Re: Driveshaft (kardan) for E28 535i

Als Antwort auf: Driveshaft (kardan) for E28 535i von RobertRO am 09. Februar 2007 07:14:22:

Hi Robert, actually you can replace not the 'u-joints' but the crossmember or kreuzkupplung on your driveshaft which connects both u joints. Ask for the repair kit at BMW, it's not expensive and go to your local machine shop and they'll press it in. It looks like a cross which holds the u joints together. I've done it before, it's a cheap alternative for a new drveshaft and has the same result. Change the quibo disc and centre bearing while you're at it and you've got yourself a new driveshaft.
Good luck, regards Steffen.

I am looking for a German company / service shop / parts source that sells good quality driveshafts (kardanwelle) for my 1986 BMW E28 535i.
It can be either a brand-new, or remanufactured unit.
I have a manual 260/6 Getrag gearbox.
The U-joints of the driveshaft in my car have a lot of play. Unfortunately, BMW designed the E28 driveshaft with not-removable, weld-in U-joints. Worse, the lifetime of the original BMW driveshaft does not seem to be excellent.
I asked a price quotation for a brand-new BMW driveshaft from a local BMW dealer, butthe cost is outrageous (over EUR 1000).
I have a nice source in the USA, about EUR 420 + shipment (and + local Customs tax, of course).
But, should I find a good source in Germany, that would be more convenient. I am located in Romania, and since we joined EU it's much simple to get parts from EU countries.
So, what do you guys do, when the driveshaft of your E28 needs to be replaced?
Thanks in advance for any feedback / suggestion.