All posts tagged 3.0cs

Okay, I know we just featured a 3.0CS on Tuesday, but since we’re on a bit of a coupe theme this week, I thought this 1972 Fjord Blue 3.0CS was just too nice to pass up. For sale in Georgia, this 3.0CS is in similar condition to the last one we featured and has me wondering just how much longer a good quality E9 will be within reach to the average collector.

Year: 1972
Model: 3.0CS
Engine: 3.0 inline six
Transmission: 4-speed? manual
Mileage: 114,000 mi
Price: $29,500

1972 BMW 3.0 CS on eBay

My first car was a 1973 BMW 2002tii and every time I took my car to the shop I use to see several 3.0CS and admired at how nice they looked. Several years ago I decided to put one of these on my “bucket list” of cars to own when the right one came along. For me the car had to be an early example with the attractive chrome bumpers, mostly stock and an attractive color combination (not fire engine red!). The automatics were out of the question. Also I did not want a car with rust issues.

Most BMW 3.0CS suffer severely from rust and this one was in an environment where it survived the “tin worm”. The car lived most of its life in California and Colorado and the body is in great condition. The interior appears to be mostly original and quite good for its age. There are some cracks on the seat bottom leather but they do not bother me too much and gives the car some character. The paint is very good for a driver but it does have a few chips and touch ups here and there. The car looks very nice and I get a lot of compliments. I like the look of the early cars, such as this, without the heavy bumpers. Also the Fjord blue exterior with dark blue leather works for me. It has 16″ wheels from a later BMW but came with a set of 14″ inch wheels that I’ve seen on many 3.0CS. The extra wheels come with the car. I thought about installing the smaller wheels but I am now used to the more modern wheels and have come to like them on the car.

The AC works and car starts and runs as it should. All gauges, including the clock, are ion working order. Build quality is quite good. I must say the design has aged very well and the car still gets a lot of positive comments when I drive it. This car has been very reliable. Only work I’ve had to do have been maintenance items. In November I had the valve clearances adjusted and the oil/filter changed.

Compared to the E9 featured earlier in the week, this one is a tad bit pricier. It does have the earlier, slimmer bumpers, but there is no mention whether this has the 5-speed manual conversion. From the pictures, I can see the car has a 5-speed gear knob from a later model, but anyone could have stuck on of those on there. I personally like the Fjord Blue over the black 3.0CS, but I certainly wouldn’t pay that much of a premium just for a color in this case. While it’s not overpriced, a few things need to be addressed with this car, such as the slightly tatty leather on the drivers seat and the headliner that could use a bit of cleaning, if not a replacement. Overall, if this car was a tad bit cheaper, it would be an excellent 3.0CS for someone wanting a driver quality car.

-Paul

The E9 3.0CS is a favorite BMW of ours here at GCFSB. Prices have begun to creep up a bit for good examples, but if bought properly, you can still find a solid driver here or there for reasonable money. Case in point this 3.0CS for sale in California. This car has just over 100,000 original miles, but has had an older respray in its original color, an engine overhaul and the conversion to the coveted 5-speed manual transmission.

1974 BMW 3.0 CS 5-speed on eBay

1974 BMW 3.0CS Coupé. With the announcement of the new 3 liter, six-cylinder range in 1971 BMW refined the existing six-cylinder 2.8 cars while retaining many of their most successful features. The sporting and elegant two door coachwork reflected strong Bertone influence while Karmann reworked the chassis which now incorporated much of the suspension detail from the luxury 3 litre saloons. The 2,985cc, six-cylinder, single overhead camshaft engine now developed 180bhp at 6,000rpm. The supremely stylish coupé coachwork was built by Karmann and, in the configuration of the car offered, a top speed of 131mph was on tap with 0-60mph acceleration in just 8 seconds.

This California native and completely rust-free example of BMW’s superbly styish coupé, is an original black on black car, and is offered in excellent condition throughout. Showing an original 104,000 miles from new, the car was recently treated to a mechanical overhaul, including cylinder head work, an upgrade to 5-speed transmission, and freshening of suspension, brakes, and steering. The car runs likes new! The 3 liter inline 6-cylinder engine has great power, transmission is smooth with a new clutch, and brakes, suspension and steering are all very taut. All electrical systems work perfectly, including windows and cold AC.

The exterior was repainted some time ago in original black, and is still in excellent condition with great lustre and depth of shine. The Karmann plate on the driver’s A-pillar denotes the paint colour, and is stamped ‘86’, which corresponds to black. Original alloy wheels and tires are excellent. Brightwork too. The interior of the car is also in very good condition with little wear to the restored leather seat finishes. Headliner is excellent, the dash top has no cracks. The fully restored wood veneer throughout the car is excellent – restored by a Rolls-Royce wood veneer artisan. The car is accompanied by its original tools, manuals, the original key, assorted spares and substantial file of service records.

The problem with the E9 is of course the cost, especially if you want a good one. If I bought a mint example, I know I’d be a bit intimidated to use it every day, but this E9 strikes just the right balance between rough driver and concours quality show car. It reminds me a lot of the 40 year old Breitling chronograph I own. It has just enough patina for its age, you wouldn’t be afraid to use it as intended and it gives others a bit of a signal as to your good taste.

Anyone can go out and buy a new 6 series coupe, but this is a car for those who want to be different and have the patience to care for a vintage coupe. At close to $25,000, we’re about spot on for what an E9 of this caliber is bringing these days. With the bonus of the 5-speed gearbox and recent servicing, it would be hard to find a better E9 for less money.

-Paul

Following on to the trio of 8 series coupes Nate featured, here is the 8 series progenitor, the E9 3.0CS coupe. From 1968 through 1976, this was BMW’s flagship model with the 3.0 liter straight six with twin Zenith downdraft carburetors. With 178 horsepower on tap, these were comfortable cruising machines which left little to be desired for the ultimate motoring experience. The E9 has seen a bit of a resurgence in values in the last decade, as the later and more refined E24 6er seemed to always garner more favor with BMW enthusiasts. This particular 3.0 CS for sale could quite possibly be the best you could buy, but it begs the question: is this car over the top for most collectors and encroaching too much on the rarified air of the legendary CSL?

1974 BMW 3.0 CS

1974 BMW 3.0 CS, VIN: 4310374

This stunning BMW has seen only 7,076 miles since its 2008 restoration. The meticulous revival was overseen by La Jolla Independent of La Jolla, California who performed all the mechanical restoration work including the suspension, air conditioning, and full assembly with invoices totalling over $43k.

The mechanical restoration featured:

- 1988 3.5 liter fuel injected BMW motor. Completely rebuilt including new pistons. 250 hp.
- New BMW 265 5-speed gearbox
- Air Conditioning
- All parts were NOS BMW

Body and paint work was done by Robbie, a renowned independent body and paint contractor from Southern California. Additionally, the tan leather interior was meticulously restored by Juan Ortiz of Ortiz Auto Trim in Costa Mesa, California.

Features:
- Alpina 16” Wheels
- Garmin Navigation System (hidden in dash)
- Original AM/FM Becker Europa Stereo (upgraded with Ipod adapter)
- Carl Nelson lowering springs
- Newer Bilsteins all around
- Suspension Techniques sway bars
- 5 series window motor upgrade on front windows
- Quartz conversion for clock
- Nardi steering wheel
- AC upgraded to a sanden pump and converted to R134-A
- 3.0 CSL front airdam
- Sunroof

The original matching numbers engine and transmission were preserved and are included with the sale. This exception 3.0 has recieved a thorough concours quality detailing at Canepa Design and is ready for touring and enjoyment!

From the dark graphite paintwork to the Alpina wheels, this E9, at least for me, sums up BMW perfection. There are just so many details on this car that I am pouring over, like the steering wheel and the slick job of integrating a modern navigation system, not to mention the upgraded 5 speed gearbox. Hats off to the restorer for doing such a great job, but I can’t help but think this is a classic case of someone investing money in a car that won’t recoup it anytime soon. Those familiar with Bruce Canepa knows he offers quality cars that fetch commanding sums, but the best example of a 3.0 CS might hit in the mid to high $30,000 range, with the possibility of reaching into $40,000 territory. The restoration alone on this car cost $43,000, so if I had to guess, we’re probably looking at around a $60,000-ish E9 coupe. I could obviously be way off, however. If I was independently wealthy, price no object, I would pull the trigger because I think this is an absolutely stunning example of one of the most graceful pillarless coupes ever produced.

-Paul