About:
- Color: Schwarz exterior, Schwarz interior
- Miles: 162,846
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: WBADC840XF0666256
This 1985 BMW 535i is finished in black with chrome accents and black leather interior. It is powered by a 3.5-liter inline-six paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The car was acquired by the seller in 2006 from her grandfather (2nd owner), and service performed during current ownership has consisted of replacing the valve cover gasket, fan clutch, suspension components, exhaust system, and driveshaft along with an instrument cluster repair. This E28 is now offered at $4,000 with service records dating back to 1986 and a Texas title in the seller’s name.
Exterior features include fog lights, a sunroof with wind deflector, chrome wheel well accents, and chrome exhaust tips.
The power-adjustable front seats are in working order with all original interior. Additional amenities include electric windows, air conditioning, a trip computer, and an original BMW stock radio with cassette player.
A leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel frames an instrument cluster that was repaired by the owner in 2006 with new odometer gears. The odometer shows 162k miles, of which approximately 59k have been added by the seller.
A 3.5-liter inline-six drives the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. During current ownership, the following parts have been replaced and services completed:
- Power Steering Pump (2006)
- Fan Clutch (2006)
- Valve Cover Gasket (2006)
- Transmission Mount (2006)
- Hoses: Power Steering, Transmission Cooling, Radiator (2006)
- Complete Exhaust System (2006)
- Thrust Arm, Control Arm, and Trailing Arm Bushings (2006)
- Rear Trailing Arm Links (2006)
- Driveshaft with CV (2006)
- Oil Pan (2006)
- Transmission 2nd gear rebuild (2005)
As with any aging vehicle, this E28 is not perfect. Please see the list below for some items that may need addressing:
- Peeling clear coat is present on the rear B pillar
- A/C evaporator case drains slowly
- cruise control cable is broken
- rear doors are difficult to shut
- automatic locking system won’t stay locked when locked from passenger side or trunk (it works on driver’s side)
- front headrests do not move up/down
- valve clearance needs adjusting
- cabin vent hood boot intakes need to be replaced
- if dome light switch is in middle position (light turns on with open doors), the battery will be drained
- vents gasoline fumes if tank is more than 3/4 full
- intermittent wipers stutter until wipers have been used for awhile (intermittent relay has been replaced with no change)
This has been an incredibly dependable daily driver for our family just as it was for my grandfather before me. It is time for another family to enjoy this classic though.