BMW E28 528 Project, Progress + Pictures

[symmat001]

Hi Guys,

I introduced myself here in this thread http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=31610

Im going to make this thread my progress thread. Okay, so finally some updates, managed to take a days leave yesterday, so I mounted the style 15 wheels I got from JHB. Really happy with how they came out, completely transformed the car! Also went scrapyard hunting, managed to get a taillight, and a few bits and bobs for free, met some interesting characters as well.

Here are the pictures:

Before:






After






Had to change the wheel bearing dust covers to later e28 one's to get the covers on the front wheels to fit



Pictures of smaller ones from a 740 (Left) covers vs standard ones



Next up:
>will be doing some paint + body work, absolutely hate that the previous owner did the whole rear valance in black (Under the rear bumper)
> Some steering issues to be attended to
> e34 brake upgrade
> Possible shadow line trim (Still toying with the idea)
> standard exhaust, have a really big ugly back piece currently

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

nice, whats the future plans for her?

 

[abmi0000]

Looking lekker.

Sabre - read nicely :mmm:

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Looks good man, nice to see you got the wheels you were looking for!
Needs a drop onto 'em :thumbs: hehehe!

Really looking nice man!

 

[Henry330i]

How lucky where you to find those wheels. Looks good. Can't wait to see more.

 

[abmi0000]

Looks good man, nice to see you got the wheels you were looking for!
Needs a drop onto 'em :thumbs: hehehe!

Really looking nice man!

+1

 

[prado]

Looking good! Those wheels really suit the car! Maybe spray the side-mirror housing too if you'd like when you do the rear valance.

What nice cars in their time - I loved the 525e with its colour-coded bumpers. :thumbs:

 

[Sith]

Looking sweet so far. :thumbs:

 

[mo_s]

Congrats ..looking awesome already..wen she's done you'll have a stunning collectors

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Looking lekker.

Sabre - read nicely :mmm:

I mean motorwise, didnt see any mention of it, or is it in he other thread?

 

[hiltonfa]

Making good progress :thumbs:

 

[symmat001]

Looks good man, nice to see you got the wheels you were looking for!
Needs a drop onto 'em :thumbs: hehehe!

Really looking nice man!

+1

Haha , yeah I'm looking into a mild drop as well, nothing absurd but with that a general suspension upgrade. Just all the options are mighty expensive it seems. The m5 route (10mm drop) with bilstein sport shocks is gonna be expensive. Just looking into other options want around a 20mm drop.

Looking lekker.

Sabre - read nicely :mmm:

I mean motorwise, didnt see any mention of it, or is it in he other thread?

Not looking to do anything motorwise as of yet. Main reason I bought the car is because it's 100% mechanically.

Thanks for the feedback guys, will be sure to post updates as soon as they happen.

 

[Adi]

hmmm busy stripping a e34 M5, calipers with all the piping still available, any ineterst? Discs are useable but not recommended, they are quite worn......

 

[symmat001]

hmmm busy stripping a e34 M5, calipers with all the piping still available, any ineterst? Discs are useable but not recommended, they are quite worn......

Thanks, but think they would be a bit overkill for the application, and expensive to maintain in the long run. E34 540 brakes is what im looking at

 

[Raybimmer]

Adi what is the difference in disc size between 540i and M5 ? Cost of M5 pads and discs as against 540i parts may make it not worth the increase in braking power - too strong and front wheels lock easily if ABS not working .
@Symmat101 are you working to a budget now and upgrade maybe later ?

 

[symmat001]

Adi what is the difference in disc size between 540i and M5 ? Cost of M5 pads and discs as against 540i parts may make it not worth the increase in braking power - too strong and front wheels lock easily if ABS not working .
@Symmat101 are you working to a budget now and upgrade maybe later ?

Fronts are
E34 540 302mm x 28mm vented
E34 M5 315mm x 28mm vented

Rears are
E34 540 300mm x 20mm vented
E34 M5 300mm x 20mm vented

May opt for 535 which are:
Front
E34 535 302mm x 22mm vented
Rear
E34 535 300mm x 10mm solid

Regardless the m5 stuff is much more expensive than 540 stuff to replace etc + can get the other e34 stuff from breakers etc. From what I understand i need the calipers, carriers, guide bolts, discs and pads. Currently my brakes are shot, looking to do this in the next month

 

[Karthik]

Simply lovely to see such a nice outcome :thumbs:

 

[Adi]

Have not done brakes on my restoration car, busy stripping the donor, checked at agent, back disks are around R700 a piece.....

 

[symmat001]

Okay Update:

I took the e28 into my mechanic to sort out the brake and suspension issues.

Turns out there is a lot of suspension work, and I needed to replace the brake bomb/accumulator yesterday. My mechanic and I made many calls, turns out the only option was to buy the only original one left at Auric Auto, managed to get a discount, but it was still a mouth watering R2800 , Alas, it still needed to be done.

Suspension (Bushings, mounts etc) work is going to be expensive as well but I knew taking this on it would be expensive.

Anyway, should be ready by the end of next week.

Next on the list is replacement of the stock shocks with e28 specific bilstein sport shocks (looks like i've found a dealer) and lowering springs, thinking of H+R, should give a 30mm drop.

then onto paint, fixing the dents and doing a spray over.

Trying to get hold of some plastidip, going to shadowline the car as well.

 

[Adi]

have details of a Bilstein dealer, here in JHB if you need