Euro Spec 1985 BMW E24 635 CSi: Peak '80s BMW?

[@dansmith728]

I bought E24 couple of years ago, 1979 in red, manual, black interior euro specs. I consider myself lucky, because I was in the right place at the right time.

[@Retromod]

Same here, I feel lucky to own this car.

[@2philly7venz]

A close friend of mine was in the gray market import business in the early 80's. A great time to be a car guy indeed.

[@canalwest]

This would look lovely with the BBS wheels........awesome car.

[@lukasuton2433]

One of most beautiful cars ever . For me best bmw with e21 and e31

[@Retromod]

I agree. I really want an E21!

[@lukasuton2433]

@@Retromod yes 323i in white with Alpina bodykit and perfect dual exhaust pipes on each side . Beautiful

[@PerfDayToday]

Nice car, nice video.. in 1978/79 I went college in London. Fell in love w the 6 series then, particularly the light metallic green, sienna brown tinted glass, cream interiors. Was my dream car in that era. In the early 90’s bought a used 535i, blue, kept it ten years, fun drive.

[@shayneanderssen-tg2sd]

i recognize this lil bundle of joy. I did customising as the previous owner of that particur vehicle. Is this in Victoria, B.C. I use to own this car until accident took her from me. Thank you for taking such good care of her. Even right down to the wicker floor mats 100 percent this was my "beamer". feel free to comment new owner again im elated to see her performing on the malahat.

[@Toomsa-art]

Great video on this gorgeous car. Over here in the UK, top condition automatic e24’s are hitting £30k -£45k. Regular condition cars are around £12k and project cars are up to £6k

[@Retromod]

Thanks! Wow, they're not at that price in the U.S yet.

[@tonybrown9875]

@@Retromod You'll struggle to find a running non-rust bucket without paint peeling off and shabby interior for under 10,000 US Bucks. In the UK, Germany or USA you are talking 15k+ for anything half decent to start tidying up. Even a lot of expensive ones like high 20k, 30k, the interiors are scuffed and faded, and who knows what the undercarriage and suspension is like. If you want a nice one you'll probably have to do the work yourself!

[@SAMax2268]

My favourite BMW reminds me of watching Moonlighting in the 80’s

[@betageek66]

I had a grey market 1985 M635csi back in the late 90's. 286 HP and 400 lbs. lighter than the US M6 spec. Best, most fun and reliable car I ever owned, hands down. Sold it when I moved to a house without a garage (*cries*). I should have found a way to keep it, they have doubled in price. I had a good friend with a Porsche 911. He drove my car, turned around and sold the Porsche and bought an M635.

[@1983dmd]

Superbly well done video and you know your BMW stuff ! I have a 1985 M635CSi original from Germany, not federalized at all...Imported to Canada in 2001.

[@Retromod]

Thanks!

[@revokdaryl1]

You are to sell it to me when you no longer want it. I live in Ontario.

[@mpdjr77]

Yes! I owned a 1979 close-ratio and attended my first HPDE at Lime Rock, with the BMWCCA. Then-Roundel Chief Photographer Klaus Schnitzer was my driving instructor and he taught me how to control drift that heavy weight through the corners by exhorting me to “Go faster, it’s got more than this!” A great car and a great Man. I want another Euro-spec CSi to never relinquish.

[@brianaust8897]

Not sure how I missed this video, but it’s very well done! I bought a 5 speed swapped Euro spec myself about 3 years ago. They’ve really gained in value since then. I didn’t know about the turbo concept interior touches. Very cool. 👍

[@SunKing968]

Correction: The E24 is MORE beautiful than the E9. Don't believe everything you read in the motoring press/popular opinion

[@bobkaiser8782]

I just love the Schnitzer wheels. Timeless.

[@mayneguitar]

Lovely car, and a very nice, informative video!

[@brandontrek]

Fantastic video, we just bought a euro E24 CSi and this helped clear up a lot of questions

[@Retromod]

Glad it helped and thanks for watching.

[@ilgwent8061]

IMHO the E24 is the masterpiece of Paul Braq and is considered from many people the most sexy coupe ever made by BMW so it's more sleek and sensual compared to the little bit more boxy E9. But obviously IMHO and with all due respect 👌

[@deesharklife9555]

I could have not said it any better. But again in my biased opinion 😉. Cheers

[@neilhurt1992]

Nice that you got a 'euro-spec' 635. Not sure what happened with the federal spec cars with their awful bumpers and 'strangled' engines. Just bought a 1986 635CSi with only 72000 miles and full BMW service history for a measly 25000 pounds! You should see what the M6 versions are going for - silly money! Cheer from a (very chilly) Otford, Kent, UK.

[@euromotive9849]

Awesome video man! Ive got a 84 628csi euro spec in 5 speed. Love the car to bits. Just repainted it and installed fortune auto coilovers with some original 3 piece ACS wheels! Cannot wait to see your other vids!

[@Retromod]

Thanks! Is that your Calypso Red E30 on your YT banner? Beautiful.

[@euromotive9849]

@@Retromod yessir! Don’t have it anymore unfortunately

[@josh1581]

What a review. Great job.

[@Retromod]

Glad you liked it!

[@romulus_]

I have an '89 dinan chipped u.s. car. wish it had a bit more power and a better steering ratio but you can't help but love the car -- it has presence. I think values are going to continue to rise for quite some time.

[@Retromod]

Yea, these are still somewhat undervalued.

[@shuttlemanjack]

I have a bad back and wanted a touring car. Found an '89 with the Comfort seats and the 4 speed electronic automatic..... Just what I was looking for. 16" basket wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport plus. Everything works. I live in Texas and regularly cruise it at 110 with the Cruise Control. I did convert the AC and upgraded to a Sanden 7 piston compressor and dual stacked condensers. They are tail heavy in fast corners...but still an excellent tourer.

[@Mararegele]

Great channel, great clips, great car selection. Beautiful shots, but I would recommend some more rolling shots with no commentary and pure engine sound in between specs and stats. Another suggestion would be focusing on more Japanese classics, like the 240/280z, prelude, nsx(if possible), etc. Huge potential for views there. You will grow a lot soon, for sure, and I'm glad to have subscribed in order to witness it. :)

[@Retromod]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the suggestions. Should be working on some Datsun content soon as well.

[@Mararegele]

@@Retromod thanks for the reply and wish you all the best!

[@512TXSDIY]

Great video! You got 1000k subs quick! Well done.

[@Retromod]

Thanks. It felt like it took forever, of course.

[@512TXSDIY]

@@Retromod Yeah. Feels long for me too. It will come soon.

[@pellepp9628]

Looks very Nice, I have a 635 79 dogleg m90, fun car

[@TheDiecastFanatic]

This is peak of automotive history. IMO E24 and E30 are the best ever cars created.

[@petergaltry4529]

And , great vid too. Thanks

[@enzo-xl1cm]

Great video

[@margeharrison7638]

ok, so lemme start here; nice video. i have a 1985 euro E24. When i bought it , it was an auto. I liked it as an auto because it was docile, until the pedal hit the floor. But after doing the front pump on the auto almost twice............I went to the manual . Unfortunately, my once docile chugging M30 coupe, turned into a jerky off and on chore to drive. I often wonder if I had made a bad decision going to a manual swap.

[@Retromod]

I've been tempted to do a manual swap, but likely will just leave it an auto.

[@klemzale5370]

I was fortunate enough to find a special version which is super rare, don´t have exact numbers but super low number. So in 2022 i found a genuine Hartge H6S, basically a competitor to Alpina B9 3.5, sounds rare right. Its a 1984 635csi euro spec, manual transmission with LSD and the Hrtge Engine package which has 242 hp. Its not been it top condition but overall good condition for about 30K €. Till now i have put some money in it and fitted original M-Technic aero package, a complete supersprint stainless exhaust system, BBS steering wheel, new tail lights which are usually defect on all cars and more. Till now It costed me 42k so far and there is still room for improvement. I belive it is a good investment for the future and i would say its the only Bahama beige H6S with M tech aero package in the world. So a one off car which should climb in value over the years, not that im planning to sell it anytime soon, if ever.

[@pupu6oi74]

Thank you!

[@Retromod]

You bet!

[@peteramann2561]

Hey great car, still love these. Any plans for future mods, or keeping it as is with minor upgrades?

[@Retromod]

Definitely have more upgrades planned. Coilovers, swaybars and probably a 5-speed swap. Thanks for watching!

[@peteramann2561]

@@Retromod 5-Speed, very nice! Really enjoy your reviews, love to see your channel expand, keep up the great work, it's much appreciated by us.

[@byfoul8743]

buying another tomorrow!

[@Retromod]

Nice! How many do you have?

[@byfoul8743]

@@Retromod 2 !

[@bavariansharks7149]

👍👍👍

[@petergaltry4529]

Love it. My 1988 Honk Kong delivered car is arriving to me in a few weeks. It has come via another 2 owners in Australia who have had stewardship of it here on Oz since 2002. Can I ask what exhaust it is running please. It sounds great.

[@Retromod]

Very nice! These are great cars. The exhaust on this car was on it when I got it. There is no muffler or cat, just a big resonator. I'd actually like to upgrade to a real performance exhaust at some point.

[@hatemmukhlis9042]

Could you please recommend a good service garage in Cincinnati OH region.

[@B58luja23]

Non-Catless sounds contradictory is that what it’s called or was it just a mistake?

[@helgijacobsen1497]

this car punch the driver like mike tycon

[@motorosso3349]

Zach, how does the 635CSi compare to the 560SEC?

[@Retromod]

The 6 Series feels smaller and sportier than the Carobu tuned 560. The 560 is more luxurious and also feels more rigid and solid. The biggest difference is definitely the power. You can't argue with the 390 lb/ft of torque in the 560! It would take forced induction to get the E24 to the same level of acceleration that the 560 offers.

[@motorosso3349]

@@Retromod I agree with the way a 6 series feels, I have driven a few myself back in the day. Definitely lighter and the M6 version helps make up the power deficit to the Mercedes.

[@anishmahadeo5073]

Where did you get those floor mats?

[@shayneanderssen-tg2sd]

They actually came with the car when I purched in victoria .BC. They are A type of hemp.

[@brianoconnor5612]

automatic?

[@mattharcla]

Less pretty, but more handsome.

[@lakiluk5325]

Sharky

[@dhatchbernier]

What a shame about the automatic transmission and this car would look so much better with BBS wheels. The ESM wheels look a bit ghetto.

[@MA45TR03]

I wonder if these ESM rims got a certificate to pass the EU regulations (TÜV) , original Schnitzer are too rare and too expensive

[@Retromod]

Agreed, real Schnitzers are too expensive. Not sure if these are TUV approved. Probably not, since the wheels are made in the U.S.

[@azazelcorax79]

and now you pay here in europe 30 to 80k for a good one

[@quonston]

Euro cars don’t have chrome “meers”; they have chrome mirrors (2 syllables).

[@Retromod]

Oh no, the enunciation police are after me. Thanks for watching. I'll keep on making videos and hopefully get it right sometime...

[@RoverWaters]

automatic 🤮🤮