BMW E24 635 CSI

The E24 is in my personal opinion the best looking BMW of all time. It is the model that first captivated me as a small child and adorns the Classic Bahnstormers logo. E24s transcend the gap between BMW’s true classic heritage and the explosion of popularity its modern classic catalogue is now experiencing. Unlike the E28 and E30, the E24 was destined for classic status almost from their launch, and no matter what trends have come and gone, E24s have held a value above the rest of the models and will always be appealing thanks to its cocktail of German engineering wrapped up in an Italian body design. I mean, just look at it!!!

This particular E24 635 CSI is an early series two car (based on the E28 platform as they all were until the end of production in 1990) and is a factory dog leg manual gearbox equipped vehicle, not a conversion! Factory manual cars were built in far lesser numbers than the automatic variants and if the manual cars are a completely different animal to their wafty brethren, the dog leg versions are absolute hooligan mobils in comparison, deservedly bearing out the ultimate driving machine strap line banded around by BMW at the time and for which they have now become synonymous.

This car is a fabulous and smart example in Arctic Blue metallic over pearl beige leather. The body is fantastically straight with clean panels and excellent door gaps. In fact, this is one of the few E24s I have driven where the doors shut and the windows seal in a manner that suggests they haven’t been off and messed with, unlike most E24s out there. The paint looks to be largely original with the exception of the boot lid, and the rubbers, chrome, lights and trim are all in superb condition. The exterior aspect has been altered from stock by a few choice modifications. The car has been lowered in the past using Bilstein B6 shock absorbers and lowering springs. The original metric TRX wheels, like most E24’s have been replaced with a more modern set of wheels. These genuine BMW 17 inch split rims are an evolution of BMW’s most archetypal wheel and therefore set the car off perfectly. We have had these wheels refurbished including new roudells to be in keeping with the overall marvellous condition of the car. The look is completed by what is in my opinion the best boot spoiler available for E24s ,which is only found on the early cars.

The interior of this car is in fantastic condition. From the crack free dash, to the unbroken door pockets, it is very difficult to find fault. Mercifully free of holes from the installation of 80’s aftermarket paraphernalia such as phones and primitive road angles, the interior is a superb place to be. Some choice modifications have been made by a seemingly enthusiastic previous owner as the car is fitted with the US market only high level rear brake light, US rear speaker pods and a blind in the parcel shelf which are not found in cars this early. The car retains its original early style sports three spoke steering wheel and everything within the cabin works as it should. The boot carpets are pristine and the tool kit is complete.

As previously mentioned the car has been lowered using good quality items to enhance not only the look of the car but also the performance as it goes round corners like it’s on rails, helped by the larger modern wheels and the fresh premium tyres we have fitted as part of its recommissioning program… but the performance upgrade doesn’t stop there. The car is fitted with a front strut bace supplied by Fritz Bitz, the well known UK based BMW specialist. On an initial test drive we did wonder if this car had had a performance cam shaft fitted as it really does shift but on inspection it did not seem out of the ordinary. It does however appear to have had its ECU chipped and the car is equipped with a full Fritz Bitz stainless steal exhaust system, including their stainless manifold set up. It sounds glorious accentuating the roar of the legendary M30 three and half litre engine.

With all these modifications you have to wonder how the car has been treated. It is not unreasonable to assume that someone who has invested in such upgrades may well have enjoyed a spirited drive. As part of our recommisoning process we have inspected the camshaft which is in fantastic condition. The cylinder head is as clean as they come and despite having been locked away in a garage for many years the oil that was in it when it first arrived seemed virtually new - the delivery through the spray bar when first turned over was perfect. There is no sign of any engine wear, the gearbox and drive train feel tight and positive and the car pulls like a general electric Lightning. Nevertheless we have been through the car in typical Classic Bahnstormers style. The car has been given a full inspection two service, including all fluids, engine oil, gearbox and differential oils, coolant and a full brake fluid change. All ignition components checked and changed where necessary, new filters for oil, air and fuel, tappets set, new cam cover gasket and a new radiator, thermostat and viscous coupling were all fitted to help future proof the car. The brakes have all been dismantled, serviced and adjusted as necessary with new parts fitted as required. Various minor defects have been addressed to ensure everything works as it should and any gimmicky add on items such as cone filters and stick on bits of trim have been returned to standard. The steering and suspension are all fantastic so this car does drive superbly well.

The car benefits from a good history which comprises of its original book pack, service booklet and various receipts. It had its pre inspection and run in service in Germany, several stamps in the book from Barons of Farnborough follow and then the car seemed to spend most of its life in Hertfordshire, in and around Stevenage which is where we discovered it.

The car has three negative aspects: the paint on the boot lid as already mentioned is presentable but on such a lovely car it is evidently not quite right. There are also two areas of rust. Any Google search will rightly inform you that E24s are particularly prone to rusting as they are, after all, German cars wrapped up in Italian chic. Frankly at this point as is confirmed to us on a daily basis, E24s have either been welded (often very badly) or they need some bodywork. This car really is a superb example or I simply wouldn’t have bothered with it and largely it falls into the much safer second category. The driver’s side rear quarter at the bottom of the wheel arch is beginning to bulk and rust is evident (see photo in the gallery below). The inner edge of the passenger front wing where it meets the bonnet also has some rust, (the latter is a much more unusual place to find corrosion and I can only assume something has been rubbing here to cause this). The rest of the car is excellent, passenger’s side rear arch, front wings, trumpets, screen corners, sunroof, roof and all the other E24 favourites are spot on. If dealt with proactively, the bodywork required on this car should be relatively painless to rectify and we would be very happy to quote for the work required for any perspective buyer.

In conclusion, this is a superb example of BMW’s most handsome 80’s icon, which has been well cared for and clearly owned by enthusiastic folk who have invested in it and looked after it even when it was unfashionable to do so. It benefits hugely from being a much more unusual factory dog leg manual gear box car and its various upgrades indeed make it a fantastic and very rewarding car to drive, gaining compliments and admiring glances at every turn. The condition of the car is extremely good in all areas other than those listed defects,and the items which are now extremely difficult to find such as the amazing chrome and crack free dash really do push this car above most of what is generally for sale. It is clearly not a perfect car but it is extremely good and provides a great starting point for what could easily be turned into an exceptionally good car.