633CSI 1980 VALUATION

There's not only 50 left. 

There were 524 made in RHD.  There are "tales", but no evidence of some of these not actually making it to the UK, but going to other RHD markets.

There are 24 in Australia - all exported from the UK, leaving a base of 500 here

Based on old DVLA figures, Howard Walker reckoned that it is likely that there are about  300 RHD M635s left, but I think that might be optimistic.  I know of 4 broken for spares or dismantled in the last year.

The figure of 101 RHD Highlines produced  has been suggested.  On the basis of what appears to be the general survival rates, PHB10186's "I think that a good M635 Highline is probably the best of the lot, although all 50 or so left in the country are in the hands of peole that will keep them until the oil has run out!" is probably a fair estimate of how many M635 Highlines are left in the UK and of the owner demographic.

The M635 is the same as all other sixers. They  rust just the same and cost just the same to put right. Therefore, the same as other sixes, there are loads lying about in varying degrees of dismantling/storage. 

I'll buy any and every M635 that's for sale at £1500.  If you don't want the one you know of, please put him on to me. If its saveable, I'll save it, if not it'll help keep others on the road and assist in paying for the body restoration of mine.

What a great attitude you have.

The 4.2 series 1 E-Type convertible was the most desirable - it had more mid-range torque than the earlier 3.8, as well as an uprated clutch and gearbox with synchro-mesh on all 4 gears. This enhanced the drivability hugely.

The V12 lost a lot of the desirable styling cues such as the position of the lights, and not to mention the grille, which is reflected in the used prices accross the entire E-type range.

Where do you get your information from?

I have not seen many 6's without headlamp wash/ wipe; although most of them do not work.

I actually confess to making a mistake it was the 4.2 E type that was the most desirable, not the 3.8 as I said. I have always read that the E-type V12 was an unpopular car for Jaguar fans in terms of styling, and thus the earlier ones were more sought after.

Leather dash: If the leather is in good condition, they look great, if its worn and tatty, the plastic ones look better. The leather head lining is a nice touch as well. I have wondered if the leather dash is a normal plastic one just padded and covered; or actually a different dash all together.

I think that a lot of people have considered the M6 to be a classic for a while. The problem with the 6 series has always been the parts prices, insurance, RUST and complexity; and the running costs that result from these (although compared to the new cars it's obviously very basic).

Unfortunately, most people who can afford to run a 6 can also afford to buy a new sports car/ SUV, so the only people to opt for the 6 are those who especially like it as a model/ brand. Nobody could say that a 6 series was a 'practical classic', and thus the practicality issues damage the demand and therefore the prices. Like anything, it is just simple supply and demand economics.

This is why the 2002 represents such a solid buy, and other things such as MGB's, etc.

The 635 belongs in a club with the XJS, the Merc SEC, and even older cars such as the Jensen Interceptor - I don’t think any of these models fetch interesting money - although they have given their owners a lot of enjoyment.

I also don’t think that the advent of the new 6 series made any difference to E24 prices, or ignited interest in the model to any significant degree, or to the degree that us old 6 owners were hoping for

Clearly the M635 had the heritage and the rarity, and it will always fetch a good premium over the standard car, but the success of the M cars to date has been huge, and this obviously has a knock on effect on cars made in the past.

Lastly; Ebay has in my oppinion damaged used prices, since a load of crap examples sell cheaply, and it is these that are forming the underpinnings of used values. When the occassional exceptional example gets listed on Ebay the reserve is rarely met. Ebay is great for selling certain things, but not others. Try going to Munich Legends and buying a used 635 for Ebay money.

There is probably a halfords colour exactly the same, or almost exactly the same. If not a paint mixer might be able to help you.

You all raise fair points, and I think that a good M635 Highline is probably the best of the lot, although all 50 or so left in the country are in the hands of peole that will keep them until the oil has run out!

That said the car comes from a chrome trimmed era, and I think that chrome is a necessary addition as far as the design goes. The only reason chrome went out of fashion in the late 80's was that bumpers became crappy plastic bits of trim essentially, and the manufacturers convinced the motoring public that de-chroming was the way forward since chrome trim is expensive to produce.

The ultimate clasic is an E-type jag, and the most desirable ones were definately not the latest V12's, but the preceeding 3.8's, so I cant aggree that using the last incarnation of a model is necessarily right.

Highlines do look great, although only in certain colours - e.g Zinnobar red or whatever it is called, since the red and black contrast well. Darker colours look better with chrome, as that provides the contrast.

I know, not much of it makes any sense.

But you would need more than an extra 2bhp to make up for the extra weight of a highline.... more like 20bhp (and then you still have the weight on the brakes...)

The good news is that the highline engine was a real step forward in some ways, and is amenable to being remapped. This could give you that extra 20bhp you need....

cheers

phb10186 wrote: The other thing I don't get is why everyone benchmarks the entire range against what a Highline is worth?

-I don't understand this either. It seems a bit wrong-headed to me. I mean, if you really NEED a leather covered dash in a heavier car, full of gizmos, and will be severely disappointed with anything else, then  fair enough.

But if not then everything else should be taken on its merits...

cheers

Also car club web site and magasine, Total and BMW Car magasine will get it to the market of people that want to buy this kind of car.

James