1989 BMW 635 CSi Highline

Simple, razor sharp perfectly proportioned lines, carefully swaged and detailed gave the E24 BMW Gresham Blake style and subtle swagger. Yet the sharkiest of shark noses gave any third lane dawdler the loud and clear message to move over.

BMW’s longest running production model (with the fewest built) was based on the underpinnings of the E12 5 Series, and powered by the largest of the stalwart big straight six engines. It was typically German of the period – no pretence at radical design but an extremely well executed contemporary package that evolved with BMW, despite little outward signs of change.

This 635 CSi Highline model has the highest level of trim the 6 came with, and has been owned by head honchos at the BMW Car Club since it was just two years old. The current owner bought it to honour a deal, but has found no time at all to use it.

There are certain cars throughout history whose looks age far more gracefully than others. One of those happens to be the E24 6 Series, the original Sixer. With that long, shark nose, short rear deck, skinny pillars and a largely pronounced Hofmeister Kink, the E24 still manages to charm you 45 years after its launch.

And wow, this one is stunning. We spotted a tiny mark on the wheel arch trim at the car’s nearside front wheel, and slight pitting of the chrome trim around the rear lights. Other than that, the outward appearance is faultless.

There are 13 cow hides inside a leather trimmed 635’s crisp, stylish cabin. Lesser models made do with cloth trim, which really doesn’t wear anything like as well.

The white leather interior is in time capsule condition. Even the driver’s seat shows no signs of wear at all. The owner assures us that everything works as it should, which is hardly surprising, given the money that’s been lavished on maintenance over the years.

In the boot the as-new looking toolkit even still has its BMW branded cloth. There’s a tiny tear in the rubber boot seal that five minutes with some Superglue would have sorted.

Baron Alexander Von Falkenhausen’s M30 straight six engine was employed in all its sizes (except the 2.5-litre version) in the E24 – 2.8, 3.0, 3.3 and 3.5-litres – (plus, of course, the twin cam M version). The carb fed 3.0CS is rare and not particularly desirable, and the 3.3-litre was quickly supplanted by the 3.5 in 1978. A year later, paupers got the options of a fuel-injected 2.8-litre version with 184bhp which, despite little interest, soldiered on alongside the 3.5-litre car until 1988.

This car, of course, has the highly desirable 3.5-litre straight six engine, with only 65,000 miles under its belt. The engine bay is extremely clean. There is very light surface corrosion on some of the exposed alloy parts but this could easily be cleaned up before you enter the concours competition.

Underneath the car the shell looks completely sound. Aside from the odd spot of light surface corrosion on some of the more exposed steel brackets, it could easily belong to a five-year-old car.

The car comes with a wealth of paperwork including the original handbooks, a BMW workshop manual, spare keys and a pile of receipts going back many years, detailing the no expense spared treatment it’s had. Highlights of these include:

1991. Replace instrument pod glass – £188.

1992. Replace left headlamp wiper motor – £185.

1993. Paint repairs to off side sill and rear bumper – £129.

1995. Oil service – £65.

1996. Exhaust system parts – £417.

1996. New brake fluid and anti-freeze – £75.

1998. Oil service – £58.

1998. New cam cover gasket fitted – £138.

1999. New radiator and brake fluid – £336.

2001. Oil service – £62.

2004. New switch – £23.

2004. Repairs to air conditioning system – £314.

2009. New bumper and service parts – £247.

2009. New exhaust parts – £320

2015. New brake pressure switches fitted – £249.

2015. New rear axle bushes and front suspension parts fitted – £1602.

2016. New rear brake wear sensor fitted – £66.

2017. Various small parts – £47.

2017. Servicing work – £228.

2018. Servicing parts £174.

2018. Reconditioned BMW parts – £358.

2019. Servicing and MoT work – £268.

2019. New idle air control valve – £49.

2018. New BMW parts – £92.

2020. Suspension adjustment – £129.

The owner says:

‘I was told about the car by a close friend who has known me all my life. A class 1 mechanic, regional manager for the Ministry of Transport, and a classic car owner himself, he said I would never find a better example.'

‘I always wanted the earlier 3.0 CSI, and on the way to see one for sale, felt sure I wouldn't get it, phoned Howard, the 635s owner up and agreed to buy it from him. Not my smartest moment as he is a good friend of my friend from the ministry.'

‘I eventually won the 3.0 CSI in the auction, but because I had given my word to buy the 635, I went ahead with the deal.'

‘The reason I agreed to buy the 635, is that its two previous owners were chairmen of the BMW owners club, who had owned it between themselves since it was two years old. It was always garaged and loved by the last one, who not only spent what he needed on the car, but even what he didn't, with no expense spared, which included main dealer servicing.'

‘The second owner kept the car in a specially heated garage, wrapped up in insulated blankets during all its time with him, again no expense spared, as confirmed by the ridiculous amount of receipts and paperwork that accompanies the car.'

‘It is a totally stunning, original example that has not been messed with. It has no rot, nor has it had any paint. I had never seen a white one in the day, and felt the colour suits it beautifully. The fact it is the rarer Highline model, therefore with extra equipment and two tone co-ordinated interior, combined with its incredible original condition, made it the example to have.'

‘I own nine classics. The first and only time I drove this one was on the run down to The Market. It drives like a new car, but I hadn't even had time to use it. It’s a totally stunning, original non messed with 635 CSi.’

An absolutely gorgeous example of one of the prettiest BMWs from the 1980s. It has the top spec, the most powerful engine and in this condition is a rare opportunity to acquire a car whose value will only rise. Beautiful.

We estimate this car to fetch between £25,000 - £35,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.