Every car out there has a story to tell, from journeys driven to the owners it's had. Even cars that seem similar have often led very different lives, which is part of what makes them so interesting. And why one car can be offered for sale at so much more than another...
This BMW E24 6 Series is a case in point. With more than 160,000 miles recorded, it seems eminently sensible that some remedial work would be done. Though the advert is brief, it promises "a full engine rebuild and full paintwork respray" - always good to hear - as well as plenty of supporting paperwork. Certainly it looks good for the paint, red lustrous and contrasting perfectly with the black details. Even as an early (1982) non-M model, this looks excellent
But, bless it, the big BMW just hasn't gone very far in a long time. With all this work done, you would think an owner would want to enjoy their investment; for whatever reason, though, it's up for sale in this immaculate, freshly restored state. And it's taken a while to get here: for as long as the MOT history goes back, the 635 has shown more than 163,000 miles. In the 14 years from the 2006 test to last year's, just 214 miles were added. Though tested in 2006, 2007 and 2009, it wasn't tested again till 10 years later. Presumably this is when the overhaul began, as it passed without an advisory a few days later, and repeated that trick in November 2020. There seems no reason to suggest it'll do differently this year, but it might be worth negotiating a fresh ticket into the sale just to avoid the hassle.
Whoever gets hold of this next is duty bound to add miles, surely. The E24 6 Series, after all, was designed for big miles at big speeds, a powerful and fast two-door sports GT that won its maker a lot of fans in the 1980s. The grander, more luxurious 8 Series that replaced it never quite captured the imagination in the same way.
As a manual 635 this must also be an incredibly rare 6 Series, the creamy smooth straight six a perfect travelling partner. Assuming you could stop looking at it and get inside, of course. If ever proof were needed that brilliant pieces of automotive design look good even on small wheels, here it is.
With miles under those wheels but seemingly recent work elsewhere, this Six looks like the High Mile Club jackpot; the price a little lower thanks to the odometer reading (though £30k will look a lot for those that haven't watched E24s soar) although with the recent spend that should mean the next owner won't be forking out loads. All they'd have to do, in fact, is drive the thing after so long going nowhere. And that promises to be nothing but a pleasure.
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