1971 BMW 2800 CS Agave/Tan - excellent quality three owner car

After many years of enjoyment I am selling my 2800CS.

I acquired my coupe in 2008 thanks to the sleuthing of the late Murray Fowler. well known Coupemeister and owner of BlueMax the 2800CS with over 400. 00 miles that looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. But there is way more to the story!

When I got out of the Army in 1968. I bought a new 1600 from Archie Walker Motors in Wayzata. MN having had several Neue Klasse BMW's blow the doors off my Corvair Fitch Sprint in Germany while stationed there. When I moved to Colorado. I traded the 1600 on a new 2002 in 1970 and saw the most beautiful car ever (yep. a 2800CS) on the showroom floor at Ralph Schomp's Arapahoe Motors (Schomp is still a BMW dealer in South Denver) but it was waaaayyy beyond my price range. Three 2002's. a 635csi. an M6. 540it Sport and X5 later. and still I had no CS. I had taken a detour into 10 different Lotus cars and used several on 1. 00 mile rallies with my wife. She asked. after a Texas 1000 in a Lotus Seven with only Brooklands screens. if there weren't a vintage car that was more “civilized” with things like real seats. a roof and luggage space. that was still eligible for these rallies. And I remembered the gorgeous coupes.
 
After doing my research. I decided to look for a 3. 0CS with a later 3. 5 EFI engine and a 5 speed transmission conversion in a dark color (Nachtblau. Malaga. Agave or Atlantik) with tan leather. I contacted Murray who began the search. A bit later he called saying he had found a 2800CS 4 speed converted from an automatic. I said “That's not what I am looking for. ” I actually asked him if he was serious. He sent the photos anyway along with a written evaluation of how clean. wind tight and rust free the car is. He asked me to suspend my bias for a bit and really look at the car which he claimed was one of the best driving coupes he had experienced. and. of course. Murray had seen many. many coupes over the years. I was intrigued enough to put down a deposit and fly to Orange County airport to inspect the car.

You can guess the rest…as I waited at curbside in that small airport. I first saw him coming in the lovely Agave coupe. then heard him downshift and come around the curve to a stop in front of me. As he loaded my luggage into the trunk. I was encouraged by how pure the car looked. He drove about five miles out of town. pulled over and said “You drive”. Within two miles I told him I would buy it and I never even haggled a dollar on the price – it was wonderful.

So why am I telling you this long story? Because I had a completely different image in my mind yet was swayed by the goodness of this car and I think those considering a coupe may have a similar bias. I have driven it on a vintage rally of over 1. 00 miles and it has been a gem. easily keeping up with well driven cars including Porsches and Ferraris even on twisty canyon roads or the Interstates.

As regards rust. this is a car that carries its original paint so finding rust is easier than if it had received a refinish somewhere along the way. Also it has spent its entire life. over 40 years. in Sonoma California or Littleton Colorado. both dry benign places for old steel. And finally. it has never been washed in my ownership. per Murray's explicit instruction. only carefully cleaned without water. (Kozak Dry Wash…works great) and has been stored in a heated display garage unless actually being driven. I have never driven it out in the rain although I was caught in one storm. I blew every crevice with air and left it in the sun for hours to get it good and dry. It was thoroughly inspected by Murray before my purchase and was claimed by him to be as rust free a car as he had ever seen. I have seen no evidence of rust in my personal inspections nor has a friend who has a CSL. You are welcome to inspect and see for yourself.

Before my purchase. Murray wrote the following to me which I reproduce here:
“36 years of continuous E-9 Coupe ownership causes me to judge this 1971 BMW 2800 CS as a high quality example of a well maintained original E-9. It has been a California car since new. above all it is a dry-bodied. un-restored. never abused or neglected. It appears in VG original condition that shows some normal patina. mostly in the paint. VG driving condition that has averaged about 21 MPG on recent trips taken. We believe the driving experience will further benefit from a future re-build of the Zenith carbs. (Since done) Cosmetics would be improved by an under-carriage steam clean and re-seal (Since done) plus professional detailing of exterior and under-hood. Some minor metal and paint clean up from past normal use and time would cosmetically enhance it with the result being superior to most original E-9's seen in recent years. ”

Here are the particulars as written by Murray in 2008. The car is the same now but for newer Sumitomo 205/70 X 14 tires. I have updated the mileage and done all ordinary maintenance:

1971 BMW 2800 CS Agave/Tan VIN #2280133

 “Original owner Roy H. Browning. 2nd owner Jim Smith purchased in 1986—friends and residents of the same community in Sonoma. California's wine country Current mileage 153. 00 (Now 157. 50) —has averaged approximately 4. 00 miles per year since new Engine rebuilt at 142. 01 miles. 1985 cylinder head installed (receipt dated 9/30/04) 4 speed Getrag transmission installed to replace less desirable original A/T Transmission rebuilt at 142. 40 miles (receipt dated 4/06/05) Rear brake cylinders replaced at 143. 30 miles. SST brake lines installed F/R Front calipers and pads. rear drums and brake shoes all appear as new All steering linkage replaced at 117. 00 miles 10/6/02 Pertronix electronic ignition installed at 143. 40 miles E28 front window motors installed for fast operation. original rear motors work fine New under-hood insulation and both seals replaced at the firewall Has enhanced cooling system and Bilstein HD shocks all 4 corners Original wheels were recently re-finished and are in fine condition All chrome trim and other bright-work is in VG condition and shows well Original carpet is clean and in excellent condition Door panels. interior trim. bright-work and headliner in excellent original condition Rear seats have been correctly re-covered recently and appear as new condition Front seats were reupholstered earlier and show a little more use than rears Dash wood is original in VG condition—Vinyl dash is un-cracked in excellent condition Wood trim—driver door has chip near ashtray. passenger door some visible delamination Original wood rim steering wheel—is in very good condition (Leather wheel installed) New seals installed between door and rear quarter windows Factory A/C non-operational. (Repaired with new Sanden rotary compressor and R134 refrigerant and recently recharged. Blows very cold and works well considering its design limitations. ) Blaupunkt Frankfurt AM/FM stereo is period correct with twin rear deck speakers Electrical features are in good working condition and original clock works Original single stage paint--nice condition with good luster showing a little patina There are door dings and the pass side rear fender has a dent---all correctable Trunk surfaces—all in excellent original condition—complete toolbox with all tools No sign of structural or under body rust discovered from careful inspection Engine compartment solid but in need of deep surface freshening and detail”

There are numerous people in the e9 community who know of this car and Absolute Motor Works in Colorado. a reputable BMW shop has looked at the car and can give input. Of course. you are welcome to inspect or have it inspected by arrangements with me at any reasonable time. I also welcome any questions and will assist with shipping at buyer's expense. I may even be coerced into driving her to her new owner if the destination is desirable although the new owner really should dance her home. I wouldn't hesitate to drive this coupe anywhere in the country.    

I have many additional photos here:   link .
The car drives wonderfully. All bushings and suspension is tight. the car tracks perfectly and cruises at 75 all day. Glass is excellent and the car has always been stored in a climate controlled show garage during my ownership. I have the original steering wheel in excellent condition which will come with the car though I prefer the leather MOMO wheel for driving. I an happy to answer any questions at (303) 923-8138 from 8:00 am to 9:00pm Mountain time.

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?