With its straight-six engine and angular, attractive Karmann coachwork, the BMW E9 series was ahead of its time and remains captivating to this day. First in the E9 lineage, the 2800 CS was revealed in 1968 with a notably longer wheelbase and overall length compared to previous BMWs, making space for its impressive inline six-cylinder engine. The 3.0 CS followed in 1971, adding more power than the earlier E9 with a larger 3.0-liter inline-six. And whereas its predecessor featured front disc brakes and rear drums, the 3.0 CS was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes for superior stopping power. With excellent driving dynamics and capable of a 130-mph top speed, the 3.0 CS became the basis of the 3.0 CSL homologation special. As proof of the E9’s inherent superior engineering and performance envelope, the CSL’s competition-focused counterpart won six European Touring Car Championships between 1973 and 1979 and garnered class wins at endurance races at Daytona, Le Mans, and Spa.

This lovely 3.0 CS was acquired out of Portugal in July 2017 and imported to the United States in September of that year. Having spent much of its life in the dry climate of the Iberian Peninsula, this 3.0 CS is in very good overall condition. Finished in Polaris Silver over a handsome dark blue leather interior, it presents beautifully after benefitting from nearly $10,000 of mechanical refurbishment in 2018. The work, an invoice for which is on file, included replacing the fuel tank and recommissioning the manual transmission, exhaust system, and driveshafts, among various other detail work. With authentic features such as correct-type alloy wheels and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, this wonderful 3.0 CS is an excellent candidate for touring or further recommissioning to bring it fully up to concours condition.