SOLD: 1985 BMW 535i E28

About:

  • Color: Schwarz exterior, Schwarz interior
  • Miles: 162,846
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • VIN: WBADC840XF0666256
  • Asking $7,500

This 1985 BMW 535i is finished in black with chrome accents and a 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). Service performed during current ownership has consisted of replacing the valve cover gasket, fan clutch, water pump, suspension components, exhaust system, and driveshaft along with an instrument cluster repair. This E28 has service records dating back to 1986 and a Texas title in the seller’s name.

Leave a reply at the bottom of this page if interested.

Exterior features include fog lights, a sunroof with wind deflector, chrome wheel well accents, and chrome exhaust tips. Additional amenities include electric windows, air conditioning, a trip computer, and an original BMW stock radio with a 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:

  • front stabilizer bar links (2023)
  • Front & rear shocks, shock mounts, and rear subframe bushings (2013)
  • Fuel hoses (2006)
  • 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 the passenger side or trunk (it works on the driver’s side)
  • front headrests do not move up/down
  • valve clearance needs adjusting
  • cabin vent hood boot intakes need to be replaced
  • if the dome light switch is in the middle position (the light turns on with open doors), the battery may be drained
  • vents gasoline fumes if the tank is more than 3/4 full (carbon canister replaced with OEM part in 2006)
  • intermittent wipers stutter until wipers have been used for a while (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.

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