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The BMW 3.0 CS is one of the finest cars ever made. From the sporty, low-slung roofline to the classy rear end, there is no part of the 3.0 CS that isn’t a joy to look at. Because of this car’s beauty, they have become quite collectible and pricy. Could you imagine finding a dusty barn find BMW 3.0 CS waiting to be saved? Well, that just happened to someone after it sat for 24 years in storage. 

BMW 3.0 CS badge
1972 BMW 3.0 CS | Bring-a-trailer

The BMW 3.0 CS

According to Silodrome, the BMW 3.0 CS belonged to the exclusive E9 series. This group of BMWs were sporty GT cars meant to handle long hauls while still being able to carve a canyon with the little guys. The 3.0 CS, one of the most famous nameplates of the series, was only made from 1968 to 1975. 

The E9 series was seen as fairly advanced for its time. The BMW 3.0 CS had fully independent front and rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes (rear drums on some early models). They also had luxury features that were designed to appeal to the high-end buyer, like power windows, air conditioning, and a heated rear window. 

This  BMW 3.0 CS barn find was found after sitting for 24 years 

BMW 3.0 CS barn find
1972 BMW 3.0 CS | Bring-a-trailer

One look at this fine car, and you know it’s been here a long time. While the dust might detract a little from the car’s beauty, many car nerds dream of finding a rare, original car in this kind of shape. It tells a comforting story to car collectors that the car has likely been left alone and in its original shape. 

To add a little drool material, this already rare car has some pretty choice options. When it was ordered new in the early 1970s, the buyer got it in black with a tan leather interior. It also has a sunroof, air-conditioning, and, most importantly, it has a 4-speed manual gearbox. 

The biggest question for many barn find buyers is why the car was parked in the first place. The listing for the car doesn’t shed much light here. All we know is that it is called a “non-running project.” This is unsurprising, considering it’s been sitting for 24 years. 

If you care for more info on this barn find, check out the listing on Bring-a-Trailer. It Just sold for $30,000.

How many different BMW E9 cars were there? 

BMW 3.0 CS | Bring-a-Trailer
1972 BMW 3.0 CS | Bring-a-Trailer

The BMW 3.0 CS wasn’t the fanciest of the group, but it ended up becoming the most widely collected. However, there were cheaper and more expensive versions. The E9 series had BMW 2800 CS powered by a 2.8-liter straight six, the 3.0 CS powered by a 3.0-liter straight six, and the 3.0 CSi, which was the same engine but with fuel injection. 

There was one last model in the E9 series that remains the rarest and most expensive of the bunch; the BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile.” Anything that gets nicknamed the Batmobile is about to be rad. This was the BMW race team’s homologation car. It was made with lightweight racing materials like an aluminum body and plexiglass windows. It also had a tuned 3.0-liter straight six. 

The most overlooked E9 family member was the 2.5 CS. During the oil crisis of the 1970s, everyone was looking for smaller, more efficient engines. This car had a smaller, detuned version of the 2.8 CS engine.