This 1974 BMW 3.0 CSI may be one of the more desirable two-doors the company has ever made, but that doesn’t mean it becomes the proverbial money pit when found in project-grade condition. That said, this example has a lot going for it if there’s a buyer out there who can do their own bodywork, or has the sort of bank account that makes a six-figure restoration possible. It already has the preferred manual transmission, so the next owner won’t have to worry about performing a manual conversion as their first order of business. Find the E9 coupe here on eBay with bidding at $7,900 and no reserve.
The seller shares the familiar tale of woe, which is that he didn’t get a chance to dig into this project before losing his storage arrangement. That prompted the sale of the classic coupe, which is bringing some serious money on the auction circuit in restored or preserved condition. This car has a few strikes against it beyond just the typical rust issues the E9 is usually besieged by, including some rear end damage as seen here. The 3.0 CSI has been parked in a shed for the last 18 years, which doesn’t strike me as particularly ideal storage for such a collectible car. Rust can be found in the trunk and rocker panels, but surprisingly, the shock towers are in good shape. The seller is including replacement panels.
Lots of E9s come with the factory automatic transmission, largely because it’s just as desirable as a smooth-shifting open road cruiser as it is with a manual gearbox. Still, there’s no denying the four-speed manual is the preferred option if you’re looking to build or restore a desirable E9, especially if it left the factory with three pedals. The interior isn’t terrible, and I’m actually glad to see it didn’t come with leather, as those surfaces would likely be absolutely destroyed by now. The Pacific Blue cloth is holding up well, and I don’t see any indication of rampant rodent damage. The car retains its factory four-spoke steering wheel, which has typically been swapped out for a period correct Momo by now. While the wood trim is still attached to the dashboard, it’s been ravaged by the sun or other environmental forces that have caused it to peel away and flake off in pieces.
The seller notes the engine is not numbers matching, replaced with a 3.5 liter inline-six from a 1980s-era BMW. It’s basically a later version of the same engine as what the 3.0 CSI would have originally come with, so this isn’t a grievous offense. Of course, BMW purists will see this as a major obstacle to getting top dollar for the car following an extensive restoration, so this seems like a perfect opportunity to create a driver-quality E9. Fix the rust, dust off the drivetrain, and maybe plan for a respray to give it some eyeball appeal – and then drive it without worrying about protecting a pristine, six-figure example.
My neighbour actually has one of these, it’s got horrible paint issues he’s going to fix “one day” and some badly rotted rubbers. Mechanically sound tho. I love his car, it Looks amazing even in his shabby condition, so I think this seems like it would be a perfect candidate for a restomod. Hopefully the rear end damage isn’t too horrible to fix, and with a little love and a paint refresh you’ve got something brilliant without breaking the bank too much
This is a preferred model for restoration however it won’t come cheap to restore be assured.
The big problem with these cars is that they rusted from the inside out. If you see rust, there is at least twice as much that you can’t see. Just be warned.
Correct. A classic car magazine once suggested opening the glove compartment cause it will probably give you a view of the engine bay! Even the bulkheads were prone to rust. Beautiful car though
Like all cars, they have issues but this is a car that would be in anyone’s garage or driveway and no one would complain. At least I wouldn’t!
being a european CSI,I would be looking very closely at the firewall,inner fenders and floors of this one…they can be very exspensive to repair if you have rust in these areas…cool cars none the less….just be prepared….
I found one back in the 80s, had my teenage heart set on. Same car as this, silver blue with blue cloth. Pw, AC, manual. Needed paint, but oh those lines. Guy was asking 1800. Finally got the owner to meet me to look it over. Had a little rust around the wheel arches(all 4). Interior was mint if a little musty, started and ran really well,, seemed like a bad motor mount, but not concerned. Then I finally got him to open the hood. The engine was sitting at a slight but noticeable angle, and shock towers and firewall looked “funny”. Wrapped with my knuckle and popped right thru. No metal left. Only paint. Motor mounts were just as rusty. . I was so sad to walk away from that car.
I think that this one should really be listed under ‘pool find’ just sayin’
like the 18 ‘spoke’ turbines. Never understood Y Beemer would make a Jap looking clone tho. 2002 tii wuz the hi point for me (affordable). Of course the 1st “M” (4 yrs only) was THE pinnacle. How can I even geta look at them w/only 450 made…
One of my fav motors (all the decades of i6 excellence, mmm mmm mmm).
always liked the looks of these ……………
Roasted. The car(s) we cut our automotive teeth on but….I like a 2000CS better. Cleaner design.
At least it should be small bumpers being euro.
US models had the ugly big bumpers in 74.
A note of caution here:
On all the websites and blogs that I’ve ever accessed regarding this model, I can’t recall anybody commenting on the propensity of the rear spring/shock assemblies to poke their way upwards and through the top of the rear suspension “tower” — I repaired quite a few of these failures back in the ’70s when the cars were not that old and had NO rust on them. Had to weld the tower “caps” back into place — not a very easy job when one has to lie on the trunk floor with the welder to do it!
All (almost) parts are available, floors are easy, front inner fenders and A post not so much, you need to remove the front wings to do even a half decent repair, rear shock mounts are known to crack but do not usually rust, repair panels are available for the lower parts of the front wings, door skins ditto, fantastic cars when restored correctly, I have a CSL and a CS manual with carbs in the UK,