'85 M6 ?'s

[MadFish]

Im thinking about buying a '85 M6. What can you tell me about 'em? Any common problems?

The one Im thinking about has 138k and they are asking $5900. Dont know much else about the condition of the car. But, its at a BMW dealership. So, Im assuming its in pretty good condidition.

[jcsomerset]

if it's an 85 - it's a euro -

10.5:1 comp ratio, 286 hp vs. american version of engine W/ 256

they came with single row timing chains and single coil valve springs- you need doubles on both to ensure longevity of the engine-

otherwise, good fast cars - lighter than the american M6's.

for 5900 it should need some love-

[brahtw8]

If you are serious about the car, have it inspected by a shop that does work on the old M cars. Mechanical problems could easily set you back 1-2 times the $5900 purchase price down the road.

You would probably be better off buying a good one for $12-15k or so, if not more. You can expect to spend $25k for a very low mileage example.

You probably don't want to try to nurse a used up M635csi back to health.

[jcsomerset]

QUote:
You probably don't want to try to nurse a used up M635csi back to health

end quote -

i think what he means is - you'll spend more trying to fix the car if it needs serious mechanical or body work than you'd spend (and than it's ultimately worth) on a good example found everywhere for 12-15K

with these old 6ers - it's a labor of love; it's not about the "value" or the money..

For me - it's about driving one of the 2 cars exhibited in the museum of modern art (the other be a ferrari i believe) and what I believe to be the most beautiful coupe body BMW ever created.

Besides - they only built 86000 of the bodies world wide over the 14 year run of the model - M or not - you've got something right collectible -

I hate to see them in parts yards (but will eagerly snap a good part or two off of one).

[bmwbob]

As a '85 M635csi Euro owner, I just want to confirm all the good advice you are getting from others in the thread. All the '85s (and some '84s and early '86s) are grey market cars. If they were imported legally they had to be federalized to meet the then safety and emission standards. There should be a plate on the "A" pillar or papers confirming that the car was upgraded to the US standards.
As someone else pointed out, the Euro engnes are different from the later (and legal) US versons. The single valve springs and the timing chain tensioners were disasters waiting to happen. The factory provided free spring sets upgrades until the supply was exhausted. If you are driving a Euro without the upgrade -- you are driving a timebomb.
The other weak spot is the steering box mountings. They break. A safe Euro will have welded up reinforced brackets. You should be able to see the welds.
Other than that, best car you can ever own. The ultimate in touring and handling cars. And the looks aren't too shabby either.
I just posted mine for sale on the forum and have all the records to show what it can cost to bring up a good one to reliable condition. It'll cost you double to bring up an M6 in poor condition.