Collecting Tickets: 1988 BMW 528e

We here at Cold Track Days are fans of German engineering, and nothing exemplifies the idea of proper engineering, than the fit and finish of a Bavarian Motor Werks 5 series. This particular specimen was retrieved from an auto dealer in Portland Oregon, for the meager sum of $1500. With a few initial glitches; rear power window that was inoperative, a few signal lights that needed replacing and a strange grinding noise coming from the front rotors,  but otherwise a fine example of late eighties German craftsmanship.  An overnight stay at the mechanic yielded a proper stopping vehicle, complete with DOT legal signaling and four windows that rolled both up and down. Next step was a serious flogging of the automobile. Golden Gardens and the roads leading in and out of the park, prove an appropriate testing facility for those looking to see what their car is capable of, when winter months prevent proper track testing. While avoiding johhny law, we threw the 528e through the turns leading down into the park. Gear changes were smooth from one to the next and the clutch grabbed hard for a car of her vintage. The 528e was the economy version of BMW's mid-size sedan, yet produced adequate power and a huge amounts of torque for its small 2.7l inline six. In 1988, BMW produced the 528e as well as a 535i, 535is and M5  for consumption here in the states. Across the pond, buyers saw the option of a 524td turbo diesel model as well as the above listed models. Exiting the park, a long straight appears in front of us as we scream down past Shilshole Marina and head back into Ballard. As mentioned, the motor is a torque monster and produces real world power all the through the power band and well into that red area on the tachometer. On the freeway, the torque of the straight six is most noticeable. A roll on at 60mph, throttle pressed firmly to the floor board, and you will soon find yourself in triple digit territory. After a few days on the road, terrorizing the early to bed early to rise crowd, with our tire squealing and throaty exhaust note, we finally ran into the one thing that seemed capable of slowing this German beast down, Port of Seattle Police. Tickets are pricey and speeding in residenial areas is not suggested nor is it condoned by us here at Cold Track Days. Appropriate track testing was certainly in the future for our German friend, however the need to expand our inventory led to the sale of the sedan. Check out www.mye28.com for more info on BMW's 5-series.