e24 635csi

[dubweiser]

Hi! new member to PH

I have always wanted to get a 635csi preferably a highline. I know the running costs are high but has anyone here had any real experience of running one. how practical are they for everyday use.

I've seen several for 2-4k. can you expect trouble free motoring from that or do u need to spend 6k+ ?

[jagdpanther]

dubweiser said:

Hi! new member to PH

I have always wanted to get a 635csi preferably a highline. I know the running costs are high but has anyone here had any real experience of running one. how practical are they for everyday use.

I've seen several for 2-4k. can you expect trouble free motoring from that or do u need to spend 6k+ ?

I cant see why the running costs would be any higher than something like a 535i or a 730/735i?

Same engine and a lot of the bits and pieces are the same, so the only costs would be fuel, insurance and thats about it!

The boots are copious enough for a few large sports bags/couple of suite cases, if anymore space is needed and theres no kids, use the back seats.

I cant see why you wouldnt get trouble free motoring (ie: no breakdowns) from a car priced at 2-4k, although with any big car of that vintage, be prepared to replace worn parts that have been on since its release, like fuel lines, brake lines, bushes etc

The beauty of the BMW's is that they're not as scary to own/run as some people imagine them to be as there are plenty of places to buy parts and plenty of enthusiasts to help out should the going get shitty!

[sharkfan]

jagdpanther said:

dubweiser said:

Hi! new member to PH

I have always wanted to get a 635csi preferably a highline. I know the running costs are high but has anyone here had any real experience of running one. how practical are they for everyday use.

I've seen several for 2-4k. can you expect trouble free motoring from that or do u need to spend 6k+ ?

I cant see why the running costs would be any higher than something like a 535i or a 730/735i?

Same engine and a lot of the bits and pieces are the same, so the only costs would be fuel, insurance and thats about it!

The boots are copious enough for a few large sports bags/couple of suite cases, if anymore space is needed and theres no kids, use the back seats.

I cant see why you wouldnt get trouble free motoring (ie: no breakdowns) from a car priced at 2-4k, although with any big car of that vintage, be prepared to replace worn parts that have been on since its release, like fuel lines, brake lines, bushes etc

The beauty of the BMW's is that they're not as scary to own/run as some people imagine them to be as there are plenty of places to buy parts and plenty of enthusiasts to help out should the going get shitty!

I ran an E24 for about 2 years (an M though) and I would agree with jagdpanther about the general running costs vs. other BMWs of the same era. The only caveat to that would be rust. I don't know what E34/38's are like but E24's rust like a bastard (particularly the wings). I'd check the body carefully if buying (under the boot trim and the sunroof drainholes are also faves for rusting) and think hard if you don't have somewhere to keep it out of the rain overnight. The only other thing to think about is that with a highline you will be getting a lot of electric motors (seats, headrests etc.) which will go wrong (they are nearly all 20 years old after all) and can be a bugger to replace.

Having said all that, I'd have one again in a shot if I had a garage!

Richard

[Kawasicki]

Also had one for a few years. I went the cheap route and bought a 635CSi Auto for about £1600. It cost me £1000 to convert it to manual after the auto gearbox self destructed. It was a seriously fun car, cost me not a lot of money to buy and run. It had the most insane oversteer you could imagine, which was due to poor grip from the tyres. In the wet it was quite easy to get the back sliding at 80mph with just partial throttle, I drove almost everywhere in a sequence of tiny four wheel drifts that looked very innocent to a bystander, but was actually very rewarding. Economy was actually not that bad, about 25-30mpg.

A fun car!

shane

[Road_Terrorist]

I'd say it's generally better to by a more expensive one in better condition because if you get a cheap one then you end up having to replace a lot of bits and pieces that can add up. Eg front suspension bushes, rear suspension bushes, driveshafts/guibo, hydraulics, valve adjustments/valve stem seals, brakes, electrics, these are all common areas that often need some attention on neglected E24s. A more expensive one with everything done will usually be cheaper and less hassle in the long run not to mention retain value if looked after.

Bodywise check for rust issues (check carefully underneath and front wings as said above) as they can appear ok from outside but rotten underneath. Also check for previous accident damage repairs as they are the the sort of car that is likely to have been stoved in at some point.

Mechanically engines are pretty durable and fairly cheap/easy to repair most faults, autogearboxes are a bit of a weak point in higher mileage cars, but manual boxes should last as long as the engine unless abused.

[Vixpy1]

I'll be after an M next year, always wanted one... just need a bigger driveway first

[sharkfan]

Vixpy1 said:

I'll be after an M next year, always wanted one... just need a bigger driveway first

You are a brave man (E34 M5 and an E24 M635...) and I salute you! It still grates when I think about the day I sold mine. She's out there somewhere (on a 'c' plate, zinnobar red with cream leather confort seats) and I'd have her back in a second...

In my madder moments I find myself trying to think how I could persuade the g/f that the black one on the Birds site would be a perfect everyday commuter...

[Vixpy1]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C17417

Is it wrong to buy 2 cars in one week

[Robatr0n]

Vixpy1 said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C17417

Is it wrong to buy 2 cars in one week

Not at all!

[sharkfan]

Vixpy1 said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C17417

Is it wrong to buy 2 cars in one week

Arrrrggggh!!! Get thee behind me Satan ...

That looks soooo nice You can buy it but only if I can have a go...

[dubweiser]

I'd love to have an M but the thought of running it terrifies me!

I was watchibg utube and some eastern european shark fan has put a 850csi engine in his 6er. sounds like a beast!

[bob1179]

E24's are beautiful motor cars, good ones are going up in value too.

But as mentioned rust is the killer. Find a good one and you'll be hooked though!

I'd love that black M635csi, though to be honest, what I really want, is an E28 M5. They are lighter and just a bit quicker, only problem finding a one is like looking for rocking horse poo.

[Vixpy1]

Bob, I thought the M535i Was the E28 M5?

[bob1179]

Hi Charlie.

Boring bit (sorry) the M535i uses the smae 218bhp 3.5 M30 engine as the standard 635csi and 735i.

The M5 uses the 3.5 litre M88 engine with a 24 valve head, individual throttle bodies and 286bhp but basically the same block.

I've been toying with trying to find a spare 3.8 M5 engine and gearbox from an E34 and dropping them in mine as they share the same architecture as the earlier 3.5 and 3.6 M5 engines, it shouldn't be too much of a job either. The standard engine produces 340 bhp, without the cat, it should give a bit more.

Again, it's just trying to find one that's available.

[Vixpy1]

bob1179 said:

Hi Charlie.

Boring bit (sorry) the M535i uses the smae 218bhp 3.5 M30 engine as the standard 635csi and 735i.

The M5 uses the 3.5 litre M88 engine with a 24 valve head, individual throttle bodies and 286bhp but basically the same block.

I've been toying with trying to find a spare 3.8 M5 engine and gearbox from an E34 and dropping them in mine as they share the same architecture as the earlier 3.5 and 3.6 M5 engines, it shouldn't be too much of a job either. The standard engine produces 340 bhp, without the cat, it should give a bit more.

Again, it's just trying to find one that's available.

You can't have mine

[bob1179]

Vixpy1 said:

bob1179 said:

Hi Charlie.

Boring bit (sorry) the M535i uses the smae 218bhp 3.5 M30 engine as the standard 635csi and 735i.

The M5 uses the 3.5 litre M88 engine with a 24 valve head, individual throttle bodies and 286bhp but basically the same block.

I've been toying with trying to find a spare 3.8 M5 engine and gearbox from an E34 and dropping them in mine as they share the same architecture as the earlier 3.5 and 3.6 M5 engines, it shouldn't be too much of a job either. The standard engine produces 340 bhp, without the cat, it should give a bit more.

Again, it's just trying to find one that's available.

You can't have mine

I just took a peek at a piccie of yours. I'm jealous now.

I take it it's a five not six speeder as it's a '92 car? Is it Techno Violet?

Beautiful car mister.

[Vixpy1]

bob1179 said:

Vixpy1 said:

bob1179 said:

Hi Charlie.

Boring bit (sorry) the M535i uses the smae 218bhp 3.5 M30 engine as the standard 635csi and 735i.

The M5 uses the 3.5 litre M88 engine with a 24 valve head, individual throttle bodies and 286bhp but basically the same block.

I've been toying with trying to find a spare 3.8 M5 engine and gearbox from an E34 and dropping them in mine as they share the same architecture as the earlier 3.5 and 3.6 M5 engines, it shouldn't be too much of a job either. The standard engine produces 340 bhp, without the cat, it should give a bit more.

Again, it's just trying to find one that's available.

You can't have mine

I just took a peek at a piccie of yours. I'm jealous now.

I take it it's a five not six speeder as it's a '92 car? Is it Techno Violet?

Beautiful car mister.

5 speeder, 178K, main dealer history for much of its life, had the suspension changed twice, prob had 25K spent on it at main dealers...

£3500, and its gorgeous to drive.

Of coarse, i'm expecting something to go wrong with it

[Seasider]

sharkfan said:

I ran an E24 for about 2 years (an M though) and I would agree with jagdpanther about the general running costs vs. other BMWs of the same era. The only caveat to that would be rust. I don't know what E34/38's are like but E24's rust like a bastard (particularly the wings). I'd check the body carefully if buying (under the boot trim and the sunroof drainholes are also faves for rusting) and think hard if you don't have somewhere to keep it out of the rain overnight. The only other thing to think about is that with a highline you will be getting a lot of electric motors (seats, headrests etc.) which will go wrong (they are nearly all 20 years old after all) and can be a bugger to replace.

Having said all that, I'd have one again in a shot if I had a garage!

Richard

Everything fan said

Also worth checking headlamp wipers & that the abs light doesn't come on over 80ish mph...

I've been looking for another M

But i'm not very happy about this !!

Vixpy1 said:

I'll be after an M next year, always wanted one... just need a bigger driveway first

[bob1179]

I think I remember seeing that car advertised, can't go wrong for 3.5 grand! They are pretty much bullet proof, especially if it has a full service history. 170 odd thousand is nothing.

If you ever want to sell it, I'm sure I could find room.

I'll be down your way next time I'm back, i'm going to have to pop round and see this motor!

[Vixpy1]

bob1179 said:

If you ever want to sell it, I'm sure I could find room.

You are currently number 3 in the list of potential buyers