e24 engine

[IRocka528e]

Hey everybody,

Quick question. I've recently become fascinated by the E24...

I was wondering, how difficult are repairs on an E24, for an average do-it-yourself mechanic? (because it is my understanding that paying for repairs would be really expensive)

Thanks a lot.

[xatlas0]

The engine (unless you get a M6) is the same M30 used in the 735 and 535. Honestly, it is pretty easy because everything only goes in one way. Even the crank pulley's holes are differently spaced such that it only bolts up one way, to keep TDC marked properly. Plus, if things go seriously south, you can get a used engine for ~500$. The interior and panels are what you have to watch for.

[IRocka528e]

hmm, I see. Thanks a whole lot. What kinds of things go wrong with the interior?

[dm635]

it is basically a 5 series platform with just the interior and exterior specific to the 6.it's just that if you need any of those parts,it's a little more difficult to find than it is for the 5.not as plentiful,but available!look on the bay and you can find whatever you need.if you can keep the 5 running,the 6 is no different.

[jbd5015]

hmm, I see. Thanks a whole lot. What kinds of things go wrong with the interior?

Like dm635 said, nothing is different with the things that go wrong with the cars. Its just the limitations of the amounts of the cars, so you have to search a little harder, but its all worth it. If you are anything like me, youve become obsessed with them, and are learning everything you can about them, but dont have one yet :confused. but what can you do other than wait.

-jeff

[IRocka528e]

haha jeff, you're right on point. thanks a lot. just curious, what did you think of your e23, and why did you sell it? (I like them too).

[dm635]

i'd been obsessed with the 6 as well,but never really actively looked for one.i stumbled across my 1st one while searching with my daughter for a replacement car for her.we ended up with 2 cars during the search.one for her and a 6 for me.

[jbd5015]

haha jeff, you're right on point. thanks a lot. just curious, what did you think of your e23, and why did you sell it? (I like them too).

I loved that car. I sold it because it was just going down hill and i wanted to start a project with a 6. The guys who bought it are fixing her up really nice, so maybe one day if they decide to sell it, ill buy her back. The one thing i wass afraid of was rust though. It was really starting to spread on the car, but they saw it and still bought it.

-jeff

[Ol'6erGuy]

One thing to remember, the platform changed in 1982. Before is based on the E 12, after on the E 28. Post '82 cars are easier to find hop up stuff for. The pre '82 cars are more for the purest, restorest or just plain wierdo like me. Take this into consideration when looking for a 6. I will tell you, once you start, you will be hopelessly hooked and there will be no turning back (sounds kinda scarey, doesn't it??). Good luck and hope you join the group!!!

[IRocka528e]

i'd been obsessed with the 6 as well,but never really actively looked for one.i stumbled across my 1st one while searching with my daughter for a replacement car for her.we ended up with 2 cars during the search.one for her and a 6 for me.

haha that's amazing. I hope I'm that lucky.


I sold it because it was just going down hill and i wanted to start a project with a 6.

I see...thanks jeff, and good luck. do you have a 6 yet?


One thing to remember, the platform changed in 1982. Before is based on the E 12, after on the E 28. Post '82 cars are easier to find hop up stuff for. The pre '82 cars are more for the purest, restorest or just plain wierdo like me. Take this into consideration when looking for a 6. I will tell you, once you start, you will be hopelessly hooked and there will be no turning back (sounds kinda scarey, doesn't it??). Good luck and hope you join the group!!!

hey thanks a whole lot. I already love the friendly responses I've gotten from you and everybody else...maybe it's a reflection of the car haha are they powerful? and are there any good swaps (or are they even necessary?)

[xatlas0]

are they powerful? and are there any good swaps (or are they even necessary?)

The most powerful non-M E24 is the last year, (89, if I recall right) which had the M30B35, cranking out ~218 hp and ~225 ft-lbs of torque. Not much one can do for NA mods, as a fully built M30 only cranks out about 300 hp after spending nearly 20k. The most cost-effective way for power is FI. TCD makes an excellent kit for the M30, which can easily get you above 300whp for less than 7k.

Although, if you wanted to go crazy and ruin any chance of the car ever being reutrned back to normal, you could do a LS1 swap. I'd just be afraid of the car being able to handle the power. I would imagine it wouldn't be too difficult since the wiring is simpler than an E36 or E34.

[dm635]

we could always use more power.i don't wind out 1st gear,i'll give it a little in 2nd,but the M30 comes alive once you get into 3rd .mash the pedal over 3k and you can take it to 100 if you like going that fast.then by the time you settle back to the speed limit in 5th,it feels like you're hardly moving.i used to think i had a speedo problem,because at 60 these cars are so smooth.

[jbd5015]

I see...thanks jeff, and good luck. do you have a 6 yet?

unfortunately no. I have had some close calls, but i am going to be waiting for about 2 to 3 years until i get one. i am now saving up for the TCD kit that xatlas was speaking about. although im not planning on getting one for a while, im still looking because i want to find the right one, and if i dont look i feel i could miss a good opportunity. the only problem is getting the funding if i find one sooner than expected :confused. But good luck on your search for a 6. So far the best place to look is the bay and roadfly.com. anyone have any other good places to look?

-jeff

[russelcq]

From my research, almost all the '88 E24s had the M30b35 engine also.

RussC

[mineng]

I lucked out on finding my 89 635. it was the personal car of the owner of a local body shop. he decided to sell it because he has too many cars and it was his oldest one. it is unfortunately an automatic, but it is still a blast to drive. I am thinking I am going to go FI on it. I have toyed with the idea of building it into an Alpina b10 Coupe replica, but I have not yet found out how much that would cost me. the kit from TCD looks tempting so I will have to do a little more research.

[EdgePerformance]

Congrats on finding the 635csi. I have had ine for going on 2 years (an eternity for me), and it is a love hate relationship with my car and me! Right now I have a fully built head to go on the car and just deciding what turbo I want to use now is my biggest problem. :)

Jared

[doc ock]

I didn't know much about these cars until about 7 years ago when I saw my now father inlaws 628 in the garage. I told him then I want to have first chance at it if he ever got rid of it. Well 7 years later he moved and didn't have room anymore, guess what I do have room and now I own this 2nd owner car, me being the 3rd. 103k miles mostly original. He bought in 85 in Germany from a dealer.177520:redspot

[Ol'6erGuy]

Good things come to those who wait!! Congrats, all.

[M6wannaBcsi]

hey all, well i'm freshly new since i just picked my car up today!!! i'm in love. it has it's problems, but i just think it needs a tune up. does anyone know where i can find an air dam for my 6? i want the l6/m6 look!

[euro six]

I bought my first 6 in 1983 brand new. Black/black 5 speed. I kept that car until 1999 driving it over 400K miles! Being in New England, it started rusting away. I sold it for $2,500. My mechanic informed me of a twin of my original 633 with only 105K miles in 1999. I paid $4,500 for that car which I currently drive daily. It now has about 270K miles, and it too is beginning to rust. I am now looking for a Euro 635 to be a sunny day driver only and I guess I will drive my current one into the ground. I have never kept any car as long as these, and I've had some interesting cars; 1970 Chevelle SS 396 convertible, 57, 58 and 62 Vettes. but the sixes are a passion! I can't imagine not owning one!