Jumping into the deep end - first BMW (car)

[jamracing]

Hey all - the opportunity popped up to get an almost free 88 535i, so i jumped on it! The customer parked it at my friend's shop, and 4 years later, he got the title. So, what does "almost free" mean? It needs the following: Brakes, struts (probably bushings), exhaust, wheels and tires (still has the TRX tires from ~1993), valve adjustment, replace all the liquids, and maybe some other bits and bobs.
Plan is to drive from Chicago to Pittsburgh (where the car is), spend 3-4 evenings at the shop and then trailer it back home. with this winter weather, not gonna chance breaking down on I-80 and getting swallowed by a snowdrift!
So with that being said, I wanted to call out David Moyal (mye28 long time member) for offering his knowledge and hopefully some used parts that will make the refresh a little more affordable!!
I did pick up a used Bentley manual off of eBay yesterday, should make the job/s much easier.
Master plan is to make it reliable, comfortable and fun. Transmission swap is definitely on the docket, a little lowering, a little louder, but overall keep it drivable.
This will be my first car "restoration", but i'm not a total noob. Been working on bikes for many years, and wrench on my vehicles for fun and financial savings. Current fun stuff include a 1976 BMW R75/6 "airhead", 1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler, 2020 Sherco SE300 enduro weapon, and a 2005 Porsche 911 C2S.
Let the fun begin (or continue, depends on the day)!
Josh
Northbrook, IL

[stuartinmn]

Welcome to the site, and congratulations on the car.  They're fun to drive and pretty easy to work on.

[1st 5er]

Welcome and enjoy the ride.