Wynn's BMW E24
Photography & Words By Wynn
1983 BMW 633csi
So yeah, it’s been a minute! Well, that’s on me, so let’s jump into the fast lane and play some catchup! So as you are most likely well aware from this feature, I’ve since acquired an E24 and I have to admit that I’m smitten with it! Also, I’m guessing people really don’t use that phrase anymore but honestly, that’s how I feel being a sharknose owner. Of course, as with life, the good -at times- comes with the bad. In my situation ,the bad was the official retirement of my E36. It wasn’t an easy decision as that was the car that, in a sense started this whole passion for the Bavarians; however I felt as though I had done everything that I had wanted with that chassis and decided on, instead of throwing even more money at it, pick up a different chassis and start a new project.
The goal was to go older with the new pickup. I loved the E36 but if I’m frank, I feel as though at times that chassis is seen in a particular light and I was ready to move on from that crowd. I’ll always have a special spot in my heart for the E36 but I decided that I needed a BMW of an older vintage. I was actually after an E28, really wanting a sharknose and being that those are, for the most part, somewhat readily available I could probably find an example I’d be happy with. So the search was on, I scoured the country in search and found some amazing examples, I even found a 2002 but it sold right before I got there. I came across an E9 but it was a bit more of a project then what I wanted to get involved with. So I settled on a gorgeous E28 and decided to go get it. However, right before the week I was bound to travel and pick it up, I came across this E24; it belonged to an older gentleman that was a second owner with the first owner being his next door neighbour. He told me when his neighbour had passed, the wife gifted it to him and it pretty much sat in his garage for years, apart from the needed cruise and maintenance services. I was stunned, for me the E24 is on my top three list of the most prettiest BMW’s ever produced. It falls third behind the second place BMW M1 and the first spot held by the E9. I honestly never imagined that I would one day own a car from that list and I’m still kinda shocked about it. So when I met with the owner, he really could have said anything, all I was thinking was this car is coming home with me.
Hands were shaken, deals were done, last minute trips were made to the MTO and I eventually drove the ol’ girl back home; about 3 hours. Not even a hiccup, she drove perfectly and although she is a slow cruiser, it felt like an event driving her. On that drive home, my mind swelled with the plans I had to get her up to snuff and more to my liking.
Now, I personally don’t feel the E24 needs much, so keeping it simple, clean and timeless is the goal. The first order of business was the brakes and suspension. Now if you’ve seen my E36, I think you would agree that it sat pretty cozy with the ground; which I love. But, maybe it’s me getting a bit older but I decided to not slam this ol’ girl and have it sitting at a bit more of a comfortable ride height. I decided on a set of BC Racing full coilovers and paired them with new arms, links, bushings; the works. Next was the wheels, I knew I wanted to go with the classic basketweave look as that really suits this chassis. So I decided to build out a set of 17” BBS RC090’s stepped up to 18”. If you know E24’s you’ll know they can squeeze a good amount of tire in those fenders and seeing as my goal was to have a higher ride height but not compromise with wheel gap I I wanted to run a chunky setup. I decided to go with a staggered set of 18x9.5 up front with 18x10.75 in the rears wrapped in a 215/45 and 235/45 Falkens.
Next on the list was the exhaust, which was in need of some attention. The car still had the original exhaust and you could tell it was 40 years old. So, I decided on a full custom setup, matching the layout of the original setup but deleting the cat and muffler and replacing them with Vibrant resonators. Inside I decided to change out the OEM wheel and replace it with a fresher Renown one and matched it with a Renown shift knob. Apart from that I threw in-what is my favourite addition-a Patina Cup Holder. As I’m sure many older BMW owners will know, these older chassis’s were notorious for not coming with a cup holder.
Of course, as I’m sure you are already aware of, this project has just begun. My next major order of business is to get a front valence and tuck those bumpers. I also want to overhaul the complete cooling system as you already know, that’s BMW’s weakness. I am also considering throwing on a muffler on her as, if I’m honest, it’s a bit louder than I’d care to admit. I guess that’s another sign I’m getting older, damn.
