Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

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julianonline
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Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by julianonline »

Hello everyone,

I am going through a difficult decision. I am about to buy a 635csi, but I am trying to decide between two options that I have:

A 1985 635csi manual transmission with perfect documented history and 119K miles

or

A 1987 L6 auto transmission with 128K miles...

I like manual transmission...

But is there any advice why should I get the L6 over the 635csi?, any technical advantage... how harsh and powerful is the auto transmission... I found many people wanting to convert auto to manual, so I am struggling to decide.

Thank you!
GRNSHRK
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by GRNSHRK »

Hey julianonline,

Well, all else being equal (as in, equal condition, etc.) I would opt for the '85 =D>

The L6 doesn't really look any different, given that it too has the large bumpers before the change to world bumpers, albeit the interior is covered with leather, including, potentially the dash :roll:

You do know that "L" stood for Leather #-o

But unless one has a less desirable color (in your opinion, of course) or not your choice of wheels (you get the idea), again my vote is for the '85 :-"

Any photos :lol:

We love those 8)
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Shipper 01
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by Shipper 01 »

I think photos are needed so we can compare the cars. Additionally, what are the prices and is the manual original or a gearbox swap?

You'll have far more fun in a manual. Unless you are Mr.E who can rocket an auto one handed at 80mph while hanging out the window to take a photo!
julianonline
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by julianonline »

Thanks a lot for your comments, really appreciate it.

So, this is the tricky point, the 1985 635csi manual transmission is 7500 USD but with excellent carfax and seems to be slightly better... while the 1987 L6 auto is 3700 USD... so from that perspective... the auto makes sense... but, since I like manual... I thought getting the auto and converting it to manual later would be an option... but... that would mean more $$$ to make it manual... and on the other side I also appreciate keeping it as original as possible...

I am trying to attach two pics that I got:

Thank you guys, you rock!
Attachments
This is the 635... I like the wheels more but this is something very easy to change...
This is the 635... I like the wheels more but this is something very easy to change...
6351.jpg (268.63 KiB) Viewed 12091 times
This is the L6, condition looks very similar
This is the L6, condition looks very similar
l61.jpg (136.97 KiB) Viewed 12091 times
julianonline
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by julianonline »

Forgot to say, the manual, is an original manual... no swap...

I imagine auto to manual swap may reduce the price of the car too...

GRNSHRK, didn't know about the L, very interesting, and makes sense considering all the leather that those cars had for that year.

Thank you so much!

I will let you know what was the conclusion, I am very excited about this!
conez0
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by conez0 »

I would say unless you really really like leather or really really hate the color of the '85 to get the '85.

the L6 has TRX wheels on it which are expensive tires.
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GazM3
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by GazM3 »

Even though the autos work fine behind the m30 motor, the manuals are more enjoyable to drive unless u drive everyday in rush hour traffic.
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94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
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dwcains
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by dwcains »

In the pics, the L6 doesn't look nearly as nice as the 635, and you can keep all the extra leather, which is nothing buy trouble. Have you seen these cars in-person, driven them? I think that will make the decision much easier, and obviously, I'm pushing for the '85 635.
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julianonline
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by julianonline »

Thank you so much to everyone, you are a great community and your advice is very well received.

I think I will go for the 85 manual, even with the price difference... at the end it makes sense I will get the car I want.

I will let you know more news and share pics when I have the car... I will keep it as OEM as possible... only thing I will change is the euro bumpers, I have a couple of euro bumper sets that I purchased some time ago waiting for the right car to use them.

Thanks again and will keep you posted!

Cheers!
Shipper 01
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by Shipper 01 »

The manual does look lovely. It has a nice clean line to it. The wheels look good. Nice choice. Looking forward to all of the pictures.
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MrE
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by MrE »

I think the '85 looks nicer too. And good point by conez, that L6 appears to have TRXs which are a liability in the overall scheme of things - potentially one reason why that car is cheaper.

I think, though I'm not sure, but I've heard comment in the past that the L6s are heavier due to their appointments, and therefore seem more of a luxury barge compared to a 'regular' E24 - and a manual would certainly feel faster. My car is auto, as Shipper has pointed out, but I've always been quite happy with it - never had any desire to change it.
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julianonline
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by julianonline »

Thank you everyone.

And how does $7300 sound for the 85 635csi with 119K original miles (verified by records and carfax) and very good condition?

I think is good price, do you agree?

Thanks!
Shipper 01
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by Shipper 01 »

If that was in Australia it would be dirt cheap. Here good low mileage 635CSi's are going from AUD$15k to $35k. There has not been an M635CSi for sale for some 5 to 7 years now. Additionally, our main car website used to have 5 to 7 633's for sale and anywhere up to 15 to 20 635's for sale. Now days you are lucky to get 1 633 and 2 to 4 635's. Market is tightening up.

No idea however how that sits in the USA. 635's may also be increasing in value. If no rust and really neat, i'd buy it!
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zinnocoupe
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by zinnocoupe »

One more positive for the 85 is that it should ( I think ) have the getrag 265/5, which is the one you want. I thought the L stood for Luxury? Either way the leather is a liability. Unless you have a leather fetish of course :D Is the 85 cirrus or cosmo? It looks good. I think $7300 is a bit high. But from one pic its hard to tell. And I don't know your market or where you are. Please add your location to your profile. That car would look awesome with the euro bumpers. I would add that I have a auto with NA bumpers and I don't mind either.
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GRNSHRK
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by GRNSHRK »

I was kidding you guys :o :shock: #-o

Of course "L" stood for Luxury, not Leather [-X

Few more points, the L6 will have "comfort" seats, of lack thereof (comfort =; ), but if the '85 has sport seats, that would be another plus \:D/

Don't know about either of those sets of wheels, TRX's on the L6 would need to go, and those turbines, good luck trying to clean those :-({|=

Price may be a bit steep at $7300, probably a little wiggle room in there for the seller to negotiate :-"
:mrgreen:
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zinnocoupe
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Re: Advice please, 635csi 1985 manual vs L6 1987 auto

Post by zinnocoupe »

OK Bobbo, you got me. As always its hard to tell jokes, sarcasm etc with just the written word. Plus I'm slow :oops:
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1979 Euro 635ci no longer a basketcase, just a running rust bucket!
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