It is with great sadness that I find that I will have to be replacing my E28 after many years as a daily driver, racking up 340,000 miles. There are frame rust problems that just aren't worth dealing with.
My mechanic has offered to sell me a 1987 325i that looks nearly new, not a spot of rust anywhere and all the body undercoating looks perfect. It was owned by someone he trusted who only racked up 120,000 miles in all that time.
Any comments on those cars? I recall them as being problematic when they were new and I am generally terrified at the notion of having a timing belt, but he's willing to guarantee it and sell it for less than it would sell as a parts car. And it feels like a fun car to drive, maybe more fun than the 535i was.
I expect all the rubber parts to fail within six months as I start commuting daily in it, but I can deal with that.
--scott