thinking about putting my e36 up for trade for an e24

[driftcrazy]

Hello all! Just hoping to gain some insight and pick your brains for a moment...

I'm having serious thought about putting my e36 ('96 328i) up for trade for an e24 635csi. My e36 is my dd, is an e24 livable day to day? I like having the back doors for my daughter and her car seat, but it's definitely a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'm in Texas, how is the ac in these cars? I also do a lot of highway driving and need my car to be dependable, how is the reliability of the e24? I do all of my own work, how is the parts availability and running costs of the m30? Anything I should know about? For those of you with or that have had both cars, what do you think I should do? I've lusted over these cars for 10+ years but have never gotten one... I've been immersed in 944s and am about ready to give that up until I can afford a 911 or even a Boxster. I love having the BMW as a dd and would like to continue to do so, how will an e24 fare? Thanks!

[pthm]

Where in texas are you at, im in killeen. A/C is a no go, unless you do the e34 condenser . Fun as heck, though shoot for a late model post 87 so you get the m30b35, I did a swap in mine.

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as a side note, I prefer dailying my e24 rather than my 07 jetta, but that is a preference thing

[driftcrazy]

Where in texas are you at, im in killeen. A/C is a no go, unless you do the e34 condenser . Fun as heck, though shoot for a late model post 87 so you get the m30b35, I did a swap in mine.

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as a side note, I prefer dailying my e24 rather than my 07 jetta, but that is a preference thing

I'm in cove!!! We need to meet up! Is there a diy for the swap? Thanks!

[TJC1]

As long as you have a child and a car seat to deal with I'd suggest that you stick with a four door. When my daughter was still using a car seat we had a 944 and it was a royal PITA to get her in and out all of the time when we used that car...especially when you need to move the front seat up, fold it forward, get the kid in the seat and then strap her in...all with the front seat continually wanting to come back at you and the contortions you have to perform!!! Also, take a good look at the E24 rear bucket seats as they aren't very conducive to safely strapping a car seat in. The best thing we did was forsake the 944 for a Volvo 940 Turbo...a nice, safe, comfortable and reasonably quick four door!

Driving an E24 every day is okay and many people do it, but given the age of the car and what it represents you may discover it is better suited as a weekend treat rather than as a DD. If you were able to afford two cars I would suggest that you keep your E36 as they are great cars (see my sig!) and pick up the E24 as a toy, register it as a historic and get cheap historic or classic insurance on it.

[e30luv318i]

Agreed I don't think an e24 is for you especially if you get a fridge car I don't think a baby seat would even fit

[driftcrazy]

Thanks for the input guys! Looks like I might hold off and give it some more thought.
Fwiw Recaro makes a narrow base child seats that fits great in cars with rear bucket seats.

I just don't have room for another weekend car... I have a fire breathing v8 swapped 944 and am thinking about selling it for a Boxster, I need a vert in my life.

[pthm]

trade you for your 944 :)

[driftcrazy]

trade you for your 944 :)

Lol! Don't tempt me.... Catch me on the right day and it might happen. Sometimes the car frustrates me...

[driftcrazy]

Well, it happened. I picked up an e24. By chance, some might say, it fell into my lap. It's an '85 635csi, runs and drives pretty good, newer paint, a couple upgrades... Momo wheel, RD wheels, aftermarket front bumper, sound system, etc.... Unfortunately, it's an auto, which brings me to my next conundrum... What to do with it. Option A) build/boost the m30 and do a 5 speed swap... Swap would come first obviously. Option B) m70 v12 swap and stay auto until I can afford manual conversion... I've always wanted a v12 in my life, this would be a great platform and suit the car well I think. Option C) swap in ???.... I already have an american v8 swapped car, my 944 so I kind of want to stay away from that for now. Btdt type of thing, I'll do it again sometime but probably not on this car. Extremely fun and reasonably cheap but I'd like to try something different. This probably won't take place for some time... I need to do maintenance and get this car to my acceptable level. Anyways check it out....


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Looks great next to my e36.


Oh! I almost forgot! The price....
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Tree fiddy. $350. Yes, you read that right. He wanted it to go to a good home, done.

[pthm]

$350 plus your car?

[driftcrazy]

$350 plus your car?

No, $350 straight up purchase price. Still have the e36 and the 944. Looking forward to ownership and getting to know the community!

[Dash01]

Good thing you got white, given Texas' sun. Think about window tint, and whether an R-134 AC system from a newer BMW might fit your E24. Maybe such system might plug and play. I don't know if an R-134 commpressor, etc. would bolt on, but it might.

[pthm]

Damn I thought I got mine for a steal

[driftcrazy]

Good thing you got white, given Texas' sun. Think about window tint, and whether an R-134 AC system from a newer BMW might fit your E24. Maybe such system might plug and play. I don't know if an R-134 commpressor, etc. would bolt on, but it might.

Thanks for the heads up, buddy! I think someone mentioned previously something from the e34 will work, I'll definitely be sourcing more info and parts. Have you gotten your 6 from Georgia (?) yet?

[pthm]

you can do a r-134 conversion to your current system it just won't work as well. the condenser from a e34 is better and fits with minimal modification

[driftcrazy]

Thank you!

[tschultz]

Eek, that spoiler!

But with the entry price, you can't complain!

[theseeker411]

You lucky SOB. Welcome to the best worst decision you've ever made. Personally, I'd keep the m30 and boost it while doing a 5 speed swap.

[driftcrazy]

You lucky SOB. Welcome to the best worst decision you've ever made. Personally, I'd keep the m30 and boost it while doing a 5 speed swap.

That's what everyone keeps telling me, the m30 really is awesome and the auto trans is really crippling to the performance. My head is telling me to manual swap + turbo, my heart is telling me v12 swap... I've been finding e32 and e38 donor cars lately and I've always wanted a v12.... Transmission be damned.

[pthm]

m30 is a beast. I am a N/A fan though. I swapped to the m30B35 out of a 1989 635 and love it.

This engine will take you to the end of time man. My fiance's 535 with an m30 blew a head gasket. . . . one cylinder no mix, just blew out the back of the head. If it weren't for the fact I have 4 cars, she could still drive it haha

[driftcrazy]

You lucky SOB. Welcome to the best worst decision you've ever made. Personally, I'd keep the m30 and boost it while doing a 5 speed swap.

The m70 is going to have to wait....

Because....

I picked up an e28 with a manual trans and m30b34. I'm going to swap the trans and manual stuff here soon and rebuild the e28 donor engine for boost. I got the car for $400, it's a POS. It does have a couple cool things on it besides the drivetrain though...

Very good condition cardinal/black door cards

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And a nice steering wheel to replace the partial wood Momo one the car came with.

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I'll part out the e28 to recoup funds and try to make a little for the rebuild. I'm picking up a tig welder soon and want to do crazy stuff with it.

[tschultz]

I'd actually rebuild the E28 if I were you... Cheaper interior parts, same performance, better responsiveness and seating position.

With that said, I just started on a new E24 project: http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25069

[driftcrazy]

I'd actually rebuild the E28 if I were you... Cheaper interior parts, same performance, better responsiveness and seating position.

With that said, I just started on a new E24 project: http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25069

Awesome project!

Rebuilding the e28 isn't in the cards... I've wanted an e24 for so long nothing else really matters. I think the 6 is a whole lot cooler and a little more rare. I also already have a sedan (e36 dd) and want a coupe. Plus, the e28 is in awful condition. I wouldn't feel bad about parting it out and might sell it as a whole if someone is interested and ready for a challenge.