BMW E9 Price Guide

The BMW E9 coupe is one of the finest cars Germany produced in the 1960s and 1970s. A long, low grand tourer designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister whose proportions have aged so well that it looks more contemporary today than many cars built decades later. The CSL homologation special that went on to dominate European touring car racing is among the most significant competition BMWs of any era.

The Car

Produced from 1968 to 1975, the E9 used the M30 straight-six in 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0-litre forms. The 3.0 CS and 3.0 CSi (with Bosch fuel injection) are the road car flagships; the 3.0 CSL is the homologation special that defined a racing era. The CSL, Coupé Sport Leichtbau (lightweight), used thin-gauge steel, aluminium doors, and a Plexiglas rear window to reduce weight. It also received the full Motorsport aerodynamic package of chin spoiler, rear wing, and roof fins that earned it the “Batmobile” nickname. Just 1,265 CSLs were built. The road cars were bodied by Karmann.

What Goes Wrong

Rust attacks the sills, front and rear wheelarches, and floorpan on all E9s. The M30 straight-six is robust but the cooling system and timing chain require attention. The Bosch fuel injection on the CSi and CSL requires specialist knowledge to maintain correctly. Body panel availability is limited, so much so pressing new panels or sourcing good used examples is the only route for significant bodywork restoration.

Buying

The 3.0 CSi is the definitive road E9. The CSL is a collector’s car with values that have risen dramatically over the past decade. Standard CS and CSi cars have, in turn, also appreciated significantly.