Have you ever lost the energy to restore a car, even if it was a fundamentally good car underneath with the right equipment? I’ve been down that road (more on that later) and it sure seems like the seller of this rare E9 chassis BMW 3.0 CS coupe with the preferred 5-speed manual has decided he’s had enough. E9s are hard to find in anything but basket case condition when purchased as a project, so this seems like a smart point of entry for such a desirable car. The seller has listed it with a reserve and it’s currently bid to just over $5,000.
A few years ago, I rescued a 1995 Audi S6 Avant off an island. The car was virgin, albeit it with tired paint. I bought it from the original owner who was an older gentleman that never modified it. As far as those cars go, a bone-stock wagon still with the original owner was near impossible to find. Despite this, and despite putting a bunch of work into it to address some deferred maintenance, I lost enthusiasm for it over the past few months. I wanted to simplify and just have a handful of cars that I was excited to drive – and that car was not one of them. If you take those emotions and add into the toll of a long-term restoration, I can see how this seller ended up listing this car for sale.
This is one of three E9 coupes that the seller purchased in one shot. Based on the description, the cars were all damaged during shipping, and the seller has been fighting with insurance ever since to address the repairs; it sounds like it hasn’t gone particularly well. The E9 shown here looks decent overall but it is not running and the seller notes that the previous owner has performed a bit of a hack job on the roof and sunroof panel. However, if you know these cars, you likely know that anything with a stick that isn’t terminally rusty is very sought after, and I doubt the current state of disassembly will affect most bidders.
The carbureted 3.0L inline-six makes 180 horsepower and would later rise to 200 with the arrival of fuel injection. The seller confirms that he has turned the car over once, but after discovering the key he had went to a universal ignition and was not keyed to the car, it worked once and never again. It was at this point, the steering column was pulled to find a key code number to cut an OEM key, but that’s where the work stopped and the car has sat ever since. If you’re hungry for a clean E9, this may be a good opportunity depending on the reserve. Find the 3.0 CS here on eBay and located in Farmington, New Mexico.
I had an 84 535 5spd with an ignition switch/key lock problem. What a nightmare. I got rid of the car soon after. Unfixed.
This is another one of those times when I have to say “Thank god this thing is 2500 miles away” because I have a difficult time resisting these. They are, to my eye, one of the best looking two-door sedans ever built.
A solid one in anything less than fully restored state is almost unheard of on the east coast; if the body is in fact solid here, with the all important (and very structural) floor and sills in place this could be a good opportunity. The roof is a shame, but it could be fixed by someone who knows what they are doing. If not, it’s another money pit unless you’re far better with a welder than I am.
I guess it all depends on how much money the seller is trying to recoup.
I agree. One of the most beautiful cars ever built.
They are great cars but this one has had a lot of poor quality welding done, then covered in black tar, it has had frame rails patched, all floors replaced, two not positioned correctly, god knows what is going on behind the over sills / rockers, there are three inner rockers plus the outer cover, I suspect this is missing a few! also front turret supports are missing, not anything as nice as it first seems,
I am not seeing a 5 speed gearbox, I am seeing a 1970? ZF four speed manual, rather than the 1973 Getrag 4 speed manual, None of the E9 range had a 5 speed as standard, but the E24 5 speed was an easy retrofit.
Can’t a person get creative with the wiring and a generic ignition switch rather than go through all this just to get it to turn over??Am I missing something? These cars didn’t have a burglar alarm or security system that I’m aware of. Anyway the ignition switch problems are just the tip of the iceberg on this car, and it would be best for someone with a lot of resources who loves E9’s.
Beautiful looking car. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I’ve known people who have owned and driven BMW of this vintage. This would make an awesome project car for either restoration or upgrade.
You don’t upgrade a BMW. They come upgraded from the factory.
Not bad…for a parts car.
Seller very fair in providing lots of pictures. Love the car but I agree with Patrick – lots of poor quality repairs – too many unknowns for me.
It would cost you a small fortune (under statement) to take on this project but If you’ve got some knowledge and money you’ll end up with a very desirable Bimmer.
Great looking car but a bad place to spend good money?
If only I weren’t pre-mired in the recently begun resurrection of my long time owned (“circa” 1980) 1976 530i which has remained stationary in the garage since 2004.
There’s a back story here you’re teasing us with!
Run away and don’t look back. It’s a trap. Kind of like Indiana Jones- Don’t look at the Ark