It's beater E24 time 

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish) 08/03/2015 at 13:29 • Filed to: None

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A couple days ago I bought an ‘81 633CSi.....5 speed. It looks better in pictures, it’s rough around the edges, has one of the worst clear coat situations I’ve ever seen, and an exhaust leak that makes it sound like a V8 at idle. But it has under 200k kms, and very little rust for an E24. And it was $1000.

For those of you who don’t know, an ‘81 is an early model, E12 based instead of E28 based. This supposedly makes it only about 3200lbs, and also means in North America it got the M30B32, hence 633. The 635 came later with the M30B34. The B32 is interesting in this one, because it came with a lighter flywheel than later B32s and B34s. So while it's certainly not a show car, it's a kind of rare configuration.

It’s not running brilliantly, but is staying remarkably cool, and isn’t smoking at all, no oil burning whatsoever. I’m getting a better exhaust situation soon, and I’ll get the valves adjusted since M30s need that basically every 9 minutes. If that doesn’t sort it out I’ll figure something else out, as this is just a fun thing for the summer, I’ll probably have to sell it in September.

If I get a better job and can keep it, I’ll probably be going for something along these lines....

Euro bumpers are too expensive to consider, this one is just to show it with shadowline trim

Oh and the first picture is from a little trip my girlfriend and I took yesterday, out to the Othello Tunnels near Hope. It’s like a 300 or so km round trip, and other than feeling like it has half the power it should, I can see why these are legendary as GTs, it’s so happy to just cruise along in 5th on the old curvier Highway 7, and will be even happier with a tune up.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 13:36

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“no oil burning whatsoever”

On a car that old, it might mean you don’t have any oil in it at all.

gmctavish needs more space > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 08/03/2015 at 13:38

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*visible oil burning*

It definitely has oil in it, I'm just rather shocked but no burning blue, M30s are bulletproof enough that people usually stop maintaining them since they keep working anyways. If it's not burning blue in high revs, my thinking is it's actually been maintained, at least somewhat properly

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 13:45

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That’s great, especially for a car that old. I’m not much of a Beemer fan, but I do like the design of that particular model.

gmctavish needs more space > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 08/03/2015 at 13:49

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It’s definitely one of my favourite designs

FromCanadaWithLove > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 13:59

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NP

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 15:36

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That is a great car, and sounds like a great deal.

I love grand touring coupes, and this is an iconic one. If it doesn’t have widespread cancer, it is well worth the keeping, and freshening up, both mechanically, and cosmetically, and keeping as a classic.

IMHO, it is on-par with XJS in looks, and better mechanically, especially than the Jag V12’s maintenance requirements.

Plus, an cool, classic, dignified GT coupe, slightly lowered and raked (just enough to make it look a bit more purposeful than stock) and either period-context, or later model wheel upgrades to something a bit bold, and also well-fitting, looks fantastic.

I would also be highly tempted, if a complete re-paint were needed, to either re-paint, or even as a temporary measure, have the car vinyl wrapped in a rich dark green or blue, like an Alpina B7, with the shadow line trim, and antique matte gold wheels.

WiscoProud > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 15:36

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I was actually just looking at a 633csi in Chicago this morning. Nice looking vehicles, but I would need to hold out for either a M635 or actual M6.

gmctavish needs more space > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 08/03/2015 at 15:41

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Holy shit, way to have basically all of my ideas.

I’m always drawn to the XJS by the looks, but the V12 is good at scaring me off...that’s a “one day when I make more money” kinda car.

If I can afford to keep it, I was thinking exactly of wrapping it that green or blue until it would get a repaint one day. Same ideas I had about the wheels, amount of lowering and shadowline too :p And it actually only has rust bubbles on the fenders, and a bit at the rear jacking points. Totally clean rockers and frame rails, and good towers, it’s pretty impressive in that regard.

gmctavish needs more space > WiscoProud 08/03/2015 at 15:42

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Fair enough, I would do the same if they were attainable for me

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 15:49

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It isn’t me, so much... the car’s styling speaks to what it wants... we just both happen to be good listeners, evidently.

If there are rust bubbles in the surface sheet metal, I would probably allocate some money, (or skill, if you have it in that area), to repair and neutralize the rust from progressing any further, and at least putting a seal coat over the repairs to stem the growth of the cancer... then do your temporary wrap over that for aesthetics... Then when you go back later to actually do a bit more restoration work, if the rust neutralization was done right, and has held, it may only need some finish work, rather than the cancer having spread further.

A good, understanding body shop would probably quote you on just neutralizing, and stabilizing the metal, so that it doesn’t continue to get worse over time.

Unfortunately, my Miata is starting to show some of those same signs, and I am having to think about this for myself, also.

j250ex > gmctavish needs more space 08/03/2015 at 17:41

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I have always wanted an old 6 series. I'll definelty buy one someday. Perferebly a later model with the light tan interio and the split rear seat. Gorgeous car

gmctavish needs more space > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 08/03/2015 at 17:44

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I was thinking the same thing. I'd like to learn how, so I'll be doing some reading on rust neutralization and prevention. Definitely wouldn't want to wrap it before doing that