INCREDIBLY WELL-PRESERVED 5-SERIES, COLLECTOR OWNED, 2.8L I6, 4-SPEED, BBS ALLOY

Description

Remember when BMWs were about, you know, actually driving and not seeing how interconnected you could be with your phone? This 1979 BMW 528i is the perfect antidote to the tech-laden machines they're selling today, motoring distilled down to its bare essence, a machine that makes no apologies about being about transportation rather than E-mail and YouTube.Spending almost its entire life in a single owner's collection, this is just how you want to buy your vintage European luxury car. It's been beautifully maintained since it was new by a guy who simply loved the car and all its many virtues, and worked hard to preserve it in top condition. The light yellow paint is subtle and elegant, and works well with the aggressive chin spoiler and clean, chiseled lines. The kink in the C-pillar leaves no doubt about the car's identity and as far as we can tell, that's original factory paint. There are, of course, a few touch-ups here and there, but someone has obviously spent Saturdays waxing and buffing the finish and it has never lived in a harsh climate or outdoors. All the rubber pieces remain dark and supple, a rarity on any car of this period, and a few chrome accents give the 5-Series an upscale look that suited its position on the BMW hierarchy. For many of us, there's just a simplicity about the design that's exactly right and it's kind of a shame that simplicity for simplicity's sake has fallen out of fashion.The tan interior has a combination of original and new pieces. Most obvious are the seating surfaces, which were originally cloth but have been recently reupholstered in handsome tan vinyl that does an awfully good impersonation of leather. The two-tone effect is rather attractive and does nothing to diminish the direct driving experience you get from behind the wheel. Big, easy-to-read instruments are visible through the spokes of the fat steering wheel and yes, that's a genuine shift-it-yourself transmission there on the center console, no flappy paddles required. Attractive coco mats protect the carpets and add a Teutonic look and the back seat offers plenty of space for passengers. Accessories include somewhat unusual power windows and an AM/FM stereo radio in the center stack. The 5-Series also includes a spacious, well-shaped trunk that's happy to carry your gear on your next high-speed road trip.BMW made their mark with turbine-smooth inline sixes, and the 2.8 liter engine in this 528i lives up to the hype. It's also nice to see the nomenclature on the trunk lid actually matches what's under the hood, always a reassuring sign back in the day. The engine has obviously been nicely maintained and runs superbly, pulling the sedan without working too hard and feeling like it could rev forever. Fuel injection means it starts easily and idles well, and thanks to its tidy size and smart gearing, fuel economy is decent, too. The suspension is athletic, as you'd expect, but never harsh and it all depends on how you drive it. Trundle through rush hour traffic and it's luxury car smooth, but bend it into your favorite twisty road and it hangs on and builds confidence. The underside is original and in good order, and the new exhaust system gives it a wonderful six-cylinder baritone wail at speed. Handsome BBS-style alloy wheels are a nice touch and carry 205/60/15 Michelin performance radials.You don't see many of these anymore and that's a shame, because they really are fine road cars. If a vintage BMW is what you seek, this is a very good one. Call today!