10/10 would DD. I would do anything for this...

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/02/2016 at 13:51 • Filed to: None

This is the kind of thing I fantasize about DDing. A one owner 1990 750iL with 43,000 on the clock. It looks brand new because it essentially still is. The interior is shockingly mint, all the way down to the factory sheen on the sea of plastic buttons.

Now, before you remind me how ridiculous this hypothetical idea is, I need to remind you: My first car was a 5-speed 1989 635csi with so much rust in the back end and quarter panels that it probably would have collapsed if I got rear ended by a cyclist. Nevertheless, at 165,000 miles, that gorgeous (in a slightly ugly 80s way), over-engineered tank never let me down. It started every time. And looked like this:

Same color, same wheels, minus the M badge of course. Every trip was an adventure. Even a 5 minute CVS run could brighten up your day; people staring during traffic lights, questions in the parking lot, etc. And of course the driving experience too. The smell of old leather, and the sound of a characterful gas guzzling motor from the era of lax regulations and cheap fuel (also the resulting smell... which I think is great). Anyway... back to the V12 yacht.

I miss driving around in something that feels like a “classic.” As a 90's kid, this era is the dividing line for me. These were manufactured until 94 but they debuted in 86. I wasn’t around for the 80s, and therefore anything designed in that period looks foreign to me in a way that I really like. It looks and feels “vintage” I guess. So - before you remind me how idiotic this hypothetical idea is, now you understand the motivation/my past experience with driving an older BMW on a daily basis. That’s why I think I could totally handle one of these, in theory at least. Yes, given the price of some old BMW parts, and the difficulty of certain jobs due to Germanic over-engineering, you and your wallet will inevitably be in for it at some point. But this is one of those “if you have to ask... you can’t afford it/fix it” situations.

On the other hand I really don’t want to get rid of my Q45, which I bought before I was lucky enough to land my current job. In typical Japanese style, it has been virtually maintenance free so far (knock on wood). So pulling the trigger on something nuts like a mint 750iL would mean saving way less per month (maintenance). And it would be off the road occasionally so I’d probably end up renting a car like a chump at some point. But hey... my colleagues pay ludicrous amounts per month to lease brand new cars every year. No thanks. And although the Q is fun and reliable, it doesn’t give me the same buzz my old E24 did. As much as I hate to admit it. But it feels so safe and reliable... despite the 130k miles. Regardless, I’d like to buy back into that era of BMW sometime soon. Maybe in a more sane way, like an E28 project.

What a ramble. Here’s the link:

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DISCUSSION (8)

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost.
10/02/2016 at 14:58

I understand not wanting to sell the 45 but cars like that BMW don’t come around every day. That thing is so so clean

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Noah - Now with more boost.
10/02/2016 at 15:15

I’m guessing that 750il, although really clean and NP, would not resemble your old 635 ownership experience. Lots more electronics and heavier.

I think an E28 is a great idea.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Noah - Now with more boost.
10/02/2016 at 15:24

I DD a 1983 733i 5-speed and it’s glorious. So 80's. That 750i (or an e38) is what I want to replace it with once I have a more reliable DD than the V12.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/03/2016 at 11:37

Not at all actually - E24s are notoriously heavy and floaty. Once you take an E28 and add 5 way power seats, SLS, servotronic steering, 2 ac systems, and a drinks cooler, you’ve pretty close to 4000 lbs. These are a few hundred pounds heavier but also have 100 more horsepower/torque. I have a feeling that given how tired my old car’s suspension was, a mint 750 would handle better. As for the tech - even my q45 is from the age where luxury cars weren’t very complicated. Just some nice seats, a good interior, and few extra features. The same can be said for the E32 vs my E24 - both have the silly OBC, a radio, HVAC, and that’s really it.

An E28 would be a better idea though, that I agree with.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Noah - Now with more boost.
10/03/2016 at 15:43

I always thought 635s were light(ish) for their size, like 3300ish pounds. I may be wrong though.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/03/2016 at 16:10

Yes, the lighter early Euro models were around that much but as more toys and options were added you start to approach 3600. It all starts to make sense when you consider things like the weight of a massive 5-motor eighties luxo barge seat in a later M6 vs. a lightweight manual sport seat with like 2 levers on it in an early E24. If buy another I hope I’ll find a Euro! They get all the cool goodies including a dogleg trans

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
10/06/2016 at 17:01

I actually found that 750 on auto trader myself a few days ago. 10/10 do want.

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/07/2016 at 14:42

I bet we have eerily similar autotrader searches then haha