Are E23's any good - Yes it seems so

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GazM3
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Are E23's any good - Yes it seems so

Post by GazM3 »

I have a chance to pick up an e23. Are they a nice car to drive and how closely related to the e24 are they
Last edited by GazM3 on Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Brucey
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Post by Brucey »

they share quite a few engine and suspension parts with any other contemporaneous BMW of similar size. I'm no expert by any means but AFAIK like the E24 they underwent significant changes to the suspension etc during production, so early ones are rather E12-like underneath and later ones are somewhat more E28-like. Again, like E24, some of the body panels are slightly different on later versions.

Steve (webermagic) has one at present and others have also dabbled.

If you think E12 (or E28) -but bigger- then you won't be far off the mark.

For a slightly larger car they are quite wieldy, and not all that weighty in poverty spec. However if you get a fully loaded example it will be significantly more lardy; there are all kinds of luxury gizmos like electric rear seats (really!) that you can find.

Fuel consumption is (of course) laughable on short runs and stop-start, but more tolerable when cruising. Higher speeds mean pushing a large (and not terribly aerodynamic) brick through the air so a bit juicy there too.

cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

Cheers Brucey.
It's an 86 with full buffalo leather in good nick and a great straight silver body
It has the elect 4sod auto.

Fuel consumption is not hugely important but I guess consumption will be good with air meter setup and ignition in good order.
The auto is not perfect in it but I have a manual gearbox with pedal set clutch and clutch set all ready to fit in.
They only want 700aud which is like 450uk pounds. As a manual with some nice wheels and maybe lower diff gears it could be a nice cruiser.

One of the good things about project building is u collect lots of parts which fit most models. I have a mint set of naked throwing stars which may look ok. Also have some 3" dished acs type 1 wheels on an e34 which may suit it also.

Anyway ill have a look at it on sat morning and if it looks as nice as it does in the photos well ill prob take the punt with it.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
Pod
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Post by Pod »

I bought a late '89 example for a song a few years ago for the LPG system it had fitted. Brucey's right about the "gizmos" - there's an awful lot to go wrong in the electrical department (just look under the rear seats!!!). It makes our good old E24s look simple by comparison! Alot of car for the money though :wink:
MöchteWeiß

Post by MöchteWeiß »

Beware the automatic climate control, if it has that. If it isn't working it is NOT likely to be an easy fix!
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mojocoggo
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Post by mojocoggo »

When the shocks and suspension bushings are stock and like-new, it's the most comfortable classic BMW you can get. If you can't get air to blow from the face vents, plan on spending several hours removing most of the dashboard diagnosing and replacing vacuum pods. If the HVAC does work, BUY IT IMMEDIATELY.

Here's mine that I recently sold:

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GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

Ill take the tip on the climate control on board. My mechanic is a guru with old electrics which ill probably need. I'm currently renovating his office as I'm in between big jobs so he will owe me several days labour.
Even if it has problems I get a good high comp m30 a 3.25;1lsd and a nice lounge suite for 700.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

I now own e23.
Drives orsome have high comp engine and full buffalo anthrizit interior.
Definelty the coolest thing is the electric rear seats.
I'm pretty happy and for 700 I can't go wrong.

The vents work but the heater core leaks so may need to pull it out or use some of that stop leak stuff.
The engine goes orsome but way too tall gearing. Can reach over 100km/h in first. It looks abit of a grampas car externay but a change of wheels will do wonders.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
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hornhospital
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Post by hornhospital »

I saw one at Bimmerfest in Maryland last year, and I swear, I did a double-take. It was like an E24 grew two more doors!

Very cool. I am jealous.
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hoadie
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Post by hoadie »

Got any pics Gaz?
GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

have some pics . she's no looker at the moment, but from inside its pretty cool

We have club rego sorted for it today and sorted the vaccum operated heating. All the switching works but there is a small leak somewhere internally which sucks, but we should sort it. On a 120km round trip to Hastings she returns 8.5L/100km. I rekon it will sit around 12-13 in the city. The high comp engine is more efficient for sure. The e28 was lucky to return 18-19.

Here are some of the pics

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BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
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hoadie
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Post by hoadie »

Arm rests! Very jealous!
GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

Wait to I get my special interior stuff. The leather will look like its only 4 yr old once I done with it. It's gunna turn this ugly duckling into a sexy swan with some retro cool thrown in
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
cecotto479

Post by cecotto479 »

Fabulous!

Perforated Buffalo leather. Heated seats. Lovely.

I do prefer the original sharknose pre 84s and I'd lose the wheels, but otherwise its lovely. Brilliant big cars too.
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Post by sharkfan »

cecotto479 wrote:Fabulous!

Perforated Buffalo leather. Heated seats. Lovely.

I do prefer the original sharknose pre 84s and I'd lose the wheels, but otherwise its lovely. Brilliant big cars too.
How about some pics of yours?
GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

Had it for over a week now. I'm surprised how well it carries the auto and tall gears. Economy from 300km of mixed driving has returned a staggering 11.8 L/100km.

I trial fitted a set of 17x9 et16 throwing stars and they just fit the front with a 10mm spacer. Ill prob run a 12mm just for abit of safety margin. The rears fit but to fill the guards same as front I will need a staggering 30mm spacer!!!

If anyone has a source in the UK for these at reasonable prices sing out. The USA has rediculus delivery prices to Aus currently. There is nothing worse once u get your goods when u see that the delivery payment is like often well under 1/2 what u been charged. It seems the USA vendors like making big margins in the shipping
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
cecotto479

Post by cecotto479 »

sharkfan wrote:
cecotto479 wrote:Fabulous!

Perforated Buffalo leather. Heated seats. Lovely.

I do prefer the original sharknose pre 84s and I'd lose the wheels, but otherwise its lovely. Brilliant big cars too.
How about some pics of yours?
I think it has been on here before, but always happy to oblige:-

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It's planned to get a b35 and 4 speed installed over the winter. I had toyed with selling it, but for all it is worth, I'd rather have it.
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sharkfan
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Post by sharkfan »

cecotto479 wrote: I had toyed with selling it, but for all it is worth, I'd rather have it.
I had toyed with buying it, I still would.
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Post by tschultz »

My brother is just about to send his E23 in for paint. I may have to post a picture!

EDIT: He's respraying it Arctic Blue
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Last edited by tschultz on Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

Spent some quality time bringing the leather back to life. She came up very well. Ill get pics ins day or so.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
GazM3
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by GazM3 »

more pics

done some stuff

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BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
GripGreg
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Post by GripGreg »

Great lookin' car, Gaz. Just big! :wink:
I hope you're not thinking about dyeing the seat covers. You'll lose all the wonderful patina that's been acquired.
Maybe all you need is some quality leather food? And a smaller steering wheel?
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Ozibimmer
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Post by Ozibimmer »

My God Gaz
I just Bought one also. It Black with Buffalo Interior
Here are a few
She is a 85 model with 204,089 km
I will take some pictures tomorrow and post them up.
Really love yours mate.
Any more pictures =D>
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GazM3
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Post by GazM3 »

It's off getting the heater fixed Addam.

The e23's are a natural progression from the e24.
They are cheap but in good condition they will increase due to the rarity in Australia.
How's your pellet loadin abilities now. The 6 is screaming out for tyat steering wheel and dogleg box
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
mikko

Post by mikko »

Been searching for a good one every once in a while. Had a couple. Here's the last one after stripping the good bits. (and a couple of hundred rounds)

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