MotorWeek | Retro Review: '86 BMW 325e and 635CSi

A Bavarian duo to warm your toes

[@jakefrep]

You could guarantee the long-term financial future of MotorWeek by selling those snazzy satin Starter jackets.

[@gregbez]

I love how even the early BMW's brake the same. The whole chassis goes down instead of the front end dipping like most other cars.

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

That's some really good and expensive shock absorbers that stop the rear from going up just at breaking, but not necessarily when rear wheels drop into ditch.

[@Friebe1000]

Its not that hard to just add more rear braking. Most cars just cheap out so they nose dive

[@crashbandi53]

I bought an '86 325e for $300 as a parts car, then ended up driving it for 6 years with close to zero issues. It had 660,000 miles on the clock when I finally sold it. I miss that little car. It was about as rev happy as a can opener, but it just WORKED!

[@davidparker9676]

The e-motor is solid if you keep it maintained properly. The only people that I know that had problems with them are the ones that thought filling the gas tank was routine maintenance. There are certain cars that will go and go if you do what the maintenance schedule prescribes.

[@chinchy111]

the e30 straight six is one of the most reliable engines ever made. they are good for over 1 million miles. it will run rings around all the new crap of today

[@a.person7825]

“Rev happy as a can opener”..now that’s good. You mind if I use that from now on?😆

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@a.person7825 It wasn't tuned to be rev happy, friend owned 528e, drove it to death. Could it keep up with 535is? NO! Ach nein! Wasn't meant to, was tuned for post OPEC gas crisis EPA world, BMW vs. Audi, 1 review said eta BMWs made the brand selling volume to dentists in Oxnard.

[@jackdoe3889]

@@chinchy111 Mmh, no. The M20 weak point is the cylinder head. Prone to cracking (at the camshaft bearings). The low-revving M20B27 had only 4 camshaft bearings instead of 7 and other friction reducing mods compared to the 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5L versions.

[@FrightfulAccountant]

I like BMWs of this era. they had the mystic mondern ones lack... and a jetfighter styled cockpit ofcourse!

[@unowen-nh9ov]

EXCELLENT time capsule! Host was so subdued (& had so much hair) I didn't even recognize him from later years.

[@Commander76]

I pretty much watch these all day, lol. I learn soo much!

[@Michael-j2q1z]

I've got an 85 635csi and love it not boring at all great car to drive ,it will do 120 all day I've had it at 140

[@pbfloyd13]

$12,000 ENGINE REBUILD SON!!!!! -Mr Regular of Regular Car Reviews

[@davidparker9676]

Who is charging $12K for a rebuild? Someone lied to you.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

aka Buy a new car.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@davidparker9676 He said he wouldn't come in his mouth, HAH! We've ALL been there, million$ & million$ $serviced.

[@TimSlee1]

I remember that, nobody is spending 12k on rebuilding a 318i's engine. Even swapping one out for a 6 cylinder would be cheaper and faster.

[@prl08]

Love this!! This is exactly what I wanted to see in your retro reviews!

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love theses BMW 1980s, 1985-1988 is my favorites

[@nutsackmania]

"The rear end can be accurately position for a turn by the throttle." Truest statement ever. I remember drifting mine into work/Taco Bell/around university parking lots with all that TORK.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Peter Tork ?

[@davidparker9676]

@@BigEightiesNewWave People think he's monkeying around, but he's to busy drifting to learn how to spell torque. I guess that university got passed up in favor of greasy fast food.

[@alepepperoni2563]

Love me some TORK

[@davidaubin3902]

1:32 John: Since the others (Sports seats) were tight if you had a big lunch! LOL

[@Porsche996driver]

Drive well and eat well ha. John knew a few things.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

John IS a big lunch!

[@chrisdooley6468]

Apparently those Eta engined 3 series were workhorses. I love the design of the 635. Still timeless

[@davidparker9676]

The ETA engines were nearly bulletproof. BMW using a timing belt was probably the biggest mistake. The only M20 engines that had problems are the ones that were neglected (overheated, no oil changes, no timing belt replacement) otherwise they are good for 300,000 miles

[@chinchy111]

@@davidparker9676 they are good for over 1 million. Mobil 1 tested the m20 with their oil a long time ago

[@davidparker9676]

@@chinchy111 I wonder if those were laboratory-condition miles or actual driven miles. The M20 will easily go 300K miles with normal maintenance. I could see them getting 1 million with exceptional care and early maintenance.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

They produced 6er for over a decade, with constant tech. & engineering updates, good enough for Cybil Shepherd, who was Moonlighting. Susan Dey drove predecessor E9 in L.A. Law & Partridge Family bus b4 that.

[@pbfloyd13]

5:10 A wild Camaro has appeared; attacks with burnout.

[@1vw4me]

In 1994, I talked my father into buying a 1986 4-dr BMW 325e, in silver metallic with tan interior. 5-speed, 6 cyl. It was the car I learned to drive in. It was in fantastic shape, with only 1 owner. It was an incredible car, even in 1995-1997. I miss that car so much. I've had VW and Audi since then, but that particular BMW was something special. Today's BMW's are nightmares outside of their warranties. I now have a new 2017 VW Passat SE, and it's the closet feeling of satisfaction to that BMW of long ago.

[@bananaguy7891]

@1vw4me first I would change that name of yours. you need to start telling the universe what you really want. Yes. BMWs cost more to maintain. So you can either save money or make more money. And problem solved. I believe you can afford it! FYI. It’s not that they are expensive to maintain, my experience is the specialty mechanics only want to use BMW parts. Use aftermarket and find yourself a guy that’ll install them.

[@rootsmanuva82]

The current BMW 3 series (F30) is longer, wider, taller and just as heavy as the E24 6-series. BMW's are WAY too big these days. And boring too. These cars here (E30, E24) are gorgeous.

[@1400IntruderVS]

The 6 series was sexy but the old 3 series were just another box.

[@briankelly9347]

@MilkTrafficker or audi

[@doublevanoz]

@@1400IntruderVS ay ay watch pal I'm a little sensitive towards that "box" as you call it. Prolly you drive a shit box

[@davidparker9676]

@@1400IntruderVS I guess every car is either a box or a melted bar of soap to you. The E30 is the top choice of the entire 3-series lineup for enthusiasts. The E30 was basically a well engineered driver's car, it had what you needed and not much of what you didn't. The E24 6-series was a nice design but not the well balanced performer that the 3&5 series offered. I think of it as a two door 7-series, a bit too heavy and soft.

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

Look what they released now. Cheap plastic and huge fake intakes everywhere. The most disgusting BMWs in history since Adolf Hitler used their engines to bomb entire European continent..

[@ke228]

I've been waiting for this one. Thank you!

[@reyrob]

In Europe the 635CSi had 211HP, big difference!

[@MarquisRex]

The Euro M30 of this era actually had 218 Bhp thanks to higher CR. The later M30 in Europe went down to 211 Bhp in the E32 due to lower CR.

[@trajanaugustus8783]

With emissions control it had 211, without it was up to 218hp.

[@hertzair1186]

Funny how back then those acceleration times were considered quick....

[@manfredmann2766]

Still like that 1986 325 in 2023. I drive a 2015 Corolla LE, and if I ever think my 0 to 60 in 8.5 to 9 seconds with a 132 horsepower engine is weak for today’s standards, then I feel better about that 325 that looked awesome in the 1980s and even today.

[@brantisonfire]

Hey, MotorWeek, you guys wouldn't happen to have a Retro Review of the BMW Compact that came out in the early/mid-nineties? I have a 1996 and it would be cool to see a review of when it was brand new.

[@doublevanoz]

I'm thin and love the e30 sport seats! Way better than the hard Recaros inold gti's

[@stephenmate4320]

Does Retro Review get any better? Nuthin' like seeing a way-back test of David Addison and Maddie Hayes BMW Coupe from Moonlighting. Signed, An 80's Kid! 📺

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

I always think of the w126's from the opening credits when I think of Moonlighting =)

[@mosesberkowitz3298]

The straight-6 eta engines were VERY torque-y! Lots of squirt off the line...they didn't rev much because that uses lots of gas. I got 30 mpg easily in my 325e.

[@benbenaz]

موسيقي ،مسلسل،BMW كلهم رائعين.

[@ma3zf]

121 HP sounds pretty puny for a 2.7 liter. On the other hand, it's pretty impressive that it was enough to smoke the rear tires on the sedan in the 0-60.

[@alkoyyy]

it was layed out specifically for low rpms and high fuel efficiency. the regular 2.5liter engine in the e30 made 170hp

[@FlyingTigersKMT]

Matthew Ford - That's the whole point of the "e" line of Eta engines. They're made for fuel economy which was the major issue when these cars were sold. The regular 325i had the regular engine making a lot more power relative to the Eta engine versions.

[@trajanaugustus8783]

The engine was more for pulling loads and fuel efficiency, the German spec'd models had the 2.7e 122hp and later a 2.7e (still 325e) with 129hp. Of course the higher rated ones were the 2.5i with 171hp until 86 and from 87 on it was tuned to 170hp with more torque along with emissions control.

[@fezzial]

yah, but it also made 170lb of tq =)

[@bobanppvc]

Great old times...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

From a distance...

[@Michael-j2q1z]

My 635csi only has 106,000 miles on it and it's 39 years old

[@Whitestorm2]

A wild Subaru XT in the background! 5:55

[@jbm0866]

Lol at "strangely oriental headrests". Looking at the HP figures and 0-60 times, we're truly living in a performance golden age. Even a run of the mill modern family sedan would blow both these cars away, and likely handle better as well.

[@jhalkoski]

Do you think you could do a retro review of the 2002 ws6 trans am? My dad remembers seeing it back in 2002 and would love to be able too see it again. One thing he remembers most about it is someone talking about how all they had to do to make it into a Daytona pace car was add the lights and stickers

[@chesspiece81]

The 635 is still a beautiful car. Better looking than the current rabbit teeth grilles they have now that moved away from the gorgeous kidney grilles.

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

Cars used to wallow around so much back then, but now they're too firmly sprung.

[@britishsecretagent0078]

Walter Black I think goldilocks feels the same way. However the 3 bears have mixed opinions

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@britishsecretagent0078 Now most drive like porridge.

[@Joshua-uw7wm]

I love the 80'e BMW car

[@SouthshoreVice]

You guys have any reviews on the 80s S-class Benz sedans or coupes? Thanks

[@Phosgg94]

while not that impressive in stock form, the M30 straight 6 has a lot of room for improvement and decent enough aftermarket support i wouldn't mind having a nice 5spd 635 E24 if i could find one in decent condition for the right price, they're also now old enough (25yr exemption) in my state to be exempt from emissions testing so engine modifications would be no issue

[@LukesVintageRC]

oh the body lean lol!

[@johanbrand8601]

Beautiful isn't it

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

One of my current cars is a 1986 325e 4-door in bronzitbeige metallic (269k miles on the clock). Goes without saying I wish it was as in good of shape as this one! LOL =) Slightly off subject, when does the blue & silver Subie XT get its own video? Thanks for uploading these! =)

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Shiny blue jacket alert !

[@jbm0866]

Take note of the 635's HP and torque numbers with that big straight 6, we've gotten way too spoiled the past 15 years or so. Sure it's lighter than a modern car, but 3400+ lbs isnt exactly considered lightweight even by todays standards, but admittedly would fall more towards the light end compared to similarly sized cars. Want all the gadgets/features, huge wheels, big brakes, room for rear seat passengers/cargo plus 5* safety ratings? It's going to weigh hundreds more than simpler cars from the 80's-90's.

[@bonapartist]

Miss my e30 convertible practically every day..

[@danvasse8075]

This model is now a classic

[@unowen-nh9ov]

It was then. What compared?

[@phil955i]

Back when BMWs attracted my interest. So the US got a 2.7 litre 121 hp six when Europe got a 2.5 litre 150 hp six ...I'm assuming the US one was stifled by emissions?

[@Faza_M]

2.7l 325e not i, are made for economical not for performance that's why 325e cannot rev very high like 325i 2.5l 168hp

[@chinchy111]

US got the 2.5 also

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@chinchy111 325is

[@claudioauriemma5886]

Many luxury cars today don't have power headrests!lol

[@saxongreen78]

I didn't know that the 4-door 3 Series was released 9 years into its long production run.

[@gregbez]

Only in the US market. The 4 door came out a few years after the 2 door in other markets.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

1983, why do you think Daimler went down market with 190E?

[@GeorgeDrumheller]

At 1:39 a not so subtle dig at the lack of oil pressure and voltage gauges. Curious what year he stopped complaining about this.

[@a.person7825]

He hasn’t.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Sounds like good performance.

[@1400IntruderVS]

Fair for the era but not class leading.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Maybe not, but not poor by any standards.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@jasoncarpp7742 Check back with us when you can drive. If & when...

[@matt4051]

john davis is baked @ 6:14

[@CEOkiller]

187 '80's Yuppies liked this!

[@unowen-nh9ov]

They're dead, AIDS or coke, I know, I was there, sold them both.

[@pbfloyd13]

"Looks Oriental", so it looks like a rug? Man this must be the 1980s with terms like that...

[@2BArchives]

Me Chinese, me play joke. Me go pee-pee in your Coke.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

They are Oriental...what's the big deal ? And people are retarded.

[@SnarkyRC]

I'm Oriental

[@pbfloyd13]

@@SnarkyRC Bijar or Kilim?

[@johnnyboyssite]

Were's the retro vid of the 84 Monte SS ?

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Where are the Members Only jackets ?

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Jealous?

[@FerrariCarr]

These cars are TINY in comparison to current BMWs.....even BMWs of the 90’s and early 2000’s were small by today’s standards. I used to be a die-hard BMW fan; they looked so sleek and elegant. But nowadays, it seems like every other person has a BMW in either black, silver, white, or beige and they’re so boring looking. They’re all just slightly longer versions of each other the higher you go up in their series. At least Mercedes has distinct looks for all of its different models.

[@vincentbeijing6926]

Really? C, E and S Class look like Russian dolls to me

[@dukeallen432]

Last good BMW’s.

[@BrendanMacWade]

Is this 1984?

[@jeepthing98]

I think 1986 becase he says "the '85 633 we last tested.."

[@kirbyswarp]

do you guys weather correct the times?

[@Motorweek]

We should, but no. I record air and track temps but they seldom get mentioned. Maybe something for us to consider

[@kirbyswarp]

***** Is this the reason MotorTrend tends to get faster times?

[@Motorweek]

kirbyswarp everone has their formula, we stay as real world as possible... it's even possible that the tires aren't as fresh for us as they are for others. We are B - list most of the time

[@emeyer6963]

***** A List with us though!Happy Holidays MW Staff

[@lfsracer79]

kirbyswarp MotorTrend and other magazines also use a one foot rollout so their 0-60 times are far from real world.

[@mariusz76a]

Amerykański Seba w niebieskiej kurtce. XD

[@dvamateur]

Beautiful cars, and very real. The sampled engine sound going through the speaker system is what millennial generation gave us. Probably for us not to be "offended" with reality.

[@Andyface79]

Blah blah blah snowflakes yawn. You know what makes you a snowflake? Commenting on other people being one.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Exhaust sounds, like emissions, frequently regulated & so they are autotuned in. Hopefully not the emissions...

[@chinchy111]

the reason why so many cars today have fake engine sound playing through the speakers is because people this generation are more bitchy and complain about loud cars. so the fake sound lets the driver hear all the sound from inside the car and the outside is quiet. have to keep the snowflakes happy somehow

[@soundseeker63]

121hp from the 2.7 engine!? Eh...? Even the 320i of the day could almost match that? Why did they water down the engine so much?

[@Runeakb]

Because they wanted to make a petrol engine with diesel like mileage and torque. E stands for η [eta], which is the symbol for efficiency in engineering

[@fezzial]

it made 170lbs of tq

[@PTAldridge]

Back when BMW was great

[@unowen-nh9ov]

If only you ever where.

[@SnarkyRC]

​@@unowen-nh9ov Nice engrish

[@hawkermustang]

What year is this?

[@jeepthing98]

I think 1986

[@WHO9119]

The year is in the title 1986

[@hawkermustang]

Its odd that cars like the new Honda Fit are faster than this BMW. It don't seem like its been 29 years though.

[@05gtdriver]

hawkermustang Perhaps faster in an all out acceleration test, but in everyday driving, the 325e's wider and larger torque curve would make for a better everyday driver, especially when merging onto freeways, etc.. I had a rental Nissan Versa Note recently(similar to a Fit) and it would go nicely from a standstill when prodded, but in traffic, while on the move, it's still a low-torque 4 cylinder econobox. People seem to be fascinated by pure acceleration figures, torque and when and where it's produced on the rpm range is what gives a vehicle that satisfying feel when driving IMO.

[@hawkermustang]

05gtdriver This BMW has 121 hp from a 2.7 liter but the Honda Fit has 130 hp and and 114 ft pounds of torque from a 1.5 liter. The Versa has only 109 hp from a 1.6 liter. The Fit will outrun the Versa with ease. Not that the Fit is built for speed. Its just an economy car.

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

1986 BMW 2.7 liter I6 121 hp. 1996 Honda 1.6 Liter I4 127 hp.

[@leahcimblanco7799]

1982 Honda 1.3 i4 85 hp

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

@@leahcimblanco7799HAHAH exact same thing... 1983 Honda 1.3 L 85hp huh ? So, 1.3L x 2 = 2.6L and its 85hp x2 = 170hp 1985 BMW is 2.7L and had only 121hp. Thanks for prooving my point!

[@johanbrand8601]

That's not the point.

[@chinchy111]

this is the fuel efficient model its not meant to have a lot of horsepower

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

@@chinchy111No More efficient than a Honda.

[@stewartmurray4658]

Detuned American models eww, had a 87 325i, 170ish bhp.

[@Jojo21453]

It is the 325e, e stands for the greek letter Eta, used by engineers to describe efficiency and that was what this engine was all about. It had high compression and a long stroke, making it very torquey but it wouldn't like to rev. You were able to buy the eact same engine in most of europe. The 325i could also be bought in the US with the same amount of horsepower, that you could buy it with in europe.

[@mosesberkowitz3298]

@@Jojo21453 Those engines were VERY torque-y! Lots of squirt off the line...they didn't rev much because that uses lots of gas. I got 30 mpg easily in my 325e.

[@xr500t]

This show is so much easier to take when John Davis isn't yelling at you. Why does he think he needs to yell these days? Compare his tone then to today's!

[@mosesberkowitz3298]

Great comment. He not only yells, he talks like a parody of himself. And the constant electric guitar noise on the new ones sucks too. Repent, Motorweek!

[@hertzair1186]

xr500t : maybe his hearing is gone...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@hertzair1186 His audience's.

[@johnls39]

I am glad BMW's look better than they use to in the 80s. I remember them back in the day and I could never appreciate their designs at all. I thought they were ugly back then.

[@willzer808]

you must be on some nasty drugs

[@johnls39]

Going by your appearance based on your photo, anyone can say that about you, not about me based on my comment or subjective opinion about the car. Other than that, fuck off, dumbass. I don't give a fuck if you don't like my comment about the car.

[@willzer808]

johnls39 i was just joking brother, but yeah i came across as a dumb fuck. Apologies.

[@johnls39]

willzer808 I accept your apology. My apologies also. Sometimes I have no way of knowing who is trolling or being sarcastic. No hard feelings, enjoy.

[@German-Fox]

I'm the owner of a '89 BMW635CSi, the most beautiful lines for a coupe - ever! I understand that beauty is difficult to define, but those big coupes are gorgeous. Don't get me wrong, I also love today's Bimmers a lot (e.g. i8, X6, M4, etc.), but my sixer is a different world altogether!

[@traceydeanrainey]

Back when after purchasing a BMW it didn’t loose 73% of its value after you left the lot. I wish they would stop with all the sensors and gimmicks that break not to mention every fluid that the car has leaking non-stop. I wish BMW was about quality and dependability .

[@unowen-nh9ov]

EVERY new car depreciates off the lot, I wish you weren't a whiney loser.

[@SnarkyRC]

Back when BMW still made quality vehicles. Now they make trash with fugly buck tooth beaver grills.

[@281cobra]

Just as slow as I remember them.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

You're just as dull.

[@chinchy111]

its the fuel efficient model its meant to be slow