1982 BMW 635CSi

“I’ve never actually used the car,” admits vendor. “It’s a part of my private collection. I bought it as I liked the condition and the fact that it had a manual gearbox – none of that auto’ rubbish! Condition wise, it is as good as they get; the car had undergone a full restoration and was, and still is, exceptional”.

During his ownership it’s had some electrical works carried out and been put through an MOT, which it passed with flying colours (and which runs until 11/04/2024). “The underside pictures really demonstrate the quality of this car – you can see all the new bushings, etc. Inside the cabin, the black Recaro seats are superb, too”.

The car’s included V5c document indicates a total of 11 keepers from new, with the date of first registration as 20/09/1982. You will find a CD-R in the car’s history file, which documents the entire restoration. Also present are large number of parts and works invoices related to that process.

“In terms of cars I have too many and now need to thin it down a little, so the 635CSi is up for sale”. The vendor's declaration means it’s time for him to bid the BMW auf wiedersehen, but good news for BMW 635CSi fans.

Time to bag yourself a top example?

Remember a time when BMWs had a shark nose rather than engorged uber nostrils? Well, the model range that epitomised that is the 6-Series. Today, they remain sharp-suited looking cars, even more so when still in a recent flush of post-restoration condition. Remember, this example hasn’t been used since so it’s still without blemish.

With the body taken back to bare metal, replacement doors and a boot lid were sourced. Fresh metal was integrated where necessary to ensure absolute solidity before respraying in Red with lovely contrasting black decals. Sunroofs are notorious rot spots on Eighties Bimmers, but as you would expect the metal surrounding this one is picture perfect.

Attention to detail is first class with a huge number of new exterior trim parts sourced and fitted to give a factory fresh feel. The period correct alloy wheels are shod in 195/70 R14 Falken tyres, which were sourced at a cost of £345.

There’s no doubt that this 635CSi’s stance is sensational.

The Black interior is an ode to masculinity with alluring Recaro sports seats and a cabin fresh feel that more than matches up to the car’s exterior finish. Those seats have a light patina and still provide superb medio-lateral support; the leather-clad rear seats also in very good condition. Carpets are excellent, as are door cards.

Up front the press-button system check computer seems quaint now but was cutting-edge at the time, and it still functions as it should. The odometer may read in the mid 160k miles, but that’s a misnomer as this car has been fully restored inside and out.

Pop the boot, unlock the tool tray and you will find a full kit in place. It’s perfectly trimmed in matching carpet in there and lifting that reveals a matching spare alloy wheel, and matching tyre, both in situ.

It’s a cracking cabin.

Our man Freddie collected the 635CSi from the vendor’s home and drove it back to The Market’s Abingdon HQ. “It was very nice to drive,” he says. “And sat happily on the A34, keeping its cool in stationary traffic. I noted no suspension rattles. The steering was spot on, the dogleg gearbox is a joy to use, and the engine pulls superbly. Some constructive criticism I can offer is that perhaps the gearbox bushings could do with attention.”

The car’s underside is in excellent health; you will find fresh suspension components, rubber components and an exhaust system still with its label on. It’s fully protected with a recent coating of underseal, confidence inspiring and indicative of the car’s overall condition.

Ditto under the bonnet. Again, the attention to detail is excellent. It again presents factory fresh, and you would happily pop this open at an event and prepare yourself for the admiration of the passing public; it’s toothbrush clean with new looking plastics on the induction system, with fresh wiring and cooling system components.

The big-ticket item in this car’s history file is that comprehensive photographic history of its restoration. It details everything from taking the bodywork back to bare metal, to the re-spray and rebuild of mechanical components.

You will also find a huge number of invoices related to the process, detailing all the new parts (and there’s a lot of them!) and their respective costs. A selection of the larger individual ones include: a respray by R.C.S. Motors Ltd (£2400, 6/11/2018); the E30 M3 dogleg 5-speed gearbox rebuild (£726, 16/07/2018). There are also other ones for multiple parts that total many thousands of pounds. Again, it’s worth electronically flicking through these so that you can get an idea of the multitude of parts replaced during the restoration process.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has restored to an exacting standard.

We do love a restored classic car here at The Market. In fact, there’s one thing we love more and that’s a restored classic car that comes with a fully documented history of the process. All cars come with a story but where photographs and invoices back up the current day condition, it lends an extra level of confidence in the car itself.

Given this 635CSi’s lovely post-restoration condition and the way it drives, we think it will sell for somewhere between £18,000 and £22,000. In a BMW world where the letter ‘M’ automatically inflates prices, that price range still offers serious value for Great British pound.

And remember, it’s this model that holds the Touring Car bragging rights. This example will happily slot into a BMW collection, but equally it’s ready for a new owner to enjoy regularly.

Are you ready for the ultimate Eighties driving machine?

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’.