86 TradeUniqueCars.com.auPERFORMANCETRIO
OVERALL RESULTS
E9 CSI: Considering this car is around
10-plus years older the M6 and Alpina
when we talk about build dates, specs
and technology available, the mods
meant it certainly held its own in this
performance testing.
Being the only carburettor car in the
f leet it has to been driven in a different
manner to stay in touch with the newer
M6 and Alpina. It’s limited in its power
delivery with no power gain after
5000rpm, but the engine note that this
beautiful car makes is music to the ears
and it’s intoxicating no matter where it is
in its rev range.
Overall handing was surprisingly
good for a car of this vintage, but
not to the level of the newer M6 and
Alpina. When pushed hard it did have
a tendency to have some body roll and
understeer. The initial steering input
with the CSi is vague to say the least
with some play in the steering rack,
but once the steering engaged it would
turn. However if you asked too much
of it, then understeer would rear its
head again. But, with a slight change in
driver technique you could maximise
the overall handling and performance
from this car and negate the understeer
issues.
The CSI brakes were on point for a
car of this age. Only towards the end
of our performance test did they show
signs of fade but even when you may
have pushed past your braking marker
it would still pull up well considering.
The pedal had a good consistent feel
and only showed signs of a long pedal
nearing the very end of the run.Clutch and Gearbox is not the easiest
combination I have used, but when you
become accustomed to what it likes it is
pretty easy to adjust to. It’s a reasonably
heav y clutch pedal but has a nice point
of release and the gear selection isn’t
that smooth or direct when selecting
gears when it’s not warmed up. Once
warm it becomes more user friendly and
direct.
Overall, it was a pleasure to drive and
unique in its own right. It performed
well when driven with vigour and would
have been a standout car in its time, a
sports car that ticks all the boxes!
The inside layout is of its era and basic
in how it works, but very functional. The
seats are comfortable considering, but
you also know you’re in 70s sports car.
When cruising, this car is a pleasure
to drive and you could comfortably do it“THE ENGINE NOTE THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL CAR MAKES
IS MUSIC TO THE EARS AND IT’S INTOXICATING NO MATTER
WHERE IT IS IN ITS THE REV RANGE”
RIGHT Superbly
preserved cabin of
the CSI.BELOW The CSI
looks as good as
when it rolled out of
the Munich factory.
in 1976.