Euro 1971 BMW 3.0 CSL

This 1971 BMW 3.0 CSL is one of 169 first-series examples produced and was built in November 1971. It was originally delivered to Italy and imported to the US in 1982. The car is finished in Verona over black vinyl and cloth and is powered by a 3.0-liter M30 inline-six linked with a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Equipment includes 14″ Alpina wheels, a cassette stereo, and air conditioning. Work in 2025 involved servicing the carburetors, replacing the fuel pump, and refreshing the brakes in addition to changing the tires. This E9 CSL is now offered in Brookfield, Connecticut by the selling dealer at no reserve with a BMW Classic birth certificate, 2025 invoices, and a clean Mississippi title.

The CSL was introduced at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show after being developed as a homologation model for European touring car competition. The “L” variant was distinguished from standard CS models by approximately 440 pounds of weight-saving measures, including an aluminum hood, door panels, and trunk lid as well as fixed lightweight glass, quarter windows, and thinner steel body panels compared with the standard E9.

This example came finished from the factory in Colorado (002), and the seller tells us that it was repainted in Verona (024) some time ago. Features include black CSL side strip graphics, an antenna, hood pins, black front and rear bumpers, 3.0 CS badging, and chrome wheel arch trim. The rear brake lights were repaired and fitted with replacement bulbs in January 2025. The seller notes that the right window does not wind all the way up.

The 14″ Alpina wheels were mounted with 195/70 Firestone All-Season tires in January 2025. The car was factory equipped with an independent front and rear suspension with MacPherson front struts as well as torsion anti-roll bars, Bilstein gas-pressurized dampers, and progressive-rate springs. Stopping power is provided by discs at all four corners, and a 2025 brake service consisted of replacing the master cylinder, fluid, calipers, and pads.

The cabin houses fixed-back front bucket seats and contoured rear seats trimmed in black vinyl and fabric. Interior appointments include a Realistic cassette stereo, a heated rear window, and air conditioning.

The three-spoke steering wheel was re-covered in 2025 and fronts a 250-km/h speedometer, a tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 74k kilometers (~46k miles).

The 3.0-liter M30 inline-six was factory rated at 180 horsepower and features dual carburetors. Work in January 2025 included servicing the carburetors and draining the fuel tank as well as replacing the fuel pump, hoses, and filters. The engine oil and coolant were also changed, and the seller states that parts of the exhaust have been re-welded.

Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The seller notes corrosion on the brake and suspension components.

The BMW Classic Birth Certificate lists the factory color and a production date of November 22, 1971.