1986 BMW M635csi

Restored by the seller through lockdown, ‘YYA 800’ is a 1986 BMW M635CSi finished in Schwarz with a tan leather interior. 

Comprehensively fettled over the years prior to that, he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time with it but, like so many of us, finds he just isn’t using it as much as he hoped, which means now is the time to pass it to someone who will be in a position to enjoy it more fully.

BMW Schwarz, or Black, is a helluva colour for a classic car, highlighting every single flaw with the ruthlessness of a no-win, no-fee divorce lawyer. 

Lucky then, that the owner invested more than £5,000 in getting Advanced Car Care to respray it in March 2021 before paying the same firm another £500 to apply a ceramic coating to the fresh paint three months later. 

Free of any dinks or dents to interrupt their progress, the result is coachwork upon which the light and reflections flow like water over a stone. It’s one of the great automotive shapes anyway but this one has changed our view of black as a colour from ‘meh’ to ‘hell yeah!’

The details are just as compelling. The rear spoiler and front valence add a hint of menace, as do the machine-gun-like twin exhaust tail pipes.

The light lenses are bright and free of damage, the factory sunroof opens and closes as it should, and the badges are excellent.

The BMW BBS-style alloy wheels are in the same fine fettle as everything else. Taken from an E39 and 16-inches in diameter to give a wider and cheaper range of tyres than the metric wheels the factory fitted, they’re fitted with new centre caps and four matching and good Bridgestone Potenza tyres – and y’all know how we feel about matching tyres by now.

(Oh, and don’t worry if you prioritize originality over practicality because the metric TRX wheels have been retained and will be supplied with the car.)

As for flaws, the rear tow hook is missing, some of the chrome trim is pitted, the metal trim inside the sunroof is rusting, and the doors need easing and adjusting.

The seller also points out that there is a (barely noticeable) dent on roof plus another on one wheelarch extension. There is also a small dent on centre chrome trim of the front bumper; this part is no longer available from BMW, which is why he hasn’t been able to replace it. Maybe you know where you could find one?

The cabin reminds us that luxury used to be engineered in rather than bolted on, so don’t expect unnecessary fripperies because what you get is nothing less than simplicity beautifully executed.

The front seats hold you firm but are comfortable enough to keep you fresh as you waltz across entire continents. The three-spoke steering wheel might be simple in its design but it is wonderful to hold and connects you direct to the front wheels.

The dashboard is a model of ergonomics and clarity, the three pedals are perfectly spaced, and the gearlever falls nicely to hand.

The digital display on the trip computer in the centre console is bright and complete and the warning light panel illuminates when tested, something that isn’t always the case. 

There’s a Blaupunkt Bremen radio-cassette player in the centre console too, plus the socket for an aftermarket immobiliser.

The thoughtful design extends to the boot, where there is a dedicated space for a spare rear numberplate for those times when you’re towing. There’s also a full-size spare wheel in there.

As for work to do, the seller acknowledges there is plenty to get your teeth into: “I simply ran out of time during lockdown and have been too busy since.”

This means there is some gentle creasing to the front seats, plus a similar patina to the steering wheel. The outer edge of the driver’s seat has softened too, and the rear seat has some wear, albeit less than you will see in the front.

The carpet mats are grubby too, as is the headlining and the rear quarter trim panels. Oh, and while the tool kit is present in the boot lid, it is very rusty.

The radio clip also needs adjusting, as do the front windows to get a better seal.

The service history we’ve been able to piece together reads as follows:

• 19.03.1986 – pre-delivery inspection by Sytner of Nottingham
• 14.05.1986 and (unknown) miles – service by Williams Motor Co Ltd
• 15.12.1986 and 14,500 miles – main dealer service 
• 05.10.1987 and 18,254 miles – main dealer service
• 29.03.1988 and 24,000 miles – main dealer service 
• 05.09.1988 and 27,000 miles – main dealer service
• 08.03.1989 and 35,000 miles – main dealer service
• 26.07.1989 and 38,000 miles – main dealer service
• 05.12.1989 and 42,500 miles – main dealer service 
• 03.07.1990 and 48,000 miles – main dealer service
• 14.01.1991 and 53,000 miles – main dealer service
• 06.06.1991 and 55,000 miles – main dealer service
• 20.01.1992 and 60,500 miles – main dealer service
• 08.07.1992 and 65,250 miles – main dealer service
• 24.05.1994 and 77,500 miles – main dealer service
• 13.11.1994 and 84,000 miles – main dealer service
• 12.06.1995 and 88,400 miles – main dealer service
• 22.01.1996 and 91,250 miles – main dealer service
• 20.01.1997 and 97,500 miles – main dealer service
• 23.10.1997 and 100,750 miles – main dealer service
• 22.12.1998 and 105,000 miles – main dealer service
• (unknow date) and 109,000 miles – independent service 
• 04.12.2000 and 116,750 miles – independent service
• 14.06.2001 and 122,500 miles – independent service
• 14.12.2000 and 116,764 miles - service by Auto, a BMW approved specialist
• 17.04.2002 and 129,043 miles - service by Autotecnic, a BMW approved specialist
• 08.01.2003 and 135,296 miles - service by Autotecnic, a BMW approved specialist
• 17.02.2004 and 143,805 miles – service by Shakespeare Motor Co Ltd
• 28.06.2004 and 146,684 miles – new timing chains by Williams Service Centre
• 15.10.2021 and 179,297 miles – service by Highline BMW, Hertford

Engine Tekniks rebuilt the engine in 2010 or 6,000 miles ago, and the seller carried out a compression test during the restoration to see if it needed work. He found a consistent 190psi across all six cylinders; taken in conjunction with the fact it “drives spot-on” he decided to leave well alone.

He sourced a recently reconditioned gearbox though and fitted this with a new three-piece Sachs clutch kit and flywheel. 

There’s a full stainless-steel custom exhaust too, and the rear subframe and suspension springs were removed, shotblasted, painted and refitted with new Bilstein dampers and Polybush bushes. New suspension control arms and rods were fitted using Lemforder where possible or Meyle. 

New wheel bearings were fitted on all four corners and the rear axle was stripped down and rebuilt. New brake discs and pads were also fitted plus an alternator, and much more. The power steering, brake, and coolant systems were all flushed through before being refilled with fresh fluid. 

Ditto the engine, multiple times, before being refilled with oil and a new oil filter fitted alongside a new air filter, sparkplugs, and ignition components. The fuel injectors were removed and cleaned. The airflow meter was also recalibrated, as were the throttle bodies and butterflies.

It was, as you can see, a Proper Job: please see the invoices for details as there’s simply too much to list here.

As a result of all this work it starts very well, idles and revs as it should and does it all with an engine note that’s only beaten for quality by the exhaust. Of course, there are no warning lights on the dashboard. 

The engine bay itself is well presented, being clean and tidy without being overly fussy. It is reassuring to see things like hose clips that are aligned, and new high-quality HT leads.

As for the floorpan, the seller couldn’t source new ones, so he fabricated replacements by hand before welding them in. He did some work to the sills too, and the front wings had been replaced only a few years ago.

The underside of the bonnet has some light surface rust to it, as does the underside. 

The BMW’s MoT certificate is valid until the beginning of July 2024. But, given it was issued with no advisories, getting another may not be too troublesome.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the BMW comes with three keys, the book pack and wallet, a bunch of old MoT certificates and expired tax discs, and an array of invoices to back up the stamped service history booklet.

While many of us lusted after the VW Golf GTI when we were teenagers, often this was only because the thought of owning a top-of-the-range BMW M635CSi was so far-fetched as to be unbelievable; we might have dreamed of owning a Ferrari or a Lamborghini if we won the pools but the idea that an upmarket executive car like this could ever feature in our lives as everyday wheels was simply inconceivable.

But dream no more; at a time when the sticker price of a Ford Focus can easily start with a four, cars like this are still surprisingly attainable. 

How attainable? Well, we think the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000, a figure that’s considerably lower than it would have been if the seller had managed to finish the interior refurbishment as well.

And let’s not forget that as well as having restored the underside and body, he’s also overhauled the mechanical components. Thus fettled, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the ability of cars of this era to balance reliability and style much better than older models; this is a car you can jump into and drive anywhere without having to navigate 1950’s brakes, 1960’s reliability, or 1970’s rust. 

It’s the sweet spot in the classic car canon and, because it’s a halo car from the era when a lot of us were teenagers, demand is sure to rise as we start to have more disposal income and the time to spend it on stuff that allows us to relive the glory years.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.