BMW forums...

[davestlouis]

My main interest in Mbz cars are units that fall in the pre 1980 arena. I also think BMW's are neat, so I started researching older BMW's on websites and forums. Lo and behold, forums for older BMW's are few and far between...seems like the forums are geared toward fancy wheels and other "go-fasters" not keeping older cars up and running. I wonder if all of the 1970's BMW's have all rusted to pieces and there are none left?! Or is it that BMW owners are a different demographic and are too young to appreciate the history of the company and the older cars? I'm puzzled. I wouldn't mind a BMW or 2, but would like some solid tech information before I take the plunge.

[t walgamuth]

i dont know the answer, but they dont hold up as well as the benzes in my observation.

tom w

[davestlouis]

My personal observation is that the interiors fall apart...look at the back seat on a 320i, especially cloth, it literally falls apart. I think I want an early 70's Bavaria (E3 body) or mid-70's 530/528 (E12 body) sedan. The problem is, the last Bavaria I saw locally was rusting into the ground in a yard near by kids' grade school, and I can't think of the last time I have even seen an E12 car, while there are W114/115's and W123's all over the place, in conditions from pristine to falling apart. Perhaps that is a clue...

[Tristar1959]

My M-B parts guru had just two things to say when I called him last week about an acquaintance's 740i-something whose driveshaft was making really fascinating clanky noises -
"Break My Wallet"
and
"Bring More Wrenches"

[Robert W. Roe]

Yes, and some of the mid 90's BMW V-8's had some serious problems.
I met someone who drove one of these cars (I think it was a 740i something also) and she told me about the "bad engines" that BMW didn't want to admit were bad (read, cover the cost of somehow), if I recall correctly.
Reminded me of the early 90's 350SD engines.

[Robert W. Roe]

I actually spoke to the sales manager at our local BMW dealership, Daniels BMW in Allentown PA.
They have a white 300xi wagon that I sat in a couple of weeks ago.
Those cars are sweet
I will say one thing for the BMW and that is that my rather large physique fits more comfortably in the driver's seat than in a new MB E-class.
I'm afraid I'll fall in love if I drive one.
Am I being heretical to the MB brethren who have advised me so well over the past 7 years to consider leasing a ... [gasp] ... new BMW??
I like the new S550's also, but the sticker shock of a new S-class is something that never seems to go away ... although I might be very happy with a MB 2000-2005 S-class V8 but then the 750iL BMW is a very nice car also.

I do think that BMW's are a little more high strung running of a car, if that makes any sense.
Some of the hotter BMW's (M3's I believe) like expensive custom-made for BMW 10W-60 synthetic oil.
BMW's seem to require a bit more costly engine maintenance and maybe aren't as quite as trouble-free as some of the good Mercedes engines.

[GaryF]

Originally Posted by Robert W. Roe

Yes, and some of the mid 90's BMW V-8's had some serious problems.
I met someone who drove one of these cars (I think it was a 740i something also) and she told me about the "bad engines" that BMW didn't want to admit were bad (read, cover the cost of somehow), if I recall correctly.
Reminded me of the early 90's 350SD engines.

I personally had this very problem with a '94 530. They used some clever deposit technique to eliminate cylinder wall liners on their motorbike engines years ago and some bright spark decided it would be a good idea for their car engines. Unfortunately because of the lower operating temperatures sulphur in the fuel eroded the cylinder walls until loss of compression causes the engine to fail. Depends on how high the sulphur content is in your fuel as to when it fails. To be fair BMW extended the engine warranty on these cars when they found the cause and even replaced by block on my 10 year old car at cost. Overall it cost them a fortune !

[rg2098]

Ah I am in the same postition. I am looking to add a 2002 to my line up. Probably a older "roundie" but I'll take a later big bumper if in the right condition.

[douging]

Originally Posted by rg2098

Ah I am in the same postition. I am looking to add a 2002 to my line up. Probably a older "roundie" but I'll take a later big bumper if in the right condition.

Just got this in my e-mail (I work at a BMW performance tuner):

Excellent condition 2002 (1976), $7500
'Concours condition'.

Contact me if you want more info.

[douging]

Originally Posted by davestlouis

I also think BMW's are neat, so I started researching older BMW's on websites and forums. Lo and behold, forums for older BMW's are few and far between...

Did you find the Senior Six Registry?
http://www.seniorsix.org/

First Fives Registry
http://www.firstfives.org/

BMW CS coupe Registry
http://www.bmwcsregistry.org/

Maximillian Parts
http://www.bimmer.com/

And there's always the regular BMW Car Club of America which usually has quite a few pre-1984 BMW sedans and coupes for sale as well as parts and restoration articles.

[Robert W. Roe]

Originally Posted by GaryF

... They used some clever deposit technique to eliminate cylinder wall liners on their motorbike engines years ago and some bright spark decided it would be a good idea for their car engines. Unfortunately because of the lower operating temperatures sulphur in the fuel eroded the cylinder walls until loss of compression causes the engine to fail. Depends on how high the sulphur content is in your fuel as to when it fails. To be fair BMW extended the engine warranty on these cars ...

Somebody at Chevrolet did the same thing with their once-bulletproof small block V8's when they went to an alloy block with silicon crystal linings or something like that... they'd be burning oil within the first few years, or even months...
Suddenly an engine that has been a strong point of the Chevy division, loved by generations of Americans, gets messed up by some "bright spark" who convinces management to switch over to aluminum block V8's to compete with Ford, Dodge and the rest, maybe just a bit too early, before engineers can run enough durability tests to make sure that this new engine will last.
Makes me wish Mercedes was still making 300D's, 300TD's, and 300SDL's

[Robert W. Roe]

Here's another one

Bring
Mom's
Wallet

[douging]

Break
My
Window

[t walgamuth]

yeah, i have owned two bimmers. when they are right they are one fine handling and performing car!

but i didnt think the quality was up to benz standards.

tom w

[300SDog]

Fine handling high performance car buried in engineering madness that nobody wants to touch. My favorite BMW item is the carbon fiber driveshaft in the V-12 that costs a few thousand$$ in parts alone - wears out and must be replaced every 35k miles or so. And then there was friend of mine with 325i (?). Poor bastard carried a hammer more than 2 yrs to start the car on account of sticky solenoid. He never got around to replacing the starter because it was buried inaccessible underneath/behind the manifolds in miserably tight BMW engine bay.

But Vintage BMW motorcycles are superb!! The R65 circa 1979 (if you can find one) handles like a polo pony. An incredibly nimble machine and the R90S from the same era aint no slouch either with boxer opposed twin engine that's work of art for simplicity and longevity. And then ther's the old world classic R69S with earls forks from the 1960's, an unbelievably comfortable and fine handling ride. Legendary motocross bike designer Jack Penton of Ohio set the coast to coast record in somewhere around 35 hrs covering more than 3,000 miles nonstop back in 1965 on an R69S. BMW bikers rightfully think the cars give em a bad name. And many BMW automobile owners will admit the bikes are better then the cars. Its like..... yeah, they also make cars but are known best for their motorcycles.