BMW M635 CSi review. With its M-Power engine, was this 158mph Coupe peak BMW in the eighties? 

It’s not a Harry’s Garage video until you see that marvellous shot of him flicking it into that junction then pinning it down the road. Brilliant

A timeless beauty. Exactly what is missing in modern car design, BMW or otherwise.

I love this car Harry. I used to work at a BMW dealership in the 80's and sold this actual car when new to the original owner....I was very tempted to bid on it at the auction as I don't think you will find a cleaner example...in (imo) the best colour for the shape. The personal connection made it even more tempting. I was very surprised that it didn't sell at Silverstone Auctions as it is a super example AND an earlier chrome bumper car which is purer in shape than the later (though plusher) big bumper cars. These days it is popular for everyone to criticise the TRX tyres for poor grip....I can tell you that the grip from these tyres was faultless...I have covered thousands of miles across Europe in E24's with TRX tyres and they were never found wanting. The bigger (non metric) wheels fitted to many now are easier to source, and probably cheaper, but they don't look correct and can spoil the ride if too low profile. This is a grand tourer...not a car for hustling around country lanes ( a E30 325i of the era is more suited for that task) I am racking my memory bank about the close ratio box...I am not sure it was very 'close ratio'. The C/R gearboxes on BMW's of that era were dogleg boxes and high revving at speed.

Major kudos to whomever kept it in that condition. Such an icon.

Back in the day I remember pulling up beside one of those at traffic lights, I was on a BSA 650cc motorcycle which in it's day was quite a fast bike, anyway when the light went green I gave the BSA the beans only for the Beemer to give a fruity roar, squat down at the back and totally fuck off! I was truly shocked at how fast it went away from me and I've never forgotten it..

Had a neighbour with one of these - it was utterly beautiful and felt hewn from granite, as classic BMWs often did. The interior is still, in my eyes an object lesson in ergonomics, clarity and classy design. It’s peak BMW full-stop as far as I’m concerned.

What an absolutely gorgeous car, with the classic BMW shark nose look. One of my all time favourites. Even more amazing that the design of the first 6 series E24 dates back to the1970s, with (I think) the 633i being the first model.

I had an M5 which succeeded an M535i with the close ratio dog leg first box. The M5 was a marvellous car and had great traction compared to its lesser brother. I eventually sold it and bought a 928. Now nearly 80 but distant memories

Exposed throttle linkage opening the individual bodies is pure mechanical bliss. Awesome that Harry got a chance to share this beauty with all of us. Huge kudos to the owner who kept it so cherry over all these years!

Besides the E9 and E30 M3, this is one of the most beautiful BMWs ever build. Absolutely iconic design. Thanks for the review, Harry!

Being 45 years old this and the e34 m5 we're my dream cars when I was 10-11 years old... Reading dad's autocar and seeing how the reporters waxed lyrical about them. Its obvious they were a great car back in the day... And still are! Thanks for reviewing this Harry and keep them coming👍

This is one of the greatest BMWs, particularly that NA straight six engine, nothing released nowadays sounds anything like it.

BMW at its absolute best, at least in my view. A colleague of mine owned one of these, and it's just such a wondrous machine. BMW hasn't built anything with such panache in a generation, and likely never will again. This is one of the few cars that I'd happily pay through the nose to get in tip-top condition. It may be a wildly overused word, but to me an M635CSi truly is something special.

Personally I don't think that BMW have ever beaten this car. Beautiful in road going trim but absolutely stunning in the works racing version. I saw them race at Zandvort back in the day against the Unipart XJ coupe, and the RS3000 Capris. What great memories. And yet a comfortable road going car. Why have we ever forgotten that cars should be thus.

My most desirable car of all times. I do remember when it was launched and I was studying mechanical engineering. 😍

In 79 I drove a 633 from Edinburgh to Aberdeen in one hour twenty five minutes. Through glenfarg no bypasses on a may evening. Nobody believed me at the time.

Wonderful review, as usual. This car is from the era when BMW could do no wrong. Every model they introduced was spectacular.

The M635CSi was never raced by BMW though. They did race the M30 (12valve) 635CSi but for 1986 it was replaced by the E30 M3. The M1 engine had Kugelfischer mechanical injection, not the Motronic used by these and the M5. TRX's were acceptable on the M5 and M635CSi but not very good on lesser cars - lift-off oversteer in the wet could be scary. The old 528i E28 really did need a set of P7's. Those wheels aren't two piece but one piece BBS 415 style 5's with the black line - they arrived in 1986/7 with the E32 7 Series. A 1985 M635CSi would have had either the 'real' BBS metric split rims with the ring of bolts (recalled because of air leaks) or the one piece sculpted TRX-1 wheels, 165TR390. From an era when BMW's were genuinely prestigious and desirable. * sigh *

One of my all time favorite BMW, one of the best looking cars of it's time. Stunning ,thanks for this one Mr Metcalf.

Growing up, I saw a few of theses. This was always been the most iconic signature BMW original design (even more than the M1). It’s styling was absolutely unique to this day. Nothing remotely like it says BMW than that silhouette and front end design. Beautifully elegant design in 2022.

Nice car, i’m so glad my dad brought an 89 Mercedes 500 SEC AMG Wide Body though. I can still remember the attention that drew, god i would love to own one now.

Lovely, Harry. I fell in love with the 3.0CSL first.

I was BMW mechanic in the 80’s. I loved working on these cars. So many fantastic memories. Thank you

My greatest memory of these beautiful coupe's was watching Jim Richards throw one around Bathurst back when I was a kid, Rj in Oz

Always loved the old shark nosed 6 series. When BMW's design philosophy wasn't fixated on oversize ugly grilles to make a mark in certain markets.

Gorgeous. Perfect proportions, one of the best looking cars ever imo.

This car is gorgeous with a cleanliness and delicacy never to be seen again. Personally I could care less if it's as fast as it looks, it's a joy even standing still.

That straight 6 BMW did those right! Inside it’s like a locomotive just pulling forever. I was stationed in Mannheim 1985-90 near the Autobahnen saw all these giants.

I’ve always lusted after one of these , one of my favourite ever BMWs

Dreamt of owning a secondhand one of these back in the 90’s when I had a 525i… couldn’t imagine what it would be like having another 136 BHP…..over my 150BHP and when a golf GTI also had 112BHP, seemed crazy power back in the 80’s / early 90’s…..

When the "Ultimate driving machine" moniker actually fit the bill. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Living stateside at the time the M6 was among my favorite vehicle of its time.

Best looking of all the BMWs I had a 320i and it never ever let me down the 80s BMWs without doubt ....the best period to own one .

Love when you take a look at these older cars! thx

Can't miss Harry's Garage videos never!!

In my opinion still to this day the best looking BMW 6 Series! still hasn't been bettered credit due to legendary designer Paul Bracq. The interior dashboard too also the best looking to this day!

To this day I remember the first time I saw this car and fell in love right away with BMW.

Harry once again, as always, shows how car review and testdrive is done. Bravo!

I always loved this car ever since it came out. When BMWs were still really beautiful. Wonderful!

One of the most perfectly proportioned and attractive cars of all time IMHO.

Have always loved these cars. So earlier this year i bought one with a good friend, M635CSi 1989, one of the last highline cars. Its done some miles (150k) but is still an absolute joy. I used it this past weekend, the second to third change is magnificent. It flies along. Lovely lovely noise and a great car to buy and keep.

…now, this is my kind of car review… superb!!!… I don’t think BMW have improved on car design since then… beautifully elegant

I loved the design evolution from the 3.0 CSL into the 6 series. The M5/M6 cars of this period were so elegant and 'grown up' and I still think they exude absolute class today.

One of the greatest designs and engines - so under appreciated even today as a collectable

I bought mine to flip but fell in love with it. Great car.

Great review and very pleased to see a car like this on the channel. Would love to see more like it. We had a standard Non-M 1985 5spd back in the early 2000's and miss it dearly. Cars from this era were quintessential BMW's. Traded it for an XK8 which seemed like a good idea at the time, but I know which one I'd rather have 20 years on.

All these years later, the E24 still looks fantastic. I thought for sure this car had been restored, but wow, I can't believe it's original condition! Love the description of "team owner's car".

My dad had one. I have memories of the big smile he would have when he put his foot down.

This car will always be one of my favourite Beemers. I fell in love with it watching Jim Richards race in the ATCC in his black and gold JPS livery. Had me hooked from that moment. Sadly I have never owned one but perhaps one day.

Still has a fantastic exterior design. I would reimagine it just a bit. to modernize it. Many wouldn't love it as is

I think this is the best looking BMW of all time. Absolutely beautiful.

Thanks for sharing yet another great video. I love these 80's sportscars!

I remember seeing on TV for the first time on a detective program called Spencer for Hire. It was driven by a character by the name of Hawk who later had his own show by that name. I was a teenager then, I was blown away by the audacity of what I thought was was a two door 7 series. Wonderful stuff 👌🏾

Excellent review of one of the legacy BMW milestones. Why can I say that? I had the 3.5L manual 635Csi that had been ordered and built for a German doctor. Built by Alpina, they then spent three days on the 'ring dialing it in. When it was 2 years 'old' the good doctor traded it. I purchased it imported to the states. A full Alpina prepped Henna Red beast it was. Dogleg 1st gear, everything else much as the M6. Sunroof delete, 60 in 2nd so up- shift didn't degrade competitive acceleration to 60mph. The car was purchased by a Seattle stock-broker without him ever testing it! Directional stability at 135mph+ was astonishing; Harry did not test this in it element! Six-series and B roads...don't do that, likewise as a go-to-the-shops, no. Sold it on when my '67 AM DB6 Vantage came over the horizon. Oddly, it didn't compare to the best I can of, say 40 vehicles....that Alpina 635 was hands-down the finest continent crossing device man could envision. I built a 1-series M-spec [nat asp!] that beyond doubled the cost of the bugger, just to get it right. Runs circles around a 635, yes, but it's spirit echoes from Alpina 635. That's what to find, gentlemen....

one of my most favorite 80s car! thank you for showing it!

The best looking Beemer ever, it's still got it in spades. Built before today's lookalikey boxes when a car had character - put this next to its modern day equivalent I know which set of keys I'd fight you for!!!! Still No.1 on my lust after motors.

Very XJC esque in the huge glasshouse design. The only BMW I would consider buying. Cracking video, Harry, many thanks.

Love a straight six 🙂 Even the lowly ones I’ve had have amused……. my first car was a 250cu Ford Maverick coupe, bench seat, column auto - side outlet pipe early eighties….. Even my 320 carburettor 4 speed manual made a joyous noise…… seemed quite exotic to my early self. A friends wealthy father impressed us with his 635 CSi…… it just looked so “right”……… Livin the dream Harry 🙂🇬🇧

Thanks for that Harry, quality material as always

Great video, always good to see some cool older cars.

This has taken me back. In the early 80s heading out of Calais in my old Triumph I have a clear memory of big BMWs flashing past on the way South with the driver's toe down and the car's tail squatting with massive negative camber . I would take the M5 over this too. The M5 is just right from every angle whereas this is not quite. I do not think the front spoiler fits with the rest of the car and lesser models look all the better without it. Interestingly, the M5 unlike its lesser sister the M535i), managed to do without any skirts or front spoilers so I guess it would be possible. I had a M535i in the Caribbean in the 90s. This was a hybrid model that had the M5 suspension set up and steering but the regular 3.5 litre engine which was quite enough for a postage stamp island) That sensibly had the lower geared dog-leg box which was an option on the M635i and added another element of 'specialness'. I see this car came from Hairpin. I do wonder why they almost never quote the asking price of their stock. That is one thing that potential customers really dislike. A garaghe should not be embarrassed to disclose what it wants to charge....

Magnificent BMW. I always loved these cars when they were new back in the day. They were so special, that distinctly BMW shark-like shape recalling the famous 3.0 of the late 60's, early 70's. They were definitely the grand cruiser of the day, along with the Porsche 928. So admired were they, that even Lincoln tried to copy the formula with the Mark VII LSC of the late 80's, early 90's. I only wish I had more garage space. Wonderful episode and thank you for showing us this very special car! Cheers!

Harry is like this this M635 CSi. Timeless old school doing very professional job.

Lovely review, you really enjoyed that one, thanks again Harry!

Amazing… my grandfather had one of these in red. Even as a small child I loved the design. Unfortunately just before I got my license and was set to go for some drives in it with him, he drove it into 3 feet of sand, damaged it badly and had to sell. Every time I see one of those I wish I had the opportunity to experience it more.

Great review Harry, managed to complete film with no mention of ‘Moonlighting’ !! How would it compare to a Porsche 928 of the period?? Thanks again for the channel

Great review like every Sunday for so many years this been one the highlights of my Sundays a new Harry’s Garage

Sounds great!! Thanks Harry!

I had an 88 M6 US spec. Loved the car. The only con with these "M" engines from the 80's and 90's era was the constant changing of the shims every 10k miles. My car had 24 that needed constant changing-->12 on the intake and 12 on the exhaust....and you needed a micrometer to "mic" the shims to make sure they fall within specs. These shims are located below the camshafts.

Interesting this engine was put in the E23 7 series in South Africa, where it could also be matched with an auto gearbox.

Lived every second of this story, always a CSi fan, brilliant documentary Harry

The sound in your videos is always incredible!!

Ahhh. When BMW employed talented designers... My favourite BMW shape. I had a '67 E9 2000 CS for years, the first with the famous Hofmeister kink in the bottom line of the rear side windows. Peak BMW in my opinion. Wonderful!

Sreten would like one of these.

Absolute dream car for me! Great video Harry, thank you

A dream car of mine when growing up. Thank you for taking us along on a test drive.

5:25 Not many engines post-emissions controls worth taking a look at and this is incredible. I liked my '95 Supra but you needed a bit more imagination to figure out how it worked. I'm sad to see most cars nowadays have a plastic engine cover instead of letting you see anything.

They don't do like it no more

Thank you for the video Harry. I really enjoyed this one.

Thanks, always a pleasure

Prettier than a lot of new BMW's.

When BMWs were cool looking

Can I just say, you made my day when I saw you coming towards me as I was hustling the coach down the same road, always look out for the flash cars in that area

Thanks for featuring this Harry, I lusted after it when I was teenager in the eightys still do now, fabulous car, modern cars are to easy to drive 👍

I'm in my late fifties. My abiding memory of 6 series of this era was premature rust. They went really scabby when they were relatively young.

loved this Harry

What a glorious sound Harry. What a car.

Absolutely stunning appearance and gorgeous looking dashboard. BMW were really on top of their game with that stunner.

Thanks Harry for another great production on an Icon

Thank you Soooooo much Harry!!!!! BMW M for life!!!!!!

Such a special car... I absolutely love these... My dad had a 635 CSi and I drove it a bit in my late teens... Happy memories!

This is beautiful car thank you Mr.Harry

Stunning, that simple

Lovely styling. As you say with a big glass area and delightfully slim pillars. Clear simple controls, no confusing and distracting touchscreens!

Gorgeous car, thanks for showing.

Great review harry

One of my absolute favourite cars ever. I never found myself in the right place at the right time to buy one but I'd love one for a weekend toy.

Awesome one of my favourite cars of all time. This time I saw one on the road as kid I could not stop smiling. Still puts a smile on my face today. Thanks for the great video.

one of my friends dad designed this car - Paul Bracq - look him up , a bit of a legend. Once he retired he would paint pictures of classic cars for private customers. I used to love going to his studio and seeing all his projects he was working on, a true artist.

Back in the day, i was madly i love with this iconic BMW. Very nice to see it again after so many years. And it it still a beauty ;)

Drove a red on black 86 635csi. Man did I love that car. Owned for 10 yrs. There's nothing to compare how the driving experience is. I just couldn't wait to get back in the cockpit. The shark nose baby.