E24 BMW 6-Series... Should I or shouldn't I...?!

[grifterkid]

My head has been turned in a big way...! The beautiful silhouette of an e24 screamed out from the computer screen in a way that it had never done before... It was a simple matter of 'I must have one of those'...

The question is, should I...?! I am a big fan of all things 70's and the 6-ers that have been tugging at my chain have all been 80's flavoured! I would go for an early model but they seem to be very thin on the ground indeed...!

It would also mean selling my Mk1 Granada which pains me a bit but then I hardly use that anymore...!!! What to do, oh what to do...?!

What I need you good people to do (if you have the time!) is to give me some fors and againsts... This is a real tough one and I need you fine, discerning people to help me out...!!!

Anyhow, have some lovely 1980's e24 6-series porn to fuel your fires... GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

[stefan]

I love them and have thought about buying one many times to go with the E23 I have, I know they can rust alot and front wings are expensive but the runnung gear should be fine as alot is from other models.

I say go for it

[EmDee]

Yes.

You Should.





For:

awesome car
rwd motoring bliss
future classic, can only increase in value
the laydees
your member will increase in size
get away with wearing a medallion in public

Against:

errr...
spensive front wings?

[robinmasters]

There's only one answer to that question.



This argument trumps any possible objection anyone might have ;D :

Aug 18, 2011 10:56:39 GMT EmDee said:

For:...get away with wearing a medallion in public

How can you not love that profile?

[Soopahfly]

[surprisingskoda]

Aug 18, 2011 11:25:15 GMT robinmasters said:

How can you not love that profile?

easy, it's got US bumpers

have a euro-spec



There is no downsides as far as I'm concerned.

[Jowey]

only downside is fuel economy and the standard wheels have metric sized tires.

530TDS in one of these and you have the perfect car IMO

[e21meister]

Aug 18, 2011 12:22:11 GMT surprisingskoda said:

Aug 18, 2011 11:25:15 GMT robinmasters said:

How can you not love that profile?

easy, it's got US bumpers

Thats a Highline, the last of the line E24 with all the trimmings.

This is a Federal-spec E24:



A quick guide:

The 6er started life in 1976. Earliest examples were built by Karmann and like with most Karmann-built cars, rot like a c#nt. In '78 BMW bought production in-house to the Dingolfing plant (which incidentally, they inherited from the takeover of Glas), fitted the better 7 series front suspension and nylon flex discs on driveshafts. In '82 the running gear from the E28 5-series was fitted; better suspension, less weight, better electronics, new intake manifold, nicer dash, ABS,etc. Mid'87- The 'Highline' facelift. More modern looking bumpers, some detail changes, top mounting oil filter, ellipsoid headlamps. The last car were made in February '89, about 80,000 were made overall.
Sixes are very well made cars but even the youngest is now 21 years old. They rust, but it's not fatal. The biggest problem is the front wings. They have no inner splash gaurd except at the back (20 quid each and I'll bet yours need replacing) and this causes both the inner and outer wings to rust. They cost about £450 each but the trick is to order a wing from a pre-'82 6er which is £100 cheaper and only lacks turn indicator holes! The inner wing can just be welded up.
The rear shock towers are a common weak spot in old BMWs but the Six isn't as bad as the 2002, worth a check though.
If the door drains clog the bottom of the door will rust out. Rust can also start behind the trim strips on the door where the metal is perforated but this can be stopped if caught.
If the sill drains clog the sill will rust, they start at the back. A partial sill costs about £300+VAT.
Check the four sunroof drains aren't rusty as they are very difficult to fix if they leak. If they become clogged you'll get water in the footwells. A bad windscreen seal can also cause this, as well as flooding the glovebox in the process.

[smithy13]

My mates got a white 635csi, think its a "79.

Goes like stink and all the milfs love it!

[grifterkid]

A good friend mentioned that a certain geezer in a certain London based British soap opera drove a 6-series... Here is what I found...



Now does that make me want it more or less...?!?!?! I actually think more...

[DarrenW]

Darren 147-1 by retromotoring, on Flickr


Silver BMW M635CSi at the Wörthersee Tour 2010 by retromotoring, on Flickr


Brand New BMW 6 Series For Sale by retromotoring, on Flickr

[austinpowers]

Do it, I had an 1983 628i and it was one of the best cars that I have ever owned. ;D

[MonzaPhil]

I have always lusted after one of these for the fleet. I would always go for a late model one though. Yes the 70s kick ass but as with all these things (500SEC, Monza GSE, SD1) the later you get the more bits you get and the less time it's had to rot.

Yes you should get one*




* I make no guarantee that my advice is good advice.

[franster]

Oh yes. I only got rid of mine because I was a bit skint, and it was thirsty.

Fors:

Looks the business
Fast
Sideways
Comfortable
Sounds the business

Against

Economy (lack of)
Rusty front wings.


This was mine. Went to Luxembourg to be stripped of it's leather Recaros

[grifterkid]

I think I've found the deal breaker...



That (almost) just about seals the deal for me...!!!

[rmad]

Don't get one. You could probably get a nice Focus for the same money<sup>*








*</sup>Yeah, right!

[THE_Liam]

LOVE these, have for years!

For:

Looks
Comfort
Power
Surprisingly nimble as aircraft carriers go
Quality
Reliability
Exclusivity, except for my mates 635CSI Shadowline I have NEVER seen one on the road

Against:

Rust
Parts prices (won't need much though)
MPG I suppose, but if you want economy buy a 106 diesel or a bike, not a grand tourer....

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT....

Convinced?

[grifterkid]

Well I really do think I am going to go for a 6-series...!!! Save for a few insurance headaches I think it's going to be ok (damn, cursed it)...

However, I'm not going to be lending my 6-er to my good mate Bruce Willis...!!! I don't think he likes them...

[trigger]

Matt Jones one looked pretty hot on those alloys i thought.

[ejenner]

I know, I already posted this in the thread about the one where you were asking about the insurance. I'm sure I've helped out there already. Here are some of the other photos of my old one. I sold it because I'd owned it for a few years and as I said in the other thread it used to give me a bit of back ache.






Mine was a highline so had lots of extras including LSD, sports leather, tinted windscreen top, heated electric seats, air conditioning, cruise control. People used to pull along side and ask if they could buy it.




I loved the way the big six used to sing as you got up to the red line. It made a lovely sort of mechanical sound like a real engine. I got 135 out of it once but it took ages to get there. I put it on the rolling road as well. It's an auto so difficult to get a proper figure off the rolling road but on the power stroke it was well over 200hp. These days that's not much to me but at the time having that beast strapped to the rollers singing it's song was nothing short of awesome. I learned how to kick the back out going round corners in a sort of non fishtailing really cool sort of way. It is an iconic design and actually featured in numerous 'art' books as an example of a beautiful car.

If I'm ever really rich at any point in the future I'd love a red M6 with a cream interior.

Here's one Munich Legends were selling a few years ago.