1986 BMW 635CSi (E24)

Built in June 1986, and sold via Hughenden Motors Ltd. shortly after, this 635CSi cost its first keeper a considerable £30,681.63 (approximately £88,250 today). That’s because not only was this BMW a top-tier coupe in its day, but it was also generously specified with heated locks, headlamp washers, electric tilt & slide sunroof, green-tinted glass, multi-function steering wheel, switchable four-speed automatic, air-conditioning, and cruise control. That lot certainly didn’t come cheap, but it’s granted this BMW a level of creature comfort that’s far closer to modern standards than its vintage and boxy styling would suggest.

The vendor has owned this particularly smart example of a ‘shark-nose’ BMW since 2022 and in that time has commissioned a fair amount of work, as he explains: “Much recent expenditure including: new discs, pads, and refurbished callipers all round. Significant welding to the underside – sills and arches, floors, battery tray – circa £2.5k. New wheels & tyres, new rear drop links and bushes, new fuel tank, new LCD screen, various electrical work (everything works as it should), plus some new brake lines and all new flexi pipes.”

Silver is usually a colour we associate with the other southern German marque, Mercedes-Benz, but it’s a welcome addition to this Bavarian bruiser. Polaris Silver is the specific shade and it’s certainly wearing it well. We didn’t uncover much in the way of imperfections, generally the finish looks decent and uniform throughout. 

Paint and the aforementioned underside bodywork rectification was carried out at the end of 2022 (invoice for £2400 in the history). It’s not quite a perfect finish however, as there are a couple of small cracks in the paint around the grille and some light overspray on various rubbers and trim around the car. 

We also spotted that someone’s been a little over keen in affixing the front licence plate as it’s cracked around its retaining screws. The wheels look to have been donated from a later BMW model – likely an E39 5 series V8. They look good and are shod in a nice set of matching Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres (dated 2022). A set of 17-inch Alpina wheels – in need of refurbishment – will also be included in the sale (see images).

The trim around the car looks good, aside from a few light scuffs and scratches here and there. The rear bumper looks a little wonky, but the often-damaged spoiler looks great here. Panel fit also looks good, other than a couple of imperfections in the front panel to wing gap (both sides). There also seems to be some very mild surface corrosion to the edges of the sunroof, but we couldn’t see any other obvious signs on the rust elsewhere.

There’s some correspondence with BMW in the history file, which appears to suggest that these black leather pews are what the car was supplied with. They appear to have resisted the ravages of nearly four decades very well, with just a small tear to the usual high-wear area of the driver’s side outer bolster. The glovebox houses an original BMW torch and book pack and, just off to its right, there’s the uber desirable 1980s accessory multi-function computer, which appears to work through all its functions.

The carpets, headlining and dashboard all look good with the only obvious damage in the cabin limited to the passenger inner door handle surround, which has cracked and been glued back together. There’s a largely complete toolkit in the boot as well as an original Michelin TRX spare tyre, (needs changing) with the metal of the boot floor looking solid.

This top-flight 635CSi was an advance machine for its era and there’s a lot of extra kit fitted to this example, all of which the vendor states (to the best of his knowledge) is working as intended. The underside looks nice and solid with a fresh coat of underseal – likely applied after the last round of welding work at the end of 2022.

There are plenty of new and refurbished parts visible under this 6 series, reaffirming the work listed in the history and the vendor’s description. The front brake callipers and hoses look near new, however, the exhaust looks old but solid.

The bonnet sound deadening looks to be original but is still hanging on well to the underside of that long snout. There are a selection of nice original stickers in the engine bay too, but we did spot a few bent fins to the oil/transmission cooler, though it still seems to be sound. The engine bay in general looks very dry, clean, and tidy. There are also several boxes of spares included with the car (see images).

The early history for this BMW appears to have been lost along the way, however, there are still plenty of invoices to show on-going care from the mid-1990s to the present. An illustrated parts catalogue is included, along with an owner’s book pack and a service schedule booklet that shows almost annual stamps from BMW dealers up to 1998. There are loads of tax discs and MoT certificates too, though we won’t list everything here. The following covers most of the important work…

• Bodywork in 1997 (£321.95).
• Offside front wing also in 1997 (£433.86) plus tie rods & wishbones and anti-roll bar drop links from Wood in Hampshire BMW (£662.98).
• Car sold in June 1997 (£7400).
• Specification confirmation print out from BMW (1997).
• Lots of late-1990s BMW invoices for small items, service parts, relays etc.
• BMW used car 125 check in 1998 revealed plenty of work (£915.20) fixing electrical bits, brakes, tie rods etc.
• Thatcham Catagory 1 alarm fitted in 2014 (£282.99).
• Calliper repair kit and front discs, pads and wear sensors from Autodoc October 2022 (£231.64).
• Brake pad set from GSF in October 2022 (£60).
• Invoice for four new Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres from blackcircles.com October 2022 (£369.26).
• Paint and rust repair dated November 2022 at MW Paint & Body Newnham, (£2400).
• Inline fuel filter from Amazon, May 2023 (£12.65).
• New fuel tank in May 2023 from BMW Service Cotswold/Cheltenham (£721.33).

One of the most charismatic – and not to mention quickest – coupes of the 1980s, the 635CSi is as indicative of the era of excess as any set of red braces, a Filofax or an original Sony Walkman. There’s something about those perfectly proportioned Paul Bracq lines that still manages to look both timeless and retro.

This example has had a good deal spent in recent years, with the invoices to prove it. The right mix of original and new or refurbished parts mixes to make the perfect partner for any B-road blast, autobahn high-speed run or urban schlep. The car also comes with MoT until June.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor near Gloucester, Gloucestershire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.