635 CSi Euro-Spec

Look closely at the photos, please. This is Not the US version of the car. This is the actual European version. It was ordered from and delivered at the factory in Munich, driven around Europe during the summer of 1985 then shipped back to the US where it has been since.

Story of the car: There are two cousins in this tale. Robert was the first owner who had the car in Europe. Some time after bringing it back to the US, he had a stroke and died. He left it to Roy, for whom it was always a tie to his cousin and one of those weekend cars brought out for drives, but never used as a regular driver or business car. That explains why this 31-year-old car has just over 90,000 original miles on it.

This is one of two BMWs (the other a 1991 850i coupe) that Roy asked me to put right when his brain tumor had progressed to the point where he knew he didn't have much time left. He told me he could trust me to do things properly, and to the best of my knowledge, I have done that. I am not BMW guy, but I am a car show judge (including three concourse events in recent years). I have taken considerable pains to make this as good as I know how, and for those things I was unable to handle in my own shop, I have relied on knowledgeable professionals to handle. But truth be told, this one hasn't require much at all. Roy babied this car, and it shows.

The "Euro-spec" 635 CSi has several things not available on the American version:

* Washers on all four front headlights

* Small bumpers

* The "dogleg" 5-speed transmission, where first gear is to the left and back toward the driver.

* The 24-hour clock, where 1:00 pm shows as "1300 uhr"

* Rear seat headrests in leather matching the seats.

* The small license plate opening at the back

This one also has a Becker Mexico digital AM/FM cassette deck, Hardy & Beck wheels and fat 16" Michelin tires, all of which are in excellent condition. The leather interior is in excellent condition in natural water buffalo.

It is original in most all respects, but in the spirit of full disclosure, back in about 2000 or 2001, a pickup slowly backed into it in a parking lot, and displaced the front end maybe an inch backwards. A sharp eye can see some slight overspray here and there, but one must look for it. There was no substantial damage to major engine or chassis components. Panel fit is now really good. The repair work was done by a Mercedez-Benz dealer body shop in Sacramento at the time. Aside from 5-6 normal parking lots paint dings, none of which have cracked the paint, the car is as it should be. Everything works as it should. There is no rust or corrosion.

When not in use, it has always been kept inside a garage, with a breathable fitted cover (which goes with the car) on it. Roy was that particular about it.

This one drives out very well indeed. It has all the handling qualities that fans of this series of BMWs like. This is a sports car all dressed up as a 2-door coupe. It just simply does everything well. It is currently registered in Oregon under my name, since the original registration had lapsed in 2013.

Regardless of the "M" designator on the front and back, this is not (and I am not presenting it as) an actual "M" type CSi. Where that emblem came from is a bit of a mystery, and I have been unable to resolve it entirely. It is known that it was on the car when delivered at the factory. Why is anyone's guess. The family has a photo in an album of Robert picking the car up and the emblem is there. But it does Not have the dohc motor -- it has the next one down from that. Just to make that completely clear. I am unpersuaded by those who complain that "It's not a Real M." It's more important to note that it is a real Euro-spec 635 CSi and go forward from there. Even those, in this configuration, are fairly unusual to find with this low a mileage any more.

Given its rarity, condition and age, it seems fairly priced. Make the sale easy and I am prepared to negotiate somewhat. Expect a fair deal, not a steal. I have an obligation of friendship to Roy, and I intend to make good on it. Till then, it will sit covered in my shop, driven only occasionally just to keep things in good order.

Terms: FOB Salem, Oregon. Certified Bank/Cashier check or electronic funds transfer only. No personal checks, credit cards, Paypal or other creative finance approaches. When payment is made and confirmed, I will release the title and all available documentation and have it overnighted to the purchaser. If an inspection is required, I can recommend one place - not the local BMW dealer, who is more interested in new cars than in vintage models -- in Salem. Feel free to find one of your own in Portland or other nearby cities. I will drive it to the evaluator within 60 miles. There will be no unaccompanied "test drives" for any reason. If transportation is required, I will cooperate fully with whatever transport company the buyer hires. Transportation will be at the buyer's expense and arrangement. If anything looks or sounds like the common internet car scams, the contact will be rejected and ignored thereafter. A good clean conventional sale on mutually agreeable terms is what is being sought here.