Buying a used car...

... is like waking up with somebody after a smashing party last night: yesterday, the brain seemed to function just fine, but you just look at those crooked teeth, flaking makeup and dirt under fingernails!!!

E28 Hood Mechanism Replacement Caveats

Apparently, broken handle of the hood mechanism is a common problem for E28.

Replacement is almost straightforward.

The mechanism (part #51231868556 for US vehicles) is still available from BMW.

What is not immediately obvious, though, is that it would be a good idea to replace the nipple (part #51231872968) and the grommet (part #61138460102 or #61218050550) at the same time - there's a good chance that the nipple is broken or about to break like this, and the rubber grommet has deteriorated enough to warrant replacement.

In my case, part #51231881741 did not need to be replaced. Honestly, even the main cable (part #51231868559) was just fine, it was the left and right catch (#51231876997 and #51231876998) that were bogged down with dirt beyond reason, but alas, you can't buy just the handle.

Be careful removing lower instrument panel cover - there are two connectors on it. Careful with the screws when you put it back - some screws go into plastic, which is most probably already cracked.

What This Is All About

E28 535i, born June 1987, 203k miles on the clock and counting.

Every car has a story. This car has a difficult one - five previous owners, apparently, quite strained by expenses necessary for proper maintenance - and gullible enough to install the idiot magnet all-wonderful Fuel Miser.

Quite a few things I missed when we were about to buy it - most embarrassingly, the fact that the hood mechanism was broken, and no less astonishing fact that the tires on the car were different (three 205/60R15, fourth 195/65R15, and the notorious TRX spare, 200/60VR390 - yes, 22 years old).

Yes, it's a difficult car to love - imagine what 22 years of neglect can do. However, my daughter put it best - "But you don't get rid of your kids just because they're retarded, right?"

So far, the plan is to love it. And document the specific acts of love here, for those crazy enough to agree that E28 is something to love, and make it easier for them to love it properly.