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VinnyM6 
Newbie
Joined: 01-April-2006
Location: Navan
Status: Offline
Points: 7
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 Topic: Thinking of buying a 1986 M635CSi
Posted: 01-April-2006 at 05:48 |
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Hi all - new to the forum and not sure where I should post this.
I have discovered a 1986 M635CSi for sale just up the road from me, and I wonder what sort of horror stories are out there that i should be aware of.
What should I look for when viewing the car? How much are the running costs and servicing costs - this will not be a daily runner, merely a fun car for occassional runs to work on Fridays and weekend driving. I know the mpg is woeful, is there anything else?
I heard about rust being a problem - if it is not there now, will I have to worry about this? How about engine rebuilds - are they generally a bad thing? If the engine has been minded, how many miles should it go for before it gets expensive?
How about intervals for changing engine belts and chains?
Is there anything I should be asking that I've forgotten?
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AndyS
Really Senior Member II
The Last of the Few
Joined: 21-August-2003
Location: 55 � North
Status: Offline
Points: 1365
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Posted: 01-April-2006 at 07:08 |
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Rust is always a big issue with Sixes. They are all over 17 years old now!
Front wings go just behind the indicator, above the bumper. They can also go lower down in the mudflap area. It's possible to just repair these areas but if theres more rust you're looking at new wings at £520 each.
Sills & jacking points can rust as can rear wheel arches which is a pain as repair panels are currently unavailable. Check around the rear lights & the boot lid lip too.
Mechanically, they're tough but expensive to rebuild compared to the standard M30 engine. The timing chain MUST be changed at 100k miles. This is likely to cost around a grand so make sure it's been done by someone who knows what they're doing. Apart from the timing chain the engines are good for 200k + if they're looked after.
Electrics can be a bit dodgy, usually down to bad earths & tired relays.
Suspension is also tough but there are a lot of bushes & joints in the front suspension which wear out & leave the car feeling very baggy. At the rear, the big subframe bushes ahead of the wheels wear out & aren't really diy to change.
Total BMW magazine did a buying guide on the M635 in January 2006.
Remember, these were very expensive cars when new (£45k - Ferrari price) & needed proper looking after. Sadly, many have been neglected to the point where it's cheaper (& easier) to buy a better one on the first place.
The key to getting a good M635 which will give you the pleasure of owning it rather than heartache is to get the best one you can find. That means leaving the lower priced ones & paying up front for a pampered example, probably in excess of £10k. It will be cheaper in the long run. Look for cars owned by BMWCC members or try Munich Legends in W.Sussex. They usually have a couple in stock. Not cheap but probably the best source of good examples & the easiest way to get your hands on one.
Good luck.
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AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. 
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VinnyM6
Newbie
Joined: 01-April-2006
Location: Navan
Status: Offline
Points: 7
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Posted: 01-April-2006 at 08:15 |
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Andy, thanks a lot for your info. Exactly the sort of stuff I wanted.
As for Munich Legends, they have a really good one in stock at the moment, although it mentions that the dreaded rust is creeping in. Sounds like rust will be a problem if I buy one of these cars. Hmmm .....
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AndyS
Really Senior Member II
The Last of the Few
Joined: 21-August-2003
Location: 55 � North
Status: Offline
Points: 1365
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Posted: 01-April-2006 at 10:09 |
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As I said, rust is one of the bigger issues so it's best to find a car with little rust rather than try & erradicate it.
Mine had rust in the front wings & it's been removed ok. At some point I'll have to stump up for new wings but not yet!
If possible, take a look at a car at ML. You'll get an idea of what one should be like. Then the choice is yours!
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AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.
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Horsetan
Really Senior Member II
Say Neigh to Gatsos
Joined: 11-April-2003
Location: Please let it be Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 6381
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Posted: 01-April-2006 at 15:40 |
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The alternative is for you to emigrate to Australia, as that seems to be where all the good M635CSis seem to be going......
Edited by Horsetan
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AndyS
Really Senior Member II
The Last of the Few
Joined: 21-August-2003
Location: 55 � North
Status: Offline
Points: 1365
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Posted: 01-April-2006 at 18:49 |
 Horsetan wrote:
The alternative is for you to emigrate to Australia, as that seems to be where all the good M635CSis seem to be going...... |
Indeed. Buy now while stocks last!
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AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be.
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ian M635UK
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 01-July-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 264
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Posted: 02-April-2006 at 07:17 |
Heres my experience over 5 years of M635 ownership.
I bought an M635 which was cheapish, with known faults. Over the 5 years the car has been practically rebuilt and heavily modified.
I shan't go into the mods but the list below is the basic stuff I had to do.
Second hand offside wing
New front control arms - upper and lower
New air flow meter
New rear bushes - everything
Binned metrics for 18 inch stlye 32's
Extensive welding to rear sill areas
New radiator
new rear springs
Complete engine rebuild - not cheap
New steering arms, drop links, rear dog bones, idler arm etc etc
Gearbox rebuild
Plus loads of other bits, plus all the mods.
Car has 173kmiles as a guide but most of the above may apply due to age of the car
Ian
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Horsetan
Really Senior Member II
Say Neigh to Gatsos
Joined: 11-April-2003
Location: Please let it be Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 6381
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Posted: 02-April-2006 at 11:49 |
AndyS wrote:
Horsetan wrote:
The alternative is for you to emigrate to Australia, as that seems to be where all the good M635CSis seem to be going...... |
Indeed.
Buy now while stocks last!
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Or just emigrate to Australia anyway. The petrol's only about 44p a litre, and the M635CSi can drink plenty of it  - but the weather's mostly great. Christmas on the beach at Mornington, with tempting smells from the beachside electric barbecues.....mmmmm........
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VinnyM6
Newbie
Joined: 01-April-2006
Location: Navan
Status: Offline
Points: 7
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Posted: 03-April-2006 at 04:02 |
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OK, thanks for all the info everybody. I've changed my mind - no M635 for me. Ah well ....
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eta.
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 21-October-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 599
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Posted: 03-April-2006 at 08:42 |
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The M5 from that era does not have the rust issues ...... Only 187 rhd so, an appreciating classic. Engine is the same as the M635.
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B10VYT
Senior Member II
Joined: 03-November-2003
Location: Sheffield
Status: Offline
Points: 169
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Posted: 03-April-2006 at 09:03 |
[QUOTE=Horsetan] The alternative is for you to emigrate to Australia, as
that seems to be where all the good M635CSis seem to be going...... [/
QUOTE]
Good news - despite 4 enquiries from down under, my M6 is not going to
Australia, but it's going to another country. The new owner is flying over
on Good Friday to drive it back to Waterford, Ireland! 
Hope my next E24 is a long termer! 
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Nick
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Horsetan
Really Senior Member II
Say Neigh to Gatsos
Joined: 11-April-2003
Location: Please let it be Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 6381
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Posted: 03-April-2006 at 13:10 |
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Ah... Ireland. Couldn't have gone to a better place, although the new owner might be a bit disappointed once he has to pay VRT / import duty.....
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Thinking of buying a 1986 M635CSi
