Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: 1988 635CSI for 3K Should I get it?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Phoenix
    Posts
    180
    My Cars
    840ci/540i/540i Touring

    1988 635CSI for 3K Should I get it?

    Looking at a 1988 635CSI with 116K miles. The body is straight and rust free (south west car) with good tires and BMW basket weave? rims. The car runs and drives but I do see a valve cover oil leak and other leaks. The wiring seems to be in good shape with most everything I checked working. The engine sounds decent with an occasional sputter. The AC works but needs recharged and converted. The interior is totally ruined. The dash and seats are trashed. The carpet looks ok but dirty. The sunroof operates normally. Car has a clean title and no accidents. They are asking 3K and that's firm. I currently have a 97 840ci that I am redoing the suspension and other "normal" maintenance items but I've never tackled an interior before. I can see this being a 2-3 year restore project but I am wondering if it is worth it? Thanks in advance for any advice!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    northern michigan
    Posts
    222
    My Cars
    95 M3 - 06 X5 3.0
    I don't know the going rate on 635s or much about them at all other than they are beautiful, I want one, and they seem to go pretty cheaply..

    I see them on CL for a couple/few thousand every now and then and they are definitely something I would buy, especially the CSI I think..
    They seem undervalued to me.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Sydney Australa
    Posts
    2,482
    My Cars
    1x633, 1x E3 2 DR Racer
    looks like a decent car. Rust is the biggest issue so if it is rust free then dive in. They are only going to go up in price.
    1977 633 CSi RHD Euro. S38B38 3.9L M5 Transplant. 5 Speed Getrag Dogleg. 3.73 LSD. 417hp, 369lb/ft
    1971 3.0CS E3 2dr Alpina Special Coupe Racer, 347hp, 295lb/ft

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    CarHeavan
    Posts
    77
    My Cars
    Forced Induction!
    That's an amazing car for $3k. You didn't share if its an auto or 3rd pedal car and also mileage?
    As a data point - I just bought an '86 5 speed (with 96k) for $7,700 a few weeks ago.
    There is an '89 on BaT right now with bidding up to $9,500 and I'm sure it will see north of $12k by the time it closes (tomorrow)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    10,579
    My Cars
    '86 M635/'10 Clubman
    Apologies - not sure how this thread got closed.

    I'd do it if you have space, time and funds.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Phoenix
    Posts
    180
    My Cars
    840ci/540i/540i Touring
    Sorry, the car is an automatic with 116k miles. The entire interior needs a complete restoration. That's the part that makes me nervous!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Sydney Australa
    Posts
    2,482
    My Cars
    1x633, 1x E3 2 DR Racer
    interior inferior........... that's the easiest part. Engines cost dollars as do gearboxes and diffs. Rust repair and painting is a huge cost. Interiors are what you do after draining your bank account. Jump in and enjoy the ride. If the car body wise and mechanically is as good as you say, restoring the interior could see it being worth $10k. Snap it up before someone else does.
    1977 633 CSi RHD Euro. S38B38 3.9L M5 Transplant. 5 Speed Getrag Dogleg. 3.73 LSD. 417hp, 369lb/ft
    1971 3.0CS E3 2dr Alpina Special Coupe Racer, 347hp, 295lb/ft

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    West Nyack, New York
    Posts
    1,391
    My Cars
    86 635csi 98 740i 96 MB
    I'd do it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Superior, Arizona
    Posts
    969
    My Cars
    See Sig!
    I see the car is still on CL, did you decide to pass on it? I phoned the guy about a week ago and hesitated to take a look at it per description and the lousy weather we've been having...plus I'm not too keen on the automatic. I also didn't think it was worth $3K with the interior being so rotten...especially that dash!!!
    Tom
    Current Rides:
    1995 318i-Da Kid's Car Now!, Great Little Car "Pearl"
    1987 Porsche 944 "Liebchen"
    2002 Porsche Boxster "Sunbeam"
    2004 X3 "Xander"



    Past Rides:
    Over 50 Years Worth..Way Too Many To List, But There Were Some Really Fun Ones!!!
    www.ttrs1.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Phoenix
    Posts
    180
    My Cars
    840ci/540i/540i Touring
    I decided to pass at the last minute. The body was sound (AZ/CAL car) but that interior was really bad. The entire dash was toast and almost every knob or dial didn't work. The seats are a total loss, both front and back. The engine sounded decent but it needed new seals/gasket on almost every part. The transmission was good. Either he decided to keep it or it sold for the 3K asking price. He told me he got it for 2.5k and wasn't going lower. It's no longer listed.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Superior, Arizona
    Posts
    969
    My Cars
    See Sig!
    Thanks for the update. I had my reservations and you've confirmed them so I don't feel bad for not looking at it...I really don't want/need a major project!
    Tom
    Current Rides:
    1995 318i-Da Kid's Car Now!, Great Little Car "Pearl"
    1987 Porsche 944 "Liebchen"
    2002 Porsche Boxster "Sunbeam"
    2004 X3 "Xander"



    Past Rides:
    Over 50 Years Worth..Way Too Many To List, But There Were Some Really Fun Ones!!!
    www.ttrs1.com

Similar Threads

  1. FS: 1988 635Csi in TN
    By BimmerFreak in forum 1976 - 1989 (E24)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-15-2007, 09:52 PM
  2. FS: 1988 635Csi in TN
    By BimmerFreak in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-03-2007, 12:25 AM
  3. FS: 1988 635Csi in TN
    By BimmerFreak in forum Tennessee
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-02-2007, 10:21 PM
  4. 1988 635CSi/A CA
    By T-Rex in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-08-2004, 03:05 PM
  5. 1988 635csi 5-speed w/ warranty for sale!
    By jonbirk in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-31-2003, 08:53 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •