1987 635 CSi L6 Price

[movingim]

Hello:

A neighbor down the street has a 1987 635 CSi L6 for sale. It has 63,000 miles, is black with white interior. Has original paint and one small rust spot on the lower RR wheel well otherwise in overall very good original condition (no dents or respray). Haven't taken it for a test drive so no idea on mechanical condition but appears to be well taken care of. They are asking $5900 or best offer. If the car checks out mechanically what would be a fair offer? Thanks for your time

Jeff

[Budget M3]

If the interior is in good condition--no rips, tears or cracking of the leather--then he has it pretty fairly priced IMO.

[e24uard]

Have you made sure it's a real L6? i.e. leather covered dash / headliner, rear AC, etc.

[movingim]

Hello:
Yes it's a real L6 with leather dash, rear cooler....

[RSheiman]

Really look close for rust, rear wheel wells, shock towers, around rear lenses and around rear bumper shock supports (pocket that collects tons of sand). I say this since you list yourself in Wisconsin so unless the car is from somewhere else till recent, there is rust.

[e24uard]

Check for rust holes in floor as well.

[sharkbait72]

The mileage makes the value but if there is rust anywhere that will be a costly repair. If it still has an unwarped leather dash this is very rare. They actually replaced a large number of those on recall as they were warping at the dealerships. So, if you are looking for something that could eventually be concourse worthy (low miles, rare original undamaged dash, only year the L6 was produced, etc) this could certainly be a worthy vehicle. Rust being the scariest thing IMHO. :)

[barry8108]

Be very carefull with the interior. Thats Lotus White and the hardest to find parts for. Door handles are very expensive and if the interior is worn it can very quickly add up in cost.

[JimPA]

If leather isn't worn through, typically on the upper or lower seat bolsters, it can be a straightforward DIY refinish project. It wouldn't be unusual to see some cracking in the leather finish (not the leather itself). Again, this doesn't automatically signal a need to replace the leather. Different parts of the interior probably will be different shades of white due to differences in materials, lack of maintenance, sun fading, etc. All these things can be addressed with leather/vinyl dye if desired.

If the seat hinge covers are missing, finding ones in Lotus will be a challenge. Other colors can be refinished in Lotus although that's not quite as good has having the correct original color.

[movingim]

Hello:

I took another look at the 635 CSi L6 and the interior is in mint condition, no cracks, the dash still has the leather. I really don't see any visible signs of rust underneath, only the rust spot (size of a dime) on the lower RR wheel well. The car has the original metallic black.

About twenty years ago I worked at a restoration shop and we had a few clients that brought in their six series for maintenance so I'm very familiar with these cars its just been a while and am unaware of what type of repairs I can look forward to 25 year old car with 63K miles.

The owner said the AC does not work any more, it functioned last year but has since leaked out. He did not know if it was converted to 134. I'm assuming that that would require new seals etc? There is some oil seepage from the front timing cover. The temp and fuel gauge "stick" until the car has been driven. The original wheels have been replaced with 14" bottle caps so wondering what the cost would be for a set BBS wheels from the later models. Going to take it for a test drive and look over the maintenance records in the next day or so.

Thanks again for everyones help.

Jeff

[Roku35]

The owner said the AC does not work any more, it functioned last year but has since leaked out. He did not know if it was converted to 134. I'm assuming that that would require new seals etc?

A/C work on these cars are a little bit testy. Especially with the rear A/C units in the back seats. The fix can get pricey and 80% of the time, if you have a leaking unit, it probably is more than just new seals. System itself is not easy to work on, so again, be careful and you should be able to deduct some costs for the defective A/C.



There is some oil seepage from the front timing cover. The temp and fuel gauge "stick" until the car has been driven. The original wheels have been replaced with 14" bottle caps so wondering what the cost would be for a set BBS wheels from the later models. Going to take it for a test drive and look over the maintenance records in the next day or so.

Oil or any fluid leaks under the car is not a good sign of good mechanical care. If the PO tries to pawn it off as a simple gasket fix, then ask that he fix all the leaks before you purchase the car. Drive it hard on your test drive and then open the hood to see what lies within and beneath. I see another deduction in price if not well sorted and dry on the ground.

It sounds like a really nice L6 you have found, but like everyone has said the interior leather is something to be very critical about. Leather dash, especially Lotus White will be awesome to have, but maintenance and care for it cannot be compromised if you are keeping the car outside. Hopefully it will be a garaged car to maintain its nice condition. Share some pics please, I have never seen a L6 with a perfect leather dash yet. No fading, cracking or crinkling will be an awesome find, but a bear to keep. Given its low mileage and hopefully immaculate interiors, IMHO, with what has been presented, I would be comfortable in the $3.5K-4K range, The rust bubble is a blemish, but with more $$$, can be remedied for the time being, an additional deduction. Just my two cents for what I would want.

[ShapeShifter]

On my last L6 it had started to warp, but was straight when I bought it in 97.
You can see in this pic where it started to resemble a Pringle. The leather was soft and pliable at this point.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/0ca20551.jpg

As you can see, mine was the same colors as the one your looking at, I wander if its the same car?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/cce66d4e.jpg

Even though I got rid of it over 10 years ago, I might still have the vin around somewhere.

[movingim]

A/C work on these cars are a little bit testy. Especially with the rear A/C units in the back seats. The fix can get pricey and 80% of the time, if you have a leaking unit, it probably is more than just new seals. System itself is not easy to work on, so again, be careful and you should be able to deduct some costs for the defective A/C.




Oil or any fluid leaks under the car is not a good sign of good mechanical care. If the PO tries to pawn it off as a simple gasket fix, then ask that he fix all the leaks before you purchase the car. Drive it hard on your test drive and then open the hood to see what lies within and beneath. I see another deduction in price if not well sorted and dry on the ground.

It sounds like a really nice L6 you have found, but like everyone has said the interior leather is something to be very critical about. Leather dash, especially Lotus White will be awesome to have, but maintenance and care for it cannot be compromised if you are keeping the car outside. Hopefully it will be a garaged car to maintain its nice condition. Share some pics please, I have never seen a L6 with a perfect leather dash yet. No fading, cracking or crinkling will be an awesome find, but a bear to keep. Given its low mileage and hopefully immaculate interiors, IMHO, with what has been presented, I would be comfortable in the $3.5K-4K range, The rust bubble is a blemish, but with more $$$, can be remedied for the time being, an additional deduction. Just my two cents for what I would want.

Thanks for the info, the owner said he would go to $5200, which I think is still to high. I'll post some photos in the next few days.


On my last L6 it had started to warp, but was straight when I bought it in 97.
You can see in this pic where it started to resemble a Pringle. The leather was soft and pliable at this point.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/0ca20551.jpg

As you can see, mine was the same colors as the one your looking at, I wander if its the same car?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/89%20BMW%20635CSI/cce66d4e.jpg

Even though I got rid of it over 10 years ago, I might still have the vin around somewhere.

Same colors but not the same car. Thanks again for your help.

[Roku35]

Thanks for the info, the owner said he would go to $5200, which I think is still to high. I'll post some photos in the next few days.

I agree that it is high for my taste in L6s, you can almost get a decent Euro model for that if you wait on your purchase and hunt for the right one. Takes a little bit of will power, nerves and luck, but it is oh sooooo worth it when you open your garage and see yourself in those sparkly chrome bumpers. Hahaha. Getting ahead of myself here...(addiction remember?)

I think my logic is almost there...I really believe that its the current set of wheels that is dragging it down for me. I say $4K car and find some period correct BBS wheels ($1.2K+ for 17" wheels and new rubber) will get you right where you should be $5.2K+. I wouldn't worry if the Owner wants to hold out for a full offer, but it is your decision to search for the right one or throw down.

Now is the time to search through these forum threads to see how the E24 community likes/dislikes the L6 models. Good Luck on your quest, you really can't go wrong driving a well sorted E24.