I Bought an Interesting BMW 635CSi | Lets Revive it After Years of Sitting

A look at my new 1985 BMW E24 635csi which was possibly imported from Europe sometime in its life, as well as a step by step guide to troubleshoot a crank no start for one of these cars that's sat for a while.
Also The E34 Roadtrip Merch is available in limited quantities on my brand new website: www.m3nameisjosh.com
I am extremely excited to announce my new website which will be the official place where you can see the cars and parts I have for sale, buy the latest merch, email me questions, as well as scroll through my builds of the past and present!

[@Bubblun1]

Very interesting Federalization job on on this Euro. A couple other giveaways to show it's a true Euro is the VIN starts with "WBAE" where the "E" is for European market cars. Also US 1985 cars could be ordered with sport seats but they were all power operated. This has the manual sport seats that were Euro exclusive this year. Someone went to a lot of trouble to hack on the US bumpers and overriders back in the day. Most Euros kept the original bumpers but added things like drilled in side marker lights which this one escaped. Odometers were typically changed to a US spec MPH model during Federalization like this one but the Tachs/Fuel Economy gauge were left alone.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Isnt it so weird?!?? US bumpers threw me through a loop, but as you said there is undeniable proof its a euro car

[@renarsss8689]

Hey Josh, greetings from Europe, Latvia!! Started to watch your channel as soon as I got my E34 520i sedan last summer and was inspired by your car collection and just the simplicity how you do things in easy,understandable way. Keep up the good work and being yourself and your channel will definitely grow.

[@user-iv5wo1gj2v]

Привіт Латвії з України 😉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that!!! Greetings from the United states!

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Looks like a standard Euro 635CSi with US bumpers. The engine is a stock 218 bhp unit with 10:1 CR - it might have a catalytic converter. The wheel is a stock 1984 -87 E30/E28/E23/E32and E24 'sport' wheel fitted to SE cars in Europe. The tricolour stripe is not correct to it. The wheels are the dreaded metrics with the Michelin TRX's, should be 220/55VR390. Get those replaced with 15 or 16 inch BBS. TRX's were very average and they cost about 500.....each. The US rear panel is different to the UK one. Check to see if it has an LSD in it as many Euro manual ones do. Looks a solid car though. 👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you for this info!!!! I really appreciate that!!

[@sativafourtwentie]

Probably a Canadian car, but the MPH/ L/100km/Celsius is a super strange combo

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@sativafourtwentie right?

[@berwhaletheavenger]

@@sativafourtwentie I'd put the VIN into an online decoder and see what comes back. It's almost certainly not a US car. Canadian E24's had the US rear panel as well.

[@manujadesilva22]

I saw one of these on my road trip to North Carolina this week. Can't wait to see more videos on this particular example.

[@iseeyou5077]

I’ve followed you for a while on Instagram but ended up checking out your Chanel and now I can’t stop watching! Appreciate the work that you do to these bmw grandparents! Helping out the community one car at a time !

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you so much man! Welcome to the channel!

[@OEM_plus]

Nice!! I added a 87 635CSi to my driveway and have been planning my upgrades for it. Can’t wait to see content as I have learned a lot from your channel so far.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!!! Congrats on the 635csi!

[@teamphashash]

Man this is one of your videos that I enjoyed the most. Much love from South Africa.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you so much!!!

[@2philly7venz]

Great content my friend and truly appreciated. I own an 86 635Csi that was formerly an automatic which was converted into a 5spd manual. Having trouble of late to get it to run for more than several minutes consistently at any time. Essentially making it rather undriveable. Getting a similar bucking/ hesitation/cutoff issue that feels like a fuel or spark cutoff delivery issue that you're apparently experiencing when it does get road worthy. I've replaced all spark/fuel delivery components. Pump including the pre pump assembly, plugs, wires, cap & rotor, coil, ecu, etc and still no go. Runs with the consistent loping of an American V8 engine when it does run for the minute or so it does run. Very strange to say the least. Going to stay the course with it my friend. Thanks again for the great content.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man, hmmm that’s weird, maybe replace the crank position sensors as they may be just hardly working

[@kevmagill5163]

Maybe a leaking valve cover gasket is letting oil into your exhaust manifold. I know you'll turn this awesome car into the sexy touring GT it was meant to be.

[@trevm5134]

I thought I saw that in the background of one of your videos. Looks sweet!

[@vagabondroller]

Haha, the drive started so good and then...damn. Looking forward to the update

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yeahhh not always a win

[@rjauto7215]

love the 635csi great cars i hope you got it home alright josh .good luck with it

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you!

[@jtuominen72]

Great episode! I really love E24s (and as an F12 owner I sort of feel like they are still the parent to my car 😀)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!! And its your cars long lost grandparent!

[@E36KADEN]

You’re really just living out my dreams, keep it up Josh, love the content

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you Kaden!

[@robsweekendgarage]

E24 is def one of my dream cars. Have been on the hunt for one for a bit but I gotta sink some more $$ into the 330ci for autocross season first. Loving the old school BMW content lately.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!! I hope you find one!!

[@tun1034]

SITTING AT MY DESK AT WORK AND WATCHING THIS FULL EPISODE WILL MAKE MY DAY GO RIGHT! NICE BUY MAN!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im happy to help!!!! Hahahah

[@barafanovmusic]

Awesome one man

[@Darthvolvo]

Now I am curious how much you snagged this gem for. Always loved the e24 cars.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

For a rather less than market price😋

[@1984AP]

On a side note, all US 1985 E24s came with sport seats…… a few 1986 cars too. By 1987 if you wanted sport seats you had to get a M6

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I didn’t know this!

[@Bubblun1]

That's not accurate - Comfort Seats were very much a regular option for US cars during this period.

[@1984AP]

@@Bubblun1 what specifically is not accurate?

[@Bubblun1]

@@1984AP You said 85 US cars all came with sport seats. Comfort seats were also available and often chosen.

[@antoremin]

Hooray another e24! I have one that’s been sitting for years and things break on it all the time. Excited to watch your journey with this one!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man! Im excited!!

[@antoremin]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I bought mine a month or so after you sold your 633. Give what a nightmare mine turned out to be I wished I’d buy that black 633 instead haha.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@antoremin 😭😭😭😭

[@dflat3084]

For me as an european that was especially fun to watch. Really nice 80's pimp mobile and with the flashlight in the glovebox, nooice! 👍💪

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you sir!

[@zaurkomachkov520]

Hell yeah!!! Another e24. My dream car

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Love these cars so much!

[@Fractal379]

You Sir, have gained a sub for your excellent taste and this good, timely vid. This is another one of my old fixations which was postered all over my wall. I remember drooling over a Dolphin Grey on Park Lane with zero shame. Back in the days this thing motivated me through some really dodgy 'sales' jobs, chasing commission with a laser focus. Then along comes a girl. Unfortunately the car gets discontinued but, fortunately, the girls continued to flow 🍺

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I appreciate you my friend. Thank you for sharing an awesome story. The girls continuing to flow is something we love to hear ;)

[@aaronbregoli863]

Great vid like always😎

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks aaron!

[@tun1034]

YES SOUND INDEED CHANGED WHEN YOU FLIPPED THE PLUGS. MAN WHAT A QUICK FIX. MR. LUCKY HIMSELF!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@sativafourtwentie]

subbed - I have an '81 528i 5-sp that I'm slowly fixing. I gotta get the radiator rebuilt because they are unobtainium💸

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Absolutely unobtainable. Hate that!

[@1984AP]

Awesome car. It is a very unusual grey market car where they installed us bumpers and speedo and gas gauge. That cluster speckling, is not mold….. it is seen on most Euro spec E24s of the Mid 80s. Never on Us spec cars. It’s a design thing. Note it’s a lighter color grey too. The rear spoiler was only a Euro spec 84-85. And yes only certain euro e24s got that black background on the 635csi model badge. 1977-1978 US spec BMWs all had black background whether it was a 320i or 733i.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I always thought it was design, and then someone said it was mold, but now you’re saying its design??! I was right all along?!?

[@1984AP]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Yep. Look up photos and cars for sale of a M635csi or any other Euro E24, and look at the clusters - must be 1982/83-on, for the more modern cluster. Not positive on the `87-`89 ones, but `84-`85 for sure, all have this odd/cool speckling-design.

[@NidzaGaming]

Man i love old beamers,such an amazing cars.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

So do i! Haha

[@kogaerusaru5171]

1984+ euro 635csi came with m30b34 from my knowledge, with everything 1983 and before being m90 (maybe 84 too idrk). that does look like a completely normal stock b34, and from the lack of the air check valve for charcoal canister, i'd assume it's a high compression one (depends on what ecu it has too). but since it's federalized, it probably got choked by a catalytic convertor so you won't be getting all of that sweet dirty b34 power.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ahhh goood to know! Ill have to do some more digging around this thing!

[@geoffreywulff9309]

Amazing that it still has the glovebox flashlight! almost without exception they are missing. Clicking is more than likely injectors cycling.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

True, injector pulse likely is the noise im thinking

[@jlabinthecutt]

i got a fully stock 1991 525i what do you think i should do to it?

[@baderhaddad5728]

I have a 1984 E24 633csi, same color as your. Silver polaris. Also have E39 528i.also same color. Love bmw .

[@carolinacars739]

15:00 lucky those both came out! On my 83, they had metal casings and one of them ended up seized in the bell housing... 😬

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Man sounds like a nightmare!

[@friguy4444]

Great Car!! Thanks! This would most likely have come from Canada. When Canada first did the change to Metric back in the mid 80's the cars had to have kmh on the speedo BUT they didn't print it like the main speed so it was put on the inside of the speedo instead as the whole speedo the other parts were partially changed over to Liters etc but the whole car wasn't as Metric as it was a few years later. It would also explain the English and the 5 mph bumpers.But I don't really know. The fuel in that car would cause all of those problems as well if it is still the old fuel but yea all of those things need to be addressed as you already know LOL.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yeah canada was a thought for sure!

[@MK4TW]

ANOTHER 6ER LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER DAY 🎉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

YESSSSIR!!!

[@ianmcwilliam1753]

Just saw you’re channel, it seems I Not the only one who has a few of the older bmws. That’s a nice one- great options - especially the manual version. All my old ones are stick shift . 91 850i , 97 540i sport and 2000 M5. Did you find out its origin? Maybe Canadian?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Never found its origin unfortunately!

[@williamlesher5111]

I drive an 85 635csi. It sounds and drives like a cool European coupe should.

[@williamlesher5111]

I had old TRX’s and the car slid around. Also mine is a manual. I put style 5 15 inch wheels on the car and miss the look of the original ones. Verify no cracks in coolant resavior and fan clutch good. And coolant bled well.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Going to check over all that!

[@artemiymrd7839]

Underrated channel

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you man!

[@Lamerguezerie]

To know country of origin you might check the VIN or headlamp connectors. On E34 I know that headlamp connectors were different between world models and US models. Of course they could have been replaced for american specs. Regarding VIN I know that my E34 has a "preparation for country xxx" By the way the steering wheel is a sport one from BMW. Standard on early sport E34 for example. But not in US which had standard airbag on E34. Also any sticker on door sills for maintenace history or tire pressure numbers? could hint at place of origin

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Definitely going to have to do more checking around

[@user-iv5wo1gj2v]

I think it is definitely Europe car, only because of license plate plase, and bumpers + other stuff was replaced 😉, anyway great car !

[@paulgreiner9468]

No it’s not a Euro the front and rear bumpers are different, I know because I have an 85 euro, I don’t think it’s a 85 either maybe 87 ?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Bumpers are definitely converted. As for 85 id trust the date stamp on the car. And the G265/6 is another giveaway

[@Moocow444]

Yo bro do u have any 3.91 LSD diffs thatll work on my 94’ e36 Or any ratio LSD e36 diff?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Nothing at all unfortunately

[@victorklyuyev787]

hey dude i just started watching your videos and also just subscribed. i live in chicago and i’m looking to either buy an e34 or an e38. i had 2 e39s before and of course i want another old beamer :) do you have any experience with e38s?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!! I have never owned an e38 actually

[@clinehearty4917]

The federalization process was so strange with these. My e12 based euro retained everything and didn’t even come with side markers

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Super weird lol

[@GypsyTales420]

I want one of these so bad lol

[@Wilantonjakov]

Beautiful car. Thought of finding a nice E3 Bavaria at some stage? I'm currently looking for one, just love how they look.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

E3s are cool but it’s almost impossible to find one that isn’t a basketcase

[@Wilantonjakov]

@@m3nameisjosh464 as in rusted out sh*tboxes? Yeah even down here in Aus every single one I've been to look at was rusted out. Latest one was a nice silver (Polaris?) 3.0Si, guy wanted 20K AUD for it, all I did was stick my head underneath while he wasn't looking and there were rust holes all through the door sills/fender wells. I asked him about the rust on the car and he said "just get a bit of paint and touch it up". Incredible. There's definitely a positive to looking like an ignorant uni student cause these guys will definitely be more brazen in their attempt to convince you. Still baffles me

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@Wilantonjakov exactly what I mean! Rusted out garbage. E3 on the channel is unlikely, butttttt I will say you may be seeing an E9 here soon😳

[@Wilantonjakov]

@@m3nameisjosh464 oh my goodness... Now THAT is something special.

[@Lamerguezerie]

@@m3nameisjosh464 but E3 and E9 are basically the same rust buckets?

[@johnbergen9663]

Manual transmission also a giveaway that it’s probably a Euro car.

[@540idioT]

damn i had no clue they put the specific temp on the dial, thats pretty neat lol

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Not sure ive ever seen another car with that haha

[@OEM_plus]

For mine, my gear light doesn’t come on automatically… I have to keep turning it on and off or switching it to S Could that be the neutral switch?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

My e32 did this, sometimes its dirty shifter contacts. No longer own any auto generations of these cars so don’t know how to troubleshoot it

[@francispowell1811]

It's definitely a Euro car. They all had the slim line license apperture until the facelift "World" cars were introduced in 1987. The "world" cars got the deeper US apperture. Regrettably, someone fitted federalized bumpers. Appreciate your troubleshooting logic.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yup realoem vin confined european model.

[@DavidVlogz]

E24 are ❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreed

[@arvidlindh3998]

16:16 I could be wrong but it looks like weak spark, had somthing simalar on my e34 535i

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Could be, those components will be checked

[@CarloCopyConcept]

Please tell me you're going for Euro bumpers.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Unlikely i will do any modifications to this car.

[@2candan1]

I think that’s the SE steering wheel is it? Got one on my E30

[@m3nameisjosh464]

SE? I know it to be a european sport steering wheel

[@alpinevicemotorsports1805]

I believe only euro 635CSi's from 1978-1982 had a dogleg (with the M90), but I could be wrong

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ahhh makes sense!!

[@carolinacars739]

Unusual that this car had the giant US bumpers, but this car may have had them added when it was federalized. The engine is likely a high compression M30 "piano top piston" M30B34 which was good for around 215hp and around 230 lb ft of torque. It should not have had a catalytic converter stock. These are often called "grey market" import cars.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Spot on you are! I found out the no o2, and no cat means this is a dirty m30 high comp car! Brought over in 2001 so it was still too young to not have the bumpers converted.

[@grahamparker9470]

Intank pump causes loss of power...if you sit and wait a few minutes pressure builds back up..then will decrease as you floor the throttle...walbro pump.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yup you’re onto something

[@grahammj1yt]

The glove box even has the flash light.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Rare!!

[@bavariansharks7149]

👍👍👍🦈 forever!

[@anthonydavis5993]

It would have the Euro bumpers if it was imported. 390 wheels... You don't have to convert bumpers for importing. It's Canadian.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Canadian completely slipped my mind. However canadian plates are like US plates I thought? This definitely has a european plate rear

[@anthonydavis5993]

@@m3nameisjosh464 they made all kinds of body mods for those. Zender, BBS... And the like. My friend had to block off for the E21 (320i) they just moved the plate under the bumper... Old school man. Y'all young folks ain't hip! Lol. Man what you gonna do, flip it?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@anthonydavis5993 hahaha not hip at all apparently 😭😭😭 but itll be a fixing it up series and go from there. Not sure yet

[@anthonydavis5993]

@@m3nameisjosh464 open a car lot named Old Beems! Lol

[@aarondavidsmith208]

Sweet man.

[@williamlesher5111]

In tank fuel pump?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

No pumps in tank on these, just a sending unit

[@Psychedelicbananas]

This could also be a Canadian import

[@Tonyk24]

Show that red e30 big dawg

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Next up on the channel!!

[@EstorilE36M345]

TPS?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Will be testing that!

[@TrashBearr]

Turbo 635i build incoming?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Probably not with this car. Timing isnt right :(

[@fsek6808]

Based on what you showed us, im guessing its a LHD UK Car

[@m3nameisjosh464]

What makes you say this as opposed to other European countries?

[@fsek6808]

@@m3nameisjosh464 They use both MPH and Liters in the UK.

[@fsek6808]

Just a hunch based on that cluster set up. I dont know how many LHD e24's ended up in the UK market, or if they even made RHD versions of the car at all. Not to mention the difference in engine options. Genuinely curious to know the cars origins tho, love a good story. Cheers man

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@fsek6808 appreciate the thoughts! I wish I could find out!!

[@craigpilgrim5793]

I have 2X BMW e28's with m30b34 engines-1. an m535i &2.what originally was an m535i from the factory, then had an Alpina B10 kit fitted by Alpina Australia (I live in Brisbane Australia). My m535i cuts out like that occasionally, but then comes with full power. I've changed crank angle sensors on it a few times, but problem remains at low revs (fuel pump? or fuel lines?). Anyway, I'll keep watching, because I like your content, information, common interest in old bimmers & I'm mechanically retarded (ha ha, but tragic in a sense)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahah thank you! We will get to the bottom of it in the next episode!

[@undergroundmoto8287]

Do diesel bmws exist in the us? or are u avoiding them?🙌🏻😹

[@m3nameisjosh464]

They are very rare and truthfully I don’t have much desire to own one.

[@Lamerguezerie]

tds and td for E34 were not sold in the US. Despite tds being a great model.

[@winstonchurchill508]

Airpods would work better for a mic sir

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Cant afford them

[@erezyoal]

Get the euro bupers a.s.a.p

[@baderhaddad5728]

Thus car sounds awesome

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yess it does!

[@TheFrancogt1]

maybe its a Canadian car , I don't think that's a euro car

[@m3nameisjosh464]

That could make sense!

[@chrisscriven4817]

You will be needing a bigger garage soon

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im on the hunt already. 3 cars still awaiting features on the channel hahaha

[@teamphashash]

Totally agree.😂.

[@chrisscriven4817]

I had a 525i with the e46 330i engine in 5 speed manaul loved the car till it left me along the road . Now i drive a ford telstar 2.5 v6 . So anyway like your cars miss my bmw

[@teamphashash]

@@chrisscriven4817 Havent seen a Tesltar in ages.

[@chrisscriven4817]

@@teamphashash they wern't that popular in the days not much of them on the road anymore aspecialy the 2.5 v6 ghia

[@thomasrsnk132]

Not euro spec, own a e24

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You didn’t pay attention to the video

[@alvy1968]

Vin on the strut tower is euro only rear foglight on cluster under speedo also euro rear license also.

[@SSkyreS]

That’s an M-tech 1 wheel. Came on M-tech and M cars on Europe.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Interesting so European steering wheel😳

[@Lamerguezerie]

Or some 535i E34 that were not M-tech. Such as mine.

[@bobsagit10]

You gunna Boost an m30 car eventually 👀??

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The hopes are that one day yes