Posted by Frank H on November 24, 2002 at 11:42:16 from 209.216.167.237
In Reply to: Found: euro '80 528i posted by Eric McGovern on November 24, 2002 at 09:31:41:
I imagine there are quite a few euro E12's in the US. Many of these where brought home here by US service men in the early 80's. How many are left?? Dunno maybe 3-500?
The BBS spoiler is an aftermarket one. Most BBS's that are fit to euro E12 do not have fog lights though.....
Euro 528i's didn't have thermal Reactors they ran straight l-jet with no lambda feedback. A very nice engine makes about 185 hp and revs very freely. I'd save the engine if you can.
As for the 5/7 headlight setup... I believe you're refering to the large/small euro headlights like on the later E25 5 series. The euro E12 did not have that setup but normal size headlights for both high and low beams.
As for the thought of installing an E30 engine. Yes you could, but I think the lower crossmember might interfer with the sump. I'd stick to the big six M30 engine. If the euro 2.8 is bad, grab a 81' 635 engine and it will bolt right in. If you can find that a later motronic 3.5 can be made to fit easily.
4 speed trannys are very robust (and very cheap and easy to find). Conversion to a 5 speed is not hard. You need the tranny/driveshaft/transmission crossmemmber and will need to fabricate a mount for the shifter bracket as the 4 speed tower is built onto the tranny... the 5 speed shifter tower bolts upto the tunnel (but it's a 1 hr job to make one).
Rust? Everywhere... front fenders & rear doglegs seem to go quick also rear fender lips. Spare tire well, trunk and hood lips inside on the seams. Lower door seams also look near the hinges. Around the bottom of the windshield (front and rear). That's just for starters..... Floorpans and shock towers can go as well!
A couple hundered for ANY car complete is not a terrible price. If it's rustfree and doesn't run it could go for $400-$500. A runner? $500+.
I bought a basically low rust runner euro E12 for $900 7 years ago... I thought I got a pretty good deal at the time. I haven't seen one lately anywere near me.....
Frank