This Is The Type Of Subtle Elegance That Contemporary BMWs Overlooked | Carscoops

      The shark-nosed 528i is equipped with a 2.8-liter straight-six engine that produced 181 horsepower back in its time.

      7 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      A classic 1981 BMW sedan makes a comeback with only 9,300 miles and a manual transmission.

      The seller has refurbished the Polaris Metallic paint and restored the factory audio system inside.

      Previously listed for $23,000 in 2023, the 528i sedan is now available again in a no-reserve auction.

      If the idea of driving a classic BMW with nostalgic appeal and low mileage appeals to you more than the latest technology-laden sedans, you should keep reading. While a brand-new BMW 5-Series will cost around $60,000 in the U.S., there’s an alternative if you're on a tighter budget and have an affection for one of the most cherished generations of the 5er. This particular E28 528i may be just what you need.

      Read: 2027 BMW 5-Series Aims to Enter the Neue Klasse Era

      While a 43-year-old 528i isn’t directly comparable to a modern vehicle, at least you can brag to your friends about owning a genuine 5-Series. Moreover, unlike many cars from this era, this one has only accumulated about 15,000 km (9,300 miles) since its inception and is in excellent condition. It’s currently listed with no reserve and comes with a clean title from Idaho.

      A Well-Traveled Euro Import

      This 528i originally resided in France before being part of a collection in the Netherlands. It was imported to the United States in 2022 and was first sold on Bring a Trailer for $23,000 in May of the previous year. Since then, the car’s Polaris Metallic paint has been corrected and detailed, and now it’s being offered for sale once more.

      Being a Euro model, this E28 5-Series has the slimmer, more stylish bumpers and headlights, sidestepping the bulky, protruding fixtures that were added to North American models for safety regulations.

      With the exterior being so well-preserved, it’s no surprise that the interior reflects the same quality. The seats feature the original blue cloth upholstery, as do the door panels and carpets. Although there’s some minor staining on the C-pillar, everything else is in good shape. The car used to have aftermarket Kenwood speakers, but these have been replaced with OEM BMW units.

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      Power is derived from a 2.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-six engine that generates 181 hp and 177 lb-ft (239 Nm) of torque. This power is delivered through a five-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.

      Considering how little the car has been driven since it left the BMW factory all those years ago, it’s unlikely the next owner will put many miles on it either, likely seeking to protect their investment. However, with proper maintenance and servicing, this 528i could function as an excellent daily driver and may serve as a perfect alternative to the technology-heavy cars of 2025.

      The vehicle is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer with no reserve. If you’re interested in this low-mileage, shark-nosed piece of BMW history, you can view the full listing here.

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