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1980 BMW 528i with 5-Speed Manual Transmission, E12 Body, M30 Engine, Prod 2/80

Sale price: $5,000.00 make an offer

Car location: San Gabriel, California, United States

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Year:
1980
Number of Doors:
4
Mileage:
49,848
Trim:
528i
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1980 BMW 528i with 5-Speed Manual Transmission, E12 Body, M30 Engine, Prod 2/80 for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.1) based on 714 votes
1980 BMW 528i w/Manual Transmission

Up for sale is my daily driver. a mostly-original southern California (non-coastal) E12 body style 528i.  I purchased it last year directly from the 2nd owner in North Hollywood (he had owned it since 1986).  It is registered and has a passing smog.  Title is clean. clear. and in my name.  It's reliable; the M30 is a nice. robust engine.  The 5-speed only appeared in '80 and '81 in the E12 body style so this is a nice find.  I'm also a BMWCCA member and general "old BMW" fan.  Reason for selling: moving to ice and cold (and salt/sand).

Please note that the total mileage is unknown.  Do not be fooled by the odometer pictures showing 49. xx miles!  I can't begin to estimate total mileage since I don't know its detailed history and it had typical broken odometer gears when I purchased it (now fixed).  For all practical purposes. and for those fun folks who call and argue that it's worth 200 yen because it "could have 200. 00 miles": I estimate mileage at 2. 21. 89. 12 miles.  For folks who "really love this car but are really concerned about the mileage": Read the paragraph below.  Twice.  Now read it again.  Okay. now call me.

It does NOT have a full receipt history.  It DOES have a recent inspection that I'm willing to share.  I also encourage and welcome inspections--in person or at a local mechanic / dealer.  Serious parties should contact me at (626) 219-0269. text ok.  I've included the details of the inspection. below.  The pictures in the Google Picasaweb folder were taken at two different times -- in October (the exterior pictures. which are timestamped) and last week (the interior pictures. some exterior pics).  Feel free to check out the pictures in my Picasaweb gallery (opens in a new window).

Here are the items that are different from new. most of which I consider normal wear-and-tear due to its age:

1. The rear left power window does not work (have not had it diagnosed)
2. Does not have rear floormats.  Front floormats are in good condition but likely not original.
3. Two small cracks in dashboard near 'fasten seatbelt' warning.  See pictures.
4. Small rip near right-side end of zipper embedded in headliner that covers sunroof motor.  See pictures.
5. Headliner has some stains and yellowing.  See pictures.
6. It has many dings -- most along driver's side.  See pictures.
7. It has a shallow crease/dent along driver's door. lower half.  See pictures.
8. It has dents near each fender turn signal.  See pictures.
9. It has many paint chips and touch-ups.  The worst places are around driver's door keyhole and near the rearward trunk edge.  See pictures.
10. The paint is original.  There is some clearcoat glazing.  The worst place is on the driver's side doors.  See pictures.
12. The right turn signal lens has some cracks. and a small missing chunk on the lower edge.  See pictures.
13. The AC does NOT blow cold.  The compressor DOES spin when you turn on the AC.  It is R12. non-converted.  I have NOT had it recharged.  Haven't touched it at all or had it diagnosed.
14. The seats are leather. and are not original to the car.  I have the original seats (cloth) and you can have 'em if you want them. spiders and all.
15. The driver's door check is original. old. and broken.  So the driver's door won't stay open with that usual 'click'.  The rest of the doors don't have this problem.  I have a new replacement E28 door check. included.
16. The radio is strangely older than the car. but working.  It is installed somewhat awkwardly. wedged in place.  Looks great. though!  I replaced the front speakers with new (cheap) ones. and the rear speakers are present and newer but not hooked up to the radio.
17. One of the LCD pixels in the clock is faded/missing.  See picture.
18. One of the chrome exhaust tips is missing.  See picture.
19. The rear tow eye (connected to the bottom of the spare tire well) is bent.  See picture.
20. The front crank seal weeps enough to make the pan dirty. but not enough to leave a drip or require top off.
21. I removed the fog lights but left the leads and dash switch; I purchased new bulbs but didn't reinstall because I don't like the look.
22. The wipers work. but are a bit slow.

If I haven't metioned it in the above description it likely works and is in good condition.  Regardless. please ask questions.  Here is a partial list of commonly asked questions regarding operation:

1. Yes. the fuel gauge works.  It works reliably.  It reads the fuel amount correctly.
2. Yes. the temperature gauge works.  It works reliably.
3. The thermostat is nearly new.  The engine warms up quickly and keeps steady temperature.
4. I removed the water pump and it looked nearly new. so I did not replace it.  It has plastic fins.
5. I flushed the coolant with BMW (dealer) coolant when I opened the coolant system up.  It does not use coolant.
6. The backlight bulbs in the instrument cluster and climate controls work.  All bulbs in the instrument cluster work.
7. I replaced the odometer gears with a set from odometergears. com.  The original gears were broken.
8. Most of the window seals are old or original but holding up well.  The only seal I replaced was the the driver's door window seal. which is new.  You'll see some of the external window drip seals are starting to crack a little bit.
9. Yes. it is parked indoors both at work and home.  Neither of my garages are climate-controlled.  The previous owner parked it in a fancy parking garage that is climate controlled.
10. Yes. the power locks work.  Yes. all locks match the keys I have for the car. including the glovebox. trunk. ignition. all doors.
11. Yes. all power windows work except for the rear left window mentioned above as a defect.
12. Yes. the powered sunroof works -- both open / close and tilt.  See pictures.
13. The tires are nearly new.  The alignment is recent.
14. The control arms and tie rod ends do not currently have any broken / cracked bushings or boots.  The ride is smooth.  The shocks are solid.  Cornering is fun!  Freeway driving is pleasureable.
15. The AC blower motor works on the various speeds without squeaking.  The heater blower motor works on the various speeds without squeaking.
16. All power window switches work. and work well.
17. I dropped and cleaned the fuel tank (vinegar + water). replaced all rear-end fuel rubber. replaced the fuel filter. and replaced the in-tank fuel pump.  The external fuel pump is working well but is old.
18. I replaced all the fuel injectors -- including the start or "cold start" injector.  Brand new. not rebuilt.
19. I replaced most top-end gaskets along with the fuel injectors -- intake. coolant pieces. etc.  Most hoses are new. as well.  When I saw any old rubber. paper. or fuel-related bits I either inspected it carefully or replaced it.
20. All the trunk tools are present. as is the jack.  The spare is present and matches the turbines on the car.
21. Owner's manual is included. but that's the only one of the original books/manuals that's included.
22. The interior light works correctly. coming on when you open any door.  The trunk light also works correctly.
23. The oxygen sensor is about 2. 00 miles old. and the switch was reset when installed.  It passes smog check.
24. The hood pad is newer.  Various sensors are newer. as well.  Idle air controller is newer. as well.  TB has been disassembled. cleaned. and adjusted.
25. Complete tune-up is recent including wires. plugs. filters. fluids. belt. etc.  Valve clearances were adjusted.
26. Compression is good--within 5 psi of each other and there are no misses at idle or at speed.
27. All external lights work. many with new bulbs.  The rear defroster works. as well.
28. No cracks in any glass -- all are very clear.  The car cleans up very well.
29. I'm a non-smoker and the car doesn't stink.  The carpets are all original and are in very good condition.
30. It is not rusty at all.  It's had a very nice life here in SoCal.  See the pictures of all those hinges and usually rusty places.  Nice. nice. very nice.

Please bid like a responsible adult.  If you're not currently a responsible adult. find a mentor.  I'm a friendly. reasonable person who will work with you beforehand if you need extra days to pay. or to pick it up. etc.  However. if you bid and win. you've bid and won.  Do inspections beforehand!  Ask questions beforehand!  The car will match the above details exactly when you pick it up.  There are no surprises with my car.  So don't bring any surprises with you. either.  Yes. I'll pick you up from the airport. train station. or rental car facility (for free).  Yes. I can meet you at odd hours since I'm not a dealer.  There are no additional taxes or fees that I'll be collecting.  You're responsible for researching and making sure you have insurance. a temporary tag. and know how to drive a stick shift.  I welcome calls and texts: (626) 219-0269.  I don't accept PayPal for full payment.  I do accept a down payment via PayPal of $200.  If you're paying in cash. or by check. or by bank wire. we'll either meet at the bank (in person) or allow it a couple of days to clear (if paying remotely).  Again: please call me if you have any concerns about timing. etc.

Good luck making an offer or offers!  Or just have fun looking.

Additional pictures are in my Google Picasaweb folder.  The URL is https://picasaweb. google. com/iamthellamaoflove/1980BMW528i?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeOo6j2tZaVQw#

Also published at eBay.com

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Comments and questions to the seller:

from Hansen Nguyen, dated 18 december 2015
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