1986 BMW 635CSi

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys The Munich Auction event, 20 November 2026.
500,000 - 700,000 EUR

• Winner of the 1986 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps; scored three further podium finishes in that seasons European Touring Car Championship
• One of circa 10 Works cars built; entered by famed race team Schnitzer Motorsport
• Driven in period by Roberto Ravaglia, Dieter Quester, Emanuele Pirro, Gerhard Berger, Otto Rensing, Thierry Tassin, and Altfrid Heger
• Presented in its iconic period Genuine BMW Parts livery
• Eligible for leading historic touring car series; recently campaigned at the Spa Classic and Monza Revival
• Offered with an FIA Historic Technical Passport, Schnitzer Motorsport Archive timing sheets and engineering notes, plus invoices documenting over 250,000 of recent work

Among approximately 80 examples of the BMW 635CSi prepared in period for Group A competition, very few carry the historical weight of chassis number E24 RA2-79 offered here. Built and campaigned by famed race team Schnitzer Motorsport, this car is one of a reported 10 Works machines and also claimed victory in the 1986 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

That final of three wins in the Belgian enduro for the 635CSi model was arguably the most significant. This very car climbed from 9th on the grid to vanquish fierce competition from rival marques Ford, Volvo, and Rover, only months prior to the introduction of the E30-generation M3.

The list of drivers who took the wheel of E24 RA2-79 include Gerhard Berger (10-time Formula 1 race winner), Emanuele Pirro (five 24 Hour of Le Mans victories), Roberto Ravaglia (scored two podiums aboard this car to chalk the first of two European Touring Car Championship titles), and the Spa-Francorchamps-winning crew of Dieter Quester, Thierry Tassin, and Altfrid Heger.

After nine ETCC appearances in 1986 beautifully documented by Schnitzer Motorsport Archive timing sheets, engineering notes, and setup pages this car ended its affiliation with the Works team following a failure to finish a 1000-kilometre race at Bathurst, Australia. It was subsequently bought by privateer Yvan Tapy and purchased by the consigning owner in June 2017.

The BMW was restored, maintained, and race prepared by Graber Sportgarage of Toffen, Switzerland between 2017 and 2024 before Pastrolli Classic Cars in Maranello, Italy completed an engine rebuild and fitment of a new clutch in late 2025. Invoices on file for the combined work exceed 250,000. Please note, the car is currently fitted with a correct-type replacement engine but is accompanied by its original unit.

The 635CSi presents in its unmistakable, period-correct Genuine BMW Parts livery and has recently competed at the Spa Classic and Monza Revival. Supplied with an FIA Historic Technical Passport valid until the end of 2026, this most special of Group A racers boasts astonishing provenance and is eligible for a variety of historic motorsport series.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu26/.