hey all, just bought an '85 635CSi (my first Bimmer!), and there are a few minor things here and there i need find out, and a few parts i need to find...any pointing in the right direction will be greatly appreciated...

1. the car didn't come with any kind of owner's manual, so i've no idea how to work or reset the on-board computer (that thing next to the stereo).

2. i need a spare wheel/tire...are BMW lug patterns universal? i.e., can i get the spare out of any BMW and use it? aside from a junkyard, any ideas where i could get a hold of one?

3. the 'inspection' light on my dash is on, what does this mean? (and what's that series of green to red lights underneath it for?)

4. my driver door will lock from the inside with the door closed, but i cannot lock/unlock it with the key...do i need a whole new lock, or is there some way to fix this without getting a whole new assembly? (if not, where can i get one?)

5. and finally (for now), what are the oil and gas capacities of this car?

i imagine some of this stuff i can find in a bentley's manual, which i do plan on getting before too long, but i thought i'd ask around a bit and see if anyone knows some of this stuff offhand...
thanks for any help!

hey all, just bought an '85 635CSi (my first Bimmer!), and there are a few minor things here and there i need find out, and a few parts i need to find...any pointing in the right direction will be greatly appreciated...

1. the car didn't come with any kind of owner's manual, so i've no idea how to work or reset the on-board computer (that thing next to the stereo).

2. i need a spare wheel/tire...are BMW lug patterns universal? i.e., can i get the spare out of any BMW and use it? aside from a junkyard, any ideas where i could get a hold of one?

3. the 'inspection' light on my dash is on, what does this mean? (and what's that series of green to red lights underneath it for?)

4. my driver door will lock from the inside with the door closed, but i cannot lock/unlock it with the key...do i need a whole new lock, or is there some way to fix this without getting a whole new assembly? (if not, where can i get one?)

5. and finally (for now), what are the oil and gas capacities of this car?

i imagine some of this stuff i can find in a bentley's manual, which i do plan on getting before too long, but i thought i'd ask around a bit and see if anyone knows some of this stuff offhand...
thanks for any help!

Quite a list, but reasonable questions.
1. The OBC isn't terribly difficult. There should be a small button near the display with the label "S/R". (Set/Reset) The best way to figure it out is to mess with it. The only thing to avoid is the thing called CODE. Do not mess with code, as it is an ignition lock.

2. BMW lug patterns are not universal, at least, not entirely. You can use any stock wheel from an E28 just fine, though, as the e24 of your year is pretty much an e28 with a different skin.

3. "Inspection" signifies that it is time for a series of tests called, you guessed it, "Inspection 1" or "Inspection II". Since you do not know the last time this was performed, it would be in your best interests to perform an Inspection II, as it is more in-depth. The lights signify time between Inspections, such that red means time for another.

4. What, precisely, do you mean by you cannot lock it from the outside? Will the tumbler not turn, will the tumbler turn but nothing happen, etc.?

5. http://www.normgrills.net/bcg/

You will not find a Bently on the E24. Rather, for everything mechanical, use the E28 Bently, since yours is an 85. The best thing to possibly get would be a set of Blue Books, but you'd have to have an "in" at BMW for that.

Well, I had an answer, but my computer crashed, but lickily, he said everything that I was going to tell you. Check out bmwe30.net, and go to the articles section, and look under the body category. There you will find a few articles about fixing power door locks. I don't know if the locks are the same verbatim, but I can't imagine why they would put a completely different kind of lock on each of the models. they should at the minimum give you a very good guide line for fixing them. The problem that you mentioned could be anything from the lock cylinder itself to the lock soleniod inside of the door. If the lock feels like it's sticking, then it's the cylinder, which can buy new from Bav Auto for $50-75 I think, or from a junkyard if you figure out how to open the lock without the key.
can't recall oil capacity, but the tank is 16 gallons

hope this helps,
Alex
1989 325is
1985 635csi euro

regarding the lock: the key will turn easily in either direction, but doesn't seem to 'connect' with anything...but like i said, i can push the button down when the door is closed, and it'll lock both doors no problem.

thanks for the replies guys.

I'd open the door panel and see if the rods are even connected. Could be a broken solenoid, though I have no clue if a broken one would allow the lock to turn easily. I believe that I have a servo from an E30 in my basement somewhere. If I can dig it up, it's yours for shipping costs, assuming that the parts are interchangeable. I can't post images yet, so I can email you a pic to see if they look the same.

regarding the lock: the key will turn easily in either direction, but doesn't seem to 'connect' with anything...but like i said, i can push the button down when the door is closed, and it'll lock both doors no problem.

thanks for the replies guys.

That sounds like the tumbler has bit the dust. The tumbler is the part that actually connects with the key, leaving everything else intact. Thusly, aside from your key not working, it should act normally. Unfortunately, the only thing to do is get some new tumblers, which sometimes entails new keys, as well.

Unless, of course, some of the other members have a better (and hopefully cheaper!) suggestion for you.

it's been awhile since i had to disassemble my lock(didn't work when i bought it)and i had to lock it from the trunk or the passenger side.
either the linkage or an arm on the back of the tumbler sounds like what's suspect.plan quite a bit of time when you get ready to get inside the door.i got another handle assy beforehand and re-keyed the tumbler myself.not a fun job,but it can be done.

On the wheels, most any wheel for the BMW 5 series up to E39 (the generation before the current one) will fit with hubcentric rings. Head over to Roadfly and check out the wheel classsifieds there. Great E24 forum, too.

Bigcoupe is another great place for info, and also has an excellent group on the forum.