1st post, just acquired an e24 today

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Jimsill

1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by Jimsill »

Newb here. Just brought my first e24 home today (have owned an e10, e21, several e30s in the past). The car is an 88, lachs over gray, and the all important 5-speed. 160k showing on broke odo (seller claims car sat for 15 years in Florida and mileage is only a shade over the odo reading.

I was a little trigger happy when i saw the car and bought it on the spot. Having a bit of buyers remorse as I type this...
Car made it an hour home without incident. Cruises steady at 80mph. Only 3-4 small rust bubbles. But now that I've sorted through it for an hour, the following issues have become apparent:

-Clear coat is toast. Car looks great in the shade and from 20 feet out, but there is no saving the paint job.
-The rear end is sitting a bit low/rear wheels are cambered out a tad
-Gauges work intermittently
-Rear windows inop
-Exhaust is tired.
-oil leak (3 quarter sized conjoined spots after sitting 3 hours).

Interior shows ok but no where near perfect. I paid 5600 for the car. Did I over pay or is this a fair starting point???
brickwhite
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by brickwhite »

Welcome. you are in a good place and you probably know that.

As for $5600, that's not crazy but you didn't steal it.

Pictures would help alot.

Where is the rust?
Where are you located

I'm surprised you drove it that far if you owner said it's been sitting for 15yrs and it made it.

I tried that with my e23 and it didn't make it down the block.

Anyway baseline the hoses,belts,fluids, brakes, filters, suspension, and tires then worry about cosmetics.

Most of the issues you speak of can be addressed easily. But I would put new gas (maybe soft fuel lines) and oil in her right away. Then check the rest if she's been sitting.

You say oil leak? Where front of engine? Back? Is it red?
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sansouci
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by sansouci »

Sounds like a good start. Fundamentals first, cosmetics second. Add your location and last 7 of your vin to enable us to better help you as needed.
So welcome to the forum.
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84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
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60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
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Jimsill

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by Jimsill »

its been a long time since I hosted pics on a message board I'll get some up soon.

To clarify, car was driven to Florida from CT in 2002 by previous owner as a second car for his 2nd home, and ultimately was parked and forgotten about until this year (severely flat spotted TRX tires support this). Owner owns a small repair shop, so this year he flatbedded the car back to CT, flushed gas and cooling system, changed cap and wires, all filters, freed the brakes and turned the rotors, new intake hose, a few bulbs, and woila, she's mine. I borrowed a set of wheels from a buddy with usable tires, hopped in and drove 50 miles back home.

And here we are!
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sansouci
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by sansouci »

The PO saved you a lot of work. I would figure that a good bit of the price was to recoup the parts and labor you'd have to have done anyway.
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by Pod »

Welcome to the madness :wink:

It doesn't sound like a bad buy and most of the issues you identified are simple, relatively easy fixes. To my mind the only expensive decision is whether to do a respray - but just use it for a while and see how you get on!
francoid

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by francoid »

Hi, welcome.

It's hard to say as you don't provide much in terms of specifics (exact model and year, VIN...) but as long as rust is very limited and all electrical work, it should be a good buy, everything else can be taken care of given time and effort. it looks like you are willing to take care of her and you are in the right place.

Cheers
Jimsill

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by Jimsill »

VIN: wbaec7415j0608426

Can't get the love box open. Lock moves freely with key, the latch moves, but box won't pop open. Any ideas ?
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WelshBentleyBoy
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by WelshBentleyBoy »

Jimsill wrote:VIN: wbaec7415j0608426

Can't get the love box open. Lock moves freely with key, the latch moves, but box won't pop open. Any ideas ?
Best mis-type for some time!!! Let us know the secret of opening the "love box"
Paul
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francoid

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by francoid »

WelshBentleyBoy wrote:
Jimsill wrote:VIN: wbaec7415j0608426

Can't get the love box open. Lock moves freely with key, the latch moves, but box won't pop open. Any ideas ?
Best mis-type for some time!!! Let us know the secret of opening the "love box"
Indeed. Was going to redirect it to Dr Ruth!!!
francoid

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by francoid »

More seriously, can you access the screws in the back of the glove box? If so, you may be able to slide it sufficiently to unlock it. Then make sure it does not fall under its own weight as you want to unplug the electric wires on the left and on top, and the little retainer on the right.
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slofut
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by slofut »

Have you tried shifting the love box door side to side slightly? Be sure to lube it a little before you put it back in... #-o
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slofut
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by slofut »

Hey this is in the "parts for sale section" post in the "interior" section for more exposure.
'87 635csi, 5sp man, dk blu on pearl beige
'88 635csi, auto, black on grey
'63 BMW Isetta
'75 XJ6C, 2dr, warm 350
'86 XJ6, th700r4
'75TR6
'64 Olds 88 conv
"68 T120 Bonneville
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by GRNSHRK »

Welcome Jimsill :shock:

Welcome to the madness, that is #-o

Do you want me to move this thread for you :-k

Lemme know, as a board moderator it just takes a couple of key strokes [-o<
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Jimsill

Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by Jimsill »

Sure that's great.

Uodate: I removed the hinge screws to no avail. Looks like I'll have to break latch clasp to free it and buy a used replacement
guido
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by guido »

Jimsill wrote: -Rear windows inop
Hi Jim,

This is 'sometimes' easily cured by removing the rear trim and giving the motors and assembly a good amount of grease and then working it back and forth. If they haven't been used in a while which sounds to be the case then this might do the trick - fingers crossed!
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Re: 1st post, just acquired an e24 today

Post by rhanley 635csi89 »

The glove box door can be pulled downward, above the latch (push downward hard), this will expose two screws which hold the clasp to the dashboard, undo the two screws and the clasp will drop and you're home free in the "love box".
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