The BMW E28 5 Series was one of the most handsome cars of the 1980s and remains a fantastic driver-focused sports saloon today.
First registered in July 1985, this incredible example is in superb original unrestored condition and is fitted with BMWs superb M30 6 cylinder engine. This is mated to the sought after 5 speed manual gearbox. It also benefits from the such niceties as luxury velour seats, electric windows front and back, alloy wheels and a sunroof.
Recorded mileage is just 89,487 (supported by comprehensive MOT, service and maintenance invoice history, dating back to 1994), which is low, considering many surviving E28s are well into 6 figure mileage by now.
Originally sold by Bavarian Garages in Northern Ireland, the car still wears its original dealer plates and rear window sticker. It went through some recommissioning work in 2021, following a period of storage from 2018 and has most recently benefitted from a brake service, which included new discs and pads.
The 6 cylinder E28s were tipped by Quentin Wilson as one of his “Smart Buys” in the Classic Cars Investment Guide 2021 and at 39 years old, will shortly be eligible to be registered as an “Historic Vehicle”, which will allow for Road Tax, MOT and ULEZ exemptions. With a current MOT until May 2025, ultra-reliable and usable, this car represents a great opportunity to own one of the finest available examples of this classic “shark nosed” 80s BMW saloon and an ideal starter/retro classic for a prospective buyer.
Like many of the metallic colours BMW offered for the E28, Platanen Green is very much of the period and really suits its rakish lines and purposeful stance, without detracting from its classic design elegance.
As can be seen from the photos, the paintwork is in superb overall condition, with no corrosion to be found, especially in the usual places (jacking points, wings, sills, door bottoms, wheel arches, sunroof area, bonnet, boot edges and footwells).
The paintwork which holds an impressive shine, is uniform both in colour and finish across all panels and all panel gaps are factory tight, suggesting the car is still in factory paint and has not been restored. Blemishes are almost non-existent, bar some evidence of small stone chips on the leading edge of the bonnet.
As part of the pre-sales preparation the car was subject to a sympathetic paintwork detail and treated to two coats of Swissvax’s excellent Crystal Rock wax, which provides up to 6-12 months paint protection.
All the chrome brightwork is in excellent condition, with no signs of pitting and all rubber window and door seals are also in excellent condition, with no signs of cracking or shrinkage.
The car is fitted with factory mud guards front and rear.
For a car now 39 years old, the car’s overall condition is a true testament to the care it has received throughout its life.
The E28 was noted for its ergonomic interior design. With a clear and simple gauge cluster, a centre stack all angled towards the driver, a perfectly-placed gear lever and well-spaced pedal box, it’s every bit the driver-focused interior you’d expect.
From the car’s “build sheet” to be found in the car’s history file, the optional extras included a manual sliding roof, brown tinted windows, nearside door mirror, central locking and front and rear electric windows.
The seats are both supportive and comfortable and the “Pine Green” velour upholstery, is an ideal match for the exterior colour and makes for a subtle yet stylish cabin. The seats are in superb overall condition, showing only the lightest of wear, all door cards are good, the headlining free from discolouration and any sagging and the original carpets have been preserved in very good overall condition, protected by OEM over mats front and back.
Cleverly designed thin A, B and C pillars provide for a light and airy feel to the cabin, further accentuated, when the sun roof is opened. The design also provides for superb all round visibility.
The manually operated sunroof opens and also tilts as it should. All seals are water tight and the opening free from any signs of corrosion.
All the switch gear, dials, warning lights and heater, work as they should.
The boot looks like it has never had anything in it and has remained bone dry, with no signs of any corrosion. The car comes with its original tool box containing a pristine set of BMW tools and its original jack.
The car is fitted with fitted with its original Blaupunkt Cambridge M23 radio cassette player, with reception provided by an automatic electric aerial mounted on top of the offside rear wing.
The straight-six under the bonnet is a perfect example of why it was the go-to engine of choice at the time, for companies looking to build cars that could feel both luxurious and sporty.
In the 525i guise, the M30 B25 engine, although the smallest capacity engine of the M30 range, is incredibly smooth. It is tractable at the lower end of the rev range, the well-spaced gearing making the most of the ample torque. However, hold on to the gears to explore the upper reaches of the rev range and it rewards with real urgency and a lovely bark to its exhaust note.
Mechanically the car has been well looked after, evidenced by an extensive set of maintenance invoices and service records, dating back to 1994.
Having been stored from 2018, the car went through a comprehensive recommissioning in late 2021, which amongst other things included, fuel pump and filter, custom made stainless steel exhaust (down pipes back), engine, gearbox and differential oil changes, replacement of front suspension struts, front drop links, prop shaft donut and a coolant flush.
The suspension operates as it should, providing a lovely comfortable and compliant ride, with well controlled handling even when pushing on. There are no audible knocks, squeaks or rattles. The power steering also operates as it should and is free of any undue play.
The 5 speed box renowned for its robustness, is a delight to operate engaging gears smoothly and accurately.
The car sits on beautifully refurbished 15 inch factory optional BBS cross spoke alloy wheels, fitted with 205/60 R15 Pirrelli Cinturato P1 tyres, fitted new as part of the recommissioning in 2021. The spare wheel appears to be the original steel, which looks unused.
Fitted with discs brakes all round for plenty of stopping power. Rear callipers were replaced during the recommissioning in 2021 and invoice history evidences new brake discs pads and rear brake dust shields fitted in 2022.
As can be seen from the photos of the underside, this example is in really good order. The car has been given additional underseal protection to its original in the past, but appears to have been professionally applied.
As part of the pre-sales preparation, all mechanical componentry on the car’s underside was cleaned, any surface corrosion removed and then painstakingly treated to a coating of clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection treatment, to provide for additional long-term protection. In addition, DINITROL clear wax was also applied over the top of the existing under seal. Finally, “Lanoguard Motospray” treatment has been applied to the hard to access areas, such as behind the bumpers, prop shaft tunnel, up behind the spare wheel well, behind the petrol tank, inner sills, inner wings and wheel arches.
This provides for a further level of corrosion resistance to those areas, which is long lasting and jet wash proof. This all adds up to a car that now has outstanding underbody protection from corrosion, typically unavoidable for cars driven on UK roads all year round.
The documented history folder, contains the registration document and clear Total Vehicle Check dated 07/07/2024.
The file contains extensive maintenance and parts invoices, dating from 1994 right up until 2022, evidencing the high level of care it has received during its lifetime.
Impressively, the file also contains MOT certificates dating back to 1998 which, in conjunction with the invoices and stamped service booklet offers substantial evidence to support the car’s low mileage as genuine.
Finally, the car comes with a set of 2 keys, a 5 series Dealer’s Brochure and its original BMW owners folder, which contains the Owner’s Handbook, Blaupunkt Cambridge radio cassette operating manual and service booklet containing 14 stamps up until 73K miles. The car’s last service was undertaken at 88k miles in 2021, as part of the recommissioning works.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
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