84 635CSi junkmail/Vaal

[plane crazy]

Greetings forum members
plane crazy here: newby to your cool forum but LONG term big coupé lover

Also proud to state that I've been to BMW Welt in Munich including factory tour (2009 it was)

(my avatar refers to my other passion in live- all things aviation)

Looking then to acquire one of these shark nosed wonders

Saw this vehicle parked at local dealership

Anybody know this vehicle??
Junkmail ad
http://www.junkmail.co.za/motoring/bmw/gauteng/johannesburg/south-rand/bmw-635csi-39739817

129626 MILES on odo

Bodywork: paint original(?) and very straight, no bubbling/signs of rust other than on small spot front part bonnet
Shutlines and doors ok
M5 rims
Correct spare wheel with retread Michelin(I think)
Toolkit most tools missing
Yellow lenses(wipers) and driving lights
Interior so-so
Driversdoor panels wear and tear
Leather not badly cracked but needs TLC
Dash not cracked
Carpets pile not to bad but needs deep clean
No loose carpets

Took for a drive
Inspection lights on
A/c not working
Drivers electric seat working
Some functions not working passenger seat
Sunroof functioning but a bit graunchy
?slight wind noise drivers door glass seal

Bumpers looks original (old but no obvious damage/repair)
Chrome work some scrathces but mostly straight


Engine slightly lumpy idle
NOT a ball of fire but sounds nice!
Gearbox (auto) no obvious issues
Didn't see owners manual - not sure if available


Suspension feels tight, steering not true/straight but reasonable ride

Wash reservoir cap missing

Will try post some detail pics more to follow


R100k bit too much IMHO?..

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

dont think thats a R100k car there

 

[Maljan]

It is the more desirable post-facelift model, which are not that easy to find locally as they were never officially imported by BMW SA. That just might justify the asking price.

The SII is not a problem. Service it and find a fanatic with a reset tool to help out. Or get one yourself. Or just hack it with a resistor - check the interweb for the details on how this is done.

The passenger seat might be hard to put right. Or not, if you can find a suitable parts from another BMW in a scrap yard. You could also live with it for a while until you figure it out.

The M5 wheels don't quite look right to me. They were probably fitted because of the weird OEM tyre size of 220/55R390 (yes really) that are moulded from unobtanium. There are alternatives that suit the age of the car better, such as BBS cross spokes, but you will have to budget for this if you share my opinion. Then again, the M5 wheels and rubber should bring in a few bob if you sell them.

The yellow lenses are a bit ugly, not too mention weird. I have only seen this on cars imported from France before. From squinting at the pics it seems like the car is RHD, so it unlikely to be from France. The wipers are certainly the right way round. Also, the dash is definitely British, what with mpg and mph. Perhaps the car spent part of its life in France before coming to sunny SA. Or a previous owner thought it looked cool, who knows?

The mileage, if geniune, is quite low for a 31 year old car. All in all, not a bad proposition. The ad does say that there is room for negotiation on the price.

PS: the damage on the armrest should be easy to fix.

PPS: the more I look at it the more I like it. But I will not live to tell the tale if I add another Beemer to my life.

 

[skank]

It's a UK car.

Much as Maljan said, it's a series 2 car of which very very few came to SA, the last in '85 I'm told. This is the shark you want in theory.

The AC will cost a couple grand to get right, dependent on what's needed.

The wind noise is common and from crap old door seals, these are currently NLA from BMW. (I have a set in reasonable condition available)

Tool kit is easily available

Yellow lenses are most likely Laminex and can be removed.

Lumpy idle could be a vacuum leak.

Engine is M30B34, should have some decent poke.

Electrics can be fixed.

Bumper parts are still available.

Being an Auto and having the Comfort interior makes it less desirable, saying that, series 2 cars don't come up for sale often and that IS a nice colour.

I would make a good list of problems and take it to the seller with an offer of R85k.

Have a BLOODY good look underneath the carpets and sills and arches for tinworm. These cars rust there, esp. as it's a pom car. Very few panelbeaters can cut and weld decent repairs on these old cars and even less want the work. If the car is rusty expect a big bill and offer accordingly.

 

[plane crazy]

Mmmm

After some sleuthing:
VIN# denotes a 2/84 European RHD E24

Some alarm bells though:
Odo not ticking over
None std gearbox

Lots not working

 

[RAArmstrong]

Welcome to the forum, nice to see another aviator :wave:

 

[Clownshoe]

South African cars are Europe spec. BMW divides the world into America and Europe.

85K is a good price. but look around as there is a similar one on OLX. Colour same but different spec.

Odo froze is a gear that went bang in the cluster. expensive to replace.

Does the needles bounce all over the place? lumpy idle is usually easily cured. Sounds like a decent car.