i found a what looks to be okay shape 535i in Orlando and i live in central Alabama. is there anyone around there that can go check it out and maybe drive it for me and give me a review of it? i have been looking for a nice 535 for a while now and havnt seen one ina while so any help is appreciated.

heres the autotrader link

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242117600&dealer_id=1023762&car_year=1986&model=3_SERIESCLASS_SERIES&num_records=25&systime=&make3=&make2=BMW&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model2=5_SERIESCLASS_SERIES&search_lang=en&first_record=151&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=35242&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=150&doors=&transmission=&max_price=3000&cardist=460

Where in Alabama are you located? I am in the pnahandle of Florida and thinking of selling my 86 528e if you are interested.

hey i went to check out that '86 535i in orlando, i go to school at ucf so it was really close by.

the mileage on the ad is wrong. odometer said 289k miles....idk wether to be in shock that its still running or amazed at the condition of the car.

aside from having no radio, bald tires, and faded bumper paint it seemed fine.
i've never owned an old bmw so thats what im here.

i wanted to know what to look out for in older bmw's, especially 5-series like this 535i. it's for sale for 1500 dollar...is that alot? not alot? good deal for a car with 289k miles.

the dealer said the guy before it "took care of it" and the motor was rebuilt and had work done to it. however they bought it from an auction and have no papers to prove such work.

the car seemed to drive fine, pulled to the left when braking. and when i let off the gas and get back on at high rpm's it sort of kicked, but i think thats expected in a manual car.

let me know anything else i should check on a bmw that old with that many miles. i'm a VW guy and don't know anything really about bmw's. all i know is a VW with 289k miles would have been long dead or had a new motor.

thanks in advance
Justin :round

anyone got any insight? i'm gonna have a mechanic check this out. what do you all think?

justin,

sorry i didnt respond i kinda forgot about ths post! i picked up my second 5er a few weeks ago.

a couple things to look for in old e28s like this that would sway the price

interior/exterior condition
rust in trunk mainly and then anywhere else of course
wobbles on braking/higher speeds
thud on acceleration
rough idle

are some of the main problems they have, check out mye28.com and read the FAQs section.

but the price seems fair for the condition it sounds like. 289k is a little high but i have a 528e with over 300k miles thats still running well. and they really arnt that expensive to maintain if you've got a nice parts car in a junkyard locally or even buying parts through a forum such as the one i gave you.

what would cause a thud on acceleration and wobbles/pulling to the left when braking?

rear end thud is most likely a center drive shaft bearing, or diff mounts.

front end wobble and pulling is probably bushings, also could be bent center or other tie rods. or warped rotors. or all three. easy fixes never the less