1971 BMW 3.0 CS - Euro 4 Speed

1971 BMW 3.0CS

For sale is my euro 1971 BMW 3.0 CS.
It is a fantastic daily driver with a lot of work done in my ownership to make it a reliable, fun car to drive. After a glass-in repaint in 2009, I've largely been focused on sorting the mechanical issues which I'm confident to say is done. Every panel was replaced with then-available sheet metal from BMW, which means there's very little rust in the body which or fender areas. In my ownership of 15 years I've replaced the cylinder head, radiator, water pump, fuel pump so she runs beautifully. Sad to sell it but have family projects that need my attention.
I have years worth receipts going all the way back to Germany, including invoices for all the work detailed below. So many more photos too, but eBay limits the amount I can show to 24, message me for more.
I'm a very transparent seller and just want this to go to someone that can enjoy it. Any questions, let me know.

More detailed history and condition below:

What do you know about the history of the car from new?
It’s a euro spec 1971 BMW 3.0 CS 4 speed stick shift coupe in Polaris silver with navy leather interior. The glasswork is all original with the sticker still on. It had dealer options of the rare front air dam, deluxe ‘city package' stainless steel fender overriders, front sway-bar and electric rear windows. The air damn and fender overriders aren’t on the car presently, but will be sold with the car. Same for the original 14” wheels and original steering wheel.
The car was originally bought in Germany by a US military serviceman, and sent back to the east coast, where he towed it across the country with his family. He sold it to his son for $1, who then sold it to a man in Oregon, who my family bought it from in 2009. So I consider myself to be the 3rd owner.
In 2009, we shipped it down to Melbourne, Australia, where it was repainted and reupholstered with an eye to keeping it as original as we knew how to at the time, other than adding the Nardi steering wheel, shift knob and hand-brake handle. New BWW spec paint, all exterior and interior trim pieces taken off and refurbished, new rubber seals, leather seats reupholstered etc. I have a folder of receipts for this work.
In 2014, I shipped the car back across the pacific to Los Angeles, where I have cared for it since. Under my ownership I have put my resources towards making the coupe a reliable daily driver. From rebuilding the cylinder head in 2018, replaced the transmission in 2020 with a low miles original 4 speed, rebuilding the suspension in 2020, rebuilding the gas tank, installing an electric fuel pump, replaced the radiator, new muffler, rebuilt the front bumper with new rubber and hardware, replaced the water pump, ignition system, new Alpina-style 16” wheels from Coupe King
I had help from the late Tom Colitt (we replaced the cylinder head in my garage together shortly before he passed, radiator, long list of other things), Carl Nelson of La Jolla Independent (fuel pump, suspension, transmission, long list of other things) and Hi Tech Automotive in Silver Lake (exhaust, ignition, general maintenance).
While the car was with Tom Colitt on a test drive, it was bumped into by a 16 year old driver cutting a corner, resulting in a scrape on the passenger side panel in front of the rear wheel. I used the small insurance payout to pay for the cylinder head replacement.
A few years ago, I was contacted through one of the BMW forums by the original owners son and was able to learn a lot about the early history of my car. His dad had bought the car in Germany and drove it for a time, shipped it to the east coast and then towed it across the country on some sort of carriage setup. That explains why it has tow-hooks welded underneath the engine and some curious oddities under the floor in the trunk!
The Previous Owner continued, he and his brother had replaced most of the quarter panels and some of the inner fenders with brand new panels then still available new from BMW, sometime in the 1980's. This explains why there is very little rust in the bodywork of my car. However this also explains the panel gaps on my car (or maybe that’s just Karman’s infamous E9 coachwork!). Oh and this is also why the passenger side front inner fender has the fuel injection mount, because apparently the only panel available from BMW America at the time was for the CSi cars.
Presently, I consider the car to be a mechanically good, reliable daily driver. It starts well, runs strong, shifts smoothly, has good suspension, a good interior and is parts complete. The body and paint restoration are almost 15 years old now, so there’s imperfections, but I was driving around Pasadena this morning with a smile on my face.
How original is the vehicle?
Tried to keep this pretty original, only things that come to mind that aren't how it would have left the factory (aside from the bodywork stuff mentioned above) are:
Original owner had driving lights installed (there is a button under the dash on the steering column), but the lights have been removed. Mounting holes in the front bumper remain.
Nardi steering wheel, wood shift knob and hand-brake handle.
16 inch Alpina-style wheels (from Coupe King)
Electric fuel pump (installed by La Jolla Independant).
AM/FM radio with AUX input.
Ignition isn't original, but kept original part.
New original radiator.
Cylinder head was replaced, valves rebuilt at the same time.
Replaced original transmission with a low-miles 4 speed from another 3.0 car.
The glasswork is all original, sticker still on windshield. Rear electric windows work.
Full set of 5 original 14" wheels.
I have the hood prop/strut off the car at the moment, have the original. See photos.
Headliner is original.
Did our best to reupholster the interior as original. Carpet is original, seats were re-done in leather.
Wood paneling was refurbished with a richer, heavier gloss than original.
What exactly has been repainted, repaired, replaced, and why?
In 2009, we shipped it down to Melbourne, Australia, where it was repainted and reupholstered with an eye to keeping it as original as we knew how to at the time. Glasswork
A few years ago, I was contacted through one of the BMW forums by the original owners son and was able to learn a lot about the early history of my car. His dad had bought the car in Germany and drove it for a time, shipped it to the east coast and then towed it across the country on some sort of carriage setup. That explains why it has tow-hooks welded underneath the engine and some curious oddities under the floor in the trunk!
The Previous Owner continued, he and his brother had replaced most of the quarter panels and some of the inner fenders with brand new panels then still available new from BMW, sometime in the 1980's. This explains why there is very little rust in the bodywork of my car. However this also explains the panel gaps on my car (or maybe that’s just Karman’s infamous E9 coachwork!). Oh and this is also why the passenger side front inner fender has the fuel injection mount, because apparently the only panel available from BMW America at the time was for the CSi cars.
What issues or problems does it currently have?
Heater is disconnected. I live in California.
Getting under the car to take photos for this listing, there are some oil leaks from the transmission (not surprising, just replaced it so probably needs to be torqued down again), oil filter housing, power steering pump, rear axle. See photos.
The restoration back in 2009 was done before we knew about the panel replacements the original owner had done in the 1980's, so most of my wants are bodywork related:
The front quarter panels and inner fenders are ever so slightly 'off'. There's a small piece missing from the inner fender that sits between it and the hood sill, so that means the hood doesn't fit perfectly. As a simple solution, La Jolla Independant removed the hood armature for me, which I intended to replace with a simple CSL style prop rod.
Related to these panel replacements, the door panel gaps aren't as good as I'd like. Considerable effort was spent in 2009 trying to get the doors perfect, but we didn't know about the 1980's panel replacement then. The E9's are kind of known for elusive panel gaps anyway.
There is some rough bodywork on the inside lower edge of the passenger door, so the rubber weather sill is missing here. I have the piece.
The belt line trim was fastened on too tight, so it's pulled through the paint in places.
There is a small bit of rust in the trunk lid sill, under the rubber weather sill.
'Elephant skin' in the rear trunk has some damage (previous owner tried to install speakers, thought better of it but not before cutting one side). Also missing the rear truck liner along the lights (common, think it was cardboard).
Tool tray in trunk is cracked and repaired. I have some of the tools (not all of them) in a toolwrap in the truck.
It's a daily driver, so there's some chipped paint, one or two bubbles, some light paint scuffs where a mechanic has lent over a fender. Some missing fasteners here and there. Some dry rubber in the windows.
Late last rear the driver side rear shock tower weld failed. It's somewhat common on these cars as the original shock is only spot welded in 3 spots to the inner fender. In preparation for I took the 'elephant skin' trunk liner out and it revealed that the drivers side inner fender itself had been repaired a few times already. So I had Meccanica here in East LA repair the shock mount with a top-hat. I have left that as-is (ie, not cover up paint) and included photos so that the new owner can see everything.
Is there any rust present?
The Previous Owner replaced most of the quarter panels and some of the inner fenders with brand new panels then still available new from BMW, sometime in the 1980's. This explains why there is very little rust in the bodywork of my car.
The original undercoating under the car looks rough, but all the floors and fenders, aside form the rear inner fender, look solid. No rust in the sills that run the length of the car under the doors.
There is a small bit of rust in the trunk lid sill, under the rubber weather sill. One or two bubbles in the corners of the doors, a patch of paint missing on the corner of the hood. Did my best to show those in photos.
How extensive are service records?
Have folders of purchase records from Germany (the original German title), then transfer into the US, then transferring to my ownership. Since I have it, I have kept all service receipts since 2009.
How long ago was the last service? What work was done?
12/22/22: The driver side rear shock tower weld failed. It's somewhat common on these cars as the original shock is only spot welded in 3 spots to the inner fender. In preparation for the repair I took the 'elephant skin' trunk liner out and it revealed that the drivers side inner fender itself had been repaired a few times already. So I had Meccanica here in East LA repair the shock mount by re-welding it and adding a 'top hat'. I have left that as-is (ie, no cover up paint) and included photos so that the new owner can see everything.
They did a general inspection and advised some attention to the gasket leaks at the transmission (not surprising, just replaced it so probably needs to be torqued down again), oil filter housing, power steering pump, rear axle.

• Make: BMW
• Model: 3.0CS
• Type: Coupe
• Year: 1971
• Mileage: 19714
• VIN: 2211220
• Color: Silver
• Number of cylinders: 6
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Blue
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Options: Leather Seats
• Vehicle Title: Clean
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