E24 6-Series buyers needn’t stop at the 635 CSi or the M6 in their search, because if outright pace isn’t essential, the 628 CSi makes for an affordable entry point

Words  Matt Zollo   |   Pictures  Craig Pusey

It’s the automatic choice of E24, the 635 CSi. The most powerful model you can get, barring the rather more collectable (and thus rather more pricey) M635CSi, yet it can cost relatively little and the choice out there is vast. When you can get the fastest and best for the same kind of price as the slower and less abundant rest, why would you contemplate anything else?

There are many reasons, actually. So although we wouldn’t suggest for one minute that you write-off buying that 635, we also wouldn’t suggest writing-off an alternative, either, and that includes the often overlooked 628 CS.

Firstly, what are these cars all about? I doubt the first thing that popped into your head was straight-line speed and A to B pace. And that’s because they’re not. You don’t drive an E24 like your balls are on fire all the time, right? No, for 95% of the time you just enjoy cruising around in something cool and characterful. An E24 is about the retro, shark-nose ‘80s look; the aural delights of the solid big six; the imperious, refined yet satisfyingly involving driving experience.

And all of these attributes can be found in just as pure – if not as strong – a form in the 628 CS. Sure, the looks aren’t quite as flash and brash as a Highline, the performance of the 2.8-litre isn’t quite as strong as the 3.5-litre, and the driving experience isn’t quite so muscular as a result. But you could argue that these trade-offs are either not big enough for most to even notice, or are countered with desirable traits that the bigger-engined car doesn’t have.

For instance, those looks. Shorn of spoilers and sporting more diminutive wheels, this particular 628 is very different in character to most 635s, which sport chin spoilers, boot spoilers and bigger, fancier cross-spokes. With a simpler and less imposing look, you could even say it’s more in keeping with, and more similar to, its predecessor the E9. The performance drop, really, is nothing to harbour feelings of inadequacy about, either. Sure it doesn’t feel so potent, but it’s certainly not a couple of leagues lower, and you might find yourself getting a few extra miles out of a tank.

The character remains largely intact, too. There’s a slightly more comfort-orientated bent to the 628, depending on what example you choose or, as will more likely be the case, are able to find. Or you could be lucky and find a 628 with the gas-filled shock absorbers, stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars which were available as no-cost option on the model, as well as the Recaros of the 635, so you would have a 635 in all but engine. But maybe you want a more comfy E24…

Thanks to Dan at Creeksea Classics (www.creekseaclassics.com) and Jonathan at Avantgarde (www.avantgardecars.co.uk) for the loan of their cars

To read more about the E24 see the October 2011 issue of Total BMW. Available to buy here.

Back issues available here