BMW 635 CSi Highline

BMW added a glamourous new coupe model to its range in 1976, the 6-Series E24. Long, low and rakish with distinctive ‘shark nose’ frontal styling and an elegant thin pillared cabin, it was a natural rival to the Porsche 928 and the Jaguar XJS. 

The chassis platform was shared with the outstanding 5-Series, widely considered to be the best handling saloon in the world at the time. A range of straight-six engines were available from a 180bhp 2.8 to a fabulously smooth and potent fuel-injected 218bhp 3.5-litre which gave the car a top speed of 140mph.

All were beautifully built in the finest BMW tradition with superb performance and handling characteristics and luxuriously trimmed interiors. One of the most desirable cars of the 80s, the E24 remained in production until 1989 with over 86,000 sold in total, the vast majority in left-hand drive.

Dating from 1988, this particular car is a desirable post-82 facelift model with improved E28 5-Series chassis dynamics, a more efficient engine and subtly updated interior and exterior styling. It also benefits from the top-of-the-range Highline trim package which included extended leather (dash, door panels, b-pillars and headliner), air conditioning, trip computer, rear blind, sports seats and headlamp wash/wipe.
 

The car has covered less than 100,000 miles in the hands of six owners with an impressive 15 BMW service stamps to date. The current vendor has recently treated the car to a front and rear suspension overhaul, gearbox repair and service, plus an Inspection 1 service at BMW Shrewsbury.

Presented in classic Schwartz Metallic Black with a grey leather interior, the car is said to be in “well above average condition” and to drive beautifully. Taxed until August and MOTd until February 2014, it is ready for immediate use. It is only reluctantly being sold to finance a new business venture.

These beautiful cars really are wonderful to drive and the styling just gets more handsome with every passing year. Increasingly highly valued on the Continent, it is something of a mystery why they are still so relatively cheap over here. Another one to buy now and put away for later, perhaps?