M635csi ownership

[wrighty78]

A friend (who knows I like cars and change them regularly) asked me yesterday which my favourite was of all the cars I've owned. The answer was easy - my e24 635csi. Such a lovely long distance cruiser, good turn of speed, beautiful styling and real character. It was the "ordinary" 218bhp auto version, and it cost me what felt like an arm and a leg keeping it on the road, but I loved it. And then I sold it about 4 years ago.

But the conversation got me thinking... Maybe I should chop the e46 M3 in for a really lovely M635csi. The full-on 286bhp manual, M1 engined version. Like this one: http://www.munichlegends.co.uk/your-bmw-independen...

But how serious an ownership proposition are these? Will maintenance be hideously expensive? And does the M-engine need lots of special care? I know they need a cam chain and pulley change at 100k miles, and I know about the rust issues, but what else do I need to know? I think I read somewhere they need regular valve clearance checks and adjustment... what else?

I'd be using it as a weekend toy and for trips to the South of France and Le Mans and so on, and certainly not as a daily driver. So what do you think? Is my dream going to mean I end up broke and just a bit too familiar with an independent BMW tech?

And is the difference in performance very noticeable between the M and non-M versions? I'm guessing the extra 70bhp means quite a step up?

Either give me hope or make me see sense, please!

Wrighty

[Vixpy1]

They are epic cars, mine did 6 track days last year and has only needed routine servicing.

Its important the valve clearances are done correctly, as the engines loose alot of power if they are out.

[wrighty78]

Well that's encouraging!

And where are values at the moment? There only seem to be 2 or 3 for sale at the moment - priced between £4k for a rusty one in need of work up to £15k for the low mileage, immaculate one on the ML website (although sadly sold).

[sharkfan]

The prices vary so much because the state of the cars vary so much as well. I wouldn't touch a sub-£5k car myself as it will be rusty beyond belief. My M6 was largely rust free but still had some (under the boot seal is a favourite place). I loved mine to bits though and would have it back in a heartbeat.

Overall my advice (as a previous owner) would be as follows:

1. Buy the best you can find (which may take some time as they come up for sale only now and again).
2. Don't buy unless you can store it out of the elements, otherwise it will just rust and rust.
3. Budget around £1k minimum a year in servicing costs. You mentioned the cam chain but the cars are all over 21 years old and things will just stop working. They will also need suspension bushes and engine mounts replaced as and when they wear.
4. Try and get one with non-metric wheels as well as the originals. TRX tyres are poor and costly. Lots of owners therefore run imperial wheels, particuarly if they are planning on enjoying the performance to the full!
5. Try and get a non-highline model (pre-87) if you can. Non-highline will likely mean manual seats (lighter and no motors to fail), less leather and more plastic inside (plastic is more durable) and no plastic bumpers (which hide the rust).

Other than that I would definitely recommend getting one. You see so few on the road and they get admiring glances from all quarters. The performance is surprisingly stong and the noise is incredible. You will also be sitting a piece of motoring history which not many get to do

[foilist]

I've got an M635 and I'd agree with everything sharkfan has said... the engines are pretty durable, provided the timing chain's done.

The only real gripe I have is getting spares- you check with people (even BMW) "are you sure you've got the part for the M635, not the 635? The S38 engine?" "yes, it's for the M635".

Then..... part doesn't fit....

And check bigcoupe.com for everything you might want to know about sixers....