Leap Day: 1988 BMW 535i E28

Welcome to Leap Day on DT, where we look at cars ready to take the Leap from depreciated crap to appreciating classic:  I've got to admit that I have a soft spot for the E28 generation BMW 5-series...particularly the zippy 535i with a manual gearbox.  I've personally driven 2 of them to their unfortunate death in the 24 Hours of LeMons (sorry about that...had to be done) but I'm (somewhat) happy to see prices rise (probably because people have bashed them into Cadillac Hearses on racetracks...again, sorry about that) and see the E28 get the respect is deserves.  Regardless...this guy is asking a lot for an old BMW. Find this 1988 BMW 535i offered for $7,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.

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.

Black On Black: 1987 BMW 535is E28

The E28 generation BMW 5-series market is currently somewhere between discarded junk and desirable classic, and the low mile, clean examples are starting to fetch decent money.  The E28 also offers a purity of driving experience undulled by electronic power steering, stability control, traction control or any number of electronic nannies found in modern cars. This example appears to be a nice looking E28 offered for a decent price and has bonus points for the preferred manual gearbox.   Find this 1987 BMW 535is offered for $5,800 in Chino, CA via hemmings.com.  Tip from BP.

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.

Needs More Power: 1985 BMW 524TD

Sorry about all the BMWs recently, I've just been feeling the German thing recently and...well...what am I apologizing for...if you don't like BMWs go start your own Daily Turismo competitor site and call it Daily Not BMWs or Daily Honda.  Anyway, I'm not a fan of buying cars that have "stopped running", particularly if they cost more than a few hundred bucks, but this next car is surprisingly clean and appears to have considerable potential...particularly if you ditch the worthless oil burner and slushbox in favor for something like an N54 and 6-speed manual.  Find this 1985 BMW 524TD offered for $2500 in Berkeley, CA via craigslist.

Old School Fun: 1986 BMW 535i E28

I've struggled with the decision about buying a depreciated late model (like a modern 2010ish BMW 535i) with manual gearbox or buying an appreciating classic from yesteryear -- because the older car will possibly be worth more in a few years, but the modern car will be a faster and more reliable (probably?) ride? I'm sorta leaning towards getting the classic these days. Find this 1986 BMW 535i here on eBay bidding for $4,500 with 5 days to go, located in Price, UT.

Oil Burner: 1985 BMW 524TD

The E28 generation BMW 5-series market lives somewhere in that sweet no-mans-land between discarded junk and desirable classic, and the low mile, clean examples are starting to fetch decent money.  The 524TD is a turbo diesel version was only imported into the US for two years.  The USDM 524TD was sold with a low power diesel engine and an automatic transmission, making it just about the slowest, cheapest and least loved E28 available.  Find this 1985 BMW 524TD offered for $6000 near Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

5-Speed Classic: 1985 BMW 535i E28

I don't know what the future holds for automotive enthusiasts, but I can tell you for certain that we live in exciting times.  A few years ago a car like this sweet BMW 5-series would have cost you an arm/leg and in a few years they'll be all crushed or appreciated to silly money. New cars, while clinically fast and superbly comfortable, are missing that crucial man-machine symbiosis that makes them seem like something other than a pile of parts.  But for the next few years you can drive stuff like this and seem like a forward thinking genius...I guess. Find this 1985 BMW 535i E28 offered for $3,500 in SF Bay Area, 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.

Cheap Classic: 1988 BMW 535is E28

If you liked the concept of the slammed Bimmerfied Benz posted the other day but hated the execution, then you might want to find the BMW engine located in its proper place...like in an E28 5-series.  Find this 1988 BMW 535is E28 offered for $3500 in Brooklyn, NY via craigslist. Tip from Rod S.

It's Medicinal...Man: 1987 BMW 535is

We all know that guy (or gal) who is obsessed with BMWs. He is always talking about one, buying one, selling one or even trying to build his own.  It becomes an all consuming passion and he (or she) has probably lost a few jobs over one.  You could call him (or her) an addict...but I think that would be to trivialize the plight of people with real chemical addiction problems.  But I'd suggest a good round of Bimmers Anonymous for this next guy.  Find this 1987 BMW 535is offered for $2000 in Rosamond, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.

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.

Built E28 Turbodiesel: 1985 BMW 524TD

BMW launched their second generation of their executive 5-series in 1981 with styling by Claus Luthe and power by straight-six engines.  Naturally, the speed lovers will want the M5 version, but prices for those all-black beauties have skyrocketed in the past few years and the juice might not be worth the squeeze.  Next up is the 535i, which does provide a decent punch and can be picked up with a 5-speed manual box...but what about a highly tuned oil burner?  Find this 1985 BMW 524TD offered for $8,500 in Seattle, WA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

$10k Used M5 Faceoff: BMW E28 vs E34 vs E39

The M5 was the luxury reincarnation of the classic Muscle car formula, which was to take a big engine and shove it into a medium sized package.  However, BMW took this a step or two further and upgraded the suspension brakes and cosmetics to build the ultimate executive class fast sedan -- a segment that it dominated through much of the 80s and 90s.  The following is a selection of 3 classic BMW M5s from tipper FuelTruck.

Auction Watch: 1987 BMW 535i (E28)

Take a gander at this 1987 BMW E28 535i here on eBay bidding for $3,550 reserve-not-met with auction ending Tuesday at 2:34PM PST.

Auction Watch: 1988 BMW 535is E28

Checkout this 1988 BMW 535is E28 here on eBay bidding for $1,283 with auction ending on Sunday.

E28 M-Spork: 1985 BMW M535i

Many sellers on Craigslist write preposterous statements about their BMW such as-- BMW 318i, M-Sport, basically an M3 with better fuel economy.  This is good stuff, except that it isn't an M car any more than it is a cancer fighting cure for ebola on the end of a Q-tip.  Simply put, a modern M-package 3/5-series isn't anything like a real M car and misses all the good stuff that takes the average BMW from a simple family luxo-sedan to a track monster.  However, there was a time when the M-badge was actually placed by the factory on the E28 5-series for the European market, and it makes a case for a spot in your garage.  Like this 1985 BMW M535i offered for $8250 in Lexington, KY via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.