Re: Euro vs. U.S. models' reliability (archive)

I think reliability between the M635 and the M6 are for all intents and purposes the same, with any differences being accounted for by option packages. Any gizmos increase the chance of something going wrong, regardless of the original market of the car.

My M635 has manual Recaro seats. I like not having to worry about them breaking, and I don't adjust the seats that often anyway. The only power accessories on the car are the windows and the sunroof.

While the reliability is the same for both cars, the Euro parts may cost you a bit more, depending on your supplier. The shop I take my car to has a huge stock of euro parts, so it hasn't been much of an issue. But I shudder to think what I'll run into if I ever need to replace one of the rear quarter panels...

: A point was made recently by someone trying to sell an early '80s Euro 635 that the early Euro version, having fewer "frills" than the the U.S. version, has fewer parts to fail and therefore has a reputation for greater reliability. I'm a relatively new 6 series owner (although I've admired them ever since they were introduced in '76) and am therefore not as familiar with the cars as some others on this board seem to be. So I'm wondering: is this the general consensus of 6er owners/enthusiasts? Are the early Euro models more desireable strictly from a reliability standpoint? This would seem to make sense, since the later models (both Euro and U.S.) are so laden with electronic luxury and gadgetry. Besides, the diversity of the posts to this board appears to cover just about everything that can possibly go wrong with a car!
: I'm considering the purchase of a more "performance-oriented" 6 series in the future such as a M635 or M6 (my current car's an '85 U.S. 635 w/ automatic - which I plan on keeping) but the last thing I want is a "money pit". If the early, simpler Euro versions are much more reliable than the later M cars, I would consider one of those instead. After all, swapping cams, pistons, etc. is a lot more fun than constantly changing transistors and switches, tearing apart the dash, tracking down electrical gremlins, etc. in order to keep a car on the road IMHO.
: I'd be interested in hearing from others on this. Thanks to all who respond.

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