I want an E23 - any advice?

[RobbieL]

After seeing one today I'd forgotten just how beautfiul these cars are!

After a quick mooch on t'interweb, I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1988-BMW-635-CSI-M-SPEC-AUTO...

Does anyone have any experience of what to look for with these? I need to be as clued up as possible as my heart may rule my head on this one...............

Thanks in advance.

[Gizmo!]

Advice #1: that's an E24

[Gizmo!]

Following-on advice: rust.

They rust on areas including the sills, doors, rear arches, front arches, bulkheads, suspension mounts, boot, windscreen and tyres.

The engines have the same strengths and weaknesses as all the M30 sixes: they're largely bombproof but can have expensive gearbox problems (manily autos) and make sure, above all, that the cooling works.

Also the suspension will probably be knackered and need replacing.

But buy one. Definitely. Preferably a 635CSi. (M635CSis cost a fortune). They don't make them like that any more.

[varsas]

Depends. If you are mechanically knowledgeable, and have owned several older cars in the past then you'll be wanting BMW 6 series specific advice, ask on the relevant forums I guess.

If this is your first foray into classic cars then you need to get the best one you can afford. If you can't afford a good one then don't do it unless you are willing/able to get your hands dirty. Cheap classic cars are very expensive. As above; rust is the easiest serious problem to check for so do that first. Drive a few to get a feel for what a good one is like.

ETA: A very good, less desirable version will be much better then a ratty desirable one (if you see what I mean).

Edited by varsas on Saturday 20th November 19:06

[RobbieL]

Gizmo! said:

Advice #1: that's an E24

Sorry, title typo!

I have been involved with older, classic cars before so I know the generic problems such as rust on sills, wings and so on, but I supposed I am after the model specific advice. I have had E30's and E36 BM's and these had their problems such as the Nikasil and vanos nightmares.

I just love the shape of these and the fact that it's also been kept as a coupé. I was looking at the 8 series E31 - but when doing a bit of research on them I found electrical gremlins are rife, and you may as well scrap the car if it develops a fault with the circuit boards. So I was really wondering if these suffer from similar problems as the other models?

[jw golf mk4]

Gizmo! said:

Advice #1: that's an E24

very nice cars though! check out for the usual on these rust round sills and arches, as well as all electrics work