Before the M3 became the touring car legend, BMW had another weapon doing battle on Europe’s circuits. This 1986 BMW 635CSi Group A is one of around 10 Works cars built by Schnitzer Motorsport, and one with a serious racing CV. Its biggest achievement came at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where Dieter Quester, Thierry Tassin and Altfrid Heger took it from ninth on the grid to victory.
The car also scored three further podium finishes in the 1986 European Touring Car Championship, with a remarkable roll call of drivers behind the wheel. Roberto Ravaglia, Gerhard Berger and Emanuele Pirro all raced the 635CSi, alongside Quester, Tassin, Heger and Otto Rensing.
It remains in its unmistakable Genuine BMW Parts livery and has recently returned to the track at Spa Classic and Monza Revival. An FIA Historic Technical Passport makes it eligible for a range of historic touring car series.
This iconic 1986 BMW 635CSi Group A will feature as part of RM Sotheby’s Munich Auction held on 20th November 2026. Photos © Federico Vecchio / RM Sotheby's