BMW’s second generation 5-Series was the car that really put the German maker on the executive car map, lifting it from a seldom-seen but upmarket brand to a mainstream contender in the fleet market, where its well-engineered executive saloons were much-admired.
This one started its life as a company car in 1986 but in 1989 was bought by a garage owner in Kent who kept it from 1989 until this year, so it has 33 years of continuous ownership and maintenance behind it. In later years, he used the car infrequently but serviced and MOT’d it every year.
There aren’t many on the market with such pedigree. In addition, it’s the desirable 525i six-cylinder model with automatic transmission. It’s a gorgeous car that has never been restored.IMG_8641.JPG4.77 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Every MOT certificate from 1989 on
Original service book
Old tax discs
1988 tax disc holder
The 525i has had three owners in total, the first being a company in Surrey. After that it passed into private ownership in 1989 and later the same year was sold to a garage owner in Dartford, Kent, who kept it for the next 33 years.
It has all its old MOT certificates along with some very old paperwork and a tax disc holder from the garage that supplied it to its second owner.
As the long-term owner ran a garage (and still does, should you wish to check) the car doesn’t have any invoices from his ownership tenure as he did all the work himself, but it was MOT’d and serviced annually at his garage. IMG_8661.JPG2.78 MB
THE INTERIOR
Grey and brown cloth and trim
Completely unmolested and original
Period Panasonic stereo
Original tool kit
Electric windows
Original BMW mats
This is a completely original car that has never been messed around with or repaired so there are a couple of areas that the next owner may wish to improve, the most obvious being the driver’s seat which shows some wear on the seat squab.
It’s a very common issue with 1980s BMWs and a new cover for the driver’s seat would make it look truly fabulous.
There are also a couple of cracks in the dashboard plastic. The car has a period radio-cassette player, sunroof and electric windows. IMG_8682.JPG3.85 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Original Alpine White
Appears not to have been welded
Excellent paint finish
Lattice multi-spoke alloy wheels
Unrestored original condition
This is a car that has never been restored and its original Alpine White paintwork is still excellent with a gleaming shine. It’s not perfect – it’s a 38-year old unrestored car, after all, but it’s very, very good with no welding underneath and extremely good bodywork.
There’s a small rust bubble at the bottom of one door and on one rear arch, and there’s also a small bit of rust on the nearside rear inner door shut, but it’s remarkable for its age and in fine order overall.IMG_8652.JPG7.42 MB
THE MECHANICS
2.5 straight-six M30 engine
Starts and runs well
Recently serviced
Good oil pressure
Well-maintained all its life
The 525i starts on the button and runs sweetly, while the vendor reports that the automatic transmission works exactly as it should with no causes for concern.
He also says that the steering, brakes and suspension appear to be in good order, as you’d expect from a car that has been owned by a motor mechanic.IMG_8678.JPG5.9 MB
SUMMARY
Cars like this are few and far between – it’s completely original and well-preserved.
There are a couple of very minor cosmetic issues that you may wish to sort out, but the overall condition is excellent and the history that comes with it is immense.
Good E28s are rare things. Good, unrestored E28s even rarer. This one has immeasurable charm.
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