where possible.

With that in mind the first task is to tackle ride and handling by firstly replacing the now 31 year old springs and shocks with this



I also want to go for larger diameter wheels so I can use more modern lower profile tyres so I just had to try these on when I got them ( maybe I should have cleaned them first!!! )




They are 225/55-16 0n the back which I think are too big but the 205/55-16 on the front look about right and they are pretty close rolling radius to the original 195/70-14 originally fitted, we'll see how they look with the lowered springs before deciding.

The wheels came with these caps but how do you remove them from the wheels, I popped them of from behind with the wheels off but is there a special tool to remove them??



Thanks for looking and for any comments

[bstardchild]

From memory there is either a notch in the rim that you line the arrow upo with and then you have somewhere to pop it off with a screwdriver or you twist them and they pop off - can't remember as it's been a while since I ran basketweaves on my E38 cos they are such a b1tch to keep clean

[renofan]

One of my favourite cars! I have an '86 520i in white but love the colour of yours. On the alloys on mine you twist the centre caps to take them off.

Any interior pics? Is this car in Co Kildare as I saw a similar one not too long ago but can't remember the reg!

[seven]

I love these cars Jealous.

[stewart528]

Not in Kildare but in County Louth
Here's a pretty poor pic of the interior but it gives you some idea



The plan was to look for a beige/cream leather interior from an E34 but the cloth is growing on me.

The drivers seat base has gone very soft anyone know if these can be refurbed or replaced

[spartacus]

There should be a big plastic 'key' with lugs on it that locate in the slots, you just twist it an eighth of a turn and it pops off. There are arrows on the center cap and the wheel, these should line up when you push the cap back on.

[spartacus]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E38-E39-5-7-SERIES-ALLOY-WHEEL-CAP-CENTRE-NUT-REMOVAL-TOOL-KIT-WRENCH-OEM-/350546605333?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item519e34b515


Like this. Nice car. I hope the roads are good where you are. I have Spax springs and dampers on my 520i and they're pretty firm. It handles well though.

[renofan]

Aug 2, 2012 18:53:45 GMT stewart528 said:

.....
The plan was to look for a beige/cream leather interior from an E34 but the cloth is growing on me.

The drivers seat base has gone very soft anyone know if these can be refurbed or replaced

I like that! Looks very clean for a beige interior too. I'm sure you can get the seat rebuilt...I know its possible in the UK but not sure of anyone here.

[stewart528]

Spot the difference





That's right 14" in the first then 16" in the second, cleaned and with the centre caps on they don't look bad ?

Hope to get the suspension kit fitted next week

[GT4ME]

Thats a really nice,very early E28 528i, just like the very first one I ever owned,an 82' Saphire blue 528iSE back in 1991. Great cars.

[little feat]

Well that's a coincidence ......
The guy you bought it off outbid me by 1 pound sterling for it when the selling dealer had it up on E bay.
I got about two dozen photos of it from the dealer and it was/is a very clean example.
My plans changed to looking for an E 24 so when it was offered to me again post E bay I had to turn it down.
Anyway , I'm glad it came over here and I wish you the best of luck with it.
Please don't take it too far away from stock it's such a lovely original car . Bizarrly all I was going to do was change the wheels to exactly the ones you have fitted , spooky eh ....
But tell me , what is the story with the slashed drivers carpet.....?

[stewart528]

My plan is for subtle mods all the way
Not a clue what was going on with the carpet not sure how I'm going to sort that!!

[stewart528]

Got some work done on the car this week
Stripped the front suspension out of the car ready for fitting the new springs and shocks
But some clean up was necessary

Struts before:



and after:



Bottom arms after being wire brushed and painted:



Took some time to give the 16" wheels a clean ready to be fitted once the suspension is sorted:

[stewart528]

After a week of blood, sweat, tears and lots of penetrating oil the suspension has been changed, along with polybushes on both bottom arms, new anti-roll bar bushes, drop links and track rod ends.
Many thanks to Martin and Mal for the use of their lift and their help and encouragement.
So here is a pretty bad pic ( due to fading light ) of the result after a quick polish and putting the 16" wheels back on.
Hope you like!!

[stewart528]

Went for a spin today and took some pics












Please note the blue sky a rare sight in Ireland this summer!!

[little feat]

It's looking very nice Stewart , my heart pangs every time I look at it.........
Can I ask what model/year of BMW those wheels came off ?
They would suit a polished lip ..............
When you getting that wing fixed ?
And keep the photos comming .

[GT4ME]

Looking great.

[Alpina99]

That is a very nice looking car,
Any more plans ??

[renofan]

Very jealous man here. It looks perfect now. The wheels made a bigger diff than I thought it would. Looking forward to seeing this car at some stage!

[Lawsy]

Looks great, made a lot of difference without it being too obvious

There's a bit of a soft spot for these in me now, and there's one for sale on here too now....