What is the difference between BMW 3. CS and 3. CSi?
The 3. CS has a 9. W (180 hp) at 6000 rpm. The 3. CSi has a 9. Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, and produces 149 kW (200 hp) at 5500 rpm. Transmission options were a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. In 1971, BMW introduced the 3. CS and 3. CSI models, both having a 3 litre, inline 6, single overhead cam engine. The difference being that the 3. CS had carburetors and produced 180 horsepower while the 3. CSI was fuel injected and produced 200 horsepower (hence the “I” in the name CSI).
How many 3. CSi were made?
It is believed that only 7,935 examples of the CSi were produced through a production run that spanned 1971 to 1975. As such, this 3. CSi presents a unique opportunity to purchase a sought-after Euro-spec example. That model, called the E9 series, was designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister and began as a 2. CS in 1968. The subsequent 3. CS and 3. CSi, made from 1971 through 1975, have since become quite collectible.