My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

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hesvid
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:56 am
Location: Norway

My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by hesvid »

My first post on big coupe!

Hello guys!
I have owned a bunch of BMWs. (4 x E30,3 x E36, E91) but finally got myself a veteran.

I have loved the shape of the 6-series more and more and a couple of months ago I bought my first "Shark"!
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My friend and myself pretty excited for the new car!

My initial thoughts for this car was to have a sunday car that I can have fun with and "restore" the stuff that´s not working. The car really delivered on that last part ;)

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Looks like the old owner had some fun with it :)

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All sorted now!

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My girlfriend also loves the car!

I had to buy the small things like steering wheel and gear knob to start the "restoration" ;)

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I´ve had a BUNCH of fun with the car already but I need to use the cold Norwegian winter to fix some of the biggest issues.

Looking forward to use the forum and bring this great car back to life
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hesvid
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:56 am
Location: Norway

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by hesvid »

After having the car for 1 year I treated myself with some upgrades :)

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Shipper 01
Posts: 791
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:26 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by Shipper 01 »

looks lovely. What are the light upgrades?

Those are my favourite wheels for an e24.
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by dwcains »

You may find the ellipsoid lamps are not as good as the original H1's.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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Hakeem43020
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 12:13 am
Location: Georgia, USA

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by Hakeem43020 »

Dean is right, If you change to ellipsoid headlights I'd also change the bulbs to hir bulbs.
Shipper 01
Posts: 791
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:26 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by Shipper 01 »

so what is the best light upgrade for the 6'er? Seriously, my lights are 40 years old and suffer. Hardly light up anything.
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by dwcains »

The Hella BiFocus H1 low beams and matching H1 high beams are about the best I've seen, with some caveats. The reflectors must be in good shape (free from corrosion) and the lenses should be clean (they get a white residue build-up inside) and free of serious pitting, and finally, they need good bulbs and power. Proper aiming is also a big factor in performance. I just replaced mine because of their age, and have previously upgraded the wiring and bulbs.

Here's my new set of low beams, with a clear 3M film installed to protect the lenses (the one on the right has the film applied):

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Bulbs are Philips 55w, in all 4 lamps:

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-treme- ... 2470955011

I haven't found it necessary to use 100w bulbs (which have a much shorter life), if proper power is supplied. I've rewired the whole system with 12awg wire and new 30A relays:

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Your problem may be finding replacement parts for a RHD car.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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euroshark90
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:01 pm
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by euroshark90 »

Dean, do you have a link to the headlights that fit on your Euro shark? Im having a hard time finding a replacement
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dwcains
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Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by dwcains »

I had the Hella H4/H1 combination, as when I bought the car the H1 lows were in poor shape and the correct Hella Bifocus H1 were hard to come by and $$$. Recently found a new set on eBay for ~$129 shipped from Latvia (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELLA-Bi-focus- ... 512042429?), but the wiring connectors and boots weren't included. Mine wer shot, so I found those in Bulgaria for $50 ("blackhella on myE28.com). As long as I was doing the low beams, I bought a new set of highs, too, because I found another good deal on a set (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hella-002425831 ... 865880841?). These are the OEM lights found on most of the Euro 635's, although it seems some did have the H4 low/high beams in the outer position. I just got them installed this weekend, and wrapped them in 3M clear vinyl for chip protection:

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This is the rear wiring cap and boot I had to buy separately, but if you buy the lamps from rallylights.com, all is included:

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http://www.rallylights.com/hella-5-3-4- ... 26700.html

if your car has the H4 lows, one of mine is in great shape, but the other has a small amount of corrosion on the bottom of the reflector (didn't see any deficit in light output, since the low beam comes from the top of the reflector). I also have an extra set of highs which are in excellent condition.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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hesvid
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:56 am
Location: Norway

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by hesvid »

dwcains wrote:I had the Hella H4/H1 combination, as when I bought the car the H1 lows were in poor shape and the correct Hella Bifocus H1 were hard to come by and $$$. Recently found a new set on eBay for ~$129 shipped from Latvia (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELLA-Bi-focus- ... 512042429?), but the wiring connectors and boots weren't included. Mine wer shot, so I found those in Bulgaria for $50 ("blackhella on myE28.com). As long as I was doing the low beams, I bought a new set of highs, too, because I found another good deal on a set (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hella-002425831 ... 865880841?). These are the OEM lights found on most of the Euro 635's, although it seems some did have the H4 low/high beams in the outer position. I just got them installed this weekend, and wrapped them in 3M clear vinyl for chip protection:

Image

Image

This is the rear wiring cap and boot I had to buy separately, but if you buy the lamps from rallylights.com, all is included:

Image

http://www.rallylights.com/hella-5-3-4- ... 26700.html

if your car has the H4 lows, one of mine is in great shape, but the other has a small amount of corrosion on the bottom of the reflector (didn't see any deficit in light output, since the low beam comes from the top of the reflector). I also have an extra set of highs which are in excellent condition.
Thanks for the info on the lights. I thought it was going to be an upgrade with these lenses. It was on my previous E30s I've done this with. But anyways I'm on the fences on how it looks with "smileys" on the E24. Maybe I'll just restore the once that is allready on the car. Thanks for all the info!
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tschultz
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Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by tschultz »

I go for the original H1/H1 setup if possible, just to be authentic.

I tried some cheap NEOLites and was happy with that setup even though they are H4's. Put them on the E28 just to upgrade from the sealed beams.
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
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'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: My´83 Euro BMW 635 CSI

Post by dwcains »

That's why I spent the $$ on the Hella Bifocus H1 setup. In truth, any of the "Euro" headlight setups is more than sufficient, for just about anything except the 24-hours of Le Mans. It's the US sealed-beams that are a danger to us all. Keep it below 50mph at night, or you're over-driving the light field in front of you.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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