RE: SOTW: BMW 635CSi
Discussion
Gruber said:
sklar said:
williamp said:
A quick question on these:
Whats the difference between high-line and low-line? I hear a lot of these, but I cannot tell from looking.
I believe the Highline has the leather trimmed 'everything' in the cabin - dash, console, headlining and all over the seats rather than facings only.Whats the difference between high-line and low-line? I hear a lot of these, but I cannot tell from looking.
I went for a non-highline intentionally, because I prefer the chrome-bumper look.
300bhp/ton said:
Personally still rank the 635CSI as one of the best looking Beemers, esp in orange 
. Certainly think it's more than worthy of SOTW status, even with an automatic gearbox.
In fact, considering the price of 325 e30's and 328 e36's, I'm amazed at how cheap and evidently unloved the 6 Series is
Could not agree more with all of that . Certainly think it's more than worthy of SOTW status, even with an automatic gearbox.In fact, considering the price of 325 e30's and 328 e36's, I'm amazed at how cheap and evidently unloved the 6 Series is
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 24th September 09:01
I used to drive a 1986 635CSi and it was such a great car, looked fabulous in white.
Gruber said:
sklar said:
williamp said:
A quick question on these:
Whats the difference between high-line and low-line? I hear a lot of these, but I cannot tell from looking.
I believe the Highline has the leather trimmed 'everything' in the cabin - dash, console, headlining and all over the seats rather than facings only.Whats the difference between high-line and low-line? I hear a lot of these, but I cannot tell from looking.
I went for a non-highline intentionally, because I prefer the chrome-bumper look.
The bumpers were changed to the so-called "world bumpers", being thicker and heavier, imitating the US-Federal style. This also applied to the uprated M635CSi, meaning that it was externally indistinguishable from the standard cars. American-spec LHD cars also got the world bumpers for the final two-year runout.
27 sq. metres of cow went into the interiors, so in addition to the all leather seats, there were also leather-covered dashboards and side-panels. Headlamps also changed to the ellipsoid projector-lens type pioneered on the E32 7-Series in 1986/7. Headlamp levelling was standard, as were electrically-powered seats (these are a real b
d to remove if the drive motors seize in one position).The engine was modified slightly, with the M30 B34 being replaced by the M30 B35 (also found in E32 7-Series, and E34 5-Series) - different piston heads and combustion chambers. Power output increased slightly from the original 218PS / 229 lb/ft to 220PS / 232 lb/ft, and the ECU was also changed from the Bosch Motronic "061" to the "179" - the internal chip can be re-mapped fairly easily.
"Highlines" rust just as badly as the chrome-bumpered cars. The body shells were all built by Karmann, after all.
TRUENOSAM said:
Nice.
I really like the 635 and I nearly bought one until my local specialist told me that they are very expensive to maintain
For their size, bulk and power, they are not hugely expensive; it depends how often and how the car is driven. A full tank of fuel will cost £60 to £70. Like any old car, if you look after it, it will simply outlast anything else by a distance. My car was built in December 1982; it is still around and still working. Loads of much younger, ever more advanced cars have gone off to the dismantlers in that time.I really like the 635 and I nearly bought one until my local specialist told me that they are very expensive to maintain
Oil and filter changes can be done every 3,500 to 4,500 miles. Auto transmission fluid and filter should be changed every 25,000 miles. Brake discs and pads are shared with the E28 535i/M535i, as is much of the floorpan, so suspension is much the same.
The youngest cars are now 21 years old, so you don't get hit for road tax based on engine size or emissions output; all that's charged is £205 for 12 months' tax plus the cost of your MoT and insurance.
You can even do your little bit of tax avoidance: when the car hits 30 years old, re-register it in the Republic of Ireland; it will qualify for the Irish 30-year-plus tax exemption / reduced road tax for classic cars (something which was suspended by ZANU-Labour in the UK for anything built or registered after 1.1.1973), the Irish NCT (MoT-equivalent) requirements are fairly minimal, so all you need to worry about is appropriate insurance.
Edited by Horsetan on Saturday 25th September 00:18
I had a 635csi manual shed with mid early 90's vintage TRX tyres. What a car, if you LOVE graceful 110mph 4 wheel drifts then I recommend one. Here's a pic of the one I had, one of the most fun wet weather cars I've ever driven. Made a nice GT too.
Edited by Kawasicki on Saturday 25th September 08:38
johnpeat said:
Gruber said:
birdcage said:
My other halfs, she hates it!
Really? Why?Otherwise I'm wondering too...
Baked_bean said:
Coming from someone that loves the 635 i have to say that, that particular example does nothing for me. Although it could make a nice project for someone!
I don't think anyone would buy one of these for a 3 figure sum(yes, 3!), and not expect it to need any work. I think it's a bargain, considering it's MOT length and relative condition.
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