Hello, my first BMW

[MattMann]

Hello all,

This weekend I'll be picking up my first BMW a 1978 BMW 633csi with 84,000 miles. Along with being my first BMW it will also be my first older car.

I've been reading about shop manuals/maintenance manuals for BMW's and I cant seem to find anything for the older ones. Any ideas for the '78 633csi?

Thanks

[witeshark]

That might take some searching, best of luck and

[johnnyBgood]

Welcome to the Werkz....... & good luck with your search!

johnny,

[phillybimmer01]

Welcome to the bimmer world.I'd try the haynes manual website.They usually manufacture alot of service manuals.That's where I got mine.

[Steve323i99]

Check out books4cars.com they carry an assortment of older manuals, service manuals and other liturature about autos, and you might even be able to find the original brocher there too.

and

[PhatCat]

Welcome, MattMann. Any relation to the globe trotting, girl watching, drunk teasing Art Mann? lol

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

I have NEVER found a Shop manual for the 6 series.... You 6 series is E12 based as it is Pre 83 so a E12 5 series book would do for most of the car(some things are mounted a LITTLE differently but are in the same area) Oh and E12 based lowering springs are hard to come by so if you wanna lower your car and find a set get them ASAP because they're rare! What are your plans any pictures of the beast?

[MattMann]

Thanks for the speedy replies.

Originally Posted by PhatCat
Welcome, MattMann. Any relation to the globe trotting, girl watching, drunk teasing Art Mann? lol

No lol MattMann is just a combination of the first four letters of my first name and the last four letters of my last name.

Originally Posted by AlpineSixandSeven
I have NEVER found a Shop manual for the 6 series.... You 6 series is E12 based as it is Pre 83 so a E12 5 series book would do for most of the car(some things are mounted a LITTLE differently but are in the same area)

Good to know I'll see what I can find.

Originally Posted by AlpineSixandSeven
Oh and E12 based lowering springs are hard to come by so if you wanna lower your car and find a set get them ASAP because they're rare! What are your plans any pictures of the beast?

Living in Alaska, most of the roads are crap so I wont be lowering the 633. This being my first older car and BMW im not sure what all is available for doing mod wise. The car is starting out in excellent condition with very little rust and only 84k miles. The engine has some kind of coolant leak possibly blown head gasket or warped head. So has been sitting behind the previous owners house since 1990 being carefully started and driven around lightly once each summer. Not sure if this was a good move by the previous owner.

My plan is to restore it to working condition, starting with the engine and the rest of the drivetrain, then breaks, suspension, ect. ect. all the good stuff. Then fixing the exterior aesthetics. The rear bumper has been damaged and bent and the paint isn't what I feel the car should look like so a repaint will be in store. I'm not loaded so it will be a long process as I will be attempting to do most of the work myself.

I'll attempt to post pics and updates throughout the entire process and will probably be on here frequently to ask questions.

Can't wait for the weekend to get here when I finally pick her up.

[MattMann]

Just posting some pics of my '78 633csi.

There is Alpina on the rear left corner of the car, but I have yet to check for the Alpina VIN. The paint scheme and everything about the car doesn't seem to be true Alpina from what little research I have done. If it isnt a true Alpina I will probably remove the "Alpina" from the back.

[witeshark]

Looks like a very nice car!