70s bmw 3.0 csl or csi
Discussion
Just musing at present but what are peoples thoughts on these versus the usual 3.0 csl and also the price etc of this particular car? It’s an era I’ve always loved of BMW and I’m trying hard to convince myself I can justify owning one.
They look to really hold their value (Is that true?) and it’d be partly something nice to drive, partly a thing of beauty to stare at and partly an investment (in as much as not losing money).
These idle musings though are the same that bought me a Chimaera, a T350 and then an RS6 so I’m looking forward to peoples thoughts
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1139582
They look to really hold their value (Is that true?) and it’d be partly something nice to drive, partly a thing of beauty to stare at and partly an investment (in as much as not losing money).
These idle musings though are the same that bought me a Chimaera, a T350 and then an RS6 so I’m looking forward to peoples thoughts
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1139582
There is very little difference between a CSi and a CSL in practical terms so the i represents much better value. You are basically paying for the name/racing pedigree. I owned a CSL for 13 years and its quickish, practical, great fun to drive and looks beautiful. Mechanically pretty bulletproof too. The issue is of course rust. The CSL had no rustproofing and rumour has it, when they were waiting to be sold (which took a while as they were so expensive, twice the price of an E type) the tinworm had already starting setting in. Without a fully documented body restoration in the last 10 years, I wouldnt touch an E9. Mine looked immaculate, but I knew rust was hidden. The cost to restore the bodywork? £35,000. So you have to be so careful. It might look great but underneath is another matter. My sills were completely shot, rear arches, wings etc... It was worth restoring as prices had rocketed, but with a CSi it might not be worth doing.
As far as the one you link to, Id be careful. Its top money, but doesnt have proof of body restoration.A bare metal respray could just be hiding a multitude of sins underneath sadly.
As far as the one you link to, Id be careful. Its top money, but doesnt have proof of body restoration.A bare metal respray could just be hiding a multitude of sins underneath sadly.
If you are buying an E9, then Get it inspected!!
We specialise in the 3.0 CSL / 3.0CSi / CS and have had many through our hands over the years, inc the earliest known UK sold 3.0CSi.
Tread Very carefully if looking to buy one. Most have Not been correctly restored. The E9s body shell is very labour intensive to restore. They rot spectacularly, to panel a shell up is generally £12,000 in panels alone. Front wings and rear wings are NLA ATM.
That Turkis 3.0CSi is missing its two head lamp access panels, its missing its bonnet hinge support mechanism, the seat fabric is also completely wrong.
A few cars got leather ( mostly navy blue ) sunroof cars rot their roofs Terribly and no repair sections are available. A Petri steering wheel was a popular option over the OE fit thin rimmed "bus drivers" steering wheel.
Take the RHD 3.0CSi build numbers with a Large pinch of salt. We had a RHD 3.0CSi that was built as a LHD drive car and With a LHD Chassis number. However, it was converted @ Dover to RHD when new, by BMW Concessionairs GB. In the early to mid 70s, they had a workshop there.
The CSL is streets ahead of a CSi. The E9 is a Very nose heavy car by design and the CS and CSi steel bonnet and hinge mechanism is boat anchor heavy. The CSLs alloy bonnet however, can be picked up between ones thumb and fore finger.
The CSLs alloy bootlid is also feather light compared to the CSis boat anchor steel boot lid.
Throw either car into a corner and the lack of weight over the CSLs nose is very obvious.
We specialise in the 3.0 CSL / 3.0CSi / CS and have had many through our hands over the years, inc the earliest known UK sold 3.0CSi.
Tread Very carefully if looking to buy one. Most have Not been correctly restored. The E9s body shell is very labour intensive to restore. They rot spectacularly, to panel a shell up is generally £12,000 in panels alone. Front wings and rear wings are NLA ATM.
That Turkis 3.0CSi is missing its two head lamp access panels, its missing its bonnet hinge support mechanism, the seat fabric is also completely wrong.
A few cars got leather ( mostly navy blue ) sunroof cars rot their roofs Terribly and no repair sections are available. A Petri steering wheel was a popular option over the OE fit thin rimmed "bus drivers" steering wheel.
Take the RHD 3.0CSi build numbers with a Large pinch of salt. We had a RHD 3.0CSi that was built as a LHD drive car and With a LHD Chassis number. However, it was converted @ Dover to RHD when new, by BMW Concessionairs GB. In the early to mid 70s, they had a workshop there.
The CSL is streets ahead of a CSi. The E9 is a Very nose heavy car by design and the CS and CSi steel bonnet and hinge mechanism is boat anchor heavy. The CSLs alloy bonnet however, can be picked up between ones thumb and fore finger.
The CSLs alloy bootlid is also feather light compared to the CSis boat anchor steel boot lid.
Throw either car into a corner and the lack of weight over the CSLs nose is very obvious.
I was GIVEN a CSI way back in the early 80s.
A neighbouring friend asked me to take the car away after her fella had left her for younger model .
It was a non runner and the fuel system was in bits .
Luckily a good mate was an injection system nerd and between us we managed to put it back together and get it running, it was far from perfect . I think I got about £800 for it which I split with the lady who gave it away .
Even back then the cost of getting it to a presentable condition was frightening even for the brave .
A neighbouring friend asked me to take the car away after her fella had left her for younger model .
It was a non runner and the fuel system was in bits .
Luckily a good mate was an injection system nerd and between us we managed to put it back together and get it running, it was far from perfect . I think I got about £800 for it which I split with the lady who gave it away .
Even back then the cost of getting it to a presentable condition was frightening even for the brave .
neutral 3 said:
I’ve restored a few CSL’s, CSi’s and CSA’s and the front inner wings are always rotten, whilst they’re nothing too difficult they’re a bit complicated. The amount of “premium restorations” I’ve seen recently with big slabs of sound deadening or stone-chip sprayed over them to cover it all up is disappointing at best. The 3.0 CSi in the link is top money for the model - But even with the restoration, I don't see it as a top money car.
Two issues that immediately spring to mind are:
1) The additional lights in the front spoiler's brake ducts (easily resolved - Just remove them)
2) The 80's after-market sunroof (For top money, the roof and headlining should have been put back to factory original spec)
In addition to that, the bonnet fit is off:
As is the boot-lid fit:
And in the interior:
The dashboard vinyl is drooping over the centre-speaker.
There are staples visible at each end of the dashboard and no chrome cover trim.
The steering column covers don't appear to be joined together correctly.
The dashboard plastics have a general "un-restored" look to them. as though they haven't even been cleaned up.
If I were paying top money for a car, I would accept any of these issues!
Two issues that immediately spring to mind are:
1) The additional lights in the front spoiler's brake ducts (easily resolved - Just remove them)
2) The 80's after-market sunroof (For top money, the roof and headlining should have been put back to factory original spec)
In addition to that, the bonnet fit is off:
As is the boot-lid fit:
And in the interior:
The dashboard vinyl is drooping over the centre-speaker.
There are staples visible at each end of the dashboard and no chrome cover trim.
The steering column covers don't appear to be joined together correctly.
The dashboard plastics have a general "un-restored" look to them. as though they haven't even been cleaned up.
If I were paying top money for a car, I would accept any of these issues!
All valid points, plus colour change from original should knock 000's off the value IMHO.
One of my concerns is what looks like sprayed over stone chip on the inner wings...and the offside seams and area around the VIN plate looks very iffy...!!
For that money, I'd expect a proper underbonnet restoration.
One of my concerns is what looks like sprayed over stone chip on the inner wings...and the offside seams and area around the VIN plate looks very iffy...!!
For that money, I'd expect a proper underbonnet restoration.
grumpy52 said:
I was GIVEN a CSI way back in the early 80s.
A neighbouring friend asked me to take the car away after her fella had left her for younger model .
It was a non runner and the fuel system was in bits .
Luckily a good mate was an injection system nerd and between us we managed to put it back together and get it running, it was far from perfect . I think I got about £800 for it which I split with the lady who gave it away .
Even back then the cost of getting it to a presentable condition was frightening even for the brave .
I sold a similar sounding, running, rough Csi manual last year for £27k!A neighbouring friend asked me to take the car away after her fella had left her for younger model .
It was a non runner and the fuel system was in bits .
Luckily a good mate was an injection system nerd and between us we managed to put it back together and get it running, it was far from perfect . I think I got about £800 for it which I split with the lady who gave it away .
Even back then the cost of getting it to a presentable condition was frightening even for the brave .
Thank you all, especially the detailed input on the blue one I referenced.
Sounds like a bit of a minefield with them and certainly one to really research, get fully inspected and be very wary of.
Presumably those that have been properly restored should be fully rust and therefore future proofed? Emphasis there on 'should'
Sounds like a bit of a minefield with them and certainly one to really research, get fully inspected and be very wary of.
Presumably those that have been properly restored should be fully rust and therefore future proofed? Emphasis there on 'should'
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