Planned as a partial restoration
This 1971 BMW E9 3.0 CSi came to us from Germany. It was our very first E9. Today we know these coupes well, but this early project clearly demonstrated why a BMW E9 restoration almost never stays as extensive as initially expected.
Initially, a partial restoration was planned. After the bodywork was stripped back, it became a near-complete restoration. The engine and transmission remained untouched; everything else was addressed: body, paint, chassis, brakes, electrics, interior, chrome, assembly, and tuning. The car was then finished and handed over to the owner in roadworthy condition.
BMW 3.0 CSi with manual transmission
The BMW E9 was built from 1968 to 1975 and is one of the most famous German coupes of its time. The 3.0 CSi was the fuel-injected version with the M30 six-cylinder engine and is now one of the more sought-after variants of the series. This particular car had a manual transmission and its original white paintwork, which was restored after bodywork.
An E9 looks elegant and light, but the bodywork is a difficult subject for restorers. The Karmann body is notorious for rust in hidden and load-bearing areas. Many damages are located where they are hard to spot when buying. This is precisely why a BMW E9 is often a beautiful car with very serious structural issues.
BMW E9 sills, A-pillars and spring domes
This 3.0 CSi also exhibited the typical rust damage found on BMW E9s. Window frames, A-pillars, sills, and strut towers were affected. These areas are among the most important inspection points on any E9. They determine not only the appearance but also the stability, panel gaps, and subsequent drivability.
The sills on the E9 are a whole other story. From the outside, you often only see a small part. What's crucial is what happens inside the sill, at the connections to the A-pillar, on the floor areas, and at the transition to the rear quarter panels. If these areas are poorly repaired, you'll later end up with doors that don't close properly, uneven panel gaps, and a body that may look great but is structurally unsound.
Hidden rear-end damage instead of a clean starting point
Additionally, hidden accident damage to the rear was discovered. This damage was not visible externally. Only during disassembly and exposure did it become clear that the rear section showed more than just normal signs of age. Such findings immediately change the scope of a restoration. An old coupé can appear cleanly painted and still conceal old straightening work, filler, or poorly fitted sheet metal beneath the surface.
This is particularly critical with the BMW E9, because the rear end, side panels, trunk floor, and transitions to the wheel arches must all fit together perfectly. Any inaccuracies in this area will later be visible in the panel gaps, bumpers, lights, and trunk lid.
Full repaint in original white and new leather interior
After extensive classic car bodywork, the BMW received a complete respray in its original white. This color suits the E9 very well, but demands perfectly smooth surfaces. White doesn't forgive poor transitions, wavy side panels, or uneven edges. Therefore, before painting, the doors, hood, window frames, chrome parts, and add-on components had to be adjusted multiple times.
The interior was completely rebuilt with leather according to the customer's wishes. This meant the project went far beyond mere bodywork and paintwork. Especially with the E9, the interior strongly defines the car's character: a low seating position, large glass surfaces, slim pillars, and the typical BMW coupé feel of the early 1970s.
The first E9 was not the last.
In retrospect, this BMW 3.0 CSi was an important project for us. It was our first E9 and already exhibited all the issues we encountered again in later BMW E9 restorations: rust on the sills and A-pillars, damaged strut towers, problematic window frames, hidden accident damage, and a restoration scope that grew as the work progressed.
What was planned as a partial restoration turned into a near-complete restoration. This isn't unusual for a BMW E9; in fact, it's almost the norm when the car undergoes a thorough inspection. Anyone considering restoring a BMW E9 shouldn't base their decision on its visible condition, but rather on its known weak points. This particular coupé was ultimately handed over in running order – white, with a manual transmission, new leather upholstery, and a body whose problems were no longer hidden beneath the paint.
