RE: SOTW Special: BMW 635 CSi
Discussion
dbdb said:
SOTW said:
There is also an ominous vibration from the gearbox, Jon- tells us, but that's a fine opportunity to swap out the three-speed-plus-overdrive auto for a manual gearbox, possibly while the top rot is sorted out and the car is sorn'd over the winter.
These have the ZF4HP22 automatic transmission, don't they? That is a 4 speed gearbox with a torque converter lock up in top.
TBH I've not had enough time to look into the gearbox yet - it's certainly an issue with 4th, and if 4th is locking the 2 gearsets together that would be the likely culprit.
The auto suits the car well, I just don't like them hence thinking about a manual conversion.
pSyCoSiS said:
dbdb said:
Not the 507?
That's also a beauty, but I prefer the aggressive stance of the E30 M3!Guvernator said:
Tough call as all 4 are lovely but I think I'd just have to give it to the sixer. The M3 and the CSL lovely though they are, look like they are just trying a little bit too hard and the 507 while a thing of beauty doesn't really represent BMW to me. In my mind BMW are all about the supersaloons and coupes and I don't think they've yet made a better looking car then the six. It's just so effortlessly svelt yet aggressive at the same time.
I do agree with what you have said.It has to be one of the meanest looking BMWs, especially in Diamond Black Highline guise!
They had one of these on Wheeler Dealers years ago, IIRC new front wings are expensive (were £1,000 for the pair from BMW), but you can buy replacement non-OEM panels for less.
http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/e24.html
Seems a great buy for the money, well done.
http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/e24.html
Seems a great buy for the money, well done.
A lovely car and a good purchase price, congratulations on a car well bought. White, is a good colour for these and even 'on trend' now!
Don't be afraid! It really need not cost a lot to maintain well, despite what some 'experts on here' say.
If.. you do ALL the work yourself.
What is costly anyway?
I notice many folk here, appear to be oblivious to the catastrophic depreciation, (Not even mentioning, possible HP/Loan/Finance costs), of nearly all new cars.
Completely failing to realise, that even with the ridiculously over taxed petrol, we suffer here in the UK. Some, quality cars from the 80's, can be run, far more cheaply, than some horrid, new euro box.
But, i've commented on this issue before, so, will relent now. TBH - it's not in my, or fellow thinker's. Interest, if more folk realise, the new car rip-off and the advantages of something so much more desirable, from the 80's, such as this 6-Series BMW.
Parts can generally be bought very cheaply So, if you can save yourself the labour cost, then it will be a very cheap car to run, unless your driving 15k miles a year in it (Classic insurance, low Road Tax, Cheap parts, etc, etc).
The only item that is costly on these is the front wings, which everyone knows. At circa £300 each, last time I looked (Prob a lot more now), these are hard to find in good nick second hand. I am surprised someone isn't selling pattern ones yet (AFAIK, they still aren't anyway).
I agree with whoever said, they are a bit 'Leggy'. I had a Concourse wining M535i a number of years ago, with the same engine and it was reasonably quick. But, I was surprised, how long you had to hold the Dog-Leg box in gear to build up the required 'Shove'.
For anyone thinking of getting one, they are not that fast, in real world driving. I went from a e34 520i to e28 M535i (My Dream car at the time) and was surprised, (disappointed), that I could spank, the seller of the M353i on the (twisty / A-Road 13 miles) way home (we did a swap + lots of cash his way).
But, I bought the M535i, soley for it's remarkable condition and because, I had really lusted after one, for quite a time.
I still remember, pulling up outside 'Harvey Nicholls' In Brum, and the security guard and several shoppers, coming over to access the car. They were not 'Car Enthusiasts', but they loved the shape, the stance, the glean of the bodywork and the throaty sound of the exhaust. It was just old enough that they were not really aware of it. Parked nearby were high end Merc's, Bentley's, etc. But, my M535i, caught the 'Looks'. I am certainly not pretending, they wanted to swap cars, by any means. But, it still caught their eye and got approval. Not bad, for a car that had cost me only around £7k all in.
I've rarely had a car that brought such unanimous approval from coleagues, but, despite my utter love for the dashing looks of the m535i and 6 series 'Shark-Nose', I've, also, sadly, never been so disapointed in the handling/performance of a car that I have chosen to buy.
Some random memories from me..
Don't be afraid! It really need not cost a lot to maintain well, despite what some 'experts on here' say.
If.. you do ALL the work yourself.
What is costly anyway?
I notice many folk here, appear to be oblivious to the catastrophic depreciation, (Not even mentioning, possible HP/Loan/Finance costs), of nearly all new cars.
Completely failing to realise, that even with the ridiculously over taxed petrol, we suffer here in the UK. Some, quality cars from the 80's, can be run, far more cheaply, than some horrid, new euro box.
But, i've commented on this issue before, so, will relent now. TBH - it's not in my, or fellow thinker's. Interest, if more folk realise, the new car rip-off and the advantages of something so much more desirable, from the 80's, such as this 6-Series BMW.
Parts can generally be bought very cheaply So, if you can save yourself the labour cost, then it will be a very cheap car to run, unless your driving 15k miles a year in it (Classic insurance, low Road Tax, Cheap parts, etc, etc).
The only item that is costly on these is the front wings, which everyone knows. At circa £300 each, last time I looked (Prob a lot more now), these are hard to find in good nick second hand. I am surprised someone isn't selling pattern ones yet (AFAIK, they still aren't anyway).
I agree with whoever said, they are a bit 'Leggy'. I had a Concourse wining M535i a number of years ago, with the same engine and it was reasonably quick. But, I was surprised, how long you had to hold the Dog-Leg box in gear to build up the required 'Shove'.
For anyone thinking of getting one, they are not that fast, in real world driving. I went from a e34 520i to e28 M535i (My Dream car at the time) and was surprised, (disappointed), that I could spank, the seller of the M353i on the (twisty / A-Road 13 miles) way home (we did a swap + lots of cash his way).
But, I bought the M535i, soley for it's remarkable condition and because, I had really lusted after one, for quite a time.
I still remember, pulling up outside 'Harvey Nicholls' In Brum, and the security guard and several shoppers, coming over to access the car. They were not 'Car Enthusiasts', but they loved the shape, the stance, the glean of the bodywork and the throaty sound of the exhaust. It was just old enough that they were not really aware of it. Parked nearby were high end Merc's, Bentley's, etc. But, my M535i, caught the 'Looks'. I am certainly not pretending, they wanted to swap cars, by any means. But, it still caught their eye and got approval. Not bad, for a car that had cost me only around £7k all in.
I've rarely had a car that brought such unanimous approval from coleagues, but, despite my utter love for the dashing looks of the m535i and 6 series 'Shark-Nose', I've, also, sadly, never been so disapointed in the handling/performance of a car that I have chosen to buy.
Some random memories from me..
pSyCoSiS said:
jon- said:
Out of interest, what is the best handling BMW for £1000?
My SOTW E30 325i Track Car!http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3303166.htm
As an impractical snow car, to test the effectiveness of winter tyres!
ejenner said:
I had the full-power 635csi F-reg highline. I bought the best one I could find. Apart from rot in the front wings (my reason for selling) it was good as gold. Power was good but delivered in a 'leggy' way. i.e. hang-on for ages in every gear but it certianly pulls. The noise it makes getting up to the red-line while you have your foot welded to the floor makes me sob it's so beautiful! Not bettered by any car yet.
As a benchmark, racing around Manchester when I was on a business trip with a mate driving a Lexus IS300 the 635 was exactally the same performance. Neither of us could pull-away from either. Except off the line where traction control on the Lexus made it a really slow starter.
Excuse to post 635 pic! Yes PLEASE!
Rot starting, little pimples poking through paint!
Cockpit! I used to love the air-craft style gear selector in the old BMs!
Why don't you buy it back - your old car is for sale!As a benchmark, racing around Manchester when I was on a business trip with a mate driving a Lexus IS300 the 635 was exactally the same performance. Neither of us could pull-away from either. Except off the line where traction control on the Lexus made it a really slow starter.
Excuse to post 635 pic! Yes PLEASE!
Rot starting, little pimples poking through paint!
Cockpit! I used to love the air-craft style gear selector in the old BMs!
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2845819.htm
Nice
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