Re: How do E28 bodies/paint fare in FL? (archive)

Ron et al.,
My 87 5er is alpine white...has weathered quite well. Car is originally from Miami but spent a couple of years in Atlanta and now in North Central Florida (no water anywhere around). I keep the car covered (in the shade) at work and at home...so I imagine that'll help preserve the paint. Car has NO rust except for little tiny spot on the driver door at the door seal...now treated and primered and touched-up. I think White tends to do well in the sun as other older 5ers I've seen 'round here look pretty good. The dark colors, red, and high metallic colors (silver, delphin) don't seem to do too well unless serious car was taken. Good luck!

Tim
87 535is
152k

I bought my e28 used (and cheap) when it was only 6 years old. It had been a Florida car in its previous life, and now it's a Long Island car. The paint (Delphin Metallic- a dark silver color) was terrible when I got it, and remains so. The body has very little rust, though. I actually prefer the delapidated look. Let other people worry about scratches, dings, and sun damage- for me it's Hakuna Matata all the way.

I may be moving to Florida, from the NE in a few weeks and was just wondering how BMWs seem to do in that type of climate. Does the paint, or clearcoat, suffer a lot or need a lot of special care, or does the salty air attack the bodies much? I've got a solid '87 528e with a few spots where the cc came up. Just curious, thanks.

My 85 535 was a lower Alabama car but has been in the panhandle of FL for several years now and has almost zero rust. My paint also looks horrid. I think if you are further south esp on the east coast you may see much more of a salt air environment and the resulting corrosion. As I normally see bigger waves in my jacuzzi than on the gulf shore, there isn't much salt spray being tossed into the air.

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