Rowan's E24 aka The Maroon Princess

[Cab 148]

Another new car added to the garage. 1989 635csi Highline. Here's a few pics for now..

[Allanw 1072]

WOW!

[kiwi535 538]

That E24 looks awesome still.The e34 doesnt look so bad either!

Edited December 4, 2013 by kiwi535

[Phil-540i 166]

Ditto what he said!!!!^^^^^^^^ Sweeeeeet units - more pics / info on both...............

Those are those super rare rims ae?? Like, 'sell first born, arm, leg , adjust mortgage, & crawl across a mile of broken glass to get them', rims............

Kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit. It just fascinates me stuff like this, that theres so much of it out there in such mint condition, still being found & still being loved by the guys that get them. Whether its a mint little E30, or cars like these 2 - some of it's just better than when it was new in someways - nice!!

Edited December 4, 2013 by Blue-540i

[euroriffic 612]

Man that looks mint! Love it!!

[ssbmw 223]

She's my old car- I owned her from 2000 -2002. It was my dream car since I first saw a 635csi in 1982.

I know a lot about this car - it was imported by a lady called Helen Clark (not the one we know of) from Hamilton in the mid-90's. It's had a lot of money spent on it.

I only drove it about 8-9000 k's in 2 years but it was my pride and enjoy until I had an opportunity to buy a M635csi which proved to be a totally different car!

Well done - I think you are the third owner since my ownership. PM me if you want to know further about the car. It is one of about 6 Highline's in NZ but the only one in that hue.

Enjoy it- she is a special car!

[Cab 148]

She's my old car- I owned her from 2000 -2002. It was my dream car since I first saw a 635csi in 1982.

I know a lot about this car - it was imported by a lady called Helen Clark (not the one we know of) from Hamilton in the mid-90's. It's had a lot of money spent on it.

I only drove it about 8-9000 k's in 2 years but it was my pride and enjoy until I had an opportunity to buy a M635csi which proved to be a totally different car!

Well done - I think you are the third owner since my ownership. PM me if you want to know further about the car. It is one of about 6 Highline's in NZ but the only one in that hue.

Enjoy it- she is a special car!

Awesome! Thanks for the info!

[qube 3570]

think i saw this in ponsonby a month or so back.

should get brents "66635" personalised plate for it

really like the e34 too looks amazing

[Apex 693]

Beautiful car. Nice work on the purchase.

[CSET 592]

Beautiful!! Dream car right here.. great purchase!

[KillerX 40]

Beautiful, Heaven on wheels

[Eagle 1679]

E24's like this one remind me that no modern BMW can ever really come close to the style and presence of a classic like this.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2136]

Very nice, have never driven a 6 series, defiantly looking forward to the day I do!!

now you have the problem which toy to take out, the soft top or the cruiser!

[Apex 693]

E24's like this one remind me that no modern BMW can ever really come close to the style and presence of a classic like this.

Yep, totally agree... makes even the E34 next to it look poo.

[Eagle 1679]

I think poo is bit of overstatement, i mean its not like its a Renault next to it

[CSET 592]

Ooooh. Popcorn time!

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[Phil-540i 166]

I think poo is bit of overstatement, i mean its not like its a Renault next to it

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeautiful!!!!! :lol: I'm @ the popcorn stand too - brilliant!!

[ssbmw 223]

Hi mate,

I am curious - (and I have forgotten)- what's the colour called ? Burgundy?

When I bought the old girl she had done 83,000 miles. Everything was original except for the radio. I recall it had a HUGE folder of receipts and paperwork from its first owner - from memory a director of Laura Ashley in the UK.

Paul Curran (ex car-dealer at Clarks on Stanley st) brought it in to NZ and sold it to Helen Clark of Hamilton. At some point it went back to Paul - he owned it whilst living on Waiheke.

In late 99 I was living in Sydney and contacted Paul to track down the best 635csi he could find. 8-9 months later after looking at around 10 (including a 1983 identical coloured burgundy example) Paul told me he had found me the 'best 635csi' in NZ. I was doubtful when I saw the colour but I soon fell in love with it - and the condition it was in was simply outstanding. It had the original metric wheels back then which soon proved to be a nightmare sourcing rubber for- I recall once spending $700 for a tyre!

Had no problems with the car during my ownership except for some minor suspension issues . I truly loved this car and during this time in my life spent hours every week grooming it.

I sold it after I once took a M635csi out for a drive - I knew I had to get one. So I sold it, bought a 535is and 'hung in the weeds' until a M6 popped up (and one did pop up 6 months later).

I sold your 6 to Oracle ex-sailor Graham Fleury who I say conservatively would have easily have spent 25k + on that car - adding staggered Style 5's (think $4k back in those days), had the car re-painted, had the interior re-trimmed at Retro, had the suspension done completely - including new springs / shocks, added a customised exhaust, chipped the engine, over-hauled the auto gear-box, etc. Graham said it was putting 240 bhp post-chip.

He loved the car too - it certainly seems to have had some passionate owners. It was then sold at Giltraps around 5 years ago for $27k. The subsequent owner resided very close to a friend of mine in Mt Eden who saw it regularly.

It was one of the few ex UK Highlines imported into NZ. From memory, there are two grey examples, a red one, and 2 black I know of. One popped up a few years ago for sale in Christchurch, and had very low miles but had encountered some minor damage whilst in storage due to the quakes.

I have a close friend who has a beautiful black 88 highline. It is his pride and enjoy and is in marvellous condition too. Like me, it was his favourite car growing up.

The NZ examples (88 / 89's) despite having the revised bumpers were called 'Half-lines' - identical to the Aussie spec examples in that they didn't have the leather dashboard. There are a similar number of NZ examples floating around too.

I have some wonderful memories driving your car. It certainly caught people's attention back then too!

[Cab 148]

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you so much for all this information! Sounds like its been in some good hands. Thanks again

[qube 3570]

So much history in this car. Good to see it's been well documented/acknowledged. Another great owner so no doubt it will stay in it's prime condition!

[Phil-540i 166]

Ditto what Kyu said - stories like this are just great..................awesome!!

[scott_e30 8]

wow. Loving that color also.

[Cab 148]

Thanks guys. Me and some mates got some really good photos which i'll put up in the next couple of days. One thing I will be doing next is getting a euro plate ordered ex Germany. Not government issue but I don't care, looks the part. Not a fan of the basic style ones especially on euros.

[Cab 148]

Ordered this last night. Hopefully will arrive by xmas

[BM WORLD 1286]

^{should have got this}

^{http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/personalised-plates/auction-672951101.htm}