1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

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Gregorydarcy
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1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Gregorydarcy »

Hi Guys ive purchased the above, its a survivor and im in the midst (early stages) of getting in on the road.

ive been told it needs a water pump and may have a suspect head gasket failure amongst a few other things

its done 180miles so im tempted to (gasp) swap the motor out for something a bit more reliable - happy to take feedback on this.
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Ralph in Socal
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Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Ralph in Socal »

With proper care and maintenance, the M30 is extremely reliable. Enough to do 500k miles on the same bottom end. Head gaskets become necessary when cooling issues are not properly addressed

There have been untold number of swaps to newer power plants, LS motors and other sources of power but realize the amount of work to perform such a swap will be well above and beyond performing proper maintenance on the M30

Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
Gregorydarcy
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Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Gregorydarcy »

Thanks mate. I don’t think it’s been maintained properly will know more next week. Bless the old digger I bought it off. Frankly a new barra motor and driveline will be cheaper than a head gasket repair and have triple the power plus reliability. No brainer for me
Pasocb
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Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Pasocb »

Nice looking car from the picture.
If it has its original engine, it is no standard M30. The series one 635 cars like this came with the large bore/short stroke M90 motor. These engines produce an exceptionally broad torque curve surpassing other engines available in these cars making them a joy to drive on back roads. You didn't mention what transmission it has. Many came with the close ration "dog leg" 5-speed. The combination of the M90 engine with a dog leg is hard to beat. I hope you seriously consider keeping its running gear intact.

Of course I am biased considering what is sitting out in the barn right now...
cb
1981 635 Hennarot
1980 635 Polaris (Project)
Gregorydarcy
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Location: Melbourne AU

Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Gregorydarcy »

Thank you Pasco, your comment and knowledge is the reason why i joined this forum.

Mine is a 3spd auto and yes while i aknowledge the purist angle of things, unfortunatley the economics side of this project outweigh the 'purism' as i plan to use the car as a daily driver and need relaibilty.

My car has done 180 miles and needs a lot of love from what my untrained eye can see.

Over the next 6 months I will install a Ford turbo 4L straight 6 mated to a ZF 6sp auto complete with a/c and all the mod cons. Body will be original. something different with a bit of poke. Unfortunatley i wont have that sweet sounding smooth BMW 6.
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hornhospital
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Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by hornhospital »

Well, someone should be eager to glom up that M90....
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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jps635
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Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by jps635 »

Would it ft, these are big engines that sit upright

While not a 4l Barra, this will give you a good idea of what you're up against

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_suxBlICXw
'85 635csi JPS (RA2-66)
Gregorydarcy
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Location: Melbourne AU

Re: 1980 Euro spec 635csi - impulse purchase

Post by Gregorydarcy »

Good video thanks for the link!
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