1970's Cars

[Bryan M]

Hello:

Are the late 1970's cars that are (possible) restoration projects doable or should they be avoided. I am looking at a couple on facebook marketplace in the Kansas City area.

One is a 1978 635CSi (per seller) described as a Euro car with a 6 digit VIN. I don't know what that means, I have owned a 1985 635 but it's been 12 years. Car runs, says rust on floorboard, it is a manual car. $4,000

Same place has a 1977 Euro 6 digit VIN car for $2,000, does not run 630 csi.

I am asking not because I am super cheap but because I would prefer to do any early car since they made these from 1976 until 1989. Yes I know I can buy nice running cars for $15,000 to $20,000 but I want to try my hand at a restoration.

So do early cars have any buzz or do most folks ignore them for the better sorted 1986-1989's? Thank you

[hornhospital]

Welcome to BigCoupe!

The early E24s (70s to mid 1982) are substantially different from the later cars, and are somewhat harder to locate parts for, particularly body parts.

If you have a choice between a non-runner with a rust-free body and a runner that has rusted out fenders and floorboards, get the rust-free car. Get someone familiar with E24s to help you inspect the offerings.

[GRNSHRK]

Here's a couple of links that should get you a bit more excited

viewtopic.php?t=33882

viewtopic.php?t=33806

[86_6series]

Listen to Hornhospital.

There's probably plenty things to work on a rust free car to
give you the sense of accomplishment. If you are supercheap,
how will you afford the vast cost of a restoration?

[Bryan M]

Actually I said I asked because I am NOT super cheap. I will spend the money needed, but enjoy the restoration process vs buying a completed reliable car, which is far more economical than restoring anything automotive.

[Bryan M]

Thanks for the links above. I have been looking at them.

What is the deal or differences between these "6 digit" Euro VIN cars and normal American E24s? Sorry if my nomenclature is off. I had a good book on the 635s but when I sold my 1985, I did not keep it.

Here are the 2 cars that caught my interest -

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 6261832315

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 4992037584

[RossDinan6]

That second car doesn't look like a Euro. Looks like US bumpers to me.

[86_6series]

My mistake, I stand corrected -- misread your post.

Bob V

[Ralph in Socal]

Hello:

Are the late 1970's cars that are (possible) restoration projects doable or should they be avoided. I am looking at a couple on facebook marketplace in the Kansas City area.

One is a 1978 635CSi (per seller) described as a Euro car with a 6 digit VIN. I don't know what that means, I have owned a 1985 635 but it's been 12 years. Car runs, says rust on floorboard, it is a manual car. $4,000

Same place has a 1977 Euro 6 digit VIN car for $2,000, does not run 630 csi.

I am asking not because I am super cheap but because I would prefer to do any early car since they made these from 1976 until 1989. Yes I know I can buy nice running cars for $15,000 to $20,000 but I want to try my hand at a restoration.

So do early cars have any buzz or do most folks ignore them for the better sorted 1986-1989's? Thank you

Pick your poison

I actually like the early cars better. More raw and requires better driver inputs. For example - no antilock brakes. Some see it as a negative but the antilock system has issues and can even prevent you from driving the car.

Major drawbacks to the early cars is parts supply. Most new replacement parts are more expensive than equivalent later parts. Some (rear brake rotors, steering center link) are exceedingly difficult to find or NLA. Parts are required but BMW wants to sell new cars, not a few parts for old cars.

Get the 6 digit vin for those cars and do some research on them. I didn't realize the 6 digit vin existed. Good luck

Ralph

[RossDinan6]

I'm curious about early car brakes as I have zero experience with them. Can the E12 based cars upgrade brakes from the BMW parts bin? I did the 5 series front/7 series rear with an E32 master years ago on my '84 (non ABS BTW). Is something like this possible?

[GRNSHRK]

Ross, the E12 based brake systems (at least the calipers) are considered better than the later versions

The fronts are 4 piston fixed calipers, while the rears are also fixed, 2 pistons however

All 4 rotors are vented as well

The front calipers resemble those found on M6's

As far as 6 digit VIN's are concerned, that too sounds a bit odd, as one can usually use the last 7 digits to look up parts on say, sites like realoem

[hornhospital]

Didn't some of the after-production modifier houses use a 6 digit VIN in place of the original BMW VIN? (Alpina, Dinan, etc.)

[Bryan M]

In looking at the 2 cars I am considering, neither one seems to have this "six digit VIN". 1st one shows a title with 7 digits and the 2nd and better one shows a longer VIN with alpha and numbers so I don't know.

Either way they are both manuals, which I prefer. I appreciate all the comments and discussion.

I do find it interesting that like most older collectible cars out there, fewer and fewer folks are doing restorations for a variety of reasons, space, money to do v just buying a nice one, and time involved.