78' 633Csi worth it? for $1000

[rahee006]

hi Guys, i came across a 1978 BMW 633CSi, saw it on craiglist long island a few months ago, i believe the car was sold, now its up again. the owner says it runs and the interior is not very good and the exterior is Spotless. its a 4speed Manual, and there is a hole on the drivers side floor. I will go look at the car this weekend but the owner is asking $1000. here are some pictures.


Sunroof Doesnt work.
Drivers side window doesnt go down.
there is a hole on the drivers side floor.
112000 miles
4 Speed Manual


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[Sansouci]

BIG IF: If there is a hole in the floor you will need to do a complete rust inspection, but I would bet you already know that from living in NYC with salt-galore. Also, what is with the seat covers? Is it really a 633 (no badge on the back) or could it be a 630?
I'm sure the parts are worth $1,000 and the relatively low mileage could mean a good engine.

Enjoy the ride.
--Ken

[rahee006]

BIG IF: If there is a hole in the floor you will need to do a complete rust inspection, but I would bet you already know that from living in NYC with salt-galore. Also, what is with the seat covers? Is it really a 633 (no badge on the back) or could it be a 630?
I'm sure the parts are worth $1,000 and the relatively low mileage could mean a good engine.

Enjoy the ride.
--Ken

i checked the vin, it is infact a 633Csi, the seats are torn, i believe it has black seats.

[6erWEBB]

its a thousand bucks.. daily it for a year and sell it for a thousand when youre done. free transportation.

[rahee006]

its a thousand bucks.. daily it for a year and sell it for a thousand when youre done. free transportation.

i own a 5speed 735i, and a 1999 750iL, i would rather fix it I guess, but is the 635Csi more desirable because of the power? this does not have the projector headlamps, and im only gna pay him $500 Lol

[mauryc]

635 is an e28 based sixer, where the car you are looking for is an e12 based car. More upgrade options for the later models as well as improved engine management. I'm sure some of the e12 guys here will interject. I will go out on a limb and say I bet the rust is more prevalent than the owner is stating...... and I may be wrong, but that doesn't look like a 78' air dam - not that means anything. If you want power, you better keep driving your e38! :) But hey, who shouldn't own three old bimmers....

Maury

[DesktopDave]

It sounds promising. The E12-based suspension will feel downright vintage (even compared to your classic BMWs), although they are very comfortable cars. Parts are harder for the early models, but I enjoyed mine a lot. The US model 635CSi has about 15% more power than a 633CSi. If you're lucky enough to find an early Euro 635CSi it'll have an M90 motor and weigh a good bit less. I'm pretty sure there will never be another Euro for sale at $1K...the bumpers alone are worth more than that now, it seems.

You can swap projector headlights in if you have a complete set. Just takes a few little wiring mods. I wouldn't do it though...I'd upgrade them to some nice Cibie or Hella E-code headlights. They drop right in and provide a better pattern than the ellipsoids IMHO.

Beware the rust - especially the front fenders, behind the rear doors and the frame rails & jacking points.

[rahee006]

It sounds promising. The E12-based suspension will feel downright vintage (even compared to your classic BMWs), although they are very comfortable cars. Parts are harder for the early models, but I enjoyed mine a lot. The US model 635CSi has about 15% more power than a 633CSi. If you're lucky enough to find an early Euro 635CSi it'll have an M90 motor and weigh a good bit less. I'm pretty sure there will never be another Euro for sale at $1K...the bumpers alone are worth more than that now, it seems.

You can swap projector headlights in if you have a complete set. Just takes a few little wiring mods. I wouldn't do it though...I'd upgrade them to some nice Cibie or Hella E-code headlights. They drop right in and provide a better pattern than the ellipsoids IMHO.

Beware the rust - especially the front fenders, behind the rear doors and the frame rails & jacking points.


If i am not mistaken, this is a US spec E24 correct?

[DesktopDave]

Definitely a US model. Has the US alu bumpers, front turn signals and speedo. The Euros all have very slim chromed steel bumpers, at least until the late 80s.