Posted by Patrick Strong on January 28, 2008 at 22:56:30 from 71.130.56.50
Regretfully selling my '79 528i. I bought it in May of '07 as a project car, but quickly found myself over my head in terms of mechanical and financial ability (this was my first project car.) Street parking didn't help, either.
It's a topasbraun metallic 4-speed, with just under 159K miles. I'm the third owner; it was purchased new in Minnesota (uh-oh) but was brought to California in the early '80s (as evidenced by its CA blue plate beginning in "1.") I take mass-transit to work, so I bought it thinking I wouldn't need a "reliable daily driver." Turns out, you have to get TO the train station somehow.
First, the good news: when it runs, the engine's strong. The interior is in decent shape...not wonderful, but presentable (the dash is cracked, of course.) It has newer Michelins with most tread depth remaining. The battery is newer, but has been drained several times. I replaced the hazard light switch several months ago with a new part. The factory tool kit is almost complete.
Now, the bad news: it didn't crank last time I tried to start it (last Friday.) There are electrical problems (maybe needs a new alternator?) Turn signals don't work (hazards do.) Needs exhaust work (I have new center and rear mufflers still in the box and will sell them with the car at a substantial discount over my cost.) Also, the return hose from the charcoal canister to the fuel tank is missing (if you guessed "it must not have a smog certificate," you're correct!) Tags are expired. The transmission needs new bushings (at least...actually, why not just do a 5-speed swap?) There is very little rust on the body, just a couple of small spots on the doors. Otherwise, the only other rust I've found is around the battery tray. Speaking of doors, the left rear is semi-permanently locked...to open it, you'll need to take off the inner panel and use some pliers. And the central locking system...yeah, that doesn't work, either.
Worst of all, it has U.S. bumpers.
If you're still reading, the asking price is $1,250, new mufflers included, but that's very negotiable. I really believe that the car is too nice to part out, it just needs someone with a little more time and skill than I have to offer. I'll e-mail pictures to any interested party.
Thanks,
Patrick Strong
bigdaddystrong@hotmail.com