Estimated Time to Awesome: 1987 BMW 528e

This next car comes from tipper Jake who writes: You absolutely can’t go wrong here.  Amen, brother...Amen. This is not the preferred 535i "injection" version and is instead the 528e version...e is short for ETA, and is not, contrary to popular belief, named after the Basque separatist group, but is instead named ETA for the Greek letter η....which in enginerd parlance is used for efficiency. The 528e engine was tuned for fuel economy over power, and should be acceptable when paired to the 5-speed manual gearbox.  Find this 1987 BMW 528e offered for $4,500 in Smithfield, VA via craigslist.

E28528E Is Almost A Palindrome: 1985 BMW 528e

The E28 generation BMW 5-series is a favorite around here because a few reasons; manual transmissions are plentiful, the styling is pre-Bangled, performance/ride is modern, reliability isn't bad, and prices are reasonable (at least until hipsters drive them up!).  Obviously, we'd prefer the 182 horsepower 535i version that will keep up with modern traffic, but for the frugal folks in the crowd (and those who aren't in a hurry) the 121 horsepower 528e might be the 5-series you are looking for. Find this 1985 BMW 528e offered for $3800 in Dublin, CA via craigslist.

28 Ways to E: 1988 BMW 528e

The BMW 5-series lineup in 1988 was filled with a variety of choices starting with the movie star spec M5 then moving to the real estate investor's 535i and finally the professor's 528e.  This next example isn't just another 528e, because it is equipped with a 5-speed, has nice paint, and a reasonable asking price. Find this 1988 BMW 528e offered for $3,200 in East Kingston, NH via hemmings. Tip from BarbPaddles.

El Ehs Juan: 1987 BMW 528e

The E28 generation BMW 528e with the 2.7 liter ETA engine is a great car if you don't mind being passed by most modern cars...but you've got that smug look on your face because you know there is more to life than driving fast.  Except today, you know something that new BMW driver doesn't know...this car isn't left handed.  Find this 1987 BMW 528e with LS1 V8 offered for $20,500 in Reseda, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean.

Working AC: 1988 BMW 528e E28

By Al -- Let’s say you live in the greater Los Angeles area…you like old BMW’s…you have plenty of spare parking…you have a decent place to work on cars…and you are itching to get your fingers dirty on one of BMW’s most iconic models…a 528e…If all the above describes you, buy this 1988 BMW 528e in Chino, CA for $950.

5k: Fuel Saver: 1982 BMW 528e E28

The E28 generation BMW 5-series was available in a few flavors in the US Market, but most buyers chose either the 533i/535i or the 528e.  The 528e was the low-end model, equipped with an engine that gave excellent fuel economy but was slow as a dog. The world has changed a lot since 1982; would you still want to drive one in modern traffic?  Find this 1982 BMW 528e E28 for sale in San Jose, CA for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.

0.5k: Hack Job: 1980's BMW 528e E28 Custom Convertible

The BMW E28 sedan is a well depreciated classic that should be on the short list of anyone looking for a proper handling 80s sedan for cheap.  This 1980ish BMW 528e E28 Custom Convertible is offered for $500 in East Dayton, OH via craigslist.  Tip from The Hack Mechanic who writes;

You have to admire the joie de vivre, the devil-may-care, the live-for-today-for-tomorrow-we-may-have-to-drive-a-Subaru ethic that went into this particular creation.