Hi all, just registered for this forum. Been looking at a 89' 635csi with 60K on the odometer. Owner says no accidents, pics shows clean exterior and interior, requested car fax.

All you experienced e24 owners, what mech issues have you dealt with. I read that these have self leveling rear ends. Anybody had to replace/repair them and if so quantos denarios$.

Also, any issues with putting 17" wheels on them?

:help

If you don't know about the car, get a PPI. It'll be the best money you spent!

Yeah - Prepurchase inspection- very good idea - california cars tend to be the cleanest out of any in the country. - but inspection is still a very good idea.

OK - here's the quick bits -

mechanicals shared with the E28 5 series - those bits are easy to get and replace.

Body parts and 6er specific stuff is harder to find and more expensive. example - I've ordered a throttle cable for my M6 (specific to the M, not just the 6ers) and it's on backorder from Germany - I expect it in about 2 weeks.

Body panels are pricey - 400 or ballpark for a fender vs. 100 ballpark for an E28 or similar fender.

go to www.bigcoupe.com there's a good prepurchase list (perhaps too good) there.

also - the fly - road that is - good E24 board there as well - although this one's getting much more traffic recently. :buttrock

The rear self leveling suspension module goes bad (the resistor film gets wiped off) and the car will reset itself then try to relevel itself while you are sitting at a stop light. Last time I looked, the unit, which you can hold in one hand and wrap your fingers around it, was $1800! The standard fix is to replace the suspension with regular shocks and springs. This option can be very inexpensive (regular E24 shocks and used springs) or more expensive (Dinan Stage II coilovers) but either option is cheaper than the dealer price. Just work this into your budget, plan on doing the repair and enjoy the car!

Bob Martin

DONT BUY!!!!!!!!! - whatever you do do not buy a 6 - UNLESSS



YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT ALLLLLLL THE TIME - I had a pristine 82 633 csi and sold it when it had 108k on it - they are very tempermental - great car - LOVED IT too death and plan on getting another when - and ONLY when I have neough money to jsut fix it and restore it and NOT drive it other than on beatuiful days for 10 miles at a time - things are wonderful but is the epitomy of a money pit

DONT BUY!!!!!!!!! - whatever you do do not buy a 6 - UNLESSS



YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT ALLLLLLL THE TIME - I had a pristine 82 633 csi and sold it when it had 108k on it - they are very tempermental - great car - LOVED IT too death and plan on getting another when - and ONLY when I have neough money to jsut fix it and restore it and NOT drive it other than on beatuiful days for 10 miles at a time - things are wonderful but is the epitomy of a money pit


Nonsense! They're E28 5 series underneath. Other than the SLS problems already discussed above, and the under engineered thrust arm bushings in the front, these cars are some of the most robust BMW's ever built. Mine was owned by a neglectful previous owner, so when I bought it, it needed everything. I've now performed all the "usual" E24 repairs, and it will happily last me another 170k miles. My poor car had 160k miles when I bought it, and this is a quote from the PO. "These old BMW's have a lot of warning lights, and I think the sensors go bad. I just ignore them"!!! There was 6 warning lights flashing on the check screen. They were all very simple fixes.

Thing to remember about a 6er, or any old European car. Be prepared to put some lootcakes into it from the getgo, but nothing too obscene. Once a few things are taken care of, you'll be very happy. I always replace ALL the fuses and relays, clean ALL the grounds, replace all the fuel hose, vacuum hose, and then whatever else needs doing.

You can save a ton of money by doing the work yourself, rather than farming it out. If you must send it out, make damn sure the tech actually has E28/24 experience, and KNOWS that OEM thrust arm bushings are junk, and KNOWS how to properly address the SLS. These are VERY simple cars to work on, so just have fun with it.

Al

I agree with Al here. I bought my car with 184k on the clock, and almost immediately replaced the lower control arms (~$75 via eBay), the driveshaft and center bearing (~$300 from Haygood) and the downpipe and cat (~$250, also from Haygood). I paid for parts only because I did the work myself, in my garage at home with my own tools. And I can honestly say this chassis is a pleasure to work on.

Now, I've paid for other bits and pieces and incidentals, but nothing I've found to be unreasonable. In return, I have a still-gorgeous 18-year-old BMW that drives beautifully (especially above the century mark!) and has served as a rock-solid daily driver for nearly two years. It doesn't even use any oil! In any event, I say go for the one you're looking at if it feels right... These are GREAT cars.

Get a Pre Purchase Inspection, very very good idea. Expect to have to fix a few things.

Mechanicaly they are fairly bulletproof and the mechanicals that they share with the E28 aren't too pricey, anything 6er specific is a bit hard to find and expensive.

I've had mine nearly a year, after some initial expense its been great.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,
Iain.

as with any bimmer,if you pay someone to do the work,i hope you have plenty of cash.i do my own work and my 204k 86 is still rolling along OK.i had to sink some initial fundage into her and still have much more to invest.but it will not be a garage queen,it will be driven,and as often as possible.many of these 6's have just been neglected and require a bit of TLC to return them back to a reliable ride.there's horror stories with any 20yr old car,but our E24's are aging gracefully.

It's not about the money, it's about the car.