My 12 cents worth !! (archive)

We have a 2 BMW house, an 81 528i (E12) and an 83 533i (E28). My wife prefers the E12 hands down. When asked why, she says it is way more fun to drive.

Several of the key reasons:
1) The throttle is a link and rod (versus a soggy cable) conveying engine sensations to your right foot.
2) The steering feels more direct.
3) The suspension is less sophisticated but does a better job of conveying the feel of the road.
4) The car feels more spacious due to less dash intrusion and no molded headliner.
5) The interior is more classic and less plastic.
6) The styling is more euro. The bobbed tail makes the car seem more jaunty. The E28 is a little too americanized (for a reason.)
7) An E 12 has approx. 100 pounds less wire than the E28 and about 100 times less electrical problems.
8) The L Jet injection is a little more user friendly than the Motronic for repairs.
9) They have the same brakes as a Ferrari.

Ironically the chassis, body shell, doors and glass are exactly the same. Yet they each have very different personalties.

Quite a few of us E 12 heads have put bigger engines in our cars which makes them really fun to drive.

So there !

I understand there is probably a nostalgic type value attached to these cars for some of you when you bought it new
I also understand some things can't be explained....but if most of you could help me in understanding the appeal of these cars..I'd appreciate it

Bearing in mind I posted a similar question to the 2002 board a while back and the general consensus is ease of modding, working and still cutting edge handling, as well as a few intangibles,,I may be off, but that criteria dosen't seem to apply here...or does it

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