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| 1981 528i - 5 speed |
Our first 528i was a black 1979 4 speed. We drove it everywhere - San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas. My work was 55 miles each way, so we put many miles on it. When I let the kids use the car for college, they neglected to check the oil. She spun a bearing, so we retired her with over 460,000 miles. She may still be running today otherwise.
I found this car in the local classifieds. The owners took it to the same mechanic that I use. It checked out great. This car runs even better than the first one. It consumes about one quart of oil every oil change, or about 4000 miles. I try to take good care of her. I do the things that I can, or take it to a certified professional when I can't. Proof is in my inch-thick folder of many years of service records. I have many extra parts taken from dead or dying e12s over the years. Included are extra signal lens covers, brake rotors, new distributor, alternator, radiator, rear light housing, and more that I just can't list.
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| Straight on Front view | Right Rear |
The car was originally artikblau or "Artic Blue Metallic". Previous owners painted it basic White. Paint is still in very good condition with some minor chips in front from road pebbles.
The front windshield has two minor cracks from road pebbles on the freeway. One is particularly annoying because it is directly in front of the driver's view.
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| Right Front | Tools |
Look closely and notice the car has two styles of wheels. E12 radial alloys on one side and above are the e28 14' wheels. I'm in transition as far as fitting the car with better tires and wheels. The tools are ALL there - I have the slip-joint pliers in my garage at the time of photo.
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| Left Side | New Muffler |
Notice the wheels again. See what I mean? The rear quarter on the left side (photo above) has a minor ding that most will not notice unless I point it out. It was a parking lot bump that my son was involved in. (Look directly under the black bumper surround as it approaches the wheel well.)
The muffler was replaced about Feb. 2003.
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| A View of the Engine | "Another Engine View" |
The motor runs well. Never gave me any problems during the 5 years since I've had it. Does not drip a single drop - OF ANYTHING. The AC blows very cold, all seals and freon were replaced last summer (2002). Engine temp is usually below half, sometimes will go 3/4 high if in traffic during summer with A/C on. I'm thinking about replacing the radiator as preventive maintenance - and renew all the hoses just in case.
The engine compartment is as dirty as I allow it to get - it's usually cleaner. The oil filler cap is from my earlier '79 - very cool version; a collector item in my opnion. Notice the Artic Blue color as mentioned earlier.
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| Rear Seat | Front Seats from right side |
Seats are from a discarded 528i. Black leatherette, two minor tears on the driver's seat. Cushions are old and dry in front and back. Varnish on the wood trim is aged and cracked. I intend to strip, sand and refinish it. The dash has the standard cracks, but the DashMat cover hides it well.
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| Instrument Cluster | BBS Wheels |
The cluster was replaced with a 1979 version - notice the speedo goes to 140 mph! (as opposed to the stock 80 mph). Jeff in Northridge (a great guy) helped me with it. The BBS wheels shown are slated to go on this car. These puppys were hand polished by yours truely. Right now they are on my 6 series until I get the 6 series wheels refinished with new tires. These tires are 215-60-14 Yokohama YK420s (rated 420-A-A), and I have the full set - of FIVE wheels with tires (Yes, those are NEW lug bolts). BMW wheel cap emblems are on my shopping list.