Has anyone owned/resorted a BMW E9 CS

[slipslide]

Hi all
I am thinking about my next car project and am considering a BMW E9 CS of some description, and just wondered if anyone here had any experience of them. I am half way through a 356 at the moment so now seems a good time to start looking (I like to line them up because if I ever have a break from cars I might get used to having money again), I am looking for something cheaper to build than the 912 and 356 ideally. I don't touch body or paint but happy with nearly all mechanics, are the shells on these things a fortune to work on and buy panels? As I still haven't recovered from the new wings on the 912.
Should I avoid the auto version? Are there one year only models to avoid? What are the parts cost and availability like? Just any info would be great.
Also if anyone have any idea on what I should be paying for a Right hand drive project would be great as I have seen them from £1500 to £20000, so if anyone has a guide for say proper a f'd car to a solid shell but full mechanical restoration and pain then that would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance
Doug

[911SE]

Hi Doug,
Had a 2800 CS years ago, at that time there wasn't a lot of panels available and anything like trim was expensive. Remembering things lik front strut towers were a pain to sort properly, could week be that Swedish cars feared worse due to our road conditions though.

Cheers, magnus

[DustyM]

If you think 911 panels are expensive then don't try to restore an E9. They rust just as badly as early 911s and have a more complicated bodyshell, and there are less specialists out there that are familiar with them. Front wings are over £1500 if you can find them, Doors are over £2000 each, a sill set will cost £1000 per side etc etc.

[moggy]

We're converting a RHD 3.0L CSi to electric. They were built by Karmann as were early 911's, 914's etc. Hence why they rust like early 911's. The panels are indeed expensive.

Walloth & Nesch is a good source for parts and great service. You can also try BMW for some of the parts, but avoid your average BMW dealer they won't have a clue, try BMW Park Lane they are the classic specialists. Jamic in Norfolk can also be useful. Good source of knowledge is also the E9 owners forum on 'tinternet, although most of the users are stateside. Try also German ebay for parts, as they are often a good source.

If you want RHD CS/CSi I think there was only about 200 built so you're already up against a numbers game to find one. Good restored ones are fetching £60k and rising, whereas cars in bit's that are WORTH restoring are from £20k upwards now for RHD ones. Avoid projects that aren't within arms reach of being finished as they can fall apart in your hands because of rust issues. If you're going to look to buy one do your research on the common areas where they go (they're well documented). There were actually about 500 RHD CSL made, so more than the basic RHD CS/CSi, but as they are CSL they are even more expensive. The CSA (Auto) is also a rare beast. I'm not a fan and would stay clear of an Auto.

You're welcome to come up and see the one we have up here that we're restoring and converting to electric, but it would have to be after the new year. At least you know I'll have an engine you can buy

Feel free to contact me if I can help further.

Cheers

Moggy

[Grindon]

I had a 3.0 CSi about 10 years or more ago. It looked decent and got lots of attention, but didn't drive half as well as an early 911 (that might have had something to do with the wheels/tyres I had on and the huge steering wheel)







I agree with what has been said above, known rust areas: everywhere! However, if you do insist on getting one I would go for the manual, and make sure it's complete.

Alternativelly, find an early W111 Merc Coupe project and restore one of those instead!

Cheers,


Kevin

[DustyM]

This one currently sat in my workshop!

[Gary71]

Don't open the door!

[Nick Moss]

It's all been said above. Rust and lots of it, complex shell, not all panels are available. In fact all BMWs of that era are far more complex than equivalent 911s, an E9 dashboard can take 3 days to install, there are lots of chrome and alloy trim bits, easy to damage and hard to source.
And they don't have the finished value of a 911.

[smallspeed]

As nick said they're not really as sought after as the 911 - they're not fast sporty cars out of the box, although that can be fixed, plus they're way less iconic than the 911.. I don't think the "aspiration factor" is there for a lot of people

I think if you were going to do one (and I agree with the above there a lot of perils to taking on one as a project UNLESS you can do all the body work yourself) make sure you get a left hooker as the market is usually stronger in Germany for them..

[slipslide]

Thanks for all the information guys, I knew some of you here would now about these. Whilst I love the shape of these it sounds like it's not for me at the moment. My last 2 have been/are full on nut and bolt wallet killing restorations and I was looking for something cheaper to build maybe "tweak" a bit and just have some fun with.
Kevin that does look nice, I think the shape does really work. But I have to confess my plan was to air ride one.
Are you restoring that one John? Looks like a hell of a lot of work. You will be pleased to hear that 356 is coming along well, the engine is almost done the gearbox is done, all the doors and rear windows are built up, and we are rebuilding the column and box at the moment whilst we are finishing off the body then hopefully paint earlyish next year. Of course it will all run late go wrong and give me torettes but there is a plan, I will drop you some pics when it's in paint.

Thanks again everyone for your help it's saved me getting involved in a car that is probably not for me at the moment. My son has been nagging me to get a split van at least I know what I am getting into with them.