After unsuccessfully trawling through adverts for a E39 528i I am going to look at a 1989 635csi (auto) later on today.

What are your opinions on this car? It was imported into Ireland two years ago with FSH & has FSH here. Cream leather in good condition. Alpina bodywork & alloys. The only negative comment the owner had was that the radio is rubbish.
http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424.jpg - http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424.jpg
http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424a.jpg - http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424a.jpg
http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424b.jpg - http://www.cbg.ie/CarPictures_large/CB194424b.jpg

He is looking for €6 or €7K.

What should I look out for? Am I mad getting an auto?
(annual road tax = €1300)

Killian,

Can't really comment on what to look for, but it does look like a very nice car. Much more interesting and stylish than an E39 528. I would have thought that a big 3.5 would suit an auto box. Plenty of torque so no need to rev the nuts of it.

Good one Killian, once you have driven it you will want to buy it,

Ok check for rust along bottom edge of wings, put arm inside wing and have a feel around. If there is a little bit they can be repaired, but any more than an inch of rust and you are looking at a new wing. They are £450-600 each so not cheap. Also check for rust under the jacking points at the rear of the car. Have a good prod around underneath as re welding the floor, and chassi is a big job and requires most of the interior to be removed and can add up to as much cost as the wings. The rear axle mounts on here so if there is no metal you have a very dangerous car. Basically rust is an e24's biggest problem, but a well looked after waxoiled car should be fairly clean although a rust free six is almost unheard of.

Mechanically they are very strong and as long as the car has had and has evidence of frequent oil changes the M30 lump should run for ever. The M30 has an oil feeder at the top of the engine that can clog up which leads to top end oil starvation so as a first job if you buy the car this should be checked. The car should idle smoothly and if it hunts this is probable down to a worn air flow meter which can be refurbished. Another area of exspense is the exhaust which costs around £500 so should be checked.

The model in the pictures is one of the last produced highlines with rare Macau Blue coachwork and Lotus white leather. The car has electric everything and these all need to be checked as seat motors stop working usually from lack of use.

As for Auto's 635's after 1982 were all auto's with a spaterin of manuals which were ordered as a special order. They provide decent turn of speed, but are built for cruising.

Expect around 18-22mpg around town and 24-27mpg on a run.

Anything else on the car like suspensiion and bushes need changing over time as they are wear and tear items, but will wear out reasonable quickly as the car in that spec is heavy at 1650kg's.

Looks a very nice car in the pictures and those wheels are the business and you will not have to worry about the dreaded Metrics.

Have fun, you will enjoy

James

Horsetan wrote: Go on go on go on go on... there are very few Sixes in Ireland, so treat yourself. In sterling terms, it looks like a bargain, but I wouldn't want to be paying Irish road tax...

I have, I have, I have!
car is in great condition.
will get a service II done asap though.
Now, how does a child seat fit in the back?

sounds like you have just bought a bargain.

well done welcome to the world of sharknose ownership.

Nice one!

With such a light coloured leather you'll have your work cut out keeping it clean!

I can recommend Gliptones Liquid Leather ( http://www.liquidleather.com - www.liquidleather.com ) for cleaning. Their hide food is excellent too. really makes the car smell new.

Haven't got her yet but just ned to get money out from bank - I'll probably pick it up on Tuesday.
She needs a bit of paintwork on the (alpina) front valance & on the drivers side bumper but nothing much.
17" Alpina alloys.
Electrics are going well (apparently drivers side headrest is not working 100%)
Central Locking disconnected & drivers side lock looks like it should be replaced but never stolen!
Bonnet supports not working.
OBC Backlight is gone.
Owner didn't know how to get headlamp wipers going (& I was smoking @ the time).
Needs tax (€1300 - aaagh)

Ivan - I like your clear indicators - where are they from?

Does owning a big 3.5L auto make me an oul fella?

Headrests always go wrong on the electric seats, Bonnet struts are very exspensive at about £60 and headlamp washer wipers almost never work. Sounds like you have a minter.

Good for you

kbannon wrote: ...17" Alpina alloys.

kbannon wrote: Electrics are going well (apparently drivers side headrest is not working 100%)

kbannon wrote: Bonnet supports not working.

kbannon wrote: OBC Backlight is gone.

kbannon wrote: Owner didn't know how to get headlamp wipers going (& I was smoking @ the time).

kbannon wrote: Ivan - I like your clear indicators - where are they from?

kbannon wrote: Does owning a big 3.5L auto make me an oul fella?

Edited to remove objectionable language, please follow the forum guidelines

[/QUOTE]

You also need to visit http://www.bigcoupe.com - www.bigcoupe.com which will give you useful links to DIY maintenance hints and tips. You might see one or two views of my 1983 car there....[/QUOTE]

And you might see my car there to.

very nice

you was be proud

Sohlman wrote: You know what you need Nigel

I know what she who must be obeyed is promising me if I do !!!!!

Horsetan wrote: Nigel wrote: I know what she who must be obeyed is promising me if I do !!!!! I think my profession might be able to help you both out there....!

Ah you must be a doctor then, the rare type that specialises in removing womens voice boxes !!!!!!!!

Nigel wrote: Horsetan wrote: Nigel wrote: I know what she who must be obeyed is promising me if I do !!!!! I think my profession might be able to help you both out there....! Ah you must be a doctor then, the rare type that specialises in removing womens voice boxes !!!!!!!!

you think this alone would stop 'er indoors complaining?

kbannon wrote: Nigel wrote: Horsetan wrote: Nigel wrote: I know what she who must be obeyed is promising me if I do !!!!! I think my profession might be able to help you both out there....! Ah you must be a doctor then, the rare type that specialises in removing womens voice boxes !!!!!!!! you think this alone would stop 'er indoors complaining?

It would be a start mate, a very welcome start, I cant read sign language, so I guess I'd be ok.

Its in the bath at the moment, so all quite down here.

Heres a good one for you Killian, you being a man of the world and all that.

SHE wants the bathroom lamp removing, and six low voltage halogen spots sunk into the ceiling.

So I do all this, at great pain to myself, up in the loft wiring them etc, so all done, she goes for a bath, promptly turns all the lights out and lights half a dozen candles, explain that one !!!!!!!!

Completely agree horsey

Anyway, back to the original topic, it is with deep regret that I will not be buying this motor.

Went out in better light and properly equipped (including a BMW specialist [thanks Robert Harrison - see http://www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/regions/irlnd/contacts.asp?page=2 - BMW Irish Contacts ]) and spent a good while going over the car.  

Anyway, together, we noticed a lot more than I did in my brief (excited) inspection last Friday. While the car is good overall it will contains too many small patches of rust, has been heavily resprayed (barely notice), boot & rear footwells are damp / wet, diff is covered in oil & there is a large damp spot under the fuel tank.  

The engine would also require a new camshaft (I had initially thought it was just valves).   

Furthermore, the fact that he is giving first refusal to someone who rang him after me (he offered more than I did), was another nail in the coffin.

Sadly, this is not going to be for me.  Sorry, Howard but I'll have do without a 'proper' car for another while. Looks like it is back to the 5 series hunt again.

Hang in there Killian.

With Persaverance comes rewards (Can't spell)

There are good sixes out there