1984 BMW E24 M635CSi

[spanky]

Great photos again stoffie! Im glad the merc people were cool with letting you come. Nice people!

I always like reading your updates as I love the older cars with the real chrome etc. 

[Stoffie]

Thanks!

Sixers always seem to attract a very random crowd, everybody seems to love them somehow.

But they are a bunch of oldtimer-minded people anyway, so it was never an issue, and I can appreciate an old Benz any day of the week 

Hope to finish up my 'wishlist' this year, still anticipating 7K € of investing before I have everything the way I want it. And ofcourse there will always be something that breaks in an old car...

Next monday she's getting an oil change (every 5000km), and hoping to replace the coil, spark plug leads and pulse generators, as well as getting my front lip resprayed in the upcoming months. With that complete, all things electrical/ignition will have been renewed or overhauled in the engine bay. Going to try to resolder my ECU myself if possible, there might be getting some bad solder joints in there after 26 years...

[Stoffie]

And another little update.

Car passed its MOT with flying colors, sailed right through. Engine has been running a bit weirdly as of late though. Had a little hickup last week, so I left it in the garage and took my bicycle instead (was nice out anyway).

Before the MOT, I had the front discs and pads replaced, calipers rebuilt, and the rear pads also replaced, including the wear sensors on both axles.

Next friday she'll be getting new injectors, new coil, new pulse senders, check the spark plugs for the combustion image, and readjust CO and idle. Might also have the front lip pulled to have it resprayed.

Week after that we'll check the valve clearances, reset where necessary, check the vacuum on the individual cylinders and resync the ITB's where necessary. Also will be doing a compression test, and check how much the chain has stretched, thus implying a timing chain rebuild or not.

And lastly, in the upcoming weeks, I'll be ordering all new vacuum, coolant and fuel lines, because some of them have had their time because of age and engine heat.

Still, looking pretty as ever...

[ARMAN]

the amount of money you guys are willing to invest in cars is incredible

looking gorgeous as always

[Stoffie]

I like my daily driver perfect, especially the mechanical side of things. Little niggles and faults annoy me, so, there you have your answer 

[Phobo]

Seen a simliar version to yours last week on the RedBullRing Opening - also in mint condition and I was surprised how small it actually is. On pictures the car always looks way bigger compared to reality. Not saying that it has Fiat500 dimensions .

check how much the chain has stretched, thus implying a timing chain rebuild or not.

Be ready for a nice price quote. The chain is very cheap (~70euros) but the guiding rails are highly expensive. Especially when you realise that its just a piece of plastic with a bmw tag .
when will you say the car is now finish with its big service? The guy from BMW parts department will be your best friend I can imagine

[Stoffie]

About the size, it's a pretty big car, but surprisingly small inside for a 6'2" guy like me. Backseats are ok for kids, that's about it 

I know a rebuild of the timing part will be expensive, already have a quote for about 1350€ in parts alone. The sliding rails and tensioner parts are indeed very expensive for what they are. The difference in price between the quote from two years ago, and now is about 450€. The fewer parts are available, the more they jack up the price. Sad really, with all this BMW Classic " we can make and deliver any part for your oldtimer bmw " PR bullshit.

In any case I have budgeted 2000€ for this job.

The car is far from finished. Ultimately I want to do a full engine rebuild (pistons, valves, valveseats and guides etc) but that's a distant dream for now. I do want to have the gearbox rebuilt at some point, as well as the LSD.

But realistically, aside from the timing job, rebuilding the AC and maybe a new clutch and bearings and the other things already mentioned earlier, I think I'll just enjoy my car for the year to come There's a host of other little niggles I'll try to tackle myself.

[Stoffie]

And Chief is back...well almost, as I'm bringing it back in next Monday to fix a broken bracket to the steering box as a result of my little accident in June (most probable, but they are known for failing these brackets though). Wasn't really noticeable during normal driving, but going lock to lock at standstill would reveal a clonk, and a non centered steering wheel, so I had it checked out.

In any case, Chief's got new ignition leads now, new spark plugs, a new windshiel, side mirror, and a bunch of new trim, as well as having the front spoiler resprayed.

Hope to do a decent photo shoot sometime soon! (but I keep saying that  )