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@@wades6425 The old ones weren't that bad. Quite simple cars with robust engines. Post 2000 BMW:s are pretty horrible though. I've owned 2. Engine is full of cheap plastic.
I bought an ‘88 M6 in the same color last year and drove it from San Francisco to South Carolina. It took me over 35 years to get one of my dream cars but now it is at home.
Have a 1987 635CSi it was the best car I ever own, put on it 280,000 miles ! I donate the car few years back and it still running strong at the time. I sure do miss it.
For me, the best aspect of 1980s-90s BMWs are the cockpit. You jump into a BMW and you feel like you're in a jet fighter. And the handling just reinforces that feeling.
Yup, the pale red instrument lighting was 100 percent aircraft inspired. It is ideal for night viewing and unlike today's garish LED's, does not fatigue the eyes.
It was the best looking BMW of its era ( appart from the gorgeous Giugiaro styled M1 , my absolute favorite). I remember as a child, a friend of our family had a white BMW 628CSI and I always found it an amazing looking car and happy to be taken for a drive in it. I don't find the back unactractive. infact the M1 uses the same talelights . But the front sharknose and long bonnet is just spot on. Never ever BMW produced a better looking nose before and after. Thanks for this review and a trip down memory lane
The 635 is arguably one of the best cars BMW have ever made, and the nicest. Its not a race car, its a touring car with spirit. Right up there with Mercedes 300 AMG and Porsche 928´s of the time. Also, the detuned M1 engine actually lasted for a decent amount of miles
Peak BMW right there. My Dad had one in the eighties and it was nothing short of exquisite. The looks, the smell of the leather, the sound. When I first saw one at aged 8 I actually went weak at the knees. The definition of magnificent.
Yeah, the smell... my old Bimmer waits for the spring, sitting in the garage. But when I am back home (currently working on a project in a different place) and I am opening the car - the smell of the interior is so special for BMWs ✌
The CSi in "Henna Red" i think it was called (the orangey red) was one of my dream cars as a teenager and young man. Absolutely glorious design, especially the front end. Beautiful.
The best looking bmw ever, I had a 89 635csi highline back in the day. Built like a tank, swapped it for a E34 M5 20 years ago, the 2nd best looking bmw ever..... Still got it
I been to young and to poor to buy that car in the 70ies. My boss had this model and I was able to ride it a few times. However, I bought one of the first Golf GTI in 76 and later had company cars like BMW 320i in 79, a 528i in 82. Also had later a 840CE in the mid 90ies. The best BMW ever!
I drove this slightly used at 16 years old working at a BMW dealership near Chicago, IL. Ours was ORANGE with gold bbs wheels. It was a cool car memory from my youth and back when BMW parts were metal and more reliable. I'm a fan of the sharknose. It's not the fastest today, but its classic and beautiful. If I win the lottery one is going in my garage for sure.
I had an M635CSi. Wonderful car and engine. Clearly a sports GT, and definitely NOT a sports car. Too big, soft and heavy for that ! Much better GT than the 850i 6-speed that I had later !
Yep, have been fortunate to own 3 E-24's over the years, and there's something about the curve of that molded leather rear seat that was almost 'sculptural'... plus the incredible handling like it was on the proverbial 'rails', that I used to describe as more akin to a 'luxury go-kart'!
I did a nightshift in a local petrol station in 1986 when a chap pulled onto the forecourt with a bright red CSI. He had a car-phone too - the coolest gadget I'd ever seen at that point. A couple of years later, a local garage owner built a higher-powered copy out of something that started out more mundane. He bolted chrome wheel arches onto it which I thought was a bit weird. I'd love one today. It'd be a great car to pop down to the Le Mans Classic in. Disagree with your assessment of the rear end. I think it's perfect.
Peak BMW, in my eyes. Elegant yet clearly muscular, well built, and driver focused. You say it's not a hooligan, and I say that's a damn good thing, if you want to use a car regularly. Hooliganism gets old pretty quickly....
I loved your review. I always wanted one of those but finished up buying the '3.6' (3,535cc as I recall) E34 M5 which by 1991 had 315 BHP. I bought it for £4,500 in August 2008 and sold it 9½ years later for £10,000. Maintenance and rolling restoration cost me about £1.000 per annum and it was nice to hand it over in better shape than when I bought it.
When I saw it the first time in the 80s, I was surprised by the separated back seats most. Had never seen that before and actually don’t know of any still unless some really high end luxury cars now.
M The BMW M635CSI is the' it' car for me. I always had a shy passion for it, and dared not look directly at it for my shyness. One day I glanced at it far longer than I had ever dared before, and I became aware of the lines of the C pillar. From then on, I was smitten, and I would wish one so very much. The current range, which still exists. They are either restored and carry an enormous price, or are relics of former great cars, Had these vehicles all the modern safety bells and whistles, they would present the absolute in perfection, in a sedan body for me. The M1 which Andy Warhol painted was my very favourite Beamer of all at the time.(your hero cars are always beyond reach) However, in street guise the 635CSI was the normal man's car with more flair than a pair of 70s trousers.
I remember I met someone who'd taken a recent delivery of an M635CSI a brand new one (I think it was a couple of weeks old) and he took me out in it. Funnily enough it was also on an E-plate and same colour.
I have to have a little chuckle every time I see one of these beauties, my neighbour had one in the 80’s and loved and polished it so much he ruined the paint and had to have it re-sprayed 🥴
The LHD version of the E23 had the normal 3.5L engine with a turbo and called a 745. You could easily get 500hp out of it. But because of the position of the turbo clashing with the RHD steering column, there was no UK version of it. In South Africa, the BMW plant wasn’t having any of it and the fitted instead of the normal 3.5L Turbo, the 3.5L M- series engine as used in the E28 and E24. But the did not badge the car as M735. It was badged as 745 as in Europe the Turbo version was. And it came as Highline version only with leather everywhere.
That was my dream car back in the 80's! Still as beautiful as ever. And what an exquisite example that one is. The interior especially looks like it's in perfect condition.
I love the laugh in your voice, your presentation, and your honesty. Talking of that, perhaps you might consider a piece dealing with the undoubted decline in quality and reliability of BMW over recent years - it is well known in the trade, yet nobody wants to talk about it openly. I, for 1, would not touch one with the proverbial long pole...
I had a 79’ 733il and it was great but a really wanted the 6 series. Tried unsuccessfully the whole time I had it trying to find someone that wanted to trade
The most beautiful BMW ever produced, and a car I have always wanted to have and to hold and to drive. The achingly magnificent lines of the C pillar are enough to make me swoon. Inside, the seating position and instrument layout are meant squarely for the driver.
One of the best looking BMW-s of all time in my opinion.... That could inspire dreams and passion... Too bad that today's BMW's are more about marchandise than passion
Along with E28 M5, the most gorgeous and beautiful BMW’s. Note to BMW AG… guys, fire all those idiots in marketing, get the engineers involved again and finally fire the stylists. Bring back the classic shark nose look, it can be done whilst still complying with pedestrian safety specs which are required
One the most perfect cars I’ve ever owned was a 1985 BMW M635csi with a 5 speed. The only downside was the cost of repairs and parts, which was outrageous, but otherwise I can’t think of anything bad about it. And it was REALLY gorgeous in the Cirrus Blue Metallic” paint. I bought the car when I was living in West Germany and it was absolutely incredible to drive it on the autobahn at speeds that would land me in jail in most countries. You could drive at high speeds for hours, and get out of the car without being tired or sore, it was just made for high speed cruising.
I always loved the 635. I was offered a straight swap for my Audi 200 Turbo in the 90's, I hummed and hared but eventually rejected it because it didn't have a/c. Always regretted my decision.
Every time I climbed behind the wheel of my 1988 M6, I became a very happy boy. It was not the fastest car on the road, but rather, one of the most distinctive and beautiful. In addition, the engine was gorgeous to look at, and to listen to. I sold it to a collector when the car was 25-years old - a mistake on my part that I have always regretted. Nothing since (except for my Honda VTR1000 F) has given me the same pride of ownership nor the thrill of operation.
Its such a dramatic looking thing! BMWs from then were good looking cars. They stood out, something a little different and the 635, dare i say has some Italian flair to it. Its not conventionally pretty, its like Uma Thurman. Still really hot, but in a different way!
I like the oddball models that go against the corporate norm - this 6 Series, the 8 Series (especially the V12) the late 70s and early 80s 5 Series and of course the legendary M1. But as an overall package, this M6 is my favorite BMW!
I had a E28 M535 in the early 2000s and today i have a -88 635 csi. I can absolute tell that the E28 is a better handling car. But the E24 is way more beautiful and gets likes from everybody. I think the goldilocks here is the 635 csi. You pay way less then the M635 but you get the looks and the sound is pretty nice to.
We had a 535i back in the late 80's. Smooth as silk straight 6. Now I have a 340i with a super smooth straight 6 putting out more power than I need really. The BMW straight 6 engines are beautiful. I only had a back seat ride in a 635CSI back in the day but it was still loads of fun. Very posh car back then a nd a true classic now. Great review, as always.
@@judih.8754 those were great! had a e34 530i with that bizzare 3 liter v8. always thought it was cool... and smooth too! i think yours was faster though.
Ya my Dads 84 533i still going strong 39 years later heh.. black with red interior. Great all time engineered car, fast, handling and insane reliability for decades.. the 635CSI M n all that cool but I preferred the M3 and sedans from 80s big time. The 635 was a older gents ride. Any of the straight 6s from BMW or MB always the best
I look at that and think "Where did it all go wrong?" You look at the transport boxes of today and you'll need to check the badge to know what it is half the time, that will stand out in any crowd. Hell I feel old. Great vid tho' 👍
Used to admire BMW and other German cars up to the mid- late 1980s , after that gradually lost it. Liked all the 6 series even the more bread and butter models like lowly 2.8 models . The M series cars we a huge mark up on the standard 635i which in itself was still a very quick car and offered a fairly high percentage of the M series cars. You paid for the sporting heritage of the engine of course .
Owned one of these when they were a new car - the big rival was the Porsche 928 with a manual gearbox - that was the primary choice at the time. Absolutely brilliant fun in the wet - drove like a big Escort RS2000. I had a 928GT afterwards - a bit quicker, harsher than the M635, but less practical and a bit more showy. I saw the test M635 was still on the original Michelin TRX specific rims - my bet is that the tyre technology is probably a bit of a limiting factor, as it’s a Michelin only wheel size, and I’m not sure that new TRX tyres would compare too favourably to a Pilot Sport. I agree with Jack, in that the M635 has aged incredibly well.
I've never been a fan of BMW and the ergonomics doesn't fit my strange body (180cm with short legs and long back and arms plus more than a bit overweight at 112kg). But I've always thought that the 635 is a beautiful car and you said that the ergonomics in it wasn't that typical BMW. I had a pretty good fit in my first car back in the day, a FIAT 132-2000 '79. So It's possible that I can fit in a 635 after all and an old fart of 53 doesn't need a sporty car as a GT is more fitting...
Hi Jack. I'm not a fan of BMWs but the 6 Series has always been a favourite of mine. I agree the back end styling was always a little weak in my view and I dont think it's a test of time thing! In my opinion it always was too soft when compared to the aggressive front styling . But it has to be remembered that is was styled in the 1970s and launched in 1976 so by the time of its heyday in the 1980s it was already getting on in age. Great to see one of these wonderful machines being tested again.
It’s such a classy saloon. But I agree about the rear lights. They are a bit rectangular and plasticky. I wonder how it would look with a set of round quad rear lights to match the epic headlights.
God, I wish BMW would make the next 6 a modern retro design of this, like the Peugeot E-Legend. the M635 is still the meanest and coolest looking car ever. Mass produced anyway.
You forgot "cost more than a house in 1985". I like the look of the e9 a bit better and the e28 does handle a bit better but the e24 has some nice refinements. If you get a regular e24 and turbo it then 400-600 HP is easy and then it just scoots and the prices are not bad though with the turbo you will end up paying more than a M6 e24 but you will also have more HP. Also at 6' tall I find everything right where I want it. I don't like a lot of cars because they are just too small for me and feel cramped.
I bought a 635CSi (no M and even with the slightly less powerful catalyst) back in 2014 for less than 10k Euros and adored the style and those fine lines and shark nose front end until the moment I sold it - with a bit pain as I needed to invest into my company, but the beauty of this car in the flesh is almost not achievable with modern cars anymore. Do love the amazing surround view from the seating position with slightly driver angled dash, also those grab handles for the rear passengers are a piece of art, never seen anything like it before or after. Boot is huge, perfectly works for bigger weekend trips with one or even 3 people (once or twice went out for a picnic). It was a nice car for occasional driving, bit too special for everyday, eventhough its not too thirsty either - but getting so much attention in this car and thumbs up can get a bit exhausting after a while. That’s why you need a reliable normal daily beside it tbh. But overall I can only recommend a test drive, they are design icons in every respect. Cost wise, be prepared to pay into rust prevention if not happened, part prices are still not too bad as you have shared parts with E28, but they became rare as well. Some elements as tail lamp frames in chrome are not available anymore, so consider paying some premium for them. For long distance the best possible car - drive in style. Not sure if it needs the big M engine, as you’re dealing with 4 times higher maintenance costs. Character wise it will stay a bruiser, never a sports car. Would try a E28 M5 as well, they are a bit more nimble and therefore easier to handle. Never liked driving around curvy b-roads, as the car doesn’t feel light on its big wheels/tyres. No way the gonna lose money, so well worth the investment. Market did stop slowly for the prices to come up, but they will carry on in the future, as most of them rust away…
Early e24's (630CS, 633CSI) based on e12 5-series) were built by Karmann just like the e9. Karmann-built cars are very prone to rust badly. (don't ask... ex-e9 owner here) The later e24 (628CSI, 635CSI, M635CSI) based on e28 5-series) were built in BMW's own factory and is much better.
@@jfv65 ...but not that much better. Weak spots are still inner and outer wings, wheelarches, and roof skins. I ran an E24 for 18 years so am more than familiar with all the expensive downsides.
I worked at a shop in nj as a kid for about 10yrs and one of these cars kicked off a series of events that would change my life and eventually destroyed EVERYTHING.... Here i am almost 2 decades later and i see this.... it was a MINT CONDITION RED CSI WITH COVERS OVER THE SEATS. ill never forget it
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32 valve!!!
BMW used to make BEAUTIFUL cars. That is hard to believe if you think what kind of horrendous designs they put out now.
The i8 and the new 8 series are beautiful.
Their ceo is a woman now, maybe that’s why it’s shite now
@@veridico84Just looked. Yuck.
And mechanical pieces of junk.
@@wades6425 The old ones weren't that bad. Quite simple cars with robust engines.
Post 2000 BMW:s are pretty horrible though. I've owned 2. Engine is full of cheap plastic.
I bought an ‘88 M6 in the same color last year and drove it from San Francisco to South Carolina. It took me over 35 years to get one of my dream cars but now it is at home.
M635CSI has always been on of my favorite cars. As an 80's child that was and still is the most beautiful bmw ever made.
I owned some older bimmers. Another beautiful one is the 1970's 3.0 CL/CSL.
Have a 1987 635CSi it was the best car I ever own, put on it 280,000 miles ! I donate the car few years back and it still running strong at the time. I sure do miss it.
For me, the best aspect of 1980s-90s BMWs are the cockpit. You jump into a BMW and you feel like you're in a jet fighter. And the handling just reinforces that feeling.
Yup, the pale red instrument lighting was 100 percent aircraft inspired. It is ideal for night viewing and unlike today's garish LED's, does not fatigue the eyes.
Brilliant, E28 has the same instrument lighting.
Were they copying the SAAB 900 with this idea?
I.v had over 40 bmws over the years, and the thing I fell for was the cockpit
Dashboard 10,000 times more attractive than the arcade game look crap they stick in new cars.
It was the best looking BMW of its era ( appart from the gorgeous Giugiaro styled M1 , my absolute favorite). I remember as a child, a friend of our family had a white BMW 628CSI and I always found it an amazing looking car and happy to be taken for a drive in it. I don't find the back unactractive. infact the M1 uses the same talelights . But the front sharknose and long bonnet is just spot on. Never ever BMW produced a better looking nose before and after. Thanks for this review and a trip down memory lane
The 850CSI is my favorite BMW shape but I don't think we would have got to that shape in the 90's without the 635CSI in the 80's.
wafle wafle wafle!
The M1 racecar is probably one of my favorites with those crazy splitters on the front and rear,
The 635 is arguably one of the best cars BMW have ever made, and the nicest. Its not a race car, its a touring car with spirit. Right up there with Mercedes 300 AMG and Porsche 928´s of the time. Also, the detuned M1 engine actually lasted for a decent amount of miles
Peak BMW right there.
My Dad had one in the eighties and it was nothing short of exquisite. The looks, the smell of the leather, the sound. When I first saw one at aged 8 I actually went weak at the knees. The definition of magnificent.
Yeah, the smell... my old Bimmer waits for the spring, sitting in the garage. But when I am back home (currently working on a project in a different place) and I am opening the car - the smell of the interior is so special for BMWs ✌
The CSi in "Henna Red" i think it was called (the orangey red) was one of my dream cars as a teenager and young man. Absolutely glorious design, especially the front end. Beautiful.
Idk why YT pushed this video to me. It's 4 am and I'm watching a British dude driving an 80s BMW. And I find it very soothing.
I own a 1973 E9 and love the 635CSi as it is a natural, upgraded version of the 3.0CSi.
Still love my E9...
The best looking bmw ever, I had a 89 635csi highline back in the day. Built like a tank, swapped it for a E34 M5 20 years ago, the 2nd best looking bmw ever..... Still got it
would you swap m5 e34 for any other bmw from 70-90s? (not m1)
E34 had presence and style
One of the best looking cars ever made! Always a treat to see it, thanks Jack.
I been to young and to poor to buy that car in the 70ies. My boss had this model and I was able to ride it a few times. However, I bought one of the first Golf GTI in 76 and later had company cars like BMW 320i in 79, a 528i in 82. Also had later a 840CE in the mid 90ies. The best BMW ever!
One of the prettiest cars of all time - rear end even better with solid rubber spoiler pre ‘81 models. Thanks really appreciate your reviews
Couldn't agree more! And thank you Gregor, glad you’re enjoying them!
I just don't see it. To me, it looks like a bowl of oatmeal; bland, boring, unexciting.
@@plymouth491 should take a closer look in real .
I drove this slightly used at 16 years old working at a BMW dealership near Chicago, IL. Ours was ORANGE with gold bbs wheels. It was a cool car memory from my youth and back when BMW parts were metal and more reliable. I'm a fan of the sharknose. It's not the fastest today, but its classic and beautiful. If I win the lottery one is going in my garage for sure.
I had an M635CSi. Wonderful car and engine. Clearly a sports GT, and definitely NOT a sports car. Too big, soft and heavy for that ! Much better GT than the 850i 6-speed that I had later !
I have one of these cars, 85 M635csi. Never understood the prices you could get them for, highly undervalued iconic cars.
These cars are timeless beauties. Thanks for another great video.
These are by far my most favorite of all BMW’s. They are so classy, yet aggressive looking. The rear seats with the armrest is so cool!
Yep, have been fortunate to own 3 E-24's over the years, and there's something about the curve of that molded leather rear seat that was almost 'sculptural'... plus the incredible handling like it was on the proverbial 'rails', that I used to describe as more akin to a 'luxury go-kart'!
I did a nightshift in a local petrol station in 1986 when a chap pulled onto the forecourt with a bright red CSI. He had a car-phone too - the coolest gadget I'd ever seen at that point.
A couple of years later, a local garage owner built a higher-powered copy out of something that started out more mundane. He bolted chrome wheel arches onto it which I thought was a bit weird.
I'd love one today. It'd be a great car to pop down to the Le Mans Classic in.
Disagree with your assessment of the rear end. I think it's perfect.
One of my friends dad's had this exact one in red. Much more impressive in person and to me still the most beautiful coupe ever made!!!!
As EPIC as E21 and E28!
The Best Era of BMW!
Green Alpina M635 CSi was my Ultimate Dream BMW.
I worked at an auto shop in 1987 that had a dark blue M1 in the showroom. I didn't realize that engine had been sold in a street car.
I still remember the first time I saw it when I was 12. Made me fall in love with BMW and still one of my favorite car. What a beauty.
Peak BMW, in my eyes. Elegant yet clearly muscular, well built, and driver focused. You say it's not a hooligan, and I say that's a damn good thing, if you want to use a car regularly. Hooliganism gets old pretty quickly....
I loved your review. I always wanted one of those but finished up buying the '3.6' (3,535cc as I recall) E34 M5 which by 1991 had 315 BHP. I bought it for £4,500 in August 2008 and sold it 9½ years later for £10,000. Maintenance and rolling restoration cost me about £1.000 per annum and it was nice to hand it over in better shape than when I bought it.
Only in South Africa a four door with the M88 was available in very limited numbers... Beautiful machines
745i
In 1989 I bought a new motorsport 635csi highline, royal blue with lotus full hide, beautiful car.
I use to have a regular 635 and I regret soooo hard that I sold it .... and tanks for this great episod
This and the 8 series shows how grand tourers from bmw should be
When I saw it the first time in the 80s, I was surprised by the separated back seats most. Had never seen that before and actually don’t know of any still unless some really high end luxury cars now.
Had one when I was 20, lost my licence 3 months after buying it,, Loved that car but it was a real cop magnet
M
The BMW M635CSI is the' it' car for me. I always had a shy passion for it, and dared not look directly at it for my shyness. One day I glanced at it far longer than I had ever dared before, and I became aware of the lines of the C pillar. From then on, I was smitten, and I would wish one so very much. The current range, which still exists. They are either restored and carry an enormous price, or are relics of former great cars, Had these vehicles all the modern safety bells and whistles, they would present the absolute in perfection, in a sedan body for me.
The M1 which Andy Warhol painted was my very favourite Beamer of all at the time.(your hero cars are always beyond reach) However, in street guise the 635CSI was the normal man's car with more flair than a pair of 70s trousers.
I remember I met someone who'd taken a recent delivery of an M635CSI a brand new one (I think it was a couple of weeks old) and he took me out in it. Funnily enough it was also on an E-plate and same colour.
Still an iconic, beautiful looking car… and as you point out, exquisitely made.❤
These really are becoming rare. Beautiful
Had the 635csi back in the days, and lusted after one of these, but it never quite happened. Moved on to E34 M5...all glorious cars...
I have to have a little chuckle every time I see one of these beauties, my neighbour had one in the 80’s and loved and polished it so much he ruined the paint and had to have it re-sprayed 🥴
The LHD version of the E23 had the normal 3.5L engine with a turbo and called a 745. You could easily get 500hp out of it. But because of the position of the turbo clashing with the RHD steering column, there was no UK version of it.
In South Africa, the BMW plant wasn’t having any of it and the fitted instead of the normal 3.5L Turbo, the 3.5L M- series engine as used in the E28 and E24.
But the did not badge the car as M735. It was badged as 745 as in Europe the Turbo version was. And it came as Highline version only with leather everywhere.
In her BMW 635 going smooth at 90 feeling good to be alive
That was my dream car back in the 80's! Still as beautiful as ever. And what an exquisite example that one is. The interior especially looks like it's in perfect condition.
I love the laugh in your voice, your presentation, and your honesty. Talking of that, perhaps you might consider a piece dealing with the undoubted decline in quality and reliability of BMW over recent years - it is well known in the trade, yet nobody wants to talk about it openly. I, for 1, would not touch one with the proverbial long pole...
I had a 79’ 733il and it was great but a really wanted the 6 series. Tried unsuccessfully the whole time I had it trying to find someone that wanted to trade
The most beautiful BMW ever produced, and a car I have always wanted to have and to hold and to drive. The achingly magnificent lines of the C pillar are enough to make me swoon. Inside, the seating position and instrument layout are meant squarely for the driver.
The 6’s have always stood out in the crowd of BMW’s. ❤
A beautiful car. One of the most beautiful BMW's, that prize goes to the 3.0 csi, but these days a decent one costs an arm and a leg.
got me one a few months back, amazing engine, i got the 218hp version with some mods.
Cars were far more exciting in yesteryear, weren't they? thank you again for the consistent quality of your videos
One of the best looking BMW-s of all time in my opinion.... That could inspire dreams and passion...
Too bad that today's BMW's are more about marchandise than passion
In 88 my boss had a grey shadlowline car, wow it was beautiful
The 3.0 CSL....633 CSI...635 are the most beautiful BMW'S ever built
IIRC, there was about 27 square metres of leather used in the full leather option for these cars.
Along with E28 M5, the most gorgeous and beautiful BMW’s.
Note to BMW AG… guys, fire all those idiots in marketing, get the engineers involved again and finally fire the stylists. Bring back the classic shark nose look, it can be done whilst still complying with pedestrian safety specs which are required
One the most perfect cars I’ve ever owned was a 1985 BMW M635csi with a 5 speed. The only downside was the cost of repairs and parts, which was outrageous, but otherwise I can’t think of anything bad about it. And it was REALLY gorgeous in the Cirrus Blue Metallic” paint. I bought the car when I was living in West Germany and it was absolutely incredible to drive it on the autobahn at speeds that would land me in jail in most countries. You could drive at high speeds for hours, and get out of the car without being tired or sore, it was just made for high speed cruising.
I always loved the 635. I was offered a straight swap for my Audi 200 Turbo in the 90's, I hummed and hared but eventually rejected it because it didn't have a/c. Always regretted my decision.
I love my M635Csi - the only thing is the long throw on the gear shifter from standard is a bit long.
Hoffmeister kink is 'satisfying to the eye' as designers would say.
My dad had one of these. What i loved about it was the visibility. Look at the size of the windows!!!
Front end perfection, sweet spot BMW nose design. Could not agree more. Oh where art tho now in 2022/2023, oh, at the 4 series and new 7. Great
My favorite BMW model.
Every time I climbed behind the wheel of my 1988 M6, I became a very happy boy. It was not the fastest car on the road, but rather, one of the most distinctive and beautiful. In addition, the engine was gorgeous to look at, and to listen to. I sold it to a collector when the car was 25-years old - a mistake on my part that I have always regretted. Nothing since (except for my Honda VTR1000 F) has given me the same pride of ownership nor the thrill of operation.
Great era for BMW. Perfect colour combo too.
Its such a dramatic looking thing! BMWs from then were good looking cars. They stood out, something a little different and the 635, dare i say has some Italian flair to it. Its not conventionally pretty, its like Uma Thurman. Still really hot, but in a different way!
This is my favourite and most beautiful BMW since the the 3.o CSI.
Beautiful car, my favorite BMW design is the E9 3.0CSi, this one is a 2nd favorite.
Always loved this body style. They should offer this shell on top of a new bmw coupe.
My old man had one brand new here in Sydney Australia in Diamond Black in JPS John Player Special Spec was a nice car firm suspension on some B roads.
The only complaint I have with my 635csi (Not M-sport) is the lack of a tilt steering column. Everything else is just about perfect.
Now, that's a proper BMW to own and maintain.
I like the oddball models that go against the corporate norm - this 6 Series, the 8 Series (especially the V12) the late 70s and early 80s 5 Series and of course the legendary M1. But as an overall package, this M6 is my favorite BMW!
This was peak bimmer design. The design language never better expressed.
In 1985 I bought a dealer demo in Germany for $27000. The best car i've ever owned!
I had a E28 M535 in the early 2000s and today i have a -88 635 csi. I can absolute tell that the E28 is a better handling car.
But the E24 is way more beautiful and gets likes from everybody.
I think the goldilocks here is the 635 csi. You pay way less then the M635 but you get the looks and the sound is pretty nice to.
Those roads look A LOT like the roads around Harry's Garage!
A classic..as a young kid I admired this car
I still admire it
We had a 535i back in the late 80's. Smooth as silk straight 6. Now I have a 340i with a super smooth straight 6 putting out more power than I need really. The BMW straight 6 engines are beautiful. I only had a back seat ride in a 635CSI back in the day but it was still loads of fun. Very posh car back then a nd a true classic now. Great review, as always.
I had a '89 535i 5 speed. I put 188k miles on it. It was a great touring car with a superb engine. I miss it even today.
@@judih.8754 those were great! had a e34 530i with that bizzare 3 liter v8. always thought it was cool... and smooth too! i think yours was faster though.
Ya my Dads 84 533i still going strong 39 years later heh.. black with red interior. Great all time engineered car, fast, handling and insane reliability for decades.. the 635CSI M n all that cool but I preferred the M3 and sedans from 80s big time. The 635 was a older gents ride. Any of the straight 6s from BMW or MB always the best
I’ll always rember going for a spin in one of these back in 1989. It blew me away !! Talk about head in the parcel shelf… 😊
Another great review, Jack. You’re knowledgeable, well spoken, and down to earth, all while hustling along in some truly tasty automotive icons. Bravo
I look at that and think "Where did it all go wrong?" You look at the transport boxes of today and you'll need to check the badge to know what it is half the time, that will stand out in any crowd. Hell I feel old. Great vid tho' 👍
This is beautiful, big fan of the six. Currently have the e63 630i
Used to admire BMW and other German cars up to the mid- late 1980s , after that gradually lost it. Liked all the 6 series even the more bread and butter models like lowly 2.8 models . The M series cars we a huge mark up on the standard 635i which in itself was still a very quick car and offered a fairly high percentage of the M series cars. You paid for the sporting heritage of the engine of course .
Owned one of these when they were a new car - the big rival was the Porsche 928 with a manual gearbox - that was the primary choice at the time. Absolutely brilliant fun in the wet - drove like a big Escort RS2000. I had a 928GT afterwards - a bit quicker, harsher than the M635, but less practical and a bit more showy. I saw the test M635 was still on the original Michelin TRX specific rims - my bet is that the tyre technology is probably a bit of a limiting factor, as it’s a Michelin only wheel size, and I’m not sure that new TRX tyres would compare too favourably to a Pilot Sport. I agree with Jack, in that the M635 has aged incredibly well.
I've never been a fan of BMW and the ergonomics doesn't fit my strange body (180cm with short legs and long back and arms plus more than a bit overweight at 112kg). But I've always thought that the 635 is a beautiful car and you said that the ergonomics in it wasn't that typical BMW. I had a pretty good fit in my first car back in the day, a FIAT 132-2000 '79. So It's possible that I can fit in a 635 after all and an old fart of 53 doesn't need a sporty car as a GT is more fitting...
One of BMW's best efforts and one of the best looking cars ever.
It is in my opinion one of the most beautiful BMWs ever designed
Hi Jack. I'm not a fan of BMWs but the 6 Series has always been a favourite of mine. I agree the back end styling was always a little weak in my view and I dont think it's a test of time thing! In my opinion it always was too soft when compared to the aggressive front styling . But it has to be remembered that is was styled in the 1970s and launched in 1976 so by the time of its heyday in the 1980s it was already getting on in age. Great to see one of these wonderful machines being tested again.
I remember first time seeing this in red with the white interior sitting on bbs rs wheels in 86’ love at first site 🤩
I like the tall greenhouse reminiscent of the 3.0 CS.
It’s such a classy saloon. But I agree about the rear lights. They are a bit rectangular and plasticky. I wonder how it would look with a set of round quad rear lights to match the epic headlights.
God, I wish BMW would make the next 6 a modern retro design of this, like the Peugeot E-Legend. the M635 is still the meanest and coolest looking car ever. Mass produced anyway.
When you are a quality German car maker and the best car you ever made was 30+ years ago...
You forgot "cost more than a house in 1985". I like the look of the e9 a bit better and the e28 does handle a bit better but the e24 has some nice refinements. If you get a regular e24 and turbo it then 400-600 HP is easy and then it just scoots and the prices are not bad though with the turbo you will end up paying more than a M6 e24 but you will also have more HP.
Also at 6' tall I find everything right where I want it. I don't like a lot of cars because they are just too small for me and feel cramped.
I bought a 635CSi (no M and even with the slightly less powerful catalyst) back in 2014 for less than 10k Euros and adored the style and those fine lines and shark nose front end until the moment I sold it - with a bit pain as I needed to invest into my company, but the beauty of this car in the flesh is almost not achievable with modern cars anymore.
Do love the amazing surround view from the seating position with slightly driver angled dash, also those grab handles for the rear passengers are a piece of art, never seen anything like it before or after.
Boot is huge, perfectly works for bigger weekend trips with one or even 3 people (once or twice went out for a picnic).
It was a nice car for occasional driving, bit too special for everyday, eventhough its not too thirsty either - but getting so much attention in this car and thumbs up can get a bit exhausting after a while. That’s why you need a reliable normal daily beside it tbh.
But overall I can only recommend a test drive, they are design icons in every respect.
Cost wise, be prepared to pay into rust prevention if not happened, part prices are still not too bad as you have shared parts with E28, but they became rare as well. Some elements as tail lamp frames in chrome are not available anymore, so consider paying some premium for them.
For long distance the best possible car - drive in style.
Not sure if it needs the big M engine, as you’re dealing with 4 times higher maintenance costs.
Character wise it will stay a bruiser, never a sports car.
Would try a E28 M5 as well, they are a bit more nimble and therefore easier to handle.
Never liked driving around curvy b-roads, as the car doesn’t feel light on its big wheels/tyres.
No way the gonna lose money, so well worth the investment. Market did stop slowly for the prices to come up, but they will carry on in the future, as most of them rust away…
Early e24's (630CS, 633CSI) based on e12 5-series) were built by Karmann just like the e9. Karmann-built cars are very prone to rust badly. (don't ask... ex-e9 owner here)
The later e24 (628CSI, 635CSI, M635CSI) based on e28 5-series) were built in BMW's own factory and is much better.
Thanks for the interesting info Patrick!!
@@jfv65 ...but not that much better. Weak spots are still inner and outer wings, wheelarches, and roof skins. I ran an E24 for 18 years so am more than familiar with all the expensive downsides.
Had an ordinary 635i in 1984. Loved it. Epic cruiser.
Beautiful car, and the interior looks immaculate.
All ways thought this was one of the most beautiful coupes ever!
I worked at a shop in nj as a kid for about 10yrs and one of these cars kicked off a series of events that would change my life and eventually destroyed EVERYTHING.... Here i am almost 2 decades later and i see this.... it was a MINT CONDITION RED CSI WITH COVERS OVER THE SEATS. ill never forget it
I really enjoyed watching that Jack and what a fantastic car that is buddy!
Man, these generation of BMW were gorgerous. Cant believe what happened to the brand...