1986 BMW 6 SERIES

All E24’s are special cars, with their timeless Paul Bracq styling and shark nose, but the proper M model is something else again. It’s very hard to believe the first E24’s saw the light of day in the late 1970’s, as they still look sharp and distinctive today.

Worth noting is that, in the US and Japan, they were simply known as the M6, but in the UK and Europe, they’re the M635 CSi.

They were fitted with a wet-sump (M88/3) version of the BMW M1 engine, producing 282hp, coupled to a Getrag 5-speed close-ratio manual gearbox (automatic wasn’t available), and limited slip diff, and BMW sports seats were standard rather than being an option on the cooking E24.

Further refinements over the standard E24 included revised suspension with shorter and stiffer springs that dropped the ride height by 10mm, Bilstein shocks, and thicker front anti-roll bar.

The brakes (always a weak point on standard E24’s) were upgraded with 300mm discs and 4-pot calipers at the front, and bigger calipers at the back.

BMW’s philosophy at the time was for the M cars to only be subtly enhanced visually, preferring the performance to do the talking. Thus only a slightly deeper front air dam, and body coloured mirrors, gave the game away.

Until it left you in it’s wake..

524 were built for the UK market, and this is one of them, first registered August 1986

It’s equipped with the M-Tech colour coded bodykit, and Alpinastyle17in alloys. We do however have the original TRX wheels with seemingly decent tyres, which can come with the car if required, and it looks really striking.

Otherwise it has the standard UKE24 spec - fitted with full leather, air conditioning (working on this one at fitted with modern gas), ABS, BMW sports seats, electricsunroof/windows/mirrors, central locking, trip computer, front fogs, and rear spoiler.

Also equipped with a DAB stereo

It's the driving experience that counts with these, and, if you’re used to the standard E24, which is no slouch in 635 form, they’re a revelation.

This one shows just 5 owners on the V5, with 2 stints of long term ownership, firstly 1989-2008, and then the last owner from 2009 until it came directly to us.

The last owner tells us that recently he has meticulously restored the suspension, running gear and brakes using original BMW parts with over 100 invoices, while the interior has been carefully refurbished, and that

In his ownership it was always been stored in a de-humidified environment.

And I think the way it presents itself confirms that.

He goes on to say

The rear subframe of the car was removed sand blasted and painted with epoxy black. All main subframe bushes were replaced. Each of the arms were dismantled sandblasted , painted and re-bushed.

Both rear wheel bearings and back plates were replaced.

All the petrol lines and brake lines where replaced from back to front and petrol tank removed, bead blasted and repainted.

The front and rear brake calipers were professionally restored and new brake pads and discs fitted along with new abs sensors.

The front suspension was removed bead blasted and powder coated and the inner shocks refurbished by Bilstein.

All hydraulic brake rubber hoses replaced.

The air-con compressor was removed and refurbished to accept R134A gas and all O-rings where replaced together with some air con pipes.

History wise, we have the invoices mentioned above,the dealer pack with an owners manual/ service book with 17 service stamps up to 125623m, and a BMW warranty booklet showing a new short engine was fitted by Murketts BMW in October 1992 at 64460m

The current odometer reading is 129000 miles

It’ll be eligible for MOT and tax exemption from April 2027, but meanwhile itcomes with MOT to the end of July 2027 (no advisories)and 6 months warranty on sale.

It is, in my opinion, a quite exceptional M635 CSi

On our own website, you’ll find our usual 2 videos: a walkaround appraisal, and driving impressions, which form part of the description.

based Henley-on-Thames – viewingby prior appointment

E & OE