These neighbors share a mutual interest in vintage cars. But their tastes diverge some, and not just between domestic and import.
The Tempo and Olds are beaters although probably younger than the BMW. This 635CSi is in very nice condition, and makes quite the contrast.
I still think the greenhouse is just a tad too tall, but the Bavarians needed to make sure it wasn’t going to be too hard to get in and out of. As it is, it’s lower than the initial proposal for a replacement for the E9 coupe, but Bob Lutz apparently had a hissy fit over that and convinced them to go back to the drawing board. Don Andreina’s superb review and analysis of Paul Bracq’s work at BMW covers that episode here.
I’m not a big pinstrip fan, especially on more modern cars, but these are a nice touch.
I’m guessing this is a late model, as that looks like an air bag steering wheel. The 635CSi was first sold in the US in 1985, and the E24 was built until 1989.
Not the best seat(s) in the house.
The first US version of the 635CSi had 182 hp, and in1988, that was upped to 208 hp.
So which of the three would you take home?
The Olds. 3800 engine will run forever with minimal maintenance. Also gets great gas mileage.
If I had to choose I’d take the Olds and I’m not even a fan of the 1st gen FWD H-bodies. IF the Tempo is a V6 model it would be more of a tossup but given what I can see in the picture Olds all the way. I’d be worried about the temperamental nature of old BMWs.
To park in the garage and wax and play with? The BMW, as I had a brief but torrid infatuation with these in the 80s.
But to actually drive? The Oldsmobubble. The only way the Tempo comes to my house is if my mechanic or my worst enemy gets to choose for me.
Visually….the BEEMER, hands down! Altho there is a good indy shop here for Mercs n BMWs….hhhhmmm?? Still a STRIJING car, and as a retired Designer….sucker for a pretty bod!!!!
Transportation: Oldsmobubble all the way…:) DFO
PS: a 68-72 W machine would be VERY preferable!
Without question, the Olds. Of the trio, it’s the most comfortable and roomy. Probably the most reliable too.
It’s like one of those questions in a driving theory test which is so easy you have to keep re-reading it to make sure you’re getting it right.
That interior looks terrible though.
I was worried from reading the title that Paul had suddenly gone Tempo-rarily mad for a moment, but now see that all is as it should be…
What have they done to that craftsman bungalow ?
What (or who) would I take home? Hmm…Tonya Harding (Tempo), Rosanne Barr (Olds), or Heidi Klum (BMW). Oh, gee, I can’t decide, I’m so torn…
Gearhead Dave wins the thread!
If Rosanne Barn is meant to represent the sex appeal of the Oldsmobile, then I’m sure that there are posters of this car in the bedroom of every monk.
I’d take the BMW. I’ve got experience with the E32 chassis, which uses the same power train, but also all sorts of electric add-ons not available on the E24. The engine is bullet proof. I know because it’s been the only part of my car to not have any real problems. The computer hooked up to it, not so much. Likewise, that 4HP22 hooked up the back of the M30 on that sucker is a weak point, but when properly maintained (and not revved in park or neutral) it will work fabulously. The build quality on these cars far surpasses any American car I’ve seen from the era. Of course, I’ve really only seen a few Oldsmobiles, a couple of Ford Panthers, a single Chrysler Fifth Avenue, and a Bronco II from that era, so take that with a grain of salt. These things are not really all that temperamental, from my experience. Biggest weak point in the engine is the radiator. The biggest electrical problem is lead-free solder. And I do not recall the E24 being particularly complex, but I am comparing it to the E32 I’ve got, which is overly complex.
The E24 is a great car. That’s the one I’d take.
Interesting comparison photo! The E24 is still such as timeless design. On a side note, those front seats are not original and appear to have been re-upholstered at some point.
The Olds for me. The perfect car for trips. I’m not going to be curve-carving on the Interstate and it would probably get in the high twenties at today’s speed limits
Oldsmobile.
Compared to what is available here in New Hampshire, that is a good example.
Detail it, clean those whitewalls (!) get a matched set of wheel covers, up to date on maintenance and I would be proud to own it.
Drop in a modern BMW turbo-6 and 8 speed auto from a 335i/340i and install Euro-bumpers and you have the perfect German resto-rod.
Where I grew up in the UK there never seemed to be many performance cars; it was all Cortinas, Escorts, Astras, minis etc. Interesting cars to me now, but none of them fast. But there were a few 635CSIs around and they always stood as being a proper, serious car – fast, luxurious and good looking. Brightened up the day whenever you saw one.
Bimmer for me, but I’d need to find one with the proper number of pedals in the footwell. I have always loved this 6-series.
Yeah the BMW is the pick of the bunch, best looking BMW they made and they actually go and drove great on the road not just in the brochures.
Definitely the BMW.
There’s a guy here locally that has a 635CSi in Bright Red with Light Beige leather. In that color combo, the car’s a knockout (I’m not a big fan of Black). I’d take the BMW home if it wasn’t going to be a daily driver.
I’ll take the olds
Only thing that ever looked to big to me on the 635CSI is the badge on the trunklid. The greenhouse is enormous by 2018 standards, but 2018 standards are have no right to judge aesthetics. The thing so endearing to the E24 is that there was never a car that was this simultaneously tough and sleek looking that also had excellent visibility, that’s why it’s my favorite BMW, and the only BMW I’d ever be enticed into owning.
The Oldsmobile, blah. These were everywhere, and unlike a great many cars I grew to appreciate as they’ve dwindled in numbers(including other Roger smith era GMs), the Olds haven’t endeared themselves to me. Boxy clunky geometric styling, convex fake looking wire wheel covers, ugly industrial looking taillights, bordello interiors stuck in 1976, vomit inducing ride quality, mismatched 60s era exterior door handles, and those I’ll fitting chintzy plastichrome bits of trim slathered everywhere haven’t grown one bit on me yet. The 3800 was a fine motor, but there were way better chariots the 3800 V6 pulled, and Oldsmobile is a distant last on my ranking of H body’s.
One positive thing I will say, however, is none of them have the similar rooflines, front end or rear end styling, and you can tell them apart for miles despite their similar slab sides. I do miss that. I don’t know if GM’s Irv Rybicky era styling was really so bad at its core, as much as the trim details, wheels(and especially wheel covers), colors and the like are what really made them look so cheap and unsubstantial. Likewise for the Tempo, but the styling was more solid as is, it’s the engines, transmissions, and chassis that have made those so awful, and the dislike for the styling many harbor is just collateral damage from it.
The rear seat is more comfortable than it appears. The greenhouse gives you plenty of headroom. Rear seat footroom is really only an issue if everyone is over 6 foot. It’s really a wonderful luxury coupe. BMW found a sublime mix of power, braking, and handling that makes the car seem unflappable.
Actually I think I will have the Tempo!
I had one for a short while and although it lived up to its mechanical reputation (hence the short ownership) it was a very nice driver for a small car
Easy decision here as I’d take the 635CSI, it might be more expensive to maintain, but the luxury and performance it offers is unmatched by the other two.
The BMW because they were the coolest thing around and one was Cybill Shepherd’s daily driver in Moonlighting.
Never, EVER the Tempo. A college friend got one brand new. The motorized mice belts stuck midway and the front passenger door would only stay closed if the passenger (me) held it shut by the armrest. Plus the engine was always doing awful things. She got Ford to buy it back as a lemon and ended up with a Mazda-Escort that lasted for years.
and that 6er found a terrible end in the underground parking garage, remember?
I´d take the Sharknose.
Had a 628 CSi once. Beautiful car.
The center console on the rear bench seems to be taken from an ultra rare BMW 635 CSi L6 model…
L6
The Airbag was available from 1986 onwards and cost about 2.000 DM extra charge.
Definitely the Bimmer, always loved the 6-series. It looks like an occasional use car while I figure the Olds and the Tempo are the everyday beaters. I also notice a Honda CRV in the second picture – is that part of the same family or a neighboring property?
The Olds all the way. That boring dreary grey BMW interior leaves me cold as does it’s odd styling and uber expensive repairs when ones are needed.