Tell me this is crazy (633CSi)

BMW

I've always loved the e24 bodystyle and I just saw this locally. Would it be crazy to daily drive it? Is the price in line? Anything I need to look out for?

Wonder what the mileage is. Looks to be in nice enough shape but asking price is on the high side for an E12-based 6er, which are starting to see a lot of parts go NLA. I would hope to see a massive stack of maintenance paperwork included with the sale.

Those are fantastic cars. Some would argue that they were better for everyday driving than the M6 of that generation. I now they had special interiors in them.

As for the price? With these cars it really is all condition based at this point (and how much rust it has) These are getting much harder to find so I could see a good one easily commanding that price.

Agreed that price is on the high side, but it looks like a nice example.

That platform and the M30 are pretty robust. I think you would be fin DD'ing it. Take the time to clean all of the grounds and pack all electrical connectors with dielectric grease.

Look into the year-over year changes in those. I think that is one of the "good" ones, but I recall that at some point they made a pretty substantial change under the skin without it looking that different from the prior model.

But in general with something like that the best one is the one in best, most original, rustfree condition.

Price is fair for an early car; not a screaming deal. Seats may need some repair work as they look twisted. I don't know if it was a cable drive issue like the E34 (super easy to fix) or if these would break like the E30 seat frames, which have to be welded back together. It looks quite solid though. I believe '84 got a lighter flywheel and hotter cam than the cars before it, though the 635 has a little more displacement and a more modern injection system I think. That's not a sport package car, but they are more of a GT car anyway. They do feel very special to drive.

Not crazy... a little pricey but if it's really as clean and rust free as it's made out to be - not terribly far out of line. They are fantastic road cars, well built and with one of the best straight six motors ever made.

While I often see them for less, the ones I see invariably need something. If it really does "runs and drives great!" then the $4500 asking price seems reasonable to me. A cheaper car can turn into a more expensive one very quickly.

In a nutshell - it's a gamble. Do you feel lucky?

It looks like 83 was the switch from the e12 to e28 chassis. I just got a reply from the guy saying 130,000 miles. I've asked about rust.

have one in the back and an auto tragic at yard grm price $1000 plus >>> case ultra >>> 12 pack becks >> both cars

I guess you are right, that is an E28-based car. I thought the changeover was in '84.

The biggest place you will spend money on any older BMW like this (barring an engine that is clearly about to blow a head gasket or anything like that) is suspension work. Make sure everything feels tight with no vibration, wobbles, or sloppiness. It adds up fast when stuff is wrong.

I just dropped about $800 on parts alone to get my E28 back into shape, and it's going to be a multiple-weekend project.

MyE28.com is a great resource for the platform. Just make sure to tiptoe around Chris Kohler.

If the 130K miles are accurate (odos often fail) that's extremely low mileage. You see these all the time with 200K+ miles, still running well.

There's plenty of support for these, and that one looks clean enough to investigate. If those miles are real, and the car goes down the road as it should--- $4,500 isn't out of line. Be wary of suspension bushings and of course rust.

Being in New Orleans, I'd also be a bit wary of past flood damage. The roads in the city of New Orleans are horrid--- which can beat the tar out of the suspension. I'd give it a good once-over.

Great cars though---- and bound to increase in price. (for very nice examples)

Not crazy to DD. These were when BMW built them like tanks with quality materials. A maintained m30 can run 200-300k before the first rebuild. Is the dash cracked? Interior bits can get scarce. Mechanical and electrics are out there. Onboard computers go bad. Maf components wear on their contacts. DMEs solder joints can crack making some intermittent wackiness. Rust and grounds. Guibos, suspension and driveshafts can be worn causing vibration issues.

Absolutely crazy. Have you bought it yet?

Hey that's not far from me. Have you bought it yet?

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Totally agree, I kind of can't believe how cheap these things still are. Gorgeous cars, and definitely on my want list.

Great cars, and that price is reasonable for an unmolested stick car.

...Just beware the odo may be broken as mentioned previously by my birthday buddy. It's usually not the cable either. The little nylon gears get stripped. Watch the odo action if you test drive the car.

Thanks guys, I'm going to try to go look at it soon. Believe me, I know how horrible the roads are here, haha. I think the seller might just love flipping old cars as there are quite a few eclectic examples with pictures from the same place on CL. Things like a Rover 2000, Lancia Zagato and a BMW Bavaria. Thanks for the tips and I'd love to hear more. I drive a 95 E300 Diesel with 300k miles now and figure this would be a fun change.

My E28 has 329k and still runs like a top. Good compression and minimal leaks too; the power steering and transmission leak more fluid than the engine. They will go the distance if you keep them up well.

Beautiful car! I hope it checks out well and you're driving it soon!

Needs some e39 style 5s

They are hard to find around here with a manual and that one looks great. Seems cheap to me based upon what I see.

I love the back seats on these so much. It looks like a 60's spaceship lounge back there.

mazdeuce wrote: I love the back seats on these so much. It looks like a 60's spaceship lounge back there.

Nothing like having back seats that hold people in well enough to not worry about tossing the back seat passengers around

4.5 seems ok. I'd jump on it you have the cash. These are pretty classic and make for wonderful regular drivers.