1982 BMW 635 CSi

The E24 was made to rival cars like the Jaguar XJS, Mercedes-Benz SLC, among others, and even parked side-by-side, the 6 Series doesn’t look any bit less special. It must be noted that the M635 CSi and the 635 CSi are two different cars. They do share the same platform, bodywork, and some mechanical bits underneath, but whereas the M635i stood out because of its motorsport-derived engine and more focussed chassis, the 635 CSi is a great all-round GT coupe with decent power and road-holding capabilities.

Here we have a clean 1982 BMW 635 CSi from Denmark, supported by previous invoices, service records, and original bits like the tool kit, spare wheel, and jack. The vendor describes the car as rust-free and largely original. It has had a major service recently, and the vendor reaffirms that it drives really well. The odometer has 84k miles on it, which for a vehicle that left the dealership four decades ago, isn’t a lot.

Paul Bracq’s designs for both BMW and Mercedes have been appreciated by enthusiasts, and it’s no surprise that the E24 6 Series was also received well. But it’s not just the slanted ‘shark nose’; the overall design is undeniably classy, with the coupe body style ensuring that it looks well-balanced too. This example’s Dolphin Grey paint might not be the flashiest but it suits the streamlined shape of the car rather well. The chrome trims break the monotony without overdoing it, and there’s absolutely no doubt that it looks great with Euro bumpers.

The vendor mentions that the car hasn’t been involved in an accident ever or had any repair. The OEM BBS wheels like most other parts are original, and these have certainly stood the test of time well. The front valance was repainted because of stone chips, and the headlamps are aftermarket units. The vendor reassures that like the rest of the parts, the paint is also original. There’s no rust and the condition is nothing but clean. As can be seen in the photos below, there are some tiny marks/paint defects, one of the rubber trims is coming off, etc. The rubber tail spoiler on the boot lid, a standard fitment from the factory, looks cool, though.

The 6 Series was positioned as a four-seat coupe, and in this 635 CSi spec, it’s a pretty fast one. Fittingly, the seats are large and supportive at the front, and the rear ones don’t look too bad, either. The choice of materials wouldn’t help it beat a Bentley that’s for certain, but as we’ve seen with the bodywork, the interior too has managed to stay all right, after all these years of use. The vendor says that the dashboard is devoid of any cracks, the upholstery is all-original, and everything works on it: lights, sunroof, electric locks, etc. The tight-fitting headliner is complemented by a good carpet, but there’s no AC and the heat only blows on high. It must be noted that the fuel gauge does give an accurate readout but tends to bounce slightly, adds the vendor.

As mentioned earlier, the seats look good, and so do the controls on the central console. There aren’t too many scratches or wear marks, but the grey plastics do give away the age. Like the rest of the car, the boot looks exceptionally clean, too. It holds a spare wheel under the carpet, and there’s a tiny bit of surface rust there.

Unlike the M635 CSi, which used the M1-derived straight-six engine that made nearly 300 bhp, the 635 CSi has a more humble power plant. But it doesn’t exactly make it a lesser car, especially when looked at as a classic. With more than 200 bhp, the 635 CSi still had more than enough power to handle GT duties without needing to use M Performance Parts or whatever they were referred to as, back in the 80s. And even now, when hot hatchbacks make that much power, this rear-wheel-drive GT would hardly be called slow.

And responsible for ensuring that the new owner can enjoy the most out of the 635 CSi is the recent major service. As a part of which, a few bits were replaced including the gearbox seals, alternator belt, bonnet pad, hoses, speed sensors, lines, bushing, etc. Following this, the car was taken for a 100+ kilometre drive, and the vendor says that it is ‘quiet and smooth on the road’. He continues, ‘The brakes, steering, ride and handling, are impressive. The car starts easily and runs well with strong compression across all cylinders.’

The underside seems to be treated in the past and you can spot a bit of rust on some components; the exhaust appears to be affected slightly, too.

BMW launched the E24 6 Series in the mid-70s and continued until the late-80s. Discontinued in 1989, the car was replaced by a more upmarket model, the 8 Series. The 635 CSi was launched in 1978 and soon became one of the fastest cars in this space. With nearly 220 bhp, it’s easy to understand why.

This example was manufactured in 1982 and exported to the USA when new. It comes with original paperwork, including the owner’s manual, service receipts, etc. It has 84,000+ miles on the odometer, and the vendor says it is ‘mechanically sorted and the nicest-driving E24 we’ve seen, with a strong engine, smooth 5-speed gearbox, quiet ride and sharp steering’.

It’s one of the finest BMWs ever made, and not just from its time. Even now when you can choose from cars belonging to different eras, the E24 6 Series can’t be ignored. It offered everything BMW was good at: driving dynamics, a solid straight-six engine, great looks, etc. This Denmark-based example is expected to be valued at €18,000 - €28,000, which looks to be in line with what the car is: a mostly original, 84k-mile example, which has just had a major service.

As a classic, there’s a lot to enjoy in a car like this 635 CSi, including the way it drives, and handles. Of course, an M635 CSi is bound to be more special, but the repair and replacement costs on that car can be much more, and this as a less-obvious-in-its-appearance GT might make more sense for many. Especially in the rather nice, understated shade of grey, with period-correct/original fitments. An ultimate (good-looking) driving machine, as some would say.

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated this car is located at THE MARKET headquarters near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.