Sporting BMWs Under The Hammer At Shannons

SYDNEY – November 11, 2010: Three highly desirable BMW coupes that were the marque’s flagship sporting models in their day, are expected to find new homes at a fraction of their original cost at Shannons Sydney Spring Classic Auction on Monday (15 November).

Pride of place amongst the Bavarian barnstormers is a two-owner, Adelaide-delivered 1993 model 840Ci coupe equipped with a factory-fitted AC Schnitzer body kit.

Designed in the late 1980s using CAD tools and boasting a then very low aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29CD, the 840Ci was the successor to the legendary BMW 635-series coupes and when introduced cost more than BMW’s V12-engined 750iL limousine.

Finished in dark metallic green with contrasting light tan leather trim, the classy 4.0-litre V8 engined coupe being auctioned is fitted with a four-tipped sports exhaust that gives it more presence than a standard system and has travelled a low and documented 115,000km from new.

Shannons expect it to sell in the $32,000-$36,000 range – a fraction of its original Australian new price of around $220,000.

More sporting and equally desirable for many BMW enthusiasts is the 1996 Australian-delivered M3 coupe that is currently with its third owner and is being sold with a speedometer reading of 167,700km.

While the first E36-series six cylinder M3s were powered by a 210kW 3.0 litre power plant and five-speed manual transmission, the updated 1996 models were equipped with an enlarged 236kW 3.2 litre in-line engine and a new six-speed Getrag gearbox, delivering a top speed of around 250km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration in around 5.6 seconds.

The M3 comes with a full service history and according to Shannons presents very well. It is expected to sell in the $20,000-$25,000 range, making this a relative performance bargain.

BMW enthusiasts wanting the cachet of a top-line sporting coupe at an even more affordable price need look no further than the 1982-model 635CSi coupe in the same auction that is expected to sell with no reserve in the $8,000-$12,000 range.

This well-presented Caspian Red CSi is a European-spec model that was sold new in South Africa and is comprehensively equipped with an electric sunroof, central locking, a stainless steel exhaust and cruise control.

It came to Australia around 1990 and from 1994-2000 a documented $32,000 was spent virtually rebuilding the car.

The three sporting BMWs are amongst 28 vehicles and 21 items of memorabilia in the Sydney Spring sale, which will be staged from 7pm on Monday (15 November) at Shannons showrooms at 65 Reserve Road, St.Leonards.

All auction lots can be inspected this weekend from 9am-4pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday at Shannons.