Experience and opinions on '86 635I

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The Singers - 27 Nov 2004 14:23 GMT

Hi all,

I'm looking at a 1986 635I with just over 97K. I'm wondering what types of
experiences have been had and opinions have been learned from this
potentially fabulous vehicle.

Thanks in advance,

Greg s

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Old Radios - 27 Nov 2004 14:51 GMT

Pretty much the usual with 80's BMW's. Have it looked over by a good
BMW mechanic, open your pocket book and expect ~$100/month in repairs.
It typically takes $1-2,000 to get them right after you buy them, then a
steady stream of maintenance issues (hence the 100/mo). They're lots of
fun, but unless you have the $ you'd better be willing to work on it
yourself. Granted, they're easy to work on, and parts can be had
relatively cheap on-line.
mark.

> Hi all,
>
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Matt O'Toole - 27 Nov 2004 18:26 GMT

> Pretty much the usual with 80's BMW's. Have it looked over by a good
> BMW mechanic, open your pocket book and expect ~$100/month in repairs.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> willing to work on it yourself. Granted, they're easy to work on,
> and parts can be had relatively cheap on-line.

$100 a month is *way* cheaper than the depreciation on a new BMW, or even a
newer used one.

BTW, according to my spreadsheets for the last 20 years, it does cost about $100
a month to own an older BMW -- or any other old car, including the "cheaper"
ones. IME, old BMWs are good, cheap transportation. And I have over a half
million miles of that experience.

Matt O.

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Old Radios - 27 Nov 2004 19:16 GMT

Oh, I agree. I'll buy another. I just think people assume they're like
a Honda on steroids. You just put gas in it and drive, they're "fine
German machines" and never break down. Over the past 30 years I've
owned mostly Japanese cars. Now that I've owned a BMW 5'er and an Audi,
I'm dead sold on German cars. But I must say, they are NOT maintinance
free like Japanese cars (relatively speaking). People need to know
that. I'm sold, though. Though I've spent too many weekends on the
garage floor with the Audi and bimmer, I'll never drive anything else again.

Mark.

>>Pretty much the usual with 80's BMW's. Have it looked over by a good
>>BMW mechanic, open your pocket book and expect ~$100/month in repairs.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Matt O.

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John Burns - 28 Nov 2004 12:11 GMT

> I'm looking at a 1986 635I with just over 97K. I'm wondering what types of
> experiences have been had and opinions have been learned from this
> potentially fabulous vehicle.

I had an 85 and adored it. Wonderful cars. Rust is the biggest problem
with UK examples. There's a buyer's guide on my site's E24 page.

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Mark $UK$ - 29 Nov 2004 11:20 GMT

>> I'm looking at a 1986 635I with just over 97K. I'm wondering what
>> types of experiences have been had and opinions have been learned
>> from this potentially fabulous vehicle.
>
> I had an 85 and adored it. Wonderful cars. Rust is the biggest problem
> with UK examples. There's a buyer's guide on my site's E24 page.

Have you no longer got the 6 John?

Mark

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