Pick of the Day: Fast, attractive 1988 BMW M6 sports coupe

I have always had a warm spot in my heart for the E24 BMW 6-series coupes. When they were new, my dad had one for a bit, and I thought it was a fantastic automotive design.

One day when my parents were elsewhere, I took it out with my best friend and decided to see what it could do. I had just gotten my license and that ride ended with me getting my week-old driver’s license suspended. Despite that, I love these cars.

Of all the first-generation 6-series models, the best by far is the M6. Sharing the same engine with the exotic M1, the M6 is an elegant and highly capable performance GT that in the past few years has become a desirable collector car. Although, they seem somehow to trail the E30 M3 in value, which makes no sense to me whatsoever.

These days,, people not in tune with BMW history have forgotten that when new, the M6 was considered by car magazines such as Road & Track to rank as an exotic car. The M6 is capable of 0-60 times of 6.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 156 mph, rumor has it that the car can top out at more than 170 mph. 

At the time, these figures were were exceptional. The Ferrari 328, a car with two less seats that sold for more money than the M6 both then and now, covers 0-60 in only three-tenths of a second faster and has a lower top speed.

The Pick of the Day is a 1988 BMW M6 that has been in California all its life with just four owners from when it was first sold new in Van Nuys in February 1987, according to the Costa Mesa, California, dealer advertising the coupe on ClassicCars.com. Total mileage is 77,549.

The BMW glows in its original Cinnabar (Red) paint with a Lotus White leather interior.  Recent service work, according to the dealer, includes a new clutch 4,000 miles ago, all new struts and bushings, new catalytic converters, a new AC compressor and an engine tuneup. An original front spoiler sourced from the BMW factory was installed, the seller adds.

This M6 comes with all its factory tools, books, and an extensive service history file, the seller notes.

 The asking price for this M6 is $39,950, which if this car measures up to being as original and well-kept as described, represents a whole lot of classic BMW for the money. In all likelihood, you would pay considerably more for an E30 M3, and only get half as much car.

This would be the perfect classic for avoiding flying when traveling across the country. Just be careful that you don’t suffer the same fate I did on my first drive.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.