1985 BMW 635csi as Daily Driver?

Decent? DD?

Will it warm up in 5 miles? Probably in your climate. Is it up to speed or 30-40 mph surface steets?

I drove my '78 530 as a DD for several years several years ago.. was great.

 

I had both at the same time - 86 M5 and 86 M6. The M6 which is the juiced up 635, wonderful car to drive. Short drives a little tougher as does take a few minutes to warm up everything. Good trunk space, easy to work on engine. The 535 or M5 though was more practical and easier to get in and out. Another option is a well sorted 88 735. Good luck

 

Price?

I test drove one for a weekend back in the day, (maybe '87-ish) thinking it would be a great DD for me to go to work (30 minute commute.)

It was a GREAT car, and I got all warm and fuzzy about using it as my DD that weekend. Then I called my insurance company, looked harder at the sticker price, and got a lecture from my wife. (we had two little kids and had just bought a house.) Ended up with a with an Audi coupe GT instead, as I recall, or might have been a Thunderbird Super Coupe. (memory is a little fuzzy about that.)

I'd say go for it, with a caveat or two. 1. Are parts plentiful? and 2. Do you have a good mechanic close by for it?

I don't think it'd be unreliable, for a 30 year old car, and they drive great. I'd consider the possibility that it will need tires, brakes, and a few other maintenance items along with the stuff on your shopping list. If it can be had for decent money, and you love the look/ride, go for it. After all, it was designed to be a DD, right?

And if it's a gigantic fail down the road, well, there's always another guy, just like you, looking for a low miles 635csi.

D

 

I live in São Paulo, Brazil. Our roads are not nice. Our climate is hot.

I daily drove my 1965 635csi (european model, auto) for something like 3 years before I bought my 118i which is my DD today. The 6er is an incredible commuter car. My car had about 78 thousand KM when I bought it, it now has almost 90. I won't lie I've had a few issues with it - mainly electric issues (it used to eat batteries) and perishable parts like bushings - but that M30 engine is just about bullet-proof, and if you're looking at a 5-speed, even better as you won't have to deal with the early electronic auto like I have in my car.

I say go for it. There's a real connection when you drive that car that you won't get in a more modern car. Also, the back seats fit real people, not just kids. Just make sure A/C works if you live in the heat, because that big greenhouse means the cabin gets hot in traffic.

 

By the way, parts are really easy to find online, not that expensive if you live in the US (for 1985 cars, many were shared with the E28. Earlier cars shared with the E12) and the enthusast network on bigcoupe.com and other forums is very very helpful. This isn't a hard car to work on yourself.

I get screwed over on parts $$$-wise because I live in Brazil. It's actually the reason my car is not daily driven anymore. And the less you drive it, the more trouble it'll be.

I recommend putting on E39 sports 17' wheels. The original wheels used TRX tires which aren't the greatest. My car drives great on the 17's, it actually looks very good, too.
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There are some guys who make replica Alpina wheels in more practical/modern sizes, and they look very good too.

 

I've had a 80 633csi, 79 635csi and an 86 635csi and used all of them as dailys. They are great cars, but the one thing lacking is good ac. As said before, you have a big greenhouse, and with a black interior, the ac system is really laboring to keep you cool.

Go with Suspension Techniques sway bars and H&R springs with Bilstein sports and be prepared to carve canyons! A chip, intake and full exhaust complete the package.

 

I can't comment on 6 series as a daily, but I did daily a 20+ year old car for a few years. If we were sitting in a pub discussing this, the first question I'd ask you is: what's your backup plan? Can you easily get to work if something goes wrong with the car and/or the weather turns to absolute garbage and you decide you don't want to subject your baby to the drive?

If you have a good backup plan, I'd say go for it. Plan on a lot of maintenance early on; if your car is like mine was, there are a lot of cobwebs to blow out. But once you start going through things and getting them "right", the car will seem better for the exercise. And you'll have the joy of driving something interesting and unique every day.

 

Absolutely go for it, I've had 2 an 83 and an 89 Highline. There fantastic cars and will still be on the road years after current disposable cars have been crushed.

 

Leeber:
Based on my experience with my '87 M6 I wouldn't hesitate to use a 635csi as a DD. These are great cars to drive at everyday speeds, especially with that sweet five-speed gearbox. As for tires, I recently replaced my old TRX tires with fresh TRX-GT tires now being offered by Longstone Tyres in the U.K. and I'm very happy with their grip and handling. They are a bit pricey but they'll last you many years and you don't have to change out your wheels.

Alan
New Jersey

 

They all work in concert with each other. With all of those installed, you should get about 20-25 hp. For a little more oomph, you can change diff gears.