Review 1986 635 CSi Shadowline
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1986 635 CSi Shadowline
So hear you 18 year olds, when we daddies were your age we dreamt of 3 things: girls, beer and a V12 Countach. And as we knew our dreams weren't to ever be reality - at least for the short term - we dropped the Lambo in favour of a 6-series BMW. A 635 CSi to be precise. In those days except for the XJ Jag there wasn't a better looking coupe if there ever was one. The huge glass typical pillar-less side view, so characteristic of the Paul Braque design, came straight from the 60s 3200 CS Nuccio Bertone designed for BMW. This extremely elegant V8 sports coupe clearly hides the cues BMW chief designer Bracq followed in his 1976 E24-design. The characteristic sharknose being one of them. If you look closer - as you do - the 635 is a mix of Georg Bertrams 2002 and the 1968 Pietro Frua 2000ti design. OK, anorak mode off now.
BMW really is a name when we talk car styling and design. One look at the list of designers who penned for BMW in the post war era makes clear what the Bavarian car manufacturer (Bayerische Motoren Werke) had in mind when it started to lift off and point in a direction that it is now famous for: the ultimate in understated stylish sports sedans and coupes.
Founded in 1916 BMW made a name producing engines for aeroplanes, indestructible motorcycles and as from 1927, cars. Although the Dixi - bloody hell - was not much more than an Austin Seven produced under license.
The legend starts with the early 60s 1500, a sporty though rather expensive family sedan. BMW really set the pace in 1966 with the attractive and boxy 2002 models. The rest is history.
What I liked about BMW back in the day when I (1967) was in my teens was the Italian flair as well as the attention to detail that went along with these apparently ordinary looking German cars. They just felt so special. And this was fed by the sound byte that went along with them. Like the period Alfas a BMW carried a raunchy, throathy and barking four that stood out from the crowd and made every Ford, Opel and VeeDub seem superfluous. And not only did they sound great, they gave performance and in buckets.
In 1968 another benchmark was set as BMW launched the large 2500 and 2800 sedans and even better, the 2.5 CS and 2800 CS coupes. Now hold on, we are almost there. In 1972 the Bertone designed 5-series hit the market, added with the 3er in 1975 and the 7-series in 1977. Voila, the classic Beemer formula sports sedan range was formed. Basically still like it is today. In 1976 a coupe was added in the shape of the superb looking Karmann-bodied E24 6.
Fitted with the 'racing only' 3.5 litre engine created by BMW Motorsport supremo Paul Rosche, the 6 was considered to be one of the finest sports cars of its time. A total of 51,564 units were produced from 1979-1989. The summum had to be the 285 brake double overhead cammed 24 valve M. In flaming red please. But hey, we all knew the 215 brake 2 valver sounded just that tad better. And here it is, in Shadowline guise. So no chrome bits except for the characteristic Beemer kidneys.
A quick walk around the car shows excellent Alpina wheels on a slightly lowered coupe-body, colour-coded bumpers, a so-80s rubber rear spoiler, Sebring big bore sports exhaust and a drivers door that won't close proper due to worn rubbers. Mind you, we are looking at a near mint 1986 car. A new set will set the owner back about 400 euros btw. Doh!
The big six delivers 215 hp@5200 rpm as well as 304 Nm@4000 rpm. Enough to propel the low slung 1,470 kgs coupe to 140 mph and a nought to sixty in 7.4 secs.
So, how does this baby go? I did have a hunch. Errr, for about 30 years I did. But this sunday afternoon it would be thumbs up or thumbs down. Because you'll never know if dreams are shattered or become truth.
A few months back a mate called to ask and help out in search of the purrrfect 635. It was soon obvious there were quite a few about but only a handfull looked period original and unspoilt. Even fewer were in the price bracket my friend aimed for. It took a while but eventually he found a pukka Shadowline in understated - but very German - grey. The great thing about this '86 car is the lack of - 40 bits in - chrome which brings us to the essence of what Paul Bracq meant in terms of design. And it's a great shape.
This big coupe has all the grace: the 103" wheelbase on a total length of 187" gives us old skool overhang with a proper GT booty rear and the agressive nose job. You might think handling could be an issue.
More about that later. Let's step into the Beemers office. I felt immediately at home and I only had to adjust the leather a slight bit to my - for most still awkward - Italian seating position. Just like a WRC driver I like to have my elbows almost touching my chest and my feet at tapping position to the pedals. Two hung and the loud pedal comfortable sporty and upright. The steering wheel is really a flashback but it grips allright although it prevents me to have an accurate view on the dials.
What the heck, I trust my ears. After a brief shoot on a dead end lane and in the afternoon autumn light it was my time to turn the key, turn the car and head for the rural lanes in our neighbourhood. My God, does this car adapt or did I? This German felt like it was mine for days, months . . .
I could not help to notice the owner who was now my passenger got a bit nervous on how easy and swift I left the scene and headed for adventure. BMW made it so easy for me. Both the steering and the 5-box are precise as they are light. The clutch however is a bit bold but I didn't manage to mess up one lift off or shift. And what a sound! Glorious.
The previous owner had bought the car for his wife but she did not like the seat so he got her a period 7 car. Pah. No seating problems at all for my six foot one. And in the corners - brisk and on apex - there wasn't a hint of sliding about.
No sliding or body roll as well. Slightly lowered and stiffend up nicely rolling along on beefy 225s there was only the back that came out once or twice and only because I wanted to. Amazingly controllable and with no drama I could drive with the one hand on the wheel and one hand on the shifter routine.
Slamming through each next gear when touching a tad over 4K I got used to the angry howl, the slick throttle response and the typical bark in between shifts. So addictive.
All that window wrapped around me gave me the impression I was driving a smaller car. It is hard to believe a grand tourer in this format is as agile as it is. It has to be the race bred heritage carefully hid away in each delicate part. Precision is the quality that comes to mind.
The overhead cam six is a miracle. It picks up at any rev and feels comfy to cruise in 5 at just 1200 rpm. The bulk of torque hauls our 1.5 tonnes to everywhere. Starting with a sonore purr, to a raunchy bark to a fierce howl. I drew my own redline at 5.5. You gotta love it but with the owner sitting next to me I didn't thought of 6500. Doh.
To avoid any discomfort of my generous host I thought it was best to leave the twisties and head home via the highway.
And that did not dissapoint. Sweeping her up a cloverleaf with 50 mph felt easy were my Grande Punto would struggle with grip. I was amazed. One hand at the wheel and the other fondling the gear stick my eye saw 50 were I really 'felt' 35-something. An hour with this Dzjerman youngtimer and without my man Roger would have been interesting to say the least. In other words: I've been bitten by the BeemerBug.
Not only does the 6er fit in my memorylane timeslot it also fits like a glove, feels like the perfect match with my 'grace 'n pace' way I prefer to move about. Djees, who'd thought that.
No need to scream the engine to a nice 75 cruising speed. With 5th up there's all the torque you'll need to pass anyone. Roger told me how his future updates which were mostly cosmetic. I'd like to see a standard exhaust on. I'm not sure the sports 'zorst brings out the best. Throttle response is already crisp but I feel there's more in it. Everytime when I practised my 'quick flex of the ankle' routine - up and down, upon apex before totally opening up - to find rear wheel grip I noticed a slight hiccup which I thought was in the engine - which could maybe a tad too rich - although with EFI the exhaust was a better guess. And I was right as I found out when I parked the CSi, and listened carefully. Mmmhh.
Last bits to wrap it up somewhere this week. Cheers! Dinks.
iSore said:
Perfect - Lachs silver (or is is Dolphin grey?) with black leather and dechrome. Nice to see proper Alpina wheels as well, and a manual box is so rare.
That looks like Buffalo leather as well - a very expensive option.
Does look like Buffalo, Manual as well That looks like Buffalo leather as well - a very expensive option.
Edited by iSore on Friday 21st December 18:16
Not Nogaro ?
As a schoolboy in the 70s I remember seeing the early 2500/2800 saloons and thinking they looked so good.
Then the 6 series came along, and wow I just wanted a 635CSi!
A few years later a mate of mine with PH tendencies and plenty of disposable income came round in a 2 year old red (slightly orangey) manual one and left 11's up the road when he left - lovely!
Fast forward to now and I see a metallic blue "E" plate one (1986/87) parked in a side road every time I visit my mother.
Last Sunday I stopped to look at it - has Alpina wheels and looks clean but a bit unused. Grey leather but the front seat bolsters have duct tape on them, also auto so not for me but for what was a large car in the day they have such delicate lines. Lovely!
But an M635 CSi, now you're talking - unless I can have a CSL batmobile!
They just look so right.
Then the 6 series came along, and wow I just wanted a 635CSi!
A few years later a mate of mine with PH tendencies and plenty of disposable income came round in a 2 year old red (slightly orangey) manual one and left 11's up the road when he left - lovely!
Fast forward to now and I see a metallic blue "E" plate one (1986/87) parked in a side road every time I visit my mother.
Last Sunday I stopped to look at it - has Alpina wheels and looks clean but a bit unused. Grey leather but the front seat bolsters have duct tape on them, also auto so not for me but for what was a large car in the day they have such delicate lines. Lovely!
But an M635 CSi, now you're talking - unless I can have a CSL batmobile!
They just look so right.
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