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BMW 635CSi Highline Manual

BMW 635CSi Highline Manual

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BMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline Manual
BMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline Manual
BMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline ManualBMW 635CSi Highline Manual
Lot number 58
Hammer value £7,200
Description BMW 635CSi Highline Manual
Registration G132 HCK
Year 1989
Colour Silver
Engine size 3,430 cc

BMW added a 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 E12 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 635CSi remained in production until 1989 but its high price tag meant that only 86,216 were sold in total (the vast majority in left-hand drive), and it is interesting to note that the DVLA records fewer than 500 examples still road registered in the UK today.

This particular car is perhaps the Holy Grail of E24 production (excluding the M635 Motorsport version): not only is it a desirable post-82 facelift model with improved E28 5-Series chassis dynamics and a more efficient engine, it also benefits from the top spec Highline trim package (an option from mid-1987 with hand-stitched Nappa leather on virtually every interior surface) but more importantly a 5-speed manual gearbox which transforms the driving experience compared to the standard 4-speed automatic. Only 57 Highlines were made in manual form, and only 9 of these in 1989, the last year of production.

Bought new in September 1989 by Fred Walker of Lancashire (the UK’s 25th richest man, owner of Walkersteel and Blackburn Rovers), it was to remain in the family until 2003. Lachs Silver with a black extended leather interior, it has virtually every available option including electric memory sports seats, limited slip diff, servotronic steering, wide option alloy wheels, electric steel sunroof, rear window blind, rear seat headrests, headlamp wash/wipe, M-Tech steering wheel and a larger fuel tank.

Used as its makers intended, it has covered some 143,300 miles to date and has always been maintained regardless of cost with over 30 services to date (20 stamps in the book up to 98,086 miles and bills for at least another 10 services since). It was last serviced about 1,500 miles ago when all the valve clearances were also checked. Bills show that it had a new clutch and new cambelts about 6,000 miles ago and Bilstein Sport shock absorbers have also been fitted. All the fluids have been regularly changed, including gear box and axle oils.

Always garaged when not in use, it has excellent bodywork with unmarked alloy wheels which are fitted with the correct Michelin TRX tyres. Recently driven over 300 miles to the Goodwood Revival and back, the vendor states that the car drives beautifully, with no clonks or rattles, and is easily capable of cruising at three-figure speeds, just feeling more planted the faster it goes. MOTd and taxed until April 2015, it retains all its original handbooks in the original wallet, the original tool kit and two sets of keys.

Already highly prized in their native Germany, these fine Eighties sportscars have just begun to achieve classic status over here and one wonders how long it will be before values catch up with the preceding 3.0 CSi model, now comfortably in the £20k+ bracket for a good one. Another one to buy now while you can still afford to, perhaps?

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