E28 M535i recommission

[nosmonkey]

So since I bought the E24 and put it back on the road after 20 years I have been discovering the joys of getting slightly crispy cars on the verge of needing a LOT of work, taking an educated gamble and fixing up to an acceptable level and just enjoying it.

Latest was a MK4 Golf R32 that had been turned into a full show car and then laid up for 5 years. Promptly returned to as close as I could do standard however it was always needing something. Now constant maintenance I can deal with, however the fact you need to take the front end off to do pretty much anything (bumper off to change a bulb) or be blessed with incredibly small hands meant that the hunt was on for something a bit more vintage.

Was offered this E28, a genuine dogleg manual M535, March 85 built only chassis number 0019 of DC72 type production. Zinnobar red with anthracite cloth, a surprisingly solid car with minimal rust on the O/S wing and a few surface scabs here and there. The metrics are long gone and some RC090s are there which I will keep, probably refurbish before I get fresh rubber. Car has been sitting since COVID when it was dismantled somewhat as a little project then left. All rubber hoses need to be changed, at the same time will do water and fuel pump, viscous fan, clean the injectors and give it a full service.

 

[vince]

Cool, cool, car!

 

[5280JB]

Bravo! Love the E28 and also have an M535i (June 1985 build). It looks like the example you have found will respond well to TLC and addressing of basic needs. Here in the U.S. we lust after the European features our domestic cars never got, like the beautiful cloth interior in your car! Most of the "M" specific goodies appear to be included with your car and a large percentage of other parts are shared with the standard E28's, making your project easier.

Keep us updated!
Jim

 

[rblongboarder]

I loved my '88 E28 M5. But yours has the Euro bumpers which look so much more elegant than the US Spec bumpers.

I look forward to following this thread.. just like your black E9 build.

 

[nosmonkey]

I loved my '88 E28 M5. But yours has the Euro bumpers which look so much more elegant than the US Spec bumpers.

I look forward to following this thread.. just like your black E9 build.

I'll be honest I do prefer the chrome bumpers/euro m5 valance to the 'tupperware' kit the m535s had but it's very of it's period especially with the colour.

 

[nosmonkey]

Bravo! Love the E28 and also have an M535i (June 1985 build). It looks like the example you have found will respond well to TLC and addressing of basic needs. Here in the U.S. we lust after the European features our domestic cars never got, like the beautiful cloth interior in your car! Most of the "M" specific goodies appear to be included with your car and a large percentage of other parts are shared with the standard E28's, making your project easier.

Keep us updated!
Jim

Thanks Jim!

It's very much a driver spec car, minimal options, originally a demo car for the dealership, just like my e24! But less to go wrong and I prefer a bit more bare bones for less weight and conplication. The all important "why don't you have wipers for your headlights, peasant?" box was ticked though!

 

[Barry.b]

Thanks Jim!

It's very much a driver spec car, minimal options, originally a demo car for the dealership, just like my e24! But less to go wrong and I prefer a bit more bare bones for less weight and conplication. The all important "why don't you have wipers for your headlights, peasant?" box was ticked though!

She’s a really nice car
She’s probably quite rare these days I would think.
And super cool as a daily driver
Good luck with it

 

[nosmonkey]

Saw these come up for sale local to me and couldn't resist, when have you seen factory cloth e28 recaros!? Even in anthracite cloth and with the m technic badges, the stars aligned and simply had to be snagged for this car. Does need a bolster repair but nothing .ajor

 

[nosmonkey]

Picked her up yesterday. First things first pulled everything out and fitted the recaros. Also found some OE mats in the boot as well as some original paperwork. Latch buffers were all missing luckily i keep plenty of these spare. Lots of history on the car which is nice. Odometer was changed at 127k to one reading about 163, so car has done about 35k miles less than I was expecting which is a result! Paint has also started to come up a treat

 

[nosmonkey]

One turd polished for the most part, side window trims need to be repainted, although if anything like e24 trims best to just leave it in place. Will also need to get some screen inserts

 

[Barry.b]

She’s coming along nicely !
Why did they put in a clock with more miles on it ?
Mind you it’s a nicer surprise to find it that way than the other way around I suppose.

 

[nosmonkey]

Original speedo cluster failed (was included with the car i just assumed was spare) and they fitted in a second hand unit without correcting the mileage

She’s coming along nicely !
Why did they put in a clock with more miles on it ?
Mind you it’s a nicer surprise to find it that way than the other way around I suppose.

 

[nosmonkey]

Friend of mine offered me a moonroof and couldn't say no! Changed most of the coolant hoses just waiting on a few that weren't in stock at bmw. Also changed all the fuel hoses in the engine bay and cleaned and refurbed the injectors. 5 were dead and one was dribbling. After a few runs on the ultrasonic injector cleaner got 5 working. Luckily found a NOS injector, so got the intake back on.

Rocker cover off to check valves which for the most part were in spec. Also replaced banjo bolts and gave the cover a lick of paint. Sandblasted and painted the wiper arms and headlight wipers and got them on.

Was also given these back-lit stainless sill covers. Unsure if I will have them on or not.

P.S the clear turn signals will be going and Ambers back on!

 

[5280JB]

Nice work! All great maintenance items to check off, plus some cosmetics. Glass moonroof is nice - is it a SAAB piece? They are a direct fit for E28's.

 

[nosmonkey]

Nice work! All great maintenance items to check off, plus some cosmetics. Glass moonroof is nice - is it a SAAB piece? They are a direct fit for E28's.

Yes it's a SAAB one. I had a genuine bmw one saved for years to one side then sold it as I wasn't planning on getting an e28! It came with a bmw sliding cover which I recovered in the cloth removed for the original headlining panel

 

[nosmonkey]

Engine bay is all put together now. Painted up the airbox too. Got the car in the air to sort out the fuel pump, noticed that it has some brand new abs struts on which are a gold mine nowadays! Original pump in the bin although at least the filter doesn't say made in West Germany! 35l of stale fuel drained out the tank but luckily it looked in great shape on the borescope. New bosch pump and filter and new brackets/hoses from BMW. Just waiting on rubber mounts then can fit it all up, throw in some fresh 99 octane and fire it up!

 

[nosmonkey]

Quite a lot done but unfortunately not many photos! Fitted up the pump and car wasnt cranking or priming the pump. Removed the 90s alarm and connected everything back to stock. Still nothing. Pulled the ignition switch and managed to get it started. For some reason the switch doesnt travel all the way whilst fitted in the car.

Eventually got the car running albeit very rough. Lift pump was also toast so jerry rigged a spare facet carb pump to act as a lift pump but still no joy and especially once warm car was running on 2/3 cylinders. Hooked up a fuel pressure regulator and was only getting about 20psi at the rail.

Removed and cleaned the regulator in the ultrasonic cleaner, fitted back up and running around 40psi and sounds much healthier. Once the new lift pump arrives will box her all back up.

Started to tackle a few smaller bits. Rear sidelight wasn't working, removed the control unit in the trunk to find a dry solder, repaired and all is good now!

Dismantled the original cluster and the SI board is completely toast so waiting on a new board to arrive and will reassemble. SI indicators will now serve as shift lights.

Have also made a start on pulling remnants of old audio installations, plenty of wiring has been hacked about so will need to spend a good day or 2 cleaning it all up to a good standard.