Time has greatly reduced the numbers of good 635s on the road. With rust being the biggest enemy of these cars, sadly, too many of the surviving models have had shoddy restorative work with expensive horrors still lurking not far beneath the spoilers and body mouldings.

This fantastic example of the increasingly rare E24 has just undergone extensive bodywork restoration with all signs of rot cut-out and replaced with new metalwork, including:

• new sills
• refabricated wheel arches
• wings and inners removed and treated
• removal and replacement of metalwork around the indicators
• new metal fabrication around windscreen and backlight frames
• windows-out full respray in the original Royal Blue colour scheme
• full engine service including oil flush (not just drain & fill), coolant flush, new thermostat, new spark plugs etc.
• brake service and new pads
• steering gear overhauled and new centre and outer tie-rods fitted
• sunroof, window and door mirror electric motors overhauled and fully working
• seat electric motors and controls overhauled and fully working
• seats renovated and leather recolonised bringing it back to full Highline specification in Lotus White

This ‘6’ drives superbly. Handling is sharp and responsive with no knocks or rattles. Brakes are firm. The straight-six M30 power unit runs well, comfortably taking the miles in its stride but ready to deliver an impressive grunt when needed.

Being a Highline model, the cabin is swathed in luxury soft-hide leather. These cars were designed with ergonomics at the top of the list: all the controls and umpteen gauges falling immediately to hand from the low-slung sporty driving position. All the electrics are in working order and a new radio has been fitted.

As well as the recent restorative works, this car has been well maintained throughout its life as evidenced by its massive history file. The sale also includes private registration plate ‘RIL 6351’ and the original metric alloy wheels complete with TRX tyres (the car currently running on lower maintenance 16” BMW E39 wheels).

This is a truly excellent rust-free example of BMW’s flagship GT car which offers comfortable, fast and great value classic motoring for years to come.