Getting an E9 next month

GTSilver944

GTSilver944

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I may be picking up a 1969 (or 1970) E9 next month. What should I look for/ what are the typical issues with these cars?

I haven't seen the car, but as I understand, the car runs, but the clutch is not working. I'm not sure what the issue is with the clutch, but I'm sure I'll have questions for you guys when I am working on it. I have an 1984 Porsche 944 and I do 95% of my wrenching myself, but I've never worked on a BMW or even a car this old before.

I'll post pics when I pick it up.

Thanks!
 
GTSilver944 said:
I may be picking up a 1969 (or 1970) E9 next month. What should I look for/ what are the typical issues with these cars? ....
Click to expand...

If you haven't already, the best place to start is in the Tech Info section on the navigation above. CS FAQ and Rust Diagrams covers the basics..

Dan
 
I'm pretty sure there are no major rust issues. It sounds like a pretty solid car. One owner car and has been garaged, but it hasn't been driven due to the clutch for the last year. I checked out the FAQ and rust diagrams.

I'm getting it for a steal from a friend, so there's little to disuade me from actually buying it - I'm just trying to figure out exactly what I'm getting in to.
 
If you do almost 100% of the work on your 944 then you can almost do 100% of the work on a CS. Probably the only prickly thing that you'll need to learn is how to synchronize and tune the carbs, whether they be the original twin Zeniths or Webers. We have quite a few carburettor experts on this board.

Please post some pics of your coupe!!!

Bert
72 3.5 CSi
88 M6
 
GTSilver944 said:
I may be picking up a 1969 (or 1970) E9 next month. What should I look for/ what are the typical issues with these cars?
Click to expand...

The most 'typical' issue is rust!

If the car has no rust you shouldn't have too many problems with the mechanics. Engine, gearbox, diff, brakes, clutch etc. are all pretty straigthforward and many parts are shared with other BMW models.

What could potentially be expensive is if the car is not complete, i.e. if trim parts, bumpers etc. missing. Quite a lot of those parts are hard to find.

Good luck with the car .. and let's see some photos :)
 
I hear the music....

and I suspect there is a shark somewhere nearby.

Getting a coupe sight unseen is a pretty quick way to find out how good a friend the previous owner is/was.

Rust never sleeps... you've been warned. But welcome to our little group anyway. The Search function will bring a world of information to you. After already working on German cars, you'll have all the metric tools you need, and a BFH to solve whatever other matters come up.
 
Alright. I'll thoroughly inspect the car for rust and immediatly use some type of rust proofing. Last year I sanded down the 944 to the primer, did minor body work, and painted it so I'm fairly firmiliar with what needs to be done if there is any bad rust (although the 44 is galvanized and had no rust).

Pics will come when I pick it up. Are any of you near Denver or Memphis?
 
Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

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I'm near Denver. What do you need?
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Oh, I don't actually need anything. I was just curious if anyone else was in the area.
 
The difference between a rusty 944 and a rusty e9 is like the difference between a canoe and the USS Nimitz. The 944 is a relatively modern, computer welded unibody car. The e9 is a not at all modern, hand welded coach-built monocoque assembly of random pieces of raw, uncoated steel that probably was sprouting rust before Karmann got a coat of paint on it.

Not trying to scare you off, but -- a shell with no mechanicals and limited rust is a better buy than a car with Alpina running gear, and freshly rebuilt 3.5 Euro motor and rusty front shock towers. You can buy an good engine, transmission and differential for a coupe for the price of a timing belt change on a 944.
 
Ok, a few questions:

Where are the jacking points?
Mechanical or hydraulic clutch?
Where's a good place to find a set of work manuals (factory or otherwise)?


Thanks,
Max
 
Jack points are about a handwidth behind each front wheel opening and fore of each rear wheel opening.

Clutches are hydraulic. The slave for the 2800CS is getting scarce, but if you swap to a 5 speed trans you can update to the slave used in the e12's and later cars, it's widely available and cheap.

Factory "Blue Books" show up for sale pretty regularly. A good complete set will set you back the better part of two bills. Haynes makes a manual for the e3 sedan which covers all the mechanical detail of the coupe, they're pretty much identical drivetrains. Those show up on eBay for $10-15 all the time.

I've come close to buying a 944 more than once. I'll give in eventually.
 
velocewest said:
Not trying to scare you off, but --
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Well yeah you are trying to scare him off. And it's getting a little old.
To the OP, go get your E9 and have fun with it. The rust that may or may NOT exist on your car should not deter you from having fun with your vintage BMW.
 
chicane said:
velocewest said:
Not trying to scare you off, but --
Click to expand...

Well yeah you are trying to scare him off. And it's getting a little old.
To the OP, go get your E9 and have fun with it. The rust that may or may NOT exist on your car should not deter you from having fun with your vintage BMW.
Click to expand...

Chicane, your attitude is what is getting more than a little old for me. Why don't you lighten up?

There are a plenty of bad coupes on the market. If I can help someone navigate past a bad one and pick a good one, I'll do it every time. Get used to it, or get used to being annoyed. Either is OK with me.
 
velocewest said:
chicane said:
velocewest said:
Not trying to scare you off, but --
Click to expand...

Well yeah you are trying to scare him off. And it's getting a little old.
To the OP, go get your E9 and have fun with it. The rust that may or may NOT exist on your car should not deter you from having fun with your vintage BMW.
Click to expand...

Chicane, your attitude is what is getting more than a little old for me. Why don't you lighten up?

There are a plenty of bad coupes on the market. If I can help someone navigate past a bad one and pick a good one, I'll do it every time. Get used to it, or get used to being annoyed. Either is OK with me.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Have you even seen this guy's coupe. You have all but labeled it a rust bucket without seeing pics of the car. The guy said it was solid, leave it at that and let him have some fun with the car.
 
^^^
Chill you guys. This argument is exactly what happens on Rennlist when a person tries to buy a "cheap" 944 and it ends up costing them more in the end.

I am picking the car up in the second or third week of June regardless. At that point, I can assess any rust issues and address them accordingly.

Thanks again. I'll post again in June when I've seen the car - and of course I'll include E9 and 944 pics.
 
Just got the car back home. It is absolutely beautiful. Red 1970 2800CS with 80K (?). I'll take some pictures in the morning.

And, from what I've seen so far - minimal rust! :D
 
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