E24 6-Series

1976-1989 / Coupe / Germany

All E24 6-Series problems All workshop issues

Minor Interior and Electrical

14. Dashboard Cracking

Symptoms

Cracks appear across the top of the dashboard, particularly on the passenger side and around the instrument binnacle. The cracks deepen with time until the dashboard surface disintegrates.

Cause

The E24 dashboard is made of a foam-backed vinyl material that is extremely sensitive to UV radiation. In Australia's harsh sunlight, dashboard cracking is virtually universal. Even cars that have been garaged will develop cracks if the dashboard has had any significant sun exposure.

Fix

There is no economical repair for a cracked E24 dashboard.

Options: source a replacement dashboard from a wrecked car ($1,500-3,000, they are extremely scarce), have the dashboard recovered by a trimmer ($800-1,500), or fit a dashboard cap ($300-500, but they look aftermarket).

A windscreen sunshade from day one is the best prevention.

Cost mentioned in fix

$1,500-3,000,$800-1,500$300-500,

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// More E24 6-Series problems

Other known issues

Common Interior and Electrical

15. Window Regulator Failure

The electric windows stop working, operate intermittently, or make grinding noises when operating. One or both windows may drop into the door and refuse to come back up, a significant problem on a pillarless coupe, as the window must seal against the roof line with no door frame for support.

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