buying bmw e24 csi

i am looking to buy an bmw e24 635csi in couple of months after i sell my 540i. what things should i look for. my pick is 1986 635csi 5 speed, i am planning restore it with a hint of custom staff like e30 m3 wide body and custom interior and euro bumpers any suggestions will help. and any good places to do interior work will help too.

howdy there. 6`ers are nice . and if u can find and get a manual its even better . well good luck with your plans. i wouldnt start to say much unless you have your car tho` keep us posted :P

I had a '81 euro spec 635CSi and loved the car. I would skip the widebody idea and think more about all the maintenance you will need to do and then suspension/braking/wheel/tire upgrades. Make sure the car is rust free or else it's not worth your time. Keep us posted and good luck with the search!

Originally Posted by Limarxy

i am looking to buy an bmw e24 635csi in couple of months after i sell my 540i. what things should i look for. my pick is 1986 635csi 5 speed, i am planning restore it with a hint of custom staff like e30 m3 wide body and custom interior and euro bumpers any suggestions will help. and any good places to do interior work will help too.

Well, for starters I always recommend to buy the best conditioned E24 that you can afford. Rust is always the number one issue. Paint condition and leather interior condition is second. A majority of any restoration project costs lies in these areas. A correct strip and body work and paint job will run $5K++ and interior parts changed out or recovered can easy reach $3K++. That is already $8K if you are looking at a fixer upper. After market performance parts are not readily available (unlike E30s) so some limits there if you want to increase power for any reason. FI systems are also available if you like that kind of thing as well. Bolt on systems range from $5K-$10K+. Also, if you get a E24, you will be hurled into upgrading your wheels (it happens to ALL of us), so set aside another $2K+ for wheels and tires.

Spend your money upfront on a nice clean example with all the maintenance records. Mechanically, a new M30 engine will only set you back $800 or $500 used. Electrical systems are also a nag for these older cars, but all in all, these items can be trouble shot.

Take your time and look for the right one, not the first one you happen to come across that is in decent condition. It is a great time to look for a E24. Good Luck and happy hunting.

I might be willing to discuss parting with my '88 635CSi. It is a 5 speed and is about as nice as you will find. Send me a PM but it won't be cheap but it needs nothing, it is nearly perfect.

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I might be willing to discuss parting with my '88 635CSi. It is a 5 speed and is about as nice as you will find. Send me a PM but it won't be cheap but it needs nothing, it is nearly perfect.

Didn't you just recently pick your E24 up? Change of heart on the Ole 6er? Really nice car.

Originally Posted by RokuMado

Didn't you just recently pick your E24 up? Change of heart on the Ole 6er? Really nice car.

I'm constantly buying and selling cars as long as I don't lose a lot of money. If someone really wants it and I can make a buck, I will sell it. There is nothing other than my wife that I won't sell for the right price. That said, the wife and I took a short road trip in the E24 last weekend and I must say it is a hell of a road car. Huge trunk, nice handling and even with the Dinan chip, Eibach springs, Bilstein sport shocks and Racing Dynamics sway bars it drives and handles quite well, firm but not too rough. The best part are the looks that it gets. Many comment that they haven't seen a 635 this nice in a long time. They are quite rare in my area except at BMW car shows.

E24 all the way.

I have an'85 635 looking for a 540i. Maybe we can help each other? Here's mine, (I need better pics), show me yours.

Roscoe