So my love affair with the 535i began a long time ago, when a mate of mine owned an E12 M535i that could turn on a dime at the drop of the clutch, and who's towbar acted as a saviour each time he floored it from the line, when it would hit the ground with a loud thud.
Fast forward a few years, and I managed to track down an E28 M535i. Aesthetics, I'd say a 7/10, but mechanically had some issues - particularly on the suspension, which I was told was "import only" (not sure how true). Anyways, that chapter was cut short by an accident (a sad story on its own - for another day), and needless to say, I was left without closure.
2 weeks ago, an acquaintance calls me and says he is looking to flog his E28 535i. Wants 30K. I immediately hurry to go check it out. Aesthetics on this one, I'd say may a 4-5/10 (needs a complete respray, doors rusted, interior needs redoing, front scoop missing, etc.) - but those are "knowns" i.e. I can see them and I know how to fix them. Again, the motor and drivetrain are fantastic, but on the suspension I feel the same kinks I felt on my previous E28 - the familiar shuddering, power steering clicking, pulling to one side a bit, rear shafts need to be done, etc.)
I did some quick sums in my head, using guesstimate numbers:
-spray job: 10k - 15k
-exhaust: 4K
-interior: 5k
-motor bits and pieces: maybe 5k?
-suspension: who knows, maybe 10k?
Total guess: between 30K and 40K. Plus another 10K for stuff I dont know about - nice round figure of 50K is quite possible to restore it to the state I'd want to. I decide to turn the offer, because of maybe 15% of a second thought that I'd had...just didn't fully get the "OMG I MUST HAVE IT" feeling that actually matters alot to me when buying a car...
The car sold the next day, for the asking price.
Now I am left wondering...did I do the right thing? Did I miss the chance? Or did I save myself the headaches I didn't need...
Fast forward a few years, and I managed to track down an E28 M535i. Aesthetics, I'd say a 7/10, but mechanically had some issues - particularly on the suspension, which I was told was "import only" (not sure how true). Anyways, that chapter was cut short by an accident (a sad story on its own - for another day), and needless to say, I was left without closure.
2 weeks ago, an acquaintance calls me and says he is looking to flog his E28 535i. Wants 30K. I immediately hurry to go check it out. Aesthetics on this one, I'd say may a 4-5/10 (needs a complete respray, doors rusted, interior needs redoing, front scoop missing, etc.) - but those are "knowns" i.e. I can see them and I know how to fix them. Again, the motor and drivetrain are fantastic, but on the suspension I feel the same kinks I felt on my previous E28 - the familiar shuddering, power steering clicking, pulling to one side a bit, rear shafts need to be done, etc.)
I did some quick sums in my head, using guesstimate numbers:
-spray job: 10k - 15k
-exhaust: 4K
-interior: 5k
-motor bits and pieces: maybe 5k?
-suspension: who knows, maybe 10k?
Total guess: between 30K and 40K. Plus another 10K for stuff I dont know about - nice round figure of 50K is quite possible to restore it to the state I'd want to. I decide to turn the offer, because of maybe 15% of a second thought that I'd had...just didn't fully get the "OMG I MUST HAVE IT" feeling that actually matters alot to me when buying a car...
The car sold the next day, for the asking price.
Now I am left wondering...did I do the right thing? Did I miss the chance? Or did I save myself the headaches I didn't need...
