Sbeckman7's Project: BR1

[sbeckman7]

Hi all,

I've just begun the long process known as my senior year engineering project. I am currently a high school student with big ambitions: I am going to build a car. Taking the front and rear subframes, engine, transmission, final drive, wheels, brakes, and steering from an e28 535i, I am going to build a custom tubeframe from scratch to mount to the subframes. If I do it well, I should end up with a race car. It's taken months to get this rolling (and I'm currently only a Junior), but I have finally gotten the project approved. Nothing like this has ever been done at the high school (we dont even have an autoshop! ) and so I will be paving a new path. I just bought the donor car yesterday, May 29th, an '85 535i that was hit on the side and has been sitting for years but miraculously still has perfect internals (I even heard it running before I bought it). In addition to the side damage, the car has a pretty useless interior, although some parts are still in decent condition, making it the prime candidate for the project. Actually, it still looks good enough that I had second thoughts about gutting it! Anyway, as an added bonus it's got genuine 16" 3 piece BBS RS, eibach pro race springs, bilstein and koni shocks (I forget which are in the front and rear), and upgraded sways, as well as a complete head rebuild just 40,000 miles ago. All this for $625, and I am a happy camper. If anyone on here has interest in the development of this project, let me know and I would be happy to provide updates.

Spence

[mooseheadm5]

That is a great deal! Post pics and let us know how things area going. There are several engineers on this board that I am sure will be happy to lend their advice (myself included.) Sounds pretty ambitious, but very exciting.

[DXXXIIIi]

Good luck!!!! And btw if ya need to generate funds for your project, you might find people here interested in the bits and pieces you aren't using. What color is the interior? Exterior?

[sbeckman7]

the exterior is gold/beige (sorry i forget the technical name) and the interior is brown. I'll try to get pictures up soon! Thanks for the positive feedback. Any parts I don't use will definitely be up for sale.

[doug]

the exterior is gold/beige ...

That would be Bronzit. The 'color' people love to hate and quite possibly the reason your car was hit in the first place.

[sbeckman7]

haha thank you for that lovely description

[C.R. Krieger]

the exterior is gold/beige ...

That would be Bronzit. The 'color' people love to hate and quite possibly the reason your car was hit in the first place.

I'd hit it!

[M. Holtmeier]

the exterior is gold/beige ...

That would be Bronzit. The 'color' people love to hate and quite possibly the reason your car was hit in the first place.

I'd hit it!

Let's see some pics of this junker!

[wkohler]

To hell with the race car plans. We need pictures of this wrecked, ugly-ass, POS E28.

[davintosh]

the exterior is gold/beige (sorry i forget the technical name) and the interior is brown. I'll try to get pictures up soon! Thanks for the positive feedback. Any parts I don't use will definitely be up for sale.

Might be Bahama Beige, which is a bit darker than Bronzit. TheRealStig99 drives one with the same color combo. He might have bought a door or two from you not too long ago. :cringe:

Sounds like a great project! I've done a bit of research into building something like a LoCost 7 using the drivetrain and some of the underpinnings from an e28. You should be able to find a CAD plan for a tube frame by digging around on one of those sites. Good luck with the project, and don't be shy about keep us posted. Lots and lots of knowledgeable and helpful guys around here! I bet you could find some members in your area & get some help.

[sbeckman7]

whats the best way to post a picture from my desktop? I have two to share!

[DXXXIIIi]

Learning to use the search function(including how to post pics) will get u far and not raise the ire of some members

[sbeckman7]

well thats a little embarassing... Enjoy guys

[sbeckman7]

is there some issue with my being a new member or do pictures always come up as just a url...

[davintosh]

is there some issue with my being a new member or do pictures always come up as just a url...

Nope. It has something to do with the site not liking php code. It's easier to just paste it in as a link, like this. But the two links you provided are identical.

Search for the uber uploader & use that to upload the photos. It'll provide you with a ready-made link you can paste in.

BTW, from the looks of your photo, the car is Bronzit.

[Nanajoth]

[sbeckman7]

sorry, heres the real view. So the other side got hit, but it actually doesnt look all that bad from... however many feet away That rear tire is the spare because the person I bought the car from had a crazy neighbor who slashed a tire.

[Nanajoth]

That car looks to be worth itself in parts at least. Great buy on your part.

[sbeckman7]

Yeah thanks man, hopefully I won't have to sell anything to help fund it... I'm currently in the process of contacting local BMW dealerships for a possible sponsorship , although there is an extremely good chance that they won't be very helpful... I really want to refurbish those wheels and put them on! Anyone got theirs done? Whats the process/ cost aspect? Is it better doing it yourself?

[mooseheadm5]

There doesn't really seem to be much wrong with the wheel in the picture apart from the weight clamped on the lip (don't let the next tire shop do that.) You can take them apart, clean up the lips and sand out any rash and send the centers out for powder coat. It won't really cost much at all, just time. I can send you a link to rebuilding BBS RS wheels if I can find it, but it is easy.

[sbeckman7]

Ok yeah that link would be great. I am a little upset to see that clamp there but it should come off alright and I can smooth out anything it leaves behind..

[GrahamB]

Nice buy. There are a number of unique and/or rare parts on that car. I do believe that rear spoiler is one of the "rarer" ones out there. The interior color is one of the less common ones used and you should be able to sell some of the items to the right person to raise money. Even if you don't "need" the money for the project you would be doing a favor to those who need the parts.

The jackass I sold my car to threw out the entire extra interior I gave him so please don't throw anything away.

Again, nice buy and welcome to the "family"!!

Graham

[sbeckman7]

Thanks for the tip! The interior really is fairly dismal.. I'm posting pictures in a moment, but I would be happy to see what useable parts there are go to another e28 in need. After having my e34 for several months, the even more 80'-ness of these cars is really growing on me. Anyone knows what sort of prices the spoilers/bodykit will fetch?

[Nanajoth]

I would say somewhere around 600 total if everything is in good condition.

[sbeckman7]

ok sounds good. Here's more pics too... everything isnt in great shape but I am hoping to try to fix up the nicer parts. Sorry about the picture size/quality, came off my phone.

[tsmall07]

I can't believe you got that deal.

[sbeckman7]

Haha thanks man me either! And my friend still says I paid too much for it...

Finally got a pic of the inside too... not that great. It's got that seat-lean going on big time

[C.J.]

Looks like it'll be a fun project!

The damage doesn't look too bad, a new set of doors and you'd be mostly set.

As far as the wheels go, just search the net for BBS RS refinishing guides. It's not hard to do, just time consuming. They are IMO one of the best looking wheels for an e28.

[sbeckman7]

Yeah i definitely agree. I was wondering, does anyone know the production run of the RS rims? Or at least the ones that say W. Germany? Just was wondering how long they were made for.

[mooseheadm5]

The damage doesn't look too bad, a new set of doors and you'd be mostly set.

Did you not see the creased/torn rocker? That car is better off as a donor car.

Still a smokin deal.