1972 BMW 3.0 CS Coupe

The first in the line of BMW E9 series was the 2800CS of 1968 with a notably longer wheelbase and overall length compared to previous BMWs. Powered by a straight-six engine and wearing Karmann coachwork, the 2800 CS was replaced by the 3.0 CS in 1971 with an even more potent and larger 3.0-liter inline-six. The previous front disc and rear drums of the 2800 CS gave way to four-wheel discs for superior stopping power. With a top speed of 130 mph, the 3.0 CS became the basis of the 3.0 CSL homologation special. The CSL's competition-focused counterpart won six European Touring Car Championships between 1973 and 1979 and achieved class victories at Daytona, Le Mans, and Spa.

This particular 3.0 CS was acquired out of Portugal in July 2017 and imported to the United States in September of that year. It wears a Polaris Silver exterior paint scheme over a blue leather interior. In 2018 it was given nearly $10,000 of mechanical refurbishment. The work included replacing the fuel tank and recommissioning the manual transmission, exhaust system, and driveshafts, among various other detail work.

This BMW 3.0 CS has the correct-type alloy wheels and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2025