RE: SOTW Special: BMW 635 CSi

[ejenner]

Oh, and I'm not buying it back... someone else can own it now. Just make sure you don't run it into the ground, this one should be kept good as it has been well looked after!

[MadDog1962]

Gorgeous shedding. Just one problem, it's most likely going to be a money pit.

But then again that's a risk with luxury shedding isn't it.

Good luck. I wish I had the time, space and patience to buy something like this and restore it to all it's glory. I agree with many others that this is one of the greatest classic BMWs.

[dbdb]

AdamPT said:

dbdb said:

pSyCoSiS said:

AdamPT said:

2nd best looking .....3.0csi/csl is the most beautiful BWM ever.........

No - the best looking has to be the E30 M3 Sport Evo !

Not the 507?

Thats a very fair point, but with 507's well over 500k these days and so so rare it kind of didn't register....one could argue (and I like a row as much as the next man!) the original M1 is a stunning car. As much as I love the E30 M3 I think its beauty lies in its pedigree and aggresiveness rather than the pure beaurty of its lines. A very purposeful car that would most certainly inhabit my fantasy garage. I am a self confessed BMW fanboy so I'm also rather partial to the Z1 as well (but hate the Z8).....and as for an original 328 from the 30's...well don't get me started as I'll make a mess of myself. But I digtress, a late model M635 or highline remains an absolute beauty

I agree with you but also like the Z8 ...and Z3!

BMW have made quite a few beautiful looking cars and the 635csi is certainly one of them. I prefer the earlier unadorned version.

[radlet6]

Anyone feeling brave then?

Current bid £350

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-BMW-635-CSI-AUTO-MA...

or with a current bid of £250

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-635-CSI-/26087103683...

Jon, comparing these to yours - definite bargain. Why not buy one of these for spares?

[Harry Flashman]

That is a great shed. Fantastic!

[billzeebub]

I would pay a grand just to have it parked on my drive, regardless of if it works or not..

[AdamPT]

dbdb said:

AdamPT said:

dbdb said:

pSyCoSiS said:

AdamPT said:

2nd best looking .....3.0csi/csl is the most beautiful BWM ever.........

No - the best looking has to be the E30 M3 Sport Evo !

Not the 507?

Thats a very fair point, but with 507's well over 500k these days and so so rare it kind of didn't register....one could argue (and I like a row as much as the next man!) the original M1 is a stunning car. As much as I love the E30 M3 I think its beauty lies in its pedigree and aggresiveness rather than the pure beaurty of its lines. A very purposeful car that would most certainly inhabit my fantasy garage. I am a self confessed BMW fanboy so I'm also rather partial to the Z1 as well (but hate the Z8).....and as for an original 328 from the 30's...well don't get me started as I'll make a mess of myself. But I digtress, a late model M635 or highline remains an absolute beauty

I agree with you but also like the Z8 ...and Z3!

BMW have made quite a few beautiful looking cars and the 635csi is certainly one of them. I prefer the earlier unadorned version.

I normally am not a fan of bodykits but a highline just works for me...used to see a dolphin grey one on the way to school as a teenager and lusted after that almost as much as I lusted after Linda Lusardi. The Z8 just seems to much of a pastiche of the 507, but any car with THAT 5.0 V8 in it has merits. Although no beauty the 2002Turbo (with the backward writing turbo on the front spoiler) will always remain a firm favourite....as you can see, I'm slightly (unhealthy) addicted to beemers...

[Gruber]

SuperHangOn said:

Gruber said:

Series rust is the only real "big problem".

Autoboxes are prone to packing up (as did mine- started refusing to shift out of first). Rot was the eventual killer- the sills, inner wings and rear arches were absolutely gone.

I would love another mind- a nice one to tuck away in the garage for a nice weekend rather than a daily.

I can help you with that!!

[thewheelman]

ITech said:

thewheelman said:

Great cars, at such a low price there could be big problems ahead.

Not a useful statement really. The same could be said for any car, at this price.
But, actually, you are wrong, in this case. Because, this could be a bargain and for those that know and can work on their cars, it could be a superb buy and profitable when sold. Plus a pleasure to own and drive. Not picking on you, but, your post is ill-informed.

I'm talking from the experience of having had one in the past. Loved it when it worked, & a real headache when it didn't. So, no my post isn't ill-informed. I think in the end i broke even when it came to selling it on. The car now resides in Jersey, so it's had a nice retirement. It wouldn't put mw off getting another if the right car came along.

Edit. Mine was a 633CSi, not the 635.

Edited by thewheelman on Friday 14th October 13:03

Edited by thewheelman on Friday 14th October 15:09

[Digga]

drivin_me_nuts said:

One of that rare breed of timeless cars that has a visual composure and elegance few have bettered. Lovely.

IMHO this and it's contemporary, the XJS, both have 'it' in different ways.

My mate's dad had a gold 635csi, back in the day (IIRC 1986) and I thought it was just the coolest thing. Loved riding in it and loved that straight-six noise. For a grand, this car in the OP is top, top shedding.

[gnm321]

I would pay #1000 if you did #1000 of labour to repair???

radlet6 said:

Anyone feeling brave then?

Current bid £350

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-BMW-635-CSI-AUTO-MA...

or with a current bid of £250

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-635-CSI-/26087103683...

Jon, comparing these to yours - definite bargain. Why not buy one of these for spares?

[moskvich427]

Please please please please find a set of original alloys for it!

[Gruber]

moskvich427 said:

Please please please please find a set of original alloys for it!

Original wheels would mean metric tyres which, at £375 per corner(!!) is not worth contemplating.

[muppet42]

Always liked the old 6 and this one looks like a steal for the price. Good luck with it, hope it serves you well

Personally wouldn't mind a BM from that era, always liked the e28 and e30 for example and can see getting one next if I don't go down the hot hatch or Jap route

[ariddell]

Love it! Although gutted to see these are going for shed money back in the UK....

Here's my old girl on show earlier in the year, one of the first 633CSi's from 77 just after production was moved back in from Karmann, skinny bumpers, no silly spoilers and rust free... Are there any skinny bumper 6ers left in the UK that haven't dissolved?



She's notionally for sale, but every time i drive it the desire to sell fades, 3 speed auto or not...

Great cars.

[johnpeat]

We're definately breaking all the rules this week - we can't buy it and the person who did has no understanding of 'shedding' whatsoever.

You don't SORN a shed - you don't clean-up the paintwork. You might trace the source of a fluid leak if it's either dangerous or the fluid is costly enough to make it worthwhile - but shedding is NOT about restoring classic cars.

I don't really get why you buy a cheap 'heap' and then set out restoring it anyway - it's just throwing good money/time after bad!?

If you want to polish-up a really nice, solid, clean classic - start with a good base at least?

Anyway - can we get back to shedding next week please? Thanks...

[CaptainSensib1e]

Bit of a long short, but you didn't buy this in Bristol did you?

On my old road one of my neighbours has two white 6 series. Was never quite sure who they belonged to as they were always parked on street and I never saw them driven. They were both on B plates (can't remember the exact reg) and there can't be that many white ones still knocking around...

[jon-]

johnpeat said:

I don't really get why you buy a cheap 'heap' and then set out restoring it anyway - it's just throwing good money/time after bad!?

Now where's your sense of adventure?

CaptainSensib1e said:

Bit of a long short, but you didn't buy this in Bristol did you?

On my old road one of my neighbours has two white 6 series. Was never quite sure who they belonged to as they were always parked on street and I never saw them driven. They were both on B plates (can't remember the exact reg) and there can't be that many white ones still knocking around...

While I didn't buy it from Bristol, I believe that's where it came from yes! The guy certainly used it though, 12,000 miles a year for 2 years!

[sim16v]

Love the "shed".

I've always wanted one since building a Tamiya 635 about 25 years ago!

I always keep an eye out for a suitable manual as well, as I have a plan.

The 635s aren't massively heavy compared to modern cars and E36 track cars are done to death now.

So, find a solid manual and a tatty/bumped E36 M3 EVO.

Put the two together and you end up with a 320bhp track car that isn't an EVO and could look like this!

[Goldfish1]

Gorgeous looking cars!

I had an E32 735 until very recently and can vouch for the fantastic engine in these cars. Still ran great with 189K and, as others have already said, the M30 sounds great when it's revving hard.

I love all 80's BMW's and feel their values will only go up as their rarity increases.