Re: bmw-digest V9 #1099

["Edward R. Walker" <erwalker@xxxxxxxx>]

>Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Ian Ramphal and I reside in
>Toronto Ontario.  I am a member of the JagLovers list, as I have a 1972
>E-Type, Series 3 2+2.  I have been offered the car below (originally
>supplied into England - RH drive) and need some information on operating it
>on Unleaded Gasoline.  I have been advised by a major BMW dealer in London
>(UK), where the car currently resides, that the 1996 model year had a
>"Special" engine and that it could not be converted to run on Unleaded.
>Apparently, al other 635's can be "modified".
>
>>>From my Jaguar connections, I was advised that if the car has an aluminum
>head, then the valve seats would be "hard" enough for unleaded operation.
>Can someone please comment on the dealers advice.
>
>As an aside, the car is in "as new" condition with 12,000 Miles since new.
>
>Engine Number - 41633909
>Chassis no. - WBAEC82090818722
>Year of manufacture - 1986
>Model No. - 635csi coupe
>Cylinder capacity - 3430 cc
>

Ian,

the dealer is feeding you a load of bs when it comes to using unleaded fuel
in an '86 635csi.  There is no conversion process to be followed to 
modify that BMW.  No harm will come from running said BMW on unleaded fuel.

Your bigger concern revolves your importing the car into Canada, if that
is what you are planning.  Unless the regulations have changed in the last
little while, Transport Canada does not allow the importation of vehicles
of European specification until they are at least 15 years old.  Even if
you manage to get the car into the country, you would not be able to 
register said bmw until 2001.  I had to let my '80 323i sit for 3 years
before I could register it in Nova Scotia.  I only got it in to the 
country due to a misunderstanding between Canada Customs and Transport
Canada.

Ed Walker
'80 323i 
'72 tii   

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