E24 M635 Timing Chain
Discussion
1985 car with @ 120,000 miles - car currently for sale at James Paul - having been to see it, the car looks fine, needs closer inspection but impressed with first viewing.
Unfortunately James Paul can't confirm when or even if timing chain was replaced.
Please pardon my ignorance but is there a way to tell visibly if timing chain has been replaced if appropriate paperwork isn't available?
Unfortunately James Paul can't confirm when or even if timing chain was replaced.
Please pardon my ignorance but is there a way to tell visibly if timing chain has been replaced if appropriate paperwork isn't available?
There is no way to tell visibly if this has been done.
If there is no paperwork to confirm the work, assume that it has not been done. Nobody forgets to add a £3000-£3500 timing chain receipt to a cars history file.
The James Paul car looks like it has had a repaint. The area around the rear number plate is supposed to be matt black, and the sills are supposed to be body coloured.
From the photos it seems like a nice car. Arctic blue is very nice.
If there is no paperwork to confirm the work, assume that it has not been done. Nobody forgets to add a £3000-£3500 timing chain receipt to a cars history file.
The James Paul car looks like it has had a repaint. The area around the rear number plate is supposed to be matt black, and the sills are supposed to be body coloured.
From the photos it seems like a nice car. Arctic blue is very nice.
Edited by Bayerische on Saturday 6th August 16:26
Edited by Bayerische on Saturday 6th August 16:37
Have you looked at this one?, cheaper and chain has been done.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C769495#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C769495#
I think I have briefly seen the car when we bought our x5 as it had just come in. It looked very nice.
I did not look close enough, but does it have the half leather half cloth seats. If so I believe it has been looked after by Munich Legends. It might be worth giving them a call as they have electronic records of their works and have done for years.
The issues is not so much with the timing chain, but the tensioner so you don't get warning persay. It's basically the same engine but with 2 more cylinders as the iconic e30 m3 derived from the m1 engine and it's the light flywheel that causes a wip on the chain, as they rev up and down very freely.
Make sure it is getting full throttle as many throttle cables and linkages stretch. Get someone while it's off to apply full throttle on the pedal. Then see if the linkage for the throttle can move. If it can a little adjustment can make a huge difference. Spotted this on one at a rolling road day. Owner was very happy with car that achieved 246bhp. After a little fiddle it produced 292bhp and he was even happier.
Clutches can get very heavy and can actually cause clutch pedal to crack. Normally it's a sign The thrust bearing has failed.
Mechanicals are generally with a six the least of your worries. Rust is the big issue. Wings are poorly designed and cost fortunes. Current price is around £800 each now not including painting. Certain body parts are not available such as sills. There is no such thing as a rust free six and no such thing as one that has not had paint. Check wings, jacking points, underside of doors and sunroof with a magnet.. Look at inner wings as these are a pig to change and will require engine out. diff mounts are another problem area. Get it up on a ramp and have a good poke around underneath. Does it have original metric trx wheels. These the original run flats if you like have a 1970's design tread pattern and don't grip. Replacing them can cost over £300 a corner if you can get them. My advice is to fit a set of 16 or 17" period alloys which will not only look great and in keeping, but will enable you to have modern levels of grip on the car..
Hope this helps I have owned mine for nearly 20 years now and am just about to embark on a full restoration. By the way artic blue is a very rare colour only seen on cars between 84-85. Personally I think it's the best colour.
I did not look close enough, but does it have the half leather half cloth seats. If so I believe it has been looked after by Munich Legends. It might be worth giving them a call as they have electronic records of their works and have done for years.
The issues is not so much with the timing chain, but the tensioner so you don't get warning persay. It's basically the same engine but with 2 more cylinders as the iconic e30 m3 derived from the m1 engine and it's the light flywheel that causes a wip on the chain, as they rev up and down very freely.
Make sure it is getting full throttle as many throttle cables and linkages stretch. Get someone while it's off to apply full throttle on the pedal. Then see if the linkage for the throttle can move. If it can a little adjustment can make a huge difference. Spotted this on one at a rolling road day. Owner was very happy with car that achieved 246bhp. After a little fiddle it produced 292bhp and he was even happier.
Clutches can get very heavy and can actually cause clutch pedal to crack. Normally it's a sign The thrust bearing has failed.
Mechanicals are generally with a six the least of your worries. Rust is the big issue. Wings are poorly designed and cost fortunes. Current price is around £800 each now not including painting. Certain body parts are not available such as sills. There is no such thing as a rust free six and no such thing as one that has not had paint. Check wings, jacking points, underside of doors and sunroof with a magnet.. Look at inner wings as these are a pig to change and will require engine out. diff mounts are another problem area. Get it up on a ramp and have a good poke around underneath. Does it have original metric trx wheels. These the original run flats if you like have a 1970's design tread pattern and don't grip. Replacing them can cost over £300 a corner if you can get them. My advice is to fit a set of 16 or 17" period alloys which will not only look great and in keeping, but will enable you to have modern levels of grip on the car..
Hope this helps I have owned mine for nearly 20 years now and am just about to embark on a full restoration. By the way artic blue is a very rare colour only seen on cars between 84-85. Personally I think it's the best colour.
Thanks for the replies. I have the C&S buying guide and the group test from Classic cars as basis for what I'm looking for. Difficult to get on a ramp so having to work on visual inspection.
Interestingly I approached Munich Legends for an idea on costs for changing the timing chain predominantly because they are my local specialist and would most likely get the work, but they have been strangely reticent to come back with pricing
Interestingly I approached Munich Legends for an idea on costs for changing the timing chain predominantly because they are my local specialist and would most likely get the work, but they have been strangely reticent to come back with pricing
James Paul have a workshop and I am sure if they are confident in the car they won't mind you looking underneath.
There are plenty of places to do the timing chain works if Munich legends don't get back to you. I suggest you ask to speak to Dan having been referred by the BMW car club.
If you need any specific advice I suggest you look up www.bigcoupe.con that has anything and everything listed about e24's plus a very active international forum.
There are plenty of places to do the timing chain works if Munich legends don't get back to you. I suggest you ask to speak to Dan having been referred by the BMW car club.
If you need any specific advice I suggest you look up www.bigcoupe.con that has anything and everything listed about e24's plus a very active international forum.
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