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Thread: Finding Parts / Part Compatibility - 1987 L6

  1. #1
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    Finding Parts / Part Compatibility - 1987 L6

    Hello All,

    I am looking at purchasing an E24 6 series and I have a few questions about sourcing parts and what is compatible with the different models. I have found an '87 L6 that has been hit and damaged in the passenger door and quarter panel. There is a good amount of damage, but the rest of the car looks in good shape. I am trying to ascertain if I should even take this on if part availability and cost is going to be prohibitive. I know a good body and paint guy but I'll need to replace the door glass and possibly even the whole door and when I searched online it seemed to say that 635csi door glass did not fit the L6? Can you advise me if this is true? Where there parts that were only for the L6? I thought only the interior was different.... I could not find a door in any of my searches... are there any good resources you would recommend for replacements?

    I really appreciate any assistance you can offer.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    Hagerstown,MD
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    1984 Euro 635
    The L6 is essentially a 635csi with some leather interior appointments. Source your parts using an '87 635 and you should be good to go. Use the production date from the L6.
    '84 Euro 635
    '88 M6 (Gone but not forgotten)

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    '86 635CSi, '08 128i
    +1, the cars are the same as any normal E24, just with a lot more leather. The door is the same but all the trim panels and the door grip were swathed in leather. I'm told some of the later L6 had a conventional vinyl dash due to sun exposure. I believe they also replaced the upper door trim panels at the same time with standard vinyl-wrapped parts. What resource did you use? I prefer RealOEM.com (E24 section is here) or BMWFans.info (E24 section here). You can put the prospective car's VIN into the model selection page, it'll get you right into the parts schematics. Be aware that these two web sites are all based on chassis factory build date, which is often different than model year.

    Now that I went and checked, I don't believe the L6 was even listed as a separate model in the BMW parts databases It's just a trim package, more or less, and I believe only available in the USA. Here's the cross-ref list for the passenger door, BMW part 41511961234 It looks like every E24 door is the same. Walloth and Nesch does most classic BMW bodywork, but they're really expensive. A new right door in primer lists for 1400 Euros before shipping.

    As for finding parts...forums like this are an excellent place to start. There's also car-part.com, but you'll have to be patient and a little lucky. Most of the parts cars were scrapped before Y2K... A parts car is usually how I deal with it.

    Here's a few more ideas:
    Check with your local dealer, they can be surprisingly helpful at times. Pricey, but helpful.
    Your regional BMWCCA can also be a good resource, although they do ficus on the newer cars now.
    Save the manuals!
    '08 128i 6MT, '86 635CSi 5MT (B32, Motronic 1.3, WBO2, G265, 18# FW, 3.46 torsen)
    Past projects:
    '96 318iS, sold 4/23 '90 535iM, RIP 1/23 '90 535iA RIP 6/22 '91 318i, sold 7/19 '97 M3 sedan, sold 11/18 '85 735i, RIP 2/18 '92 325iC, sold 7/16 '91 318iS, sold 6/16 '84 745i, sold 10/14 '82 633CSi, traded 9/12 '90 325i, RIP '87 325 sold '89 525i, traded '87 325iS, RIP

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    81 euro 635, 4.4 X5
    Plenty of used body panels available from guys parting cars and reputable scrappers. Several good ones on the west coast where you will find rust free parts and you will always find guys here and on other forums parting cars. Sheet metal is the same from 83 and up.
    81 Euro undergoing total nut and bolt restoration
    pictures at: flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos

  5. #5
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    Thanks guys, that is great information.

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