1986 BMW 525E Auto – Project Profile
January 12, 2023
We know that engines, suspension, brakes, steering, electrics and all the other stuff hidden beneath the metal of a classic car can be intimidating. Not everyone is an engine whisperer, not everyone is happy to pop the bonnet and dive in, spanner in hand. We get it, and that’s okay. But, we also know that when looking for a project car, avoiding such concerns can be hard. Most project cars need more than a bit of spit and polish. They need some mechanical love, too. Or… do they? Every now and then, the perfect ‘aesthetic’ project appears. Like, for example, this rather lovely 1986 BME E28 525E.
It’s been in the same family from new, it’s in fine mechanical fettle, it has covered a measly 76,599 miles and it passed its last MOT (which runs until November) with no advisories. It is in rude mechanical health, and it’s ready to drive. However, the leather seats could do with some colour and a feed, the paint is tired and faded in places and the engine bay could do with a detail. You could, of course, buy this and embrace the patina (we would). However, if you’re looking for a project you can transform visually, all without too much work, this is it.
What is it?
What we have here is a 1986 BMW E28 525e with the automatic transmission. For many, this is the ultimate incarnation of the 5 Series, with the shark-nose design, those quad headlights and that most distinctive saloon-only body. It’s still, over forty years later, a great-looking machine. This one, being a 525e, is the ‘economy’ model. But it’s still a 2.7 straight-six petrol engine with fuel injection. It only packed around 120bhp, but it was enough for what is by today’s standards a very light car. This one has full blue leather trim, alloy wheels, electric front windows and even the boot-mounted tool kit is present and correct. It’s just a great, honest, original car that has been owned and cared for by one family from new. Oh, and did we mention it’s only done 76,599 miles? Nothing for a car like this.
Why is it a project?
In a sense, it’s not a project at all. You could buy this and use it right away. It has a nearly full MOT and it’s been subjected to some tidying works underneath to make sure that it passed that MOT with no advisories (the E28 loves to rot, but the owners have managed to stay in front of it, it seems). If you’re happy with the patina, which is honest, real patina at that, there is nothing for you to do. However, we can’t help but think that this car is going to be a massive opportunity for someone who wants a solid E28 or 525E to use as a base for a show-worthy restoration. This car turns heads already, but with some paint, some detail work, a fresh coat of underseal and some interior work, this could be a show winner. E28s in this sort of mechanical condition do not come up every day. It’s quite an opportunity.
What should you look for?
This 1986 BMW 525E is currently available on Car & Classic Auctions, meaning the inspection work has been done for you. Have a look at the auction listing and study the hundreds of high-resolution images. We’ve been to see the car, to confirm the details and we have written up the detailed description based on what we have seen. So you can bid and buy with confidence.
What should you do with it?
That is very much down to you. If we were bidding, though, we would get the car home, strip the body down and get it in for a coat of fresh paint. Nothing mad, we’d keep it all original. Just imagine it with fresh silver paint, and a good few coats of deep, shiny clear atop that. While it’s in the paint shop, we would have the underside coated and protected against rust, too. We’d also go in with a full cavity wax – because E28s lose to rust. Finally, we’d get some colour and some weed into the seats, get an original Blaupunkt radio fitted and then, well, that would be it. And that would produce one of the best E28s to exist. What more motivation do you need?
