1974 BMW E9 CSI Coupe fitted with 3.8 M5 Engine

With BMW looking to push the marque further upmarket, the combination of their bahn-storming six cylinder engine and a pretty but underpowered Coupé in its portfolio, it was almost inevitable that the two would get together. The resulting E9 Coupé is one of BMW's best ever Coupés. British buyers had to wait until 1969 before they could sample the new car and shortly after, in 1971, the 3.0 CS made its debut with another 10bhp and more torque for better flexibility. This year also saw the introduction of the injected version, the 3.0 CSI, and with more power it became BMW's first 200bhp machine. It was always an expensive machine at some £6,000 when new in 1971 - that would have bought you a Porsche 911 of the period or possibly an entry-level Ferrari. In recent years, prices of its big brother, the legendary CSL have rapidly risen to a whole new league with the CSI's tipped to follow.

Silverstone Auctions are proud to offer this very special E9 CSI/M-power conversion finished in Polaris Silver with contrasting Blue velour Recaro interior.

Technical specification:E34 M5 3.8 24 valve engine with Webcon management producing 340bhp @ 7000rpm;5-speed dogleg Getrag close ratio gearbox;Stainless steel custom fabricated ultra free-flow exhaust system;Limited slip differential;4 pot front brake callipers with vented discs;2 pot rear brake callipers with vented discs;Twin servos;17'' Alpina alloys with 235/45 ZR 17 Bridgestone Potenza tyres;CSL light-weight aluminium bonnet;CSL front spoiler

The previous owner was an automotive engineer who owned the car since 1986 and it was he who came up with idea of both the restoration and the conversion. There is a thick history file outlining all the work done over the years, including detailed photos of not just the engine conversion itself but also the body restoration. The car is free of corrosion from which these models can suffer. A standard CSI is a superb car in its own right; however, this particular conversion is very special and is highly regarded within the BMW community globally. The CSI harks back to the glory days of the 24 valve straight six's used in the legendary CSL race cars.

When you drive this car you can feel the road through your fingertips. This responsive car assaults your senses with information as to how you're progressing whilst the powerful engine is one of the finest to have emerged from M's hallowed halls. You could listen to it all day and not get bored. Extracting the performance from this machine is a balance between car and driver - working in harmony with this machine is very fulfilling.