Rod's Automobile Pages...

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Maintenance Tips Pg. 1
Maintenance Tips Pg. 2
Maintenance Tips Pg. 3
Maintenance Tips Pg. 4
More Maintenance Tips (rear bushing replacement, the EZcarlift in action, etc.)
Modifications and Resources Pg. 1
Modifications and Resources Pg. 2
Modifications and Resources Pg. 3
Modifications and Resources Pg. 4
Modifications and Resources Pg. 5
Paint Protection
Electrical Problems
Lighting Voltage Drop Tests - Headlight lens polishing
BMW E28 Steering Wheels
Eric's Autos
Shelley's Autos
Other E28 BMW's
Awards
Rod's Honda Fit page
About Rod and the other stuff he is doing. ---- Links to Rod's other web pages.
Maintaining a 30 year old BMW 528e in original condition and receiving
a few BMW Car Club of America concours awards along the way.
 
Maintenance of major mechanical components including brakes, suspension, engine and electrical components. Maintenance of interior leather upholstery, exterior paint and engine bay items. Selected modifications to enhance vehicle performance, such as Bilstein HD shocks, BMW 750i front brakes, larger front and rear anti-sway bars, 3.46 rear end, 16-inch BMW wheels and ultra-high performance tires, Euro headlights with high wattage wiring and fitting several coarse spline after market premium steering wheels. Many additional links to other related resources, information and instructions.

Web Pages Index - April 3, 2012

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1983 BMW 528e - Picture taken April 1983, 547 miles on the clock.
 
- THE FOLLOWING PICTURES TAKEN AUG. and OCT. 2011 -
These photos document the car's present physical condition.
 
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6-series 19-spoke TRX wheel used as spare as 205/55-16 is too wide to fit well.
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1983 BMW 528e E28
VIN No. WBADK7301D7955481
 
 
This 29 year old 1983 528e is 98% original!
Only selected mechanical modifications have been made as identified
in the Maintenance and Modifications History document, available here.
 
Fully optioned with the exception of heated seats, this BMW was built October 1982 (30 years old Oct. 2012) and includes these factory and dealer installed options:

 - Pearl Beige Leather Interior
 - On-board Computer (12-button/2-switch LED display)
 - Optional Streering Wheel (from 533i)
 - Sun Roof Air Deflector (dark tint color)
 - BBS Front Spoiler (BBS Typ. 21 10 013)
 - 390mm wheels and TRX tires, including spare tire.
     These are the E24 6 series 19-spoke wheels, not
     the 18-spoke type C wheel used on the 533/535
     with Michelin TRX tires.
 - Limited Slip 2.93 Differential
 - Fog Lights w/steel guards
 - Saphire Blue metalic paint

I am the original owner, having leased this new 528e from Evergreen BMW, Frederick, MD, in April 1983 for a lease agreement price of $24,000 ($53,194 in 2011 dollars) and then purchasing the vehicle at the end of the 48 month lease in April 1987, for $11,425 ($22,665 in 2011 dollars). The April 1987 appraised value was $14,750 ($29,196 in 2011 dollars), so I made out okay purchasing it. If you are new to auto leasing, I suggest you read this first, before you enter into any lease agreement.
 
Here is a full listing of the Maintenance and Modifications History (updated April 2, 2012) performed on this BMW since day one, in .pdf format. It is updated as changes are made. Invoices and receipts for all labor and parts since day one, including a copy of my original 1983 GE business auto lease agreement and 1987 GE bill of sale, are on file.

The fuel mileage has been recorded since June 2004, when this web site was created. It's current average is 26.15 MPG, with an average low of 22.1 MPG (minimum 20.1 mpg) during ECU chip testing and an average high of 30.5 MPG (maximum 32.3 mpg) during a 1392 mile trip. All fuel mileage is calculated by dividing miles driven by gallons pumped. The OBC numbers are not used, as they are not accurate, showing better than actual MPG on this OBC, by 3 to 5 percent.

This 1983 528e is considered one of the finest original condition 528e 5-speed models on the east coast, including very effective mechanical upgrades, by my fellow BMW owners and friends who know the vehicle.

Rod Paine
BMW CCA Member 81836
National Capital Chapter

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Click on pics or name at right to expand and scroll to view them.
Note the composure, lighting and quality of the pictures, showing
each aspect of the car at its best. (updated 4/4/12 to new link)
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Three vehicle inspection reports which will assist you in making a vehicle pre-purchase inspection, or evaluating the condition of your own vehicle(s). For anyone who is interested in the UK "MOT", it is also included below.

BNC at MyE28.com 535i Inspection Report

Honda Certified Used Standards Inspection List 1/10/08

The UK "MOT" Checklist

And last but not least...
What the users of this web site have to say.
 

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Copyright 2004-2012 by Rod Paine. All rights reserved.
This web site created by Rod Paine, June 2004, using Verizon supplied Trellix SiteBuilder.