When was the 3.0 CS introduced to the USA

[Wobdog]

Recently talking with the original owner of my 1971 2800CS, Ron Wakefiled, I asked him why he did not purchase a 3.0 originally (he did have several 3.0 after my car) vs getting the 2800CS. He told me the 3.0 was not available in the US until 1973

This chart I found indicates 192 manual and automatic 3.0 were made for the US market. Is this table correct or is Ron correct?

Production numbers for BMW E9 by model and year[23]​
Model/year​	1968​	1969​	1970​	1971​	1972​	1973​	1974​	1975​	Total​
2800 CS USA		43	415	183					641
2800 CSA USA		36	403	87					526
3.0 CS USA				132	411	450	375		1368
3.0 CSA USA				60	377	314	438		1189

 

[Norm!]

Unfortunately Ron’s memory appears to be slipping. The chart you found is correct relative to the model years for the US CS.

 

[Wobdog]

Norm
That makes sence my car was manufactured on October 1st 1970 and delivered on October 19th 1970 to the BMW importer Hoffman Motors Corp. The 2800CS was replaced by the 3.0 CS in 1971 so even though mine is a 1971 it was produced in 1970 and the 3.0CS proably did not make it to the US untill the summer of 1971?

PS I will not tell Ron he is wrong



Mike

 

[Norm!]

Others more knowledgable than me can probably chime in on the transition date between the 2800 and 3.0, but just as today, it was normal for fall production to be part of the next model year. My 73 3.0 was built in the fall of 72.

 

[rsporsche]

my '71 2800cs was built on Feb 26, 1971 - VIN 2280487

my understanding is that the 3.0 CS was started in the late summer of '71

 

[BMW Pete]

In my crystal ball, I look back and I can see the salesman saying to Ron "yeah, shame but the 3.0 is not out until next year for model year 73" ......Just a guess

2800 is still a great car - because what do we love most......how stunningly beautiful it is

 

[Wobdog]

And Ron got the last laugh. He wrote a not so flattering article, reveiw of his ownership, about my car in the July 1973 editon of Road and track. He then sold it and bought a 3.0CS. Good news is the second owner got most everything sorted before I aquired it.