Hi!

I purchase my '83 633CSi in Vancouver (west coast) about 8 months ago and i've only driven it about 10 times since because i moved and had to leave it behind 7 months ago...finally it is being delivered to me next week!

The car is completely stock from the 14" trx wheels up with 215,000 Kilometeres on it (about 145k Miles). It has little rust except for the usual suspects (front fenders near hood, insde bottom of door). It had one owner who had it dealership maintained..he finally gave it away as a christmass present!

My questions have more to do with "what would you do if you had to it all over again" with respect to modifying it from stock.

On my list are temps sensors, alarm/keyless entry , new muffler, new wheels (17 or 18?), suspension (lower it? how much?). New lights? Air filter? Anything else?? Mod chips?? It needs to have the steering tightened, maybe even some new arms? I have found it hard to find anything for it in Toronto, Canada. Any ideas fellow sixers? I need help prioritising! :)

Summer's here, can't wait to take her for a tour.

Thanks,
Manny

I've never driven or owned a 6, but like them.

Check out Bavarian Autosport in Portsmouth, NH (www.bavauto.com). They have a LOT of parts for all BMW's and you can input your year and model on their website so it'll show only applicable parts. I know they've got the keyless entry you mentioned--made by Stellar, installed in my old 528e in about an hour, cost $90, worked great. They sell chips, too, but don't appear to have one for any 6 older than a 1985 635. So does Turner Motorsport (www.turnermotorsport.com), but again, nothing older than 1985.

Turner Motorsport also has genuine xenon headlight kits for the 9006 ellipsoid low beams in my car. I doubt your car uses 9006 bulbs, however. Most likely, it uses H4 low beams and H1 high beams, and you can't find or don't want to spring for an expensive xenon upgrade, get the HELLA QUARTZ HALOGEN sealed beams from Bavarian Autosport (lighting > performance lighting upgrades > "Hella Quartz Halogen Headlight replacement")--includes entirely new headlights (appearance like stock), easy to install yourself, costs about $200 for high AND low beam sets. I put them in my 528e and was AMAZED by how well they worked. Low beams have the European sharp horizontal cutoff, plus they illuminate a lot more to the sides. High beams (H1 units) amazing--shot a brilliant white beam for what seemed like a 1/4 mile down the road.

Lastly, some wheels would be great--I have heard 14" TRX tires are ridiculously expensive (my 528e came with 16" 5-spoke Borbet Type H wheels and 225/50ZR-16 tires--looked really, really good). I'd probably go for 17" wheels on your 633. AC Schnitzer makes some sweet, aggressive-looking 5-spoke wheels. I think there are also some stock wheels that look nice (BMW wheel chart--http://zoouz.free.fr/wheels.htm)--my personal favorite are the 17" BBS cross-spoke bolted two-piece ones from the 1998-2000 528i/2001 525i Sport Package (style 5 on chart). I also saw a 635CSi with 16" 20-Spoke wheels from the 1997-2000 540i automatic (style 33)--looked good too, just not as aggressive.

Well, good luck with whatever you undertake. And post pictures of what you decide to do as well! :smile:

Hey, thanks for the information. What about epsiloid headlights left and rigth taken out of an 88 m6 show car?? I found a pair for sale and he is asking about $175.00 US. I may be able to a talk him down, he selling the bulbs with them too. He said it would be a great upgrade to for my car.

I also found a pair of 18" Alpina replicas with 245/18 Falken's on them for 1250.00 US from Highline Wheels. I think it's a pretty decent deal?

Have you heard of Hamburg Technic for replacement BMW parts? They have a complete E24 Front Control Arm Suspension Package (4 Control Arms 2 Tie Rods 2 Sway Bar Links 1 Idler Arm) all for 299.99 US. I tried researching the company online but did not find much.

My list of things to do is growing both in lenght and bottom line!! : )

Thanks for any info!
Manny

Yes, the bottom line will definitely grow as you think of things to do to your car.

I would definitely buy the ellipsoid lights if you plan to convert to xenon lighting, but like I said you could also upgrade with the Hella Quartz halogen kit (that includes brand-new headlight assemblies--housing, glass and all) for much less money. That'd be about $200 going with Quartz halogen, compared with almost $800 investment for a total xenon conversion. I'd find the latter preferable in a money-is-no-object scenario. However, if the choice was between buying the stock halogen ellipsoid assemblies only or buying the Hella Quartz halogen units, I'd definitely go with Hella. Stock ellipsoid low beams in my 535i are quite unsatisfactory in their lighting, in my opinion.

Those 18" Alpina replicas WITH tires sound like a really, really good deal for $1,250. Make sure they will fit the car with no problems before you buy, though. :rolleyes:

I have not heard of Hamburg technic. A complete front suspension package--all those components you listed--for $300 seem really cheap; almost too cheap. I don't know. Maybe others here have heard of them.

Anyway, best wishes; be sure to include pics after you make your modifications.

I too am a 1st time BMW owner, 1991 525i. I redid the front end using a Hamburg Technic kit. They appeared to be of a high quality construction and finish. They installed easily and have been giving excellent service for about 5 months now. I purchased mine over the web from FCP Groton. I had a minor problem with shipping due to a mistake in my Postal Zip, this was quickly and courteously resolved.
Time will tell but so far all is working well.

Hey, thanks for the information. What about epsiloid headlights left and rigth taken out of an 88 m6 show car?? I found a pair for sale and he is asking about $175.00 US. I may be able to a talk him down, he selling the bulbs with them too. He said it would be a great upgrade to for my car.

I also found a pair of 18" Alpina replicas with 245/18 Falken's on them for 1250.00 US from Highline Wheels. I think it's a pretty decent deal?

Have you heard of Hamburg Technic for replacement BMW parts? They have a complete E24 Front Control Arm Suspension Package (4 Control Arms 2 Tie Rods 2 Sway Bar Links 1 Idler Arm) all for 299.99 US. I tried researching the company online but did not find much.

My list of things to do is growing both in lenght and bottom line!! : )

Thanks for any info!
Manny

Replacing your headlights will be a waste of time unless you replace the headlight wires too. Once you replace the wires with fresh 10 guage you will see a difference. Its not too hard really as the wires enter into the bottom of the fusebox.

I use Bavauto or Turner as my last alternative; I get quality parts from Steve Haygood and I $ave.

Blake

I have used & Sold Hamburg Technic Many Times, Great Product ! I have my own a 528 with 50,000 Miles on the New Front end Set from them & still running strong.
Many times its the same as Lemfoerder. Would highly recomment it.
Bav Auto Also sells them & So does FCP Groton & many others....