This note is slightly tangential to the preceding discussion. However please bear with me.
I have recently approached BMW (
[email protected]) for details of the date of manufacture etc of my car (RHD City Pack CSL). BMW replied -
'Thank you for your email. For the BMW 3.0 CSL we are somewhat restrictive with information, because these cars are often subject of falsification.
Before we can tell you anything about it, we need some pictures, so we can check if it's an original CSL.
Therefore I would ask you to send us photos of the car as well as pictures of the numbers on engine, chassis and manufacturer's plate (sending these pictures by email would be o.k.).
I will show them to our experts and as soon as they agree, I will tell you what's in the delivery book.'
The car is currently undergoing a full restoration and the engine is away with a specialist for attention. I am not immediately able to supply a photo of the engine number but I know it matches the chassis number.
I therefore sent photos of the shell, the VIN plate and the number on the bulkhead together with a photo of the registration document showing that I have owned the car since 1982.
BMW replied again -
'I’m afraid I have to wait for a picture of the engine number too. We have quite strict rules regarding these rare and expensive cars. There are just too many faked ones on the road and there’s a lot of money involved.'
Many thanks for your understanding.
I replied -
'I will do what I can to obtain a photo of the engine number from the people who are re- building my engine (they are situated 300km away).
I can tell you that the engine number matches the chassis number, as shown on the registration document.
I have owned the car for 36 years and I am in no doubt that the car is a genuine CSL.
However what would you say if the engine did not have a matching number?
Surely you cannot say that cars with replacement M30 engines are not genuine?
I will be in touch when I have the photographic evidence you require.
I have not had any subsequent response and I will try again when my engine specialist provides the required photo.
Does BMW imply that a car without a matching engine is in some way not genuine?
I would be interested in the views of Members.
Cheers
Marco54