1974 BMW E9 3.0 CSA

Here we have a 1974 BMW 3.0 CSA, a good example complete with original paperwork, full of service history, main dealer stamps, and invoices from as early as the 70s. It has had five owners from new, but the vendor has had it for four years and during that time had it thoroughly restored functionally and cosmetically.

The CSA looks very classy, it’s not the wide body of the CSL, and it has the right amount of chrome providing a balance from the monochrome exterior. The automatic gearbox reduces strain on the geartrain and clutch and the sunroof makes leisurely drives even more enjoyable.

The final design for the E9 came from BMW’s in-house designers (like the legendary Hoffmeister and Rennen) but reportedly not without inspiration from Bertone’s Giugiaro and Michelotti, both of whom had made their contribution in the form of initial sketches or through actual models (Giugiaro-designed the 3200 CS). It’s from a period right before the more modern ‘Sharknose’ BMW E24 6 Series appeared. And that is apparent from the styling, which is certainly very refreshing, and fuss-free, especially in comparison to the cars that followed.

Finished in the original shade of metallic blue, the car was repainted around four years ago. Which is why it looks fresh without detracting too much from how it’d have been originally. The extensive work done on it means there’s no visible rust on the car, although some of the chrome would benefit from some attention.

The bodywork looks good and it’s replete with details like badges and the BMW roundel next to the Hoffmeister kink. Although the exterior isn’t spotless, there’s no visible damage to report, apart from the cracked front number plate and slightly scraped, misaligned, front bumper.

The story on the inside is very much a continuation of the outside; a complementing blue velour upholstery mimics the outside paint. There’s a strip of chrome running across the dashboard. Said to be owned by a doctor first, this 1974 BMW 3.0 CSA has been specced rather well. It has the sunroof plus a Radiomobile classic radio, power windows, etc.

The front seats move forwards to get in the back and there’s good passenger space. The front seats have some back support too. The rear seats are also well-contoured but are without headrests due to the period of manufacture. The large frameless doors make the cabin seem roomier, in addition to the similar effect from the factory sunroof. And the way the wooden panel on doors meets the dashboard lends it a very yacht-like appearance.

The interior is largely in great shape and the dashboard shows some age-related wear. The triple-spoke steering wheel has a thin rim which is going to be a joy to hold.

The boot is clean and hidden under the boot panel is a spare wheel. It’s worth noting the original BMW drop-out tool kit albeit some of the tools are missing, but it adds value to the car’s originality.

Codenamed the E9, this BMW coupe was the precursor to the 6 Series (and the current 8 Series). It succeeded the Neue Klasse coupe but followed the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive formula. Powering the E9 3.0 CSA was an M30 three-litre straight-six engine. The carburetted unit made 170+ bhp. Unlike the 3.2-litre CSL, the CSA was made to be a comfortable luxury coupe, and that’s what it’s great at.

This 1974 example drives well but, as you’d expect from a car of this age, the brakes require some pressure on the pedal, the throttle has some play in it and the steering is marginally off centre. On the positive side, the overall driving experience is very good, there aren’t any rattles to speak of, and it feels quite tight. The horn didn’t work when we drove it.

This BMW 3.0 CSA was first registered in June ’74 and it still has the original service book, which is filled with dealer stamps. The service records are further backed by invoices from as early as the late 70s.

The car has had a £11,000 spent on restoration and repaint, which explains the aesthetically pleasing condition it’s in. The work was carried out at Classic Legends and the supporting document (shown in the photo gallery) shows what work was carried out. This covered everything from refurbishing alloys, sorting out the bodywork, to new wood and upholstery. The engine bay, as can be seen in the photos, has been cleaned, too. The car also received new headlining, new suspension components and repaired wheel arches, among other things.

It’s a classic BMW, one that’s been restored and documented well, so it’s bound to get a lot of appreciation from car enthusiasts. And an E9, even more so. We’d even go so far as to say it’s one of the best-looking cars from the company. And even if you were to not take into account its motorsport-orientated sibling, the 3.0 CSA doesn’t become any less interesting.

At an estimated £35,000 - £40,000, this E9 is a ‘turn-key’ classic which can be driven away from our depot. It’s not concours, but if one were to enjoy driving a classic, this looks like a great choice. It’s done 135,000 miles or so, which shows that its previous owners have certainly had a good time driving it. Classic cars like the BMW 3.0 CSA deserve to be driven more, and this one seems like a great way to put that into practice.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; 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’.