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1981 BMW 528i 5-Speed, Fly into ATL and Drive it back! NO RESERVE

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: BMW
  • Model: 5-Series
  • Type: Sedan
  • Trim: 528i
  • Year: 1981
  • Mileage: 252,570
  • VIN: WBACJ9501B6785889
  • Color: Tan
  • Engine size: M30
  • Number of cylinders: 6
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Tan
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1981 BMW 5-Series 528i Description

For sale by private owner: 1981 BMW 528i 5-Speed. No Reserve! Whatever it sells for is OK with me! I do not have a buy-it-now, but feel free to make an offer. It is for sale locally and the auction is subject to end if it sells locally.
It currently sits showing 252,570 miles. I've driven it a little over 6,000 total miles in my 15 months of ownership. Mileage will be slightly higher, as this is my commuter car. The Georgia title is clean and clear, in my name.
I have more photos in a Google Photos album that I can share. Please reach out to me for more information.
In general this is a great driver, with excellent compression on all cylinders, great clutch, great brakes, good tires. It lived its life in the California desert before I bought it and brought it east so it is rust-free. In fact, I drove it across the country from Los Angeles to Atlanta! That was a great ride. As you can see it is not perfect consmetically, primarily on the interior. Both front seats would need recovering if they didn't have those nice fluffy covers on them. In addition, all of the interior wood is delaminating as shown in the pictures. The dash has minor cracking around the seatbelt warning. The rear seats show wear. The headliner is in good condition and not excessively worn. The visors are typically bloated with old foam but are functional. I don't have the cardboard trunk floor pieces anymore. There are a few tools in the factory toolkit, but most are missing.
Electronically it is in OK condition, as well. Always runs, always starts, warm or cold. I drive this 12 months of the year without hesitation (pun intended). All the windows work but the rears are SLOW. The fronts are not perfectly aligned when going up/down but with a little help they go straight. The heater blower motor works barely, and sometimes. The AC blower motor works very strong and on all speeds. The AC compressor kicks on and is cool, but not cold. The heat wafts very nice when moving thanks to vehicle movement, even without the blower motor kicking on so it has been bearable on the 20 and 30-degree mornings making the commute. The radio is goofy and half-installed (I purchased it that way) and works, is loud. But it also will cycle its own power occasionally when driving. The power locks do NOT work but are present. The rear right door does not open or unlock.
Note that it only came with one side mirror (the passenger side mirror was optional). That takes some getting used to!
It comes with quite a few extra free maintenance parts that I have sitting around -- used parts that I've ordered as well as new maintenance bits that you can install optionally as the need arises. Can't remember all that I have but I know it's about $200 worth -- brake pads, filters, etc.
If you have any questions please give me a text or call at (404) 647-3132. I welcome in-person inspections and I'm happy to take it to a local independent if you'd like to pay to have it inspected. I can pick you up from the ATL airport or help coordinate shipping. Yes, you can drive it back!
There are NO FEES. What you bid is what you pay. I'm a private owner, not a company. I welcome inspections before the auction ends -- either by private company or in-person. I will make myself available.
Sorry, I can't help with financing, am not interested in any trade, and do not accept PayPal or credit cards for payment. We have many banks in Atlanta and I'm happy to do the transaction at your bank or at mine, for security. There is no warranty. I'll be issuing a Georgia Bill of Sale (form T-7) along with the title. I'm happy to help coordinate shipping, but the cost of shipping is yours, the buyer's, if you decide to ship it instead of pick it up. You, the buyer, are responsible for all taxes or ad valorem charged by your home state; I will not be collecting these on your behalf. I can't offer long term storage but am flexible, schedule-wise, and will work with you in good faith to schedule shipping or your drive home. If you are planning to drive it home you are responsible for getting a temporary tag; my Georgia license tag stays with me. The state of Georgia does not require a temporary tag when you purchase from an individual, so -- at least in the state of Georgia -- you are OK driving around without a tag as long as you have proof of ownership and insurance in the vehicle (proof of ownership is the bill of sale and title, signed over to you). Please call if you have any questions.
If you are bidding I expect you to follow through. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is due within 72 hours via PayPal, direct wire, or overnight check. If a deposit is not received within 72 hours the car will be relisted. This car is for sale locally, as well, and I reserve the right to end the auction early.