E30 or E28

[cscracker]

I own both, a 1983 533i and a 1989 325iX. I like driving the e30 more, and I find it easier to work on, but only because the M30 is really crammed into the e28 - you can't even remove the cooling fan without first removing the radiator. On the other hand, you can do an oil change on the 533i without lifting it off the ground at all - oil filter is accessible from above, and there's enough room underneath to fit the drain pan and remove the drain plug without jacking it up. The e28's gauge cluster is much easier to remove, too, along with most of the interior panels. This is a really good thing, as you will almost certainly have to remove it several times to diagnose and repair the odometer gears and all the electrical issues. The e28 has a lot more trunk space (I currently have a full set of 16x8 wheels in there along with a bunch of spare parts, a funnel, and a small gas can, with room to spare). Adults can fit in the back seat, but as the driver, I don't find it more comfortable. The suspension is softer but the seats don't fit me well, unlike the e30's. Also, the e28 HVAC system is completely ridiculous. All the face vents only blow cold air, the heat only comes out the defroster and footwell vents. It has temperature-based climate control (instead of just hot/cold, you set the temperature on the dial) which is powered by a sensor that is connected to engine vacuum. Yes, you read that right, there's a vacuum line from the engine, through the firewall, into the cabin, that is needed for the heat to work correctly.

In either case, I suggest you avoid the Motronic 1.0 cars, I've been troubleshooting and replacing stuff on that 533i for months trying to get it to run right. I've finally got it running well, but it still has a high idle, and I think I've got bad wiring near the Motronic box, as sometimes it won't start until I wiggle the wires around a bit.

Oh, and one more thing - the 533i costs more to insure than my other two cars combined (e46 and e30), despite costing way less to buy. The car was $1100, but the insurance is over $1200 a year. I'm in Michigan and we have absurdly expensive car insurance, so yours will probably be less, but get quotes before you buy so that you know what you're getting into.

[euroshark]

Gorgeous. More photos and details?

[micke_]

I like both, but the e28 is what I choose to daily drive. I enjoy driving it a lot more than my e30 on the road, e30 all day on the track tho.

[djjerme]

Why settle? Get both.

That's the kind of thinking that has gotten me to where I am now.. too many cars and not enough space!

[emoji1]

[Nesset]

E28s are better hands down.

I have spoken. /thread.

Grissle hammer E28 swap. V12 528e plz.

Oh yeah. 25 bucks to fill my 528e's tank this morning and I got 400 miles out of it.

[Andrew325is]

I'm not going to say don't put a LS in a Bimmer, but I do tend to agree that it shouldn't be done. Because every car should have a BMW engine. :)

My X3 has a ZF transmission. ;) Only the autotragics are GM.

[ArtFoodBMW]

Why settle? Get both.

[slammin.e28]

E28s are better hands down.

I have spoken. /thread.

[Nesset]

I recently went from my 76' 02' to an 86' 5 speed 528e with an LSD in Bronzit.

I've driven a bunch of E30's too, M10/20 ect.

I like the E28 way better as an every day car. It's got the looks and feel of an old BMW, and the reliability of a swiss watch. The E30 is a fun car to whip around corners flat out, as is the E28. But it's a different fun. The best way I can explain how they feel is somewhere between an E34 and an E30. The steering is very E34, but the car FEELS like an E30, maybe a bit bigger for obvious reasons. 535's or 533's are total missiles on a road course with 540i brakes and coilovers.

The E28 is a total cruiser. I bought my 528 from a member on the forum (I would imagine he is with the E30's that is...) and put a timing belt on it just for safety. That with fluids and drove it 1400 miles in a day. Never missed a beat. 33mpg doesn't hurt either.

There's something about cruising in serene mechanical German luxury. If you're looking for a daily, get an E28. If you're looking to get something small and really tossable. Get an E30.

Since you're looking at a 528e be warned. It'll be slow as dog shit. However, I average 30's and high 20's in town. I enjoy that factor of being able to drive a 6 cyl BMW and get better mileage some new cars.

[EyExR]

I had a 1984 E28 for about 5 years. It was a great car but I like the E30 a lot more. My E28 had over 500,000 miles on it with the original engine. Ran fine. Just everything else around it was wearing out so I decided to replace it with my current 325iX about 15 years ago.

I also had an E21 323i from Germany (that was fun!) and also currently own an E34 Touring. The E30 takes the cake if you ask me. As long as everything is working right. Only issue is lack of space if you need it. That's why I bought the touring as my second car.

[varg]

At no point should a Chevrolet engine ever reside under the hood of a BMW.

Why not just buy a Camaro then- at least the sound coming out of the back would make sense. Can't think why you wouldn't go S62 if it has to be V8....other than budget?!?

Hmm... ubiquitous, cheap and indisputably very good LS engine in an E28 or more expensive, less durable, larger and heavier S62. If budget is not a factor then it's down to personal preference. Meh, no point in getting in a tizzy about stuff like that, purism is for museum pieces not cars you build to drive.

[Michael Star]

I sold a e28 so I could buy an e30. I dont regret it

[brutus]

lots were in bronzit color & look fab;D

[Jb325is]

In my opinion- the e28 is kind of a tweener. It feels like a heavy e30 with slow steering or a light e34 thats super un-refined. It doesn't check any boxes for me. If you want a fun/nimble car the e30 is the way to go but if you want a fun/comfortable car the e34 is fantastic.

[tlake]

First car shown in post #10 is an e12 5 series.