My possible first car

[aNOBLEman]

My uncle has said that he would sell me his BMW 528e (late 70s, early 80s I think) for $800. It runs good and I like how it looks.

Can anyone get me some stats on this car? Is it a good buy? Anything else that I can't think of right now would be VERY helpful as well.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

the E stands for Eta, which was the very last of the leaded fuel cars BMW looked at. They have low redlines in order to save fuel, they have the edge of performance taken off them. It's still a half decent Bimmer, Repairs and the like are a bit expensive, but the reliability (So long as your Uncle has looked after it) should be fine.

I would, however, say no. The Eta is pointless and really dulls the car down, a 528 should be an absolutely fabulous drive, not dreary.

[carlover]

A car for 800$ that runs well?! And a BMW at that?!? I say go for it! ;)

[Quiggs]

If it wasn't cared for perfectly, that car will become a nightmare. Is your uncle the only owner? Or did he buy it used? Does he have records if it was used?

As for the leaded fuel thing... Can it be run on unleaded?

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Unless you fill it with that fuel stuff that they advertise on the TV, no.

[Cadillac Imaj]

Sounds kinda funny if it runs on leaded fuel

[pimento]

My BMW (323i) was designed for leaded fuel, it runs on unleaded, though it prefers premium. You can get an additive for the fuel that design for this purpose, to run leaded cars on unleaded, we've used it in about half a dozen cars, they all run great with it. If the "i" stands for injected, then do the "e" cars have a carbie?

[McReis]

I really believe he's wrong. The car can't possibly be a 528e but a 528i. There's no e termination for BMW's not even at America, at least that I know..

[pimento]

I've seen "e"s around, I'm sure I have.

[Turbonutter55]

Yes the 528e did exist. It was basically a diesel engine that ran on gasoline (so, yes, was injected)but had spark plugs.The only diesel bit was the torque-biased long stroke and high compression. And as for fuel, our 1965 Volvo runs fine on super unleaded.

[McReis]

being a gasoline engine it HAD to have spark plugs...:)

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I really believe he's wrong. The car can't possibly be a 528e but a 528i. There's no e termination for BMW's not even at America, at least that I know..

Good to see you've read my little explanation.......

[aNOBLEman]

How much are the additives? Also it's probably better that its performance is toned down a bit, cause then I won't kill myself. :) Also I'm positive that it had an "e" and not an "i".

[IBrake4Rainbows]

They aren't terribly expensive, as the other guys said, you could always just run your car on Premium>

[aNOBLEman]

I could, but if buying the additives is cheaper and works good then I'd go with that.

[pimento]

The additive is less than twenty bucks for a litre.. and one litre does... it was a lot, like 600 litres or something. So yea, nice and cheap. Morey's Upper cylinder head cleaner I think. The reason I use premium is that it has a similar octane rating to the old leaded fuel, but I do believe it negates the need for the additive. I hope so, because I've stopped using the addtive.

[McReis]

The additive is not very cheap but should be no worry. The worst is having to put the additive every time you fuel up. I'm used to do that with my Fiat. But imagine it's like driving an old 2 stroke bike in wich you have to mix the oil and the gas manually. That's an usual task in my Vespa too, so it seems I'm always making cocktails at the gas station. :D

[BMW325]

the 528e has the same motor that my old '86 325e had...
it ran fine on unleaded without any additives
the motors are perform relatively well and are quite reliable
121 hp @4250rpm
170 lb-ft @3250rpm

i say for $800, its hard to go wrong
just dont go to the dealerships for service/parts if you dont have to
(alot of parts can be found on ebay or elsewhere online)

[QuattroMan]

My uncle has said that he would sell me his BMW 528e (late 70s, early 80s I think) for $800. It runs good and I like how it looks.

Can anyone get me some stats on this car? Is it a good buy? Anything else that I can't think of right now would be VERY helpful as well.

don't think do it, for a first car hell yes, lets look at it this way you could of been offered old Japanese car lol :D

[PsychoChimp22]

I thought they (america at least) didnt sell leaded fule anymore?? If so, your buying dead weight.