Buying a 635?

[Guy 0]

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum - and am looking for some advice.

My wife has a 320i which I enjoy driving a lot (but need to let her use it!); and having always had an interest in classic cars (and owned a few) I want to look at getting a 635csi for myself. I'd like an auto, and in good enough condition to be a daily driver if needed.

What buying tips can you guys here recommend? Price range? Things to look out for?

Thanks in advance

Guy

[Carl 3]

Hi, welcome to the club

I'm not to sure on what owning a 635 entails but the 635csi can be a really nice car to own and they scrub up really nice aswell as being a really good car to drive, especially given their age.

As far as what to look out for i'd suggest looking through the maintenance threads. Be sure to search back in history otherwise you'll only see the last 90 days worth, use the search function up the very top.

Cheers

[topless 13]

Rust would be the biggie. Go through it very carefully especially if it is an ex UK import.

Full service history would be a real bonus...

[Jazzbass 1]

Definitely a classic BMW - but my understanding that it is less practical as a dail runner than you may require. Parts are getting a tad harder to find and are therefore more expensive.

I'd suggest you contact Hugh Tunley, as he has a very nice example and knows several peeps round the country with them. Don't be shy :lol

BMWCCNZ

[Guest Spargo]

The front wings rot.

[Nic325i 0]

Watch out for the wheels. Most (all?) came standard with metric sized wheels. Only a few (Michelin, no others I know of) companies make tyres for these, and from what I have heard it is cheaper to buy a new set of wheels and tyres (non-metric) than to buy the metric tyres.

[rxsumo 33]

The 3.5 litre engine wont be cheap to run as a daily....expect between 15-17 MPG around town, and you will be lucky to break into low 20s touring.

Rust is the biggie, the BMW Coupes, were built by Karmann, and have a worst problem with rust than the BMW saloons. Beware of British imports.....the car will probably be a horror story underneath.

If you can find an NZ new with FSH history...then you are probably on to a good car.....otherwise have the car checked out by somebody that knows BMWs.

Metric tyres are unavailable....so if the car is fitted with metric rims....count on replacing them. Standard alloys and tyres are relatively cheap on Trade-Me if you can wait for the good deals

[kiwi535 538]

as per the others rust is the biggie....Hugh will be only too pleased to tell you all about his.

[BM WORLD 1283]

get a 1985 onwards , built by bmw then .

rust is a big problem . the latter ones seem ok .

dont worry about the mechanicals ,they can be repleced/repaired . rust is much harder to fix.

plenty of web sites deadicated to the 635i

http://www.635csi.co.uk/

http://home.normgrills.net/bcg/

http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/ETMindex.htm

http://www.6ercoupe.de/englisch/daten1.html

http://www.633csi.com/bmw/html/6_Series_links.html

[Guy 0]

thanks for the info :thumb: