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A year of no, and then suddenly yes
Some cars won’t let you go. This 1982 BMW 633 CSi belonged to an acquaintance in Sacramento, California, who runs a car business there. He had owned the car himself for five years. For a year I tried to buy it, but he didn’t want to sell. Too bad, I thought, never mind.
Until I drove past last time, on my way to pick up another car. I decided to stop by, and by chance the BMW was standing outside in its parking spot. I made an offer, and this time he said yes. So this car came with me after all.
What’s special about this 633 CSi is its history. Before my acquaintance bought it, it had been with one family all those years. The odometer reads 90,000 miles, about 145,000 kilometres. For a car more than forty years old that is fairly low. And it is still in excellent condition: the paint is original, only the two front seats have been reupholstered.
| Model | BMW 633 CSi (E24) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1982 |
| Colour | Henna Red (Hennarot), original paint |
| Engine | 3.2 litre straight six (M30) |
| Power | 181 hp (US version) |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Wheels | Alpina |
| Interior | Front seats reupholstered, otherwise original |
| Mileage | 90,000 miles (approx. 145,000 km) |
| Bought in | Sacramento, California |
| Owners | One family for years, then five years with a car dealer |
| Condition | Excellent |
Five months of driving in California
I’m really happy with this car. For five to six months I drove it around California. Every Sunday to Malibu over the Pacific Coast Highway, the PCH, is a treat: the ocean on one side, the mountains on the other, and a manual straight six that pulls smoothly. Even a drive through downtown Los Angeles or just filling up by the road: in Henna Red, on its Alpina wheels and with all that glass, it stands out everywhere.
The BMW E24: the sharknose
The 633 CSi belongs to the first BMW 6 Series, the E24. BMW built this large coupe from January 1976 to April 1989, 86,216 in total. The design is by the French designer Paul Bracq. The first bodies were built at Karmann; from 1977 final assembly took place at the BMW plant in Dingolfing.
Fans know the E24 as the sharknose. The front leans forward, with BMW’s typical kidneys and four round headlights. Together with the long bonnet, the thin pillars and the large glass area, that makes the E24 one of the most beautiful BMWs ever for many people.
The top model was the M635CSi, presented at the 1983 Frankfurt motor show. Only 5,855 of those were built.
The 1982 633 CSi
Under the bonnet is the M30, a 3.2 litre straight six. In Europe the 633 CSi produced 197 PS in these years. The American version, with a catalytic converter and adapted for stricter US emissions rules, came out at 181 hp. In America the 633 CSi was sold from model year 1978 up to and including 1984. After that the 635 CSi took over.
From late 1982 the E24 received parts from the new 5 Series (E28), such as a different front suspension and rear axle. This 1982 633 CSi is from before that.
American bumpers: the big difference
Put this BMW next to a European 633 CSi and you immediately see the difference: the bumpers. In the seventies and eighties cars in America had to absorb a low-speed impact without damage to the lights and other important parts. Manufacturers solved that with large, heavy bumpers that stick out.
On the E24 that makes quite a difference. Because of the American bumpers the car is about 18 centimetres longer than the European version, which has slim, tight bumpers. In the photos you can clearly see how far they stick out front and rear.
Many fans convert an American E24 to European bumpers, because they suit the lines of the car better. Others leave them on: they are a piece of history and tell you straight away where the car comes from.
A classic from America to Europe
This 633 CSi is now on its way to the Netherlands, where it will be for sale. Whoever buys it gets a car that spent its whole life in dry California. A car from 1982 is well over 30 years old. In original condition the EU import duty is usually 0% and a reduced VAT rate applies; customs decides per car. In many European countries a car this age also qualifies for classic road tax rules. Read more in importing a classic from the USA.
I don’t only buy Harleys in America. Earlier we picked up a 1965 Chevrolet C10 in Maryland and a 1968 Ford Mustang in Philadelphia, and found a 1973 Chevrolet Nova for a customer.
This BMW 633 CSi will be for sale in the Netherlands. Interested? Send me a message on WhatsApp and you’ll be the first to hear more about the price and when it arrives.