So its not a 2002, but its a BMW. Any advice?

[Ebruckbauer]

Hi guys. I currently have a '68 1600, but I am looking to add a winter car to my lineup. Anyone know much about the e23? And if not, anyone have any advice on the motor (potential problems...parts etc.) Thanks!

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=36382&sortby=&dir=

Eric

oh and you can personally attack me for not talking about 2002s if you want.

[winstontj]

Hi guys. I currently have a '68 1600, but I am looking to add a winter car to my lineup. Anyone know much about the e23? And if not, anyone have any advice on the motor (potential problems...parts etc.) Thanks!

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=36382&sortby=&dir=

Eric

oh and you can personally attack me for not talking about 2002s if you want.

No attacks required - the 1600 is a badass car and close enough in my book!

What I like about RWD cars for winter driving (or any driving for that matter) is that they are predictable. Whether or not you have a LSD you know when and how the rear end will break loose, you know how they slip & slide, etc. Get youself a good set of studded Hak-II's and throw a bag of sand in the trunk and you'll be fine. I drove an E21 automatic in VT for three winters and it was truly as good as my 1970 Land Rover IIa 88" wagon in the snow. Even with the Rover in 4WD it slipped and slid around and it wasn't as predictable as the Hak-II's. It's more about the tires than anything. I've also had an '86 e30 325e 5-spd with studded Hak-II's and sand - same thing, a pleasure to drive in the winter. Never worried, passed cars going uphill all the time and had people wondering how the F some kid in a Bimmer was passing them up the access road to Killington!!!

[scottt]

I drove one for 8 years and about 250,000 miles. It was a tank, still ran when I gave it away. The engines are quite stout as are the drivelines in general. The climate control systems are failure prone and expensive to fix. If they bust they go hot defrost so that might be ok for a winter car, the euro cars may have manual climate control, that would be a plus.

It looks as though that car may have TRX tires and wheels. If so, you'll want to budget for a new set of 15 in wheels, TRX rubber sucks, costs a fortune and are terrible in the snow. I'd drive another for sure.

[Grant]

I have an '82 735 (European model), and it's got over 200k on it without any major problems.

The biggest thing to fear on these cars is eletrical problems. The engine is great. The millions of "features" (stuff like the power head rests!) that are all run off of electrical circuits or vacuum lines are where the problems come in. Also, as mentioned, the HVAC controls can be a problem.

I'd suggest he following two sites:

http://www.e38.org/e23/

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e23

[Timmer]

Eric,

Grant can give you some very good advice on E-23's. I had a 1985 735i about 7 years ago, owned it briefly then sold it to my brother in law in Buffalo. I had a minor issue with the HVAC and water would leak into the glove box after an all day rain or so and Grant was a big help, helping to solve both. It was a great driving car, get some good snows for the winter and you're set.

Tim

'69 2000