1987 BMW 528i

[msmith]

Hi All, first time posting here so be nice!

I have a 1987 528i BMW which has been in the family for about half of its life but I have now come to the conclusion that it needs to go. I just don't have the funds to renovate it and I have a 1996 BMW 328iS coupe so can't afford to run both as weekend cars.

Several years ago my Dad wanted to get rid of it and at the time I wanted a trackday car so I stripped and sold the interior replacing it with a pair of bucket seats. I was also half way through creating a custom exhaust before I started racing MR2's so that never got finished. It has been garaged for about the last 10 years only spending one winter outside but thats when frost got into the laquer on the bonnet and blistered it.

So to summarise the bad points:
No interior
No exhaust from manifold back
Blistered laquer on bonnet
Drivers lock doesn't work
No T&T

Good Points:
Paint work is in fairly good condition
Small amounts of rust but at last check nothing structural
Engine starts every time

I know the value of these cars are only going up but I can't afford to hold onto it any longer, I need the money to run the other beemer.

My question is this: how much is it worth as it is? I really would really love to see this restored but would I be better off selling it in bits? (storage isn't a problem)

I have some pictures of it already uploaded from trackdays, i'll try and get it out of the garage over the weekend for some up to date ones although nothings really changed.

www.sakari-racing.co.uk/gallery/cadwell/gallery.html
www.sakari-racing.co.uk/gallery/rockingham/gallery.html

Thanks for your help

[Ralphead]

If it's solid then don't break it. There are plenty of rotten ones that can be sacrificed for parts.

So it's not been used for a decade? Do you have any current pictures?

The lack of interior will put people off a bit (me included) but if the shell is sound then someone will want it. Whereabouts are you? I guess the interior doesn't put me off that much..

[msmith]

It hasn't been used for about 3 years, before that it spent a year track daying (only about 3 trackdays from memory), 6 years before that it was used a little as a weekend fun car and before that as a 2nd car.
When I said garaged I meant thats where it was kept ie not outside open to the elements, sorry for the confusion.

Long way from you i'm in Lincoln.

Haven't got any pictures to hand, but I can do its just a case of finding the time to clean it up a bit

[Ralphead]

Oh yeah that makes sense now I read it back again, sorry.

That is quite a way away, don't clean it up on my account.

I you can afford it an exhaust and an MOT would make you the most money.

[msmith]

Not a bad idea, it sailed through the last time so no reason it shouldn't again. What do you think it would be worth with MOT? or even with interior? I've seem some go for £k's and then some go for just a few hundred.

[Ralphead]

Original and clean with a big engine is where the money is.

I wouldn't get your hopes up about it's value and I don't want to guess having never seen it. Though sticking my neck out I rekon it'd have to be pretty rough to not get £600 with an MOT. See what's for sale at what money and compare them to yours I suppose.

[Al Ramone]

as is £200-300

with mot £300-400

with mot and interior £1000

my guesses

[msmith]

Thanks for the replys, think i'll source an exhuast and get it through MOT (should sail through) then see what i can get for it while looking out for an interior

[Ralphead]

Good luck with it. I'm glad it's not getting broken.

[meinhoney]

If you do decide to get rid, I know someone who'd definitely be interested in Lincoln (assuming it's a manual, mind!)

Cheers,
Rob

[msmith]

Yep it's got to go at some point but i'll not be letting it go dirt cheap. Willing to sell it now as is or i'll slowly start putting it back to near original until I get a decent offer. Yes its a manual

[undernutter]

As mentioned, if its largely rust-free it really ought not to be broken, as . A big engine with a manual G/box, ie yours, is a bonus.

check very carefully for rust though, Its far far more of a problem on bodykitted cars but these things tend to rust from the inside out.

Starter for ten, give the jacking points, sills (paying particular attention to where they meet the rear arch), front footwells, battery trays and front struts a thorough inspection, have a good old prod with the screwdrivers.

None are a strictly complex repair but these are the common spots.

whats the mileage?

Interiors can be found. you're looking at about £100 for complete (Ie EVERYTHING) usaeble cloth "comfort" (ie standard, non-sport) one, leather is rare and more expensive: £250 is par for the course for mint sport leather seats, comfort leather about the same as its so hard to find.

exhaust shouldnt pose much of a problem either.

A man I know in northampton is breaking a number of these things, and I'm sure will be more than happy to help you. I can PM you his details if you wish.

Shameless plug for a helpful five series forum, you never know, someone may be interested in it although you do have to pay a tenner to advertise. The E28 section is helpful and active.

bmw5.co.uk

[msmith]

Thanks for that, the guy in Northampton's details would be great (although I have had contact in this forum from a guy called Tim). Its largely rust free as its spent about the last 10 years in various garages apart from one winter; mileage is about 130k. I'm in no rush as I have so many other projects on the go at the moment but if I could get an interior for £100 I would definately get it back to full road condition.