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1988 BMW 635CSi

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Our intrepid editor here at GCFSB sent over this listing when the 968 I was going to write up sold. Though it’s an entirely different style of vehicle, the purpose of the E24 is quite similar to that of the last four cylinder Porsche. Both were geared towards upwardly mobile citizens who wanted to spice up their lives and make a statement with what they drove. Make no mistake, the E24 is a statement vehicle, from the 628 CSi all the way up the M6. It has mountains of curb appeal from any angle, which is what makes it one of the prettiest cars of all time. The spacious cabin has a airy greenhouse feel, something sorely missed in modern car design, which has become a study in minimizing blindspots while raising belt lines. Everything about the E24 is balanced, it’s just the right amount of luxury, just the right amount of sporty, it’s BMW at their best. While the current 6 Series is a brutish grand tourer that I admittedly have a soft spot for, especially in Gran Coupe form, it doesn’t come close to matching the beauty of the original 6. It’s incredibly difficult to produce a car that manages to draw all the right kinds of attention. The 968 is a fun car, but in its heyday it was seen as a car for those seeking attention.  The E24 on the other hand was for those folks who just wanted to go about their business, but wanted to look damn good while doing so.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW 635CSi on eBAY

Year: 1988
Model: 635CSi
Engine: 3.4 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 66,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR DIRECTLY FROM THE SECOND OWNER IN FLORIDA. HE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2013 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AN OLDER WOMAN WHO HAD PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 1988, AND SPARINGLY DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED IN A CLIMATE CONTROL GARGAGE AND SERVICED AND MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY. A RECENT BMW SERVICE WAS JUST PERFROMEED INCLUDING BRAND NEW BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND TIRES. THE STRUTS WERE RECENTLY REPLACED, AS WERE THE SHOCKS. WE JUST PERFORMED A FRESH OIL AND FLUID SERVICE AND WENT THROUGH THE CAR TOP TO BOTTOM. ALL OF THE GUAGES AND SWITCHES WORK AS DOES THE FACTORY SUNROOF. THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED ON TIME. THE CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ACCIDENTS OR STORIES. THE BODY IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION WITH NO DOOR DINGS, MINIMAL STONE CHIPS AND ZERO DENTS. THE INTERIOR IS GOOD CONDITION WITH THE USUAL TYPICAL WEAR A 27 YEAR OLD SOUTH FLORIDA CAR WOULD HAVE ON IT. THE CARPETING IS IN GOOD CONDITION. ALL OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE CAR WORK AND THERE ARE NO COMMON ISSUES. ZERO LEAKS. THE ORIGINAL FACTORY VIN STICKERS ARE ON THE CAR. WE HAVE ALL OF THE BOOKS, MANUALS, KEYS, TOOLS AND SERVICE RECORDS.

Couple things to note right off the bat: 1.) the seller has done a killer job photographing the car 2.) Factory mud flaps on an E24 are super badass. I don’t know how I hadn’t come across one of these without dangling dirt deterrents, but boy oh boy do I like how they look. I know they’re completely unnecessary for most folks, but from the standpoint of the car being completely loaded, their inclusion just seems to be icing on the cake. The Cirrus Blue Metallic over Grey Leather is a fantastic combo, really cranks the airy feeling of the cabin up to 11. This is one of the few cars out there that I would have a hard timing putting window tint on simply because the interior works so nicely with the exterior. The factory, though not OEM, 16″ mesh BBS wheels are also a perfect fit here. The only gripe I have is the modern Panasonic head unit, and though it is a pretty simple looking model, I’d still prefer to have an original unit with a tape deck. Either that or by now somebody has to be retrofitting Bluetooth units to classic style head units, if they’re not then that’s a large gap in the market that should be filled ASAP. The reserve has not yet been met, but given that this is a low mileage, two owner example, that appears to be quite crisp, I’d expect it to come in at the higher end of the price spectrum. The only thing holding this car back from pulling top dollar is that it’s equipped with the automatic transmission instead of the manual. Anywhere between $15k and $18 seems reasonable to me, but above that you’re flirting with M6 territory. Is the M6 worth shelling out the extra dough for? If you want an E24 for the purpose of taking it to the limit of its abilities, then yes, the M6 is worth it. If you simply want to cruise around in a piece of Paul Bracq art, then this 635CSi is the car for you.

-Andrew

6 Comments

  1. Scott
    Scott September 12, 2015

    I had a 633 in the same color. I sold it when I went back to school. I’ve always toyed with picking up another when I had the money but life gets in the way. It is listed at 23k on the dealers site. It seems at that price a lot of life gets in the way still.

  2. Rpm
    Rpm September 12, 2015

    If it was only a manual.

  3. MDriver
    MDriver September 13, 2015

    this car indeed does seem to click all the right boxes….except the biggest one…slush-box not a 5 speed…and is why this car is still sitting around….and the price because it is a slush-box….if it were manual it would be long gone and I bet you very close to the ask…I would rather this than an M6…..maintenance on any “S” drive-train can break the bank if you do it right….this is much more user friendly IMHO and you have the great Shark looks…
    dealer shows 68k on the odo??….just a typo on someones part?
    they have some nice offerings for sale as well….

  4. GWG
    GWG September 13, 2015

    Lovely car, although the automatic and lack of sports seats (which make a huge difference in my opinion in terms of driving feel and also aesthetically) would hold me back.

  5. JC
    JC September 14, 2015

    Gloriously photographed.

    Agree with all the comments regarding the automatic.

  6. Allen
    Allen September 17, 2015

    this car is so cool

Comments are closed.