NO RESERVE! Well Preserved Original, 40K miles, 5 Speed Manual equipped 635CSi

1985 BMW 6-Series Description

***Relisting due to non-paying bidder. Relisted with NO RESERVE!***

Up for sale is a 1985 BMW 635CSi in “Delphin Metallic” (Dolphin Metallic) with a five speed manual transmission and just over 40,000 original miles.

The original BMW 6 series, often referred to by its chassis designation of E24, has been praised as one of the best Grand Touring cars ever produced. Heavily influenced by the 3.0CS (E9) models from the 60s and 70s, the E24 took an already proven design of comfort, beauty, and performance and improved upon it. Often compared to a Jaguar XJ-S and a Mercedes Benz 560 SEC, the BMW is considered more reliable than the Jaguar and sportier than the Mercedes Benz.

The car for sale is from the first year of the American 635CSi. This car was purchased by my father out of a collection in Connecticut that was being sold off as an estate. The car has always been kept indoors by both the previous owner and by my father. The car has been used sparingly and maintained appropriately with recent maintenance totaling about $2,300 regarding the fuel system (pre-pump and sending unit), electrical issues (bad relay for brake lights), and regular maintenance (oil change, A/C charge, new fan clutch, etc).

The exterior of the car is in wonderful shape with minimal imperfections. While we cannot confirm it is the original paint, we have no reason to believe it has been re-sprayed. There is some light hazing along the top of the rear bumper and a few scuff marks along the bottom of the front fascia. Beyond this, the paint is beautiful and pairs very well with the black interior. While several E24s have rust problems, this car is exempt with no signs of rust anywhere throughout the car. In addition to being in good shape, all lights and electronics function as intended.

The interior of the car is difficult to believe. The driver’s seat, and interior as a whole, are surprisingly modern and comfortable. A large part of this is due to the car’s preservation, but it’s also a testament to BMW’s design. There are several design cues that help support the modern feel. Notably, the entire console is oriented towards the driver for better ergonomics. The dashboard features helpful gauging of fuel efficiency and four different warning lights solely for the brake system all contained within a still very modern housing.

The interior of the car is all still very tight and comfortable with just the right amount of wear to show it is original. While driving, it is supportive with plenty of legroom and seat positioning options for drivers of all sizes. All gauging is functional, A/C blows cold (converted to R-134), and the original BMW radio/tape deck is great. The rear parcel tray is not faded and has no cracked plastic. Similarly, the dashboard is free of any cracking from age or sun damage. The carpet, while functional and original, is a bit tired and faded compared to the rest of the cabin. As for the trunk, it seems as though it has never been used! While I’m sure it has been, everything looks factory fresh inside. Even when the trunk carpeting is pulled back, an original full size spare with original locking plate is revealed as well as some nice, dry sound insulation and solid metal. The icing on the cake would be the basic tool kit attached to the trunk lid. Besides some slight corrosion on the tools, everything is as it should be.

The engine starts without hesitation or smoke and is always ready to go. As the driver, the temptation to go faster is always lingering. The combination of the engine’s power, sound, and the joy of the five speed manual transmission does absolutely nothing to deter it. The speed is sudden and subtle with only the speedometer giving any indication that the car is traveling at high speed. There are no squeaks or shakes that would normally express the limits of an older car. The ride is quite smooth at all speeds, though the tires are a bit old and hard. Still, this doesn’t detract much from the driving experience. The brakes are strong and add confidence to the feel of the car.

These 6-Series BMWs are on the rise in value, but also in mileage. A preserved, low mileage original is getting harder to find. There are cheaper options available, but not with the mileage, options, and level of preservation, associated with this specific car.

I am selling this car for my father. Recent health issues have convinced him to sell off the few classic cars he had. This was his favorite and is the last one to go. He has a clear South Carolina title in his name that will be transferred to the new owner once the full payment is complete. Shipping of the car will be the responsibility of the buyer, though the car can be held indoors at no charge for up to a month after the ending of the auction while shipping is secured. The car has been described to the best of my ability and is sold in as-is condition. Please ask any additional questions you may have. We reserve the right to end the auction early. Good luck bidding!