1990 BMW 635CSI Motorsport

As a BMW 635CSi Motorsport Edition, this 1990 car is one of just 181 Motorsport Editions produced for the UK market. Finished in the rarest colour of them all, this Macau Blue Metallic (colour code 250) also has a Lotus White the desirable Nappa leather interior (#0199). Cosmetically trimmed to Highline specification with Shadowline exterior trim, it has the go to match the show courtesy of all the standard performance features of the regular M635.

With just four previous keepers, the previous owner had it in his care for 20 years, something that goes to the heart of just how well preserved this example is.

And that preservation tempted the vendor to buy it as a project in 2017 with the intention of merely tidying it up. However, project creep meant that it ended up taking considerably longer than planned - and the work eventually including a full respray and considerable mechanical refreshment.

Always intended as a ‘forever car’ for him, the dreaded lurgy means that it is now being reluctantly offered for sale. Finished in what many believe to be the best colour scheme of them all, this is probably the best BMW 635CSi Motorsport Edition being offered for sale anywhere.

As you can see from both the finished job and the photo album that recorded the work as it was being undertaken, the respray was a proper job using Standox, a premium German paint.

Undertaken because of heavy stone-chipping rather than extensive rust, the bodyshop even took the time and trouble to get the trim either repainted or replaced and then carefully refitted. The total cost was around £6,000 – and even that sum was heavily discounted as the owner allowed them to work on it whenever they had free time. All-in-all, the bodywork took almost three years to complete.

It was worth every second; with wonderfully tight and even shutlines from the newly refitted doors, bonnet and boot lid, there is a complete absence of the sort of wear and tear you’d be entitled to expect to see on a car that’s just eased into its fourth decade. This is, we reckon, probably the best example of its type on sale today.

Because it’s obvious that they went the extra mile to get all the little details right: painting the original wiper arms for example, and getting new numberplates made up with the supplying dealer’s details on them, and details like the wonderfully of-the-period A-pillar trim that you just don’t see on cars anymore.

If you’re planning on displaying it rather than actually driving it then you might like to get a professional valeter in to bring out an absolute perfect finish but it is at 99% already, which is going to be good enough for anyone who plans on ever using it.

The BBS-style, split-rim alloy wheels are gleaming and free of even the slightest hint of damage. Fitted with four matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres too: 235/45ZR17 on the front and 255/40ZR17 on the rear, all were new in May 2017 and still have plenty of tread left on them.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The metal sunroof opens and closes freely, and seals tightly. The rubber seals are good too, and its presence adds yet another element to an already very desirable car.

Problems? Don’t be silly; other than a slightly scruffy driver’s door handle this is as close to a factory fresh example as you’re likely to find – and you know the standard disclaimer we usually put in here, the one that warns that stonechips and minor marks are inevitable? That it isn’t necessary in this advert tells you everything you need to know about how good this one is.

The Motorsport Edition’s interior features hand-stitched Nappa leather on the seats, door panels, centre console, glovebox, roof lining, sunvisors, door pillars, upper door trim and the dashboard. Not content with draping everything in hand-fettled Nappa leather, BMW also slotted in memory electric seats, rear head restraints, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel while tri-colour M-Sport labels show your passengers they are sitting in something rather special.

An electric sunroof helped the occupants make the most of even the briefest glimpse of sunshine, and a graduated tinted windscreen and rear sunblinds helped the standard and recently recharged air-conditioning keep the interior cool.

A new retro-style Continental Bluetooth radio sits in the dashboard and plays through new speakers.

The seats, door cards, lower dashboard and centre console were all re-Connolised in November 2017 at vast expense, and the steering wheel was re-coloured at the same time. Sure, the driver’s seat does still show a patina but it’s a charming reminder of the car’s earlier life rather than anything more bothersome.

Everything else, on the other hand, is very good with barely a mark to ruin the ambience of that wonderfully OTT cabin.

The boot, whose floor is utterly solid and free of rot, is home to the spare wheel. This is the OE metric size and is fitted with an older Michelin TRX tyre. The boot lid contains a complete factory tool kit.

Problems? Well, the rear sunblind isn’t retracting as it should. That’s not a bad ‘To Do’ list, is it?

Oh, and the dark blue overmats are new/old stock and were “hideously expensive” apparently!

Rumours are rife that the Motorsport Edition had a few extra bhp to compensate for all the luxury trim and equipment – and those rumours suggest that up to 220bhp might be available.

Regardless of that, this one has been beautifully maintained including an ‘Inspection II’ service just 1,500 miles ago. Supplied with not one but two stamped service history booklets, the stamps show the following work as having been completed:

• 28.12.1989 – pre-delivery inspection by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 16.03.1990 and 1,912 miles – running-in Inspection by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 09.11.1990 and 6,405 miles – oil service by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 05.12.1990 and (unreadable) miles – BMW Annual Check by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• (unreadable date) and 12,493 miles – Inspection I by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 14.11.1991 and 13,429 miles – BMW Annual Check by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 06.08.1992 and 19,109 miles – oil service by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 14.10.1992 and 26,688 miles – Inspection II by Sandal Bayern Ltd

• 01.07.1993 and 33,311 miles – BMW Annual Check and oil service by Scotthall Southampton

• 01.04.1993 and 41,511 miles – Inspection II by Southampton Car Clinic

• 04.08.1993 and 55,450 miles – Inspection II by Southampton Car Clinic

• 02.12.1993 and 61,083 miles – oil service by Southampton Car Clinic

• 30.03.1994 and 70,018 miles – Inspection II by Southampton Car Clinic

• 12.10.1994 and (unreadable) miles – service by Southampton Car Clinic

• 03.03.1995 and 96,723 miles – Inspection I by Southampton Car Clinic

• 20.06.1995 and (unreadable) miles – oil service by Priory Garage

• 24.09.1995 and 114,621 miles – oil service by Dave Potter

Other receipts confirm the following work:

• 10.06.2003 and 137,344 miles – service and new drive belts by Fairfield BMW

• 22.05.2017 - service and extensive mechanical recommissioning work by TCS Auto Engineers at a cost of almost £6,000. The work was comprehensive and while the receipt detailing the work can be seen on slide #126, it included work to the engine, brakes, suspension, fuel system, and steering plus a whole new stainless-steel exhaust system including the manifold

• 20.11.2019 – new coil springs all round plus a bush and suspension geometry by TCS Auto Engineers

• 10.12.2020 – service by TCS Auto Engineers

A new alarm and battery have been fitted, along with many other parts including having the air-conditioning recharged; please see the attached invoices for details.

The vendor drove it to us here and while that might have only been a 40-mile journey, he reported that it undertook it with no problems or issues whatsoever. We’ve driven it as well and enjoyed every second.

As you can see in the attached video, the 3.5-litre straight-six engine starts very well, quickly settling into a steady tickover. It revs beautifully and makes a lovely noise, including a very attractive burble from the new exhaust.

The engine bay is pretty good and even features new sound-deadening mats on the underside of the bonnet. Yes, you could prettify it a little more if that sort of thing pleases you but it could easily be left as it is without shame.

The underside is solid and bears witness to plenty more new parts.

The BMW’s MOT certificate, which is valid until August 2021, was gained without a single advisory point, something it’s been doing since it came out of storage in 2017.

It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years.

It also still has its original owner’s handbook, two stamped service history booklets, plus the book pack and storage wallet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

A good BMW 635CSi remains a safe place to put your money, especially when they’re as well-presented as this; when the market dips, it looks to what it knows - and everyone knows and loves a ‘Sharknose’ BMW coupé.

“Bloody impressive” according to the boss, a man regular watchers will know is not easy to impress, this one is running as well as it looks. One of a very limited number – and goodness only knows how few remain – our guide price of £19,000 to £28,000 reflects both the quality and rarity of this appreciating classic.

Not the cheapest we know but then someone has already done all the heavy lifting leaving you free to bask in the reflected glory of one of the most elegant and best-driving cars of its time.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.