E24 6-Series

1976-1989 / Coupe / Germany

All E24 6-Series problems All workshop issues

Common Drivetrain

10. Differential Mount Bushings

Symptoms

Clunking from the rear of the car when accelerating from a stop, decelerating, or going over bumps. The clunk comes from the differential shifting in its mounts.

Cause

The rubber differential mount bushings perish with age and lose their damping ability. The differential rocks in its cradle, banging against the mount brackets.

Fix

Replace the differential mount bushings.

This is a straightforward job on a hoist, support the differential, remove the mount bolts, press out the old bushings, press in new ones.

Parts: $60-120 for the bushing set.

Labour: 1-2 hours.

Polyurethane bushings are available and last longer but transmit more NVH.

Cost mentioned in fix

$60-120 for the bushing

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Other known issues

Critical Drivetrain

11. Guibo (Flex Disc) Deterioration

Vibration from the drivetrain, felt through the floor and seats. In severe cases, a rhythmic clunking at low speed. If the guibo fails completely, the driveshaft disconnects from the gearbox.

Minor Structural and Body

1. Front Subframe Mount Corrosion

The front subframe mounting points corrode from road spray and accumulated grime. In advanced cases, the mount tears away from the body under braking or over bumps, causing a complete loss of front suspension geometry.

Minor Structural and Body

2. Rear Trailing Arm Pickup Point Corrosion

The rear trailing arm mounting points weaken from corrosion, causing the rear suspension to shift under load. Symptoms include vague rear-end handling, uneven rear tyre wear, and clunking from the rear when cornering.

Critical Structural and Body

3. Windscreen Surround Corrosion

Bubbling paint around the windscreen edges, particularly at the lower corners. By the time paint is bubbling, the underlying metal is often perforated.

Common Structural and Body

4. Door Bottom Corrosion

The lower edges of the doors develop rust bubbles. In advanced cases, the door skin perforates. Paint appears to blister from the inside out.

Critical Engine, M30 (633CSi, 635CSi)

5. Timing Chain and Tensioner Wear

Rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting 2-10 seconds until oil pressure builds. In severe cases, the rattle persists when warm. If the chain jumps teeth, the engine timing shifts and performance drops dramatically, in worst cases, valve-to-piston contact occurs.

View all 15 E24 6-Series problems