E28-Seeking advise

[lastboyscout]

Guys,I saw and tested an 1982 E28,525i manual 4sp as i wanted to buy a classic BMW;asking price RM8800.After testing I noted a few problems:1)Engine needs tuning as it runs rough2)power steering hose is leaking3)Front signal lights not working-both sides4)1 power window is not working5)no wiper fluid tank6)brek needs work7) rear lights require a separate switch to switch on..Can anyone advise on the above repair costs??Thanks,Can anyone give an estimate to fix the problems

 

[zank]

Guys,

I saw and tested an 1982 E28,525i manual 4sp as i wanted to buy a classic BMW;asking price RM8800.

After testing I noted a few problems:

1)Engine needs tuning as it runs rough = RM200
2)power steering hose is leaking = RM100
3)Front signal lights not working-both sides = RM100
4)1 power window is not working = RM200
5)no wiper fluid tank = RM150
6)brek needs work = Need to check..
7) rear lights require a separate switch to switch on.. = Rm100


Thanks,


Can anyone give an estimate to fix the problems

1)Engine needs tuning as it runs rough = RM200
2)power steering hose is leaking = RM100
3)Front signal lights not working-both sides = RM100
4)1 power window is not working = RM200
5)no wiper fluid tank = RM150
6)brek needs work = Need to check..
7) rear lights require a separate switch to switch on.. = Rm100

ABove cost estimation only, but should not be a big problem. All old car need some TLC. If you want pay RM50 for mechanic to check for you and give you a better cost estimation before you buy. Good Luck!!

 

[anakin]

Be careful of power steering leak, is it only a hose? or the rack or the pump ...it may or may not an expensive repair...just to remind you, spare parts getting hard to find, rust is a nightmare!!

 

[lastboyscout]

Thanks Zank, i must agree with you to sent the car for a checkup first. The car is in Shah Alam. Where do you reckon i can sent the car to checked before agreeing on the price?

 

[jon3171]

i dont think the estimate is accurate....it could cost alot more depending on what the problems are? i notice u have identified some symptoms and not actually the problems.

ur power steering hose...might cost u rm200+ per hose...depending on how many of them are leaking....in any case it would be better to replace all the main ones so u don't have this problem again for a long time...in addition to that there's fluid and workmanship charges.

engine runs rough...that could be anything....new idle valve?new spark plugs? new plug cables?distributor issues?throttle body?air flow meter replacement?fuel filter?wiring issues? or a combination of 2 or more of those things. In any case when buying a car like this u'd want to get most of those things replaced anyway for peace of mind...especially ur timing belt kit and water pump.

front signal lights could be as simple as bulbs or fuse...worst case is wiring....a simple fix if u have a good mechanic.

power windows again, could be a few things....wiring? faulty switch? bad motor or window arm? just so u know a new window motor is rm400 per piece and used ones are hard to come by.

wiper fluid tank is not important, u could always get a generic one that comes with the motor for about rm30...bmw one with motor will cost u somewhere under rm200 i suppose.

rear lights again...is probably wiring...a good mechanic can sort this out for u...if it works with a seperate switch, all the mech needs to do is to take the wire from the switch and join it up to the original switch...which is probably faulty and so would need to be replaced first...nothing less than rm300 there i suppose...these switches are not easy to come by new or used. i suggest, if ur not fussy about it to just use the modified switch.

the brakes will need definitely need work for an e28....its normally the brake pump and the accumulator....which both i have...in fact the accumulator is almost new...i used it for 1week and then upgraded my brake system...the brake master cylinder is also in good working order can sell both to u for rm300...mind u the accumulator alone cost me rm 270 brand new.

well back to ur brake issue...the other things u wanna look into are ur brake hoses...best to change them for safety if they're old..they cost about 200+ for a set of 4. then of course ur normal wear and tear discs and pads which will cost u another rm600-800 to replace...maybe a little more including labour and fluids.

so anyway hope thats helpful to u....just remember though that there are probably other costs as well...so whether its worth it or not really depends or ur budget. also be sure to check for rust...e28s are notorious for this...more than 15% rusty i wouldnt consider worth it unless ur into doing a full restoration job...do check for water leaks at the windshield corners and water stains on ur carpet. anyways best of luck bro.

 

[mghazi]

damn those brake hose are expensive...?

 

[darylchan]

@lastboyscout: IMHO the asking price is way too high for the amount of faults with the car.

Having said that, fully agree with what the others said about rust. It's a friggin nightmare on these cars.
If you really want to buy an E28, get one with the best possible body that you can find. Patience is key.

 

[eau-rouge]

I have the complete steering system if u want

 

[drag86]

What you find is the least...more to come if you really look into it. Once you get your hand into it, it's going to damage your pocket.
I got mine for 2.8k and the damage cost me more than 12k.....

 

[lastboyscout]

drag86,

care to share how you spend the RM12K?

 

[jon3171]

i have a friend who wants to sell an e28...i think its a 525.....around the same price as the one u viewed, but its in really good condition...and maintained all the way by a good bmw specialist....its just a suggestion, so let me know if ur interested and i can put u in touch.