RE: BMW 635CSi: PH Fleet
Discussion
Scrof said:
Granted, I've got some (very) big bills coming up this winter to deal with burgeoning rust, but so far I've had two and a half years of remarkably reliable motoring. Apart from regular servicing and consumables, all it's really needed was a set of engine mounts -- though I guess even these you could consider consumable by the time they're nearly 30 years old!
Rust is the worst thing, they really are rust buckets, and in so many expensive places. I was lucky with mine that it had a fastidious former owner who kept on top of everything - came with over 30K's worth of maintenance receipts. In the 10 years or so I've had it I've still needed 3 small bits of welding underneath and I've just had the back arches professionally restored and another bonnet fitted to bring it up to top condition. Mechanically they are tough as old boots and the electrics aren't bad - simple technology. I laugh when I see the 3 or 4 grand ones that are easy projects :0).
I've had my M635CSI for just under a year now. It's so easy to drive coping with rush hour and Sunday blast with aplomb, a fabulous car.
Having previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
Having previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
Lovely looking cars - but I would say so......!
I found this '85 chrome bumper car a few years ago. Miraculously (or more likely because it had been Ziebarted from new) it's never seen any rust, so a great base to work from.
The basic mechanical units were mostly OK, but the engine's had a top-end overhaul. A lot of the suspension needed to be refreshed as the bushes were tired and the excessive steering play (one of the car's Achilles Heels) was a nightmare! I eventually found an engineering shop in West London that completely overhauled the steering box - new bearings, completely re-shimmed. No play whatsoever now and a lovely, smooth, well-oiled steering feel!
The interior has been overhauled (leather re-coloured and treated, carpets professionally cleaned and the borked, 1980's stereo replaced with a new Blaupunkt that looks period. I've also added a couple of body-colour highlights the really lift the otherwise rather-dark inside.
Just the slightly uninspiring brakes to go and the car will be finished and (hopefully) a really lovely example.
I found this '85 chrome bumper car a few years ago. Miraculously (or more likely because it had been Ziebarted from new) it's never seen any rust, so a great base to work from.
The basic mechanical units were mostly OK, but the engine's had a top-end overhaul. A lot of the suspension needed to be refreshed as the bushes were tired and the excessive steering play (one of the car's Achilles Heels) was a nightmare! I eventually found an engineering shop in West London that completely overhauled the steering box - new bearings, completely re-shimmed. No play whatsoever now and a lovely, smooth, well-oiled steering feel!
The interior has been overhauled (leather re-coloured and treated, carpets professionally cleaned and the borked, 1980's stereo replaced with a new Blaupunkt that looks period. I've also added a couple of body-colour highlights the really lift the otherwise rather-dark inside.
Just the slightly uninspiring brakes to go and the car will be finished and (hopefully) a really lovely example.
Edited by Ian_UK1 on Monday 10th July 13:14
Bobo W said:
I've had my M635CSI for just under a year now. It's so easy to drive coping with rush hour and Sunday blast with aplomb, a fabulous car.
Having previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
Wouldn't an XJR-S be more of an equivalent to an M635CSi though? The normal 635CSi was similar to the XJS 3.6 in performance although I agreeHaving previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
the BMW was sportier of the 2.
I can remember following a 635CSi back through Wales in my Sierra V6 - the BM sounded nice when it was wound up but had it been an M version I think it would have disappeared from view!
s m said:
Bobo W said:
I've had my M635CSI for just under a year now. It's so easy to drive coping with rush hour and Sunday blast with aplomb, a fabulous car.
Having previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
Wouldn't an XJR-S be more of an equivalent to an M635CSi though? The normal 635CSi was similar to the XJS 3.6 in performance although I agreeHaving previously had an XJS they're both very interesting takes on what a GT should be. The BMW feels sportier encouraging you to press on whereas the Jag was a more relaxed approach ideally suited to the autoroute.
the BMW was sportier of the 2.
I can remember following a 635CSi back through Wales in my Sierra V6 - the BM sounded nice when it was wound up but had it been an M version I think it would have disappeared from view!
E24 has always been my favourite BMW alongside my E21 323i. As said, this was when BMW made great looking cars!!
I was looking at a M635 in the late 1990's, an 86 car of similar colour combo as the OP's. I was drooling all over it, but couldn't afford the then £9,995 price tag with only 70k miles.
.......How times have changed!
I was looking at a M635 in the late 1990's, an 86 car of similar colour combo as the OP's. I was drooling all over it, but couldn't afford the then £9,995 price tag with only 70k miles.
.......How times have changed!
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