Hi, New to E24 ownership, having owned E34 & E38, I'm wondering if those more expert than I can confirm: I'm thrilled with the car (635csi, '85), but worried about family members ending up in a ditch!! It's a manual (M535 gearbox, LUK clutch, LSD, 265/17 M-Series deep dish on rear), and seems very lively indeed in the tail. Exciting and terrific but wondering if it's simply the E24 in general or possibly the nature of the 265/17s or gearbox or . . . Well, basically, humbled by those with far more E24 expertise me: I'd value any tips on how they generally perform -- mostly, I'm thinking, to prevent my early demise. ;-) best wishes, Graeme.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Much appreciated. Yes, I'm talking about simple cornering. It could be aquaplaning, I guess, as the 265s are quite a chunk of tyre, and it has been damp down this way. But it seems to be that the gear ratios are such that even a touch on the accelerator in a corner in 4th has some key grip, and she's ready to fly. Also, what's interesting (well, to me who has only owned E34 & E38!) is that I can't get out of 4th into 5th in built up areas with the M535 gearbox; it simply has more legs than that. The car was set up, they tell me, by Capel Engineering, who do 635 work I believe (In case anyone knows more??)

I think the LSD provides for much of the entertainment. A lot of 635s are set for about 3000rpm at 100mph (overdrive top gear, 3.07 diff) which makes them super autobahn blasters.

If your is on long gearing, and its a bit frisky, just imagine what it'd be like with a dogleg box (straight through top) and a shorter diff ratio....

I've never driven two identical spec cars back to back with and without the LSD, but others report that the rear end is more prone to break away with the LSD, but easier to control when it goes....

265s are about the biggest you will fit at the rear, if they are worn they will aquaplane like crazy, likewise if they are a bit hard through age. Tyres this wide only make any kind of sense in the dry- the car is nose-heavy anyway, so a loose rear end comes as standard....

cheers

I've only driven my 6 with the standard TRXs (220/55/390) and it only gets lively in the damp. I put that down to the LS diff though, in the dry I've never had an issue with tail-happiness (accidental tail-happiness that is!!)

I've just bought some 16" rims with decent kumho tyres (sport 104 or something) which are 225/50/16 at the rear and 205/55/16 at the front but they're not fitted as yet so I can't comment but I hope to get a better, more secure, feeling in the wet than the TRXs give.

My daily driver is a mk2 gti which is so much better planted on high speed corners. I suppose it helps to be about half the weight though

UKDaveJ wrote: Horsetan (Ivan) is over the moon now he's running his 635 on 16's, having finally seen the light & ditched the metrics. He can't praise the quality of ride difference enough now.....

Thats odd Dave, Ivan IS over the moon, but it was 15" wheels he got from you wasn't it?

My 6 obviously has a completely different rear end, but I'm happy with how it handles, but am still looking forward to getting the 14" wheels changed to 16"s

Graeme, spokey seemed reasonably happy with his 18s (see above) whilst other members prefer the comfort/handling balance of smaller wheels. Once Mr Sohlman sees this thread, he'll probably chip in his (always valuable!) opinion. If I remember rightly, he's tried a number of different sizes, ending up with Alpina 16" wheels.

I personally wont go bigger than 16" puerly from a looks point of view - as other series 1 cars I've seen with big wheels look odd.

Having said that, I really like the look of 17" wheels on the newer cars, especially on Shadowline and Highline car.

Those that are on it - 17s - certainly seem right (to my mind at least) from an appearance point of view ('85 mod). M-series, turbine: "very sharky" I thought when I first saw them! But it would be interesting if they're having an impact on performance to a large extent. They are deep, and wide, and points made above suggest that's not the original idea. Fair enough; but cry in my coffee if it was the case     ;-). I saw a vehicle recently, and is still advertised on . . . ., with Alpinas and thought it looked very good - though, on inspecting, the beast itself was so rusty that it might as well have been a nice set of wheels on an old tin can, I'm afraid. I'm a little unconvinced by the appearance of the standard shoeing that I've seen on some 6s - but it's probably sacrilege to say that. Apologies. I'll wash my mouth out. ;-)

GraemeH wrote: I'm a little unconvinced by the appearance of the standard shoeing that I've seen on some 6s - but it's probably sacrilege to say that. Apologies. I'll wash my mouth out. ;-)

No sacrilege to my mind, "standard" wheels on early 6s was 14" - much too small (as the pic in my profile shows), and most later cars were fitted with the 390 metrics, also pretty small (about 15 and bit inches?). Post some pics of yours as soon as poss!

As wondered: there should be a picture at base here of the 635csi before it heads in for some minor points of cosmetic rust repair tomorrow. ;-)

UKDaveJ wrote: Horsetan (Ivan) is over the moon now he's running his 635 on 16's, having finally seen the light & ditched the metrics. He can't praise the quality of ride difference enough now.....

7" x 15" all round, actually

They're the basic E39 "Style 31", and are now my winter wheels.

Amazing how much difference half-an-inch in width makes. Have just got back from the stables tonight, and the ride was so good on the dodgy surfaces of the M1 (compared to metrics) I almost dozed off at the wheel.....

GraemeH wrote:

Aha! Style 21 M5 "throwing stars"! I've got a set of those for summer use! 8" x 17" all round, plus a spare.....

GraemeH wrote: Summer use because they are "summery" or summer use because you shift to something else in winter anyway?

My car in the photo is on its winter wheels. They are VERY easy to keep clean!

The "throwing stars" are for summer because I don't want to ruin them in the crap weather we're supposed to expect this winter.

GraemeH wrote: The stars are a complete breeze to keep clean compared to the Breyton Magics I have on E38!!....

Friend of mine runs his M635CSi on Breyton Magics and swears by them. They can't be any worse to clean than genuine Alpinas - after all, it's a similar multi-spoke pattern, though the Alpinas have the "bevelled" rim

GraemeH wrote: ....Thing with Breytons is the "stainless" lip that oxidizes very quickly.

If you use a cream / paste like Autosol or Chrome-Magic (or even Brasso if you've nothing else handy), that should keep the stainless rim looking bright.

Here's a pic of the car that my "throwing stars" were originally on:

Looks terrific. What colour is that? Mine's cosmos blue.

GraemeH wrote: Looks terrific. What colour is that? Mine's cosmos blue.

That car is delphin grey, and now lives in Northern Ireland.... I've got the wheels, though

Drew540i wrote: .....What's this - 'run your 6 Series on really nasty wheels' week? No acounting for taste - or a complete lack of it..............

You know, Mr. Everett, you seem to delight in exercising the right to pontificate without responsibility. Of late, it seems almost spiteful.

Have you ever considered running for Parliament?  After all, you've spent a great deal of keyboard time in the past moaning about the state of WCUK, how we've got too many immigrants, too many benefit claimants, etc. Why not stand for public office? You might be pleasantly surprised at how many people you can deceive.

On the subject of wheels: I'll run my car the way I see fit. If you've got no time for my views, I've certainly got no time for yours.

       Newsflash !!!

       Andrew Everett  has  just been elected as leader of the conservative party !   he gets my vote !

          We definately have got too  benefit claimants , immigrants and sportswear clad council types in this country . 

           I must say Horsetan out of all the wheels that one could choose to replace your metrics, type 31s are not something that would be on many peoples wish list .

          I  usually suggest to victims, 16" e38 X spokes fitted with 225/50/16s and a £7 'cosovan valet' once a week to keep them clean as a cheap but tasteful escape/upgrade from metrics. I have a nice set in stock and a nice set of 16" Alpinas with good continentals

Yikes, folks! Being a Newbie: suddenly this seems like a slightly less friendly place. ;-) 

And there's me having just left the 6 this morning at the panel and paint shop I've never used before and trusting for the next week that they do a good job on the cosmetic rust treatment.  Gentle'd be nice

PS: re: wheels. Could be worse: yesterday a guy tried to sell my wife an E34 with big flat hubcaps on it. ;-) 

Hiabboy wrote: .....I must say Horsetan out of all the wheels that one could choose to replace your metrics, type 31s are not something that would be on many peoples wish list . .....

Tough. They're my choice for winter. Matter closed.

        Horsetan you are very off form these days , if you hadn't sold your ro80 i'd suspect your plugs were oiled up ! or maybe you've found a new rust hole on the 6 ?.   I haven't found any new 'eruptions' on mine for nearly six months , i'm sure there must be some new scabs lurking , it got wet the other night !

Hiabboy wrote: ....Horsetan you are very off form these days....

It must have something to do with being unable to get a certain 1985 635CSi to start up. And it's NOT the DME relay.

Some of you may have been aware that I had a set of TRX wheels & tyres for sale ( 240 / 45 / 415 ), well I sold them on friday night & I thought I would tell the "tale of the sale!"

I received a phone call at 1600 on Friday night to enquire about the wheels. After a bit of negotiation a price was agreed & this chap said he would be setting off in about half an hour. At this point I gave him my address & enquired where he was setting off from. He said he lived in Miadenhead which bearing in mind I live in Tyne & Wear which is six or seven hours drive on a Friday night! I asked if he realised the distance between us to which he replied that he knew where it was & it was not a problem. Anyway he arrived at my house just before midnight, bought the wheels loaded them in his six series, did,nt stop for as much as a cup of tea & set of back to Maidenhead.

While I was waiting for this chap to arrive I was thinking he must be on drugs, but once he had been & left, my thoughts were more along the lines of admiration, because for a man to do that for a set of second hand wheels for £300 there must be nothing in life that this guy would not do!................Unbelievable!!

GraemeH wrote: Hi, New to E24 ownership, having owned E34 & E38, I'm wondering if those more expert than I can confirm: I'm thrilled with the car (635csi, '85), but worried about family members ending up in a ditch!! It's a manual (M535 gearbox, LUK clutch, LSD, 265/17 M-Series deep dish on rear), and seems very lively indeed in the tail. Exciting and terrific but wondering if it's simply the E24 in general or possibly the nature of the 265/17s or gearbox or . . . Well, basically, humbled by those with far more E24 expertise me: I'd value any tips on how they generally perform -- mostly, I'm thinking, to prevent my early demise. ;-) best wishes, Graeme.

Having good rubber on the rears are very important and if those big fat rears are worn then they won't grip much. Our E39 has only 235's on the rear and when we were down to 3mm of tread the car was all over the place in the wet.

As for getting the car to handle there are lots of things to do. Bilstein dampers are a must and are one of the best things you can do. There are plenty of spring options, but i would go with either M635 springs or get hold of what i have which is Eibach US Spec springs. Stiffening the anti roll bars also makes a big difference, but obviously with this set up the car will grip longer, but when it goes it will go faster. You can still buy the E28 M5 25mm front anti roll bars, but the rear is no longer available. However from http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk - www.balancemotorsport.co.uk you can buy both an uprated front and rear anti roll bar for the six.

With regards to tyres and wheels. Personally i think the six handles better with slightly thinner tyres. Certainly the highline 245 metrics are over tyred. Having used 17" wheels with 235/45/17 tyres all round and the 16" Alpina's with 225/50/zr16 i think the 16's seem better in terms of both grip and ride.

My current set up is Bilstein Sport Dampers, Eibach US Spec springs lowering car by about 25mm, Racing dynamic aluminium and stiffer than steel anti roll bars with 22mm fronts and 18mm rears. Alpina 16" original wheels with Toyo Proxie tyres of a 225/50/ZR16 tyres.  

The car grips very well indeed and requires fairly libral amounts of  the right foot to get the rear end out of shape. The car has the 5 speed overdrive manual box and a 25% LSD.

I hope this helps and gets the topic back to the original question.

James

James,

Do I remember you mentioning Strut braces? I only say this because you havent mentioned them here, so was just wondering if you felt they dont affect handling...

Have a strut brace too. They stiffen up the front a little bit and i rechon you get about a 10-15% increase in turn in and a significant reduction in understeer on the long sweeper. Also rechon with them tyre wear is more even as the edges are not wearing out like they used to. Forgot to mention it on the post above.

Sorry

James

New E24 back from the restor-a-rusty-spot shop. On the way to looking gorgeous. Now, to investigate that strut brace, etc! Ta. Though perhaps, just perhaps, it's gonna need a little drive around the island first.  ;-)

First of all, it's good that you have swapped trxs for 17 " wheels...

My opinions, as I recently met a lot of italian 635 owners with every combinations of setup(you will find the word better about 100 times in this post!!!tried 6 635s and 3 M635s, from 14 up to 18" wheels...):

Then, First thing You have to do is get a LSD or rebuild your one , as ZF LSD won't last forever, especially with old oil in it.They really make the dfference.I transformed my non lsd car into a LSD one, but locked up to 40% ...wow.

FOr the tyres: 265 are too much, 235 or 255 with 17" are very good, over You will get only troubles...

Other: after 5/82 , every 635 got sticky rear antirollbars,after 9/83  got decent ones: 15,5 mm diameters made(if i remember correctly).I tried my car with Mtech suspensions, 12mm rear antiroll bar, 84 635 with LSD, no M suspensions and 205/70 14(really the best compromise...),and later cars with trx or 16 or again 17" wheels... My friends and me tried to put old 12(or 14) millimeters antirollbars on late car, instead of 15,5 mm bars.(

The rear became more flat to the ground ,and my friends really can bet that it's better , now.

sometimes You have to do one step "in reverse" , to improve things...

With TRX: i tried my car(I can use only those round things-I don't waste the word tyres for that michelin stuff- bacause I live in italy and we have , here, stupid laws) with stiffer antirollbars at rear...very undriveable, the car slipped everywhere.I come back to original slim stuff.With trx You can only do one thng: remve them, if you want to save your life instead the car originality.

with 14": I used to drive a 635 , 1984 with 205/70 14 (fulda Assuro)in the wet( I'm talking of a 100-120 mph run, not 30mph )...the car has a very good performancein the dry ....In the end the best for performance, comfort, tyres prices.even more with good 205/65 vr 15(before you think that is a old tyre size, try a 635 with that tyres setup).

16":You won't go over for the best, tough You have to go for Bilsteins or Mtech suspensione to get the best....

With M suspensions: You improve dramatically the drive, also on the wet.... but don't think for a moment that now your 635 will be like a new 5 series E60 ....it's far better than previously , but not so far...

With strut brace: the body has now enough strenght to give them a chance also on trackdays...and on normal road You will notice the improvement.

springs: walk away from cheap spring set, or your car will drop about 3 inches at the front(ask me How I know!), and the ride is a disaster. Eibach or Schnitzer(if you can find them) are good, the other are not so good , in the end(well i forgot Alpina...one other great brand for fast BMW riders).

hope this helps.

Francesco from North italy