Abandoned BMW M6 Gets Its First Wash in 25 Years – You Won’t Believe the Transformation!

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:59:34 +1300

A Forgotten Beast in the Dust
In the corner of a crumbling garage, under layers of dust, bird droppings, spider webs, and time, sat an automotive icon long forgotten — a 1987 BMW M6, untouched for nearly 25 years. Its paint was dull, its interior looked like a haunted time capsule, and mold had claimed every inch of the leather. But beneath that decay? A rare German masterpiece, just waiting to shine again.

What followed was one of the most satisfying car wash transformations you’ll ever see — and a tribute to the timeless build quality of BMW’s M division.

The Story Behind the Find
The M6 wasn’t just any BMW — this was the E24 M6, one of the original Autobahn cruisers. Back in its day, it was one of the fastest road cars in the world, powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5L inline-6 (S38 engine) producing 256 horsepower (US spec) and capable of pushing over 250 km/h.

This particular M6 had been sitting since the late ‘90s, when its original owner moved overseas and left it behind in a locked garage in Dunedin, New Zealand. Decades passed. The car slowly turned into a museum of neglect—but crucially, it remained dry, sheltered, and complete.

The First Wash in a Quarter Century
We began with a visual inspection—and let’s just say, it looked like a car-shaped barnacle. The paint was invisible under grime, the wheels were crusted with brake dust, and the interior smelled like a mixture of mildew, old leather, and... time travel.

But the magic began with a simple foam cannon.

Step 1: Pre-Wash Foam
We soaked the entire body in thick snow foam to loosen decades of dirt. Within minutes, brown water began sliding off, revealing the original Zinnoberrot Red paint underneath.

Step 2: Pressure Wash Rinse
Using gentle pressure, we peeled away the grime layer by layer. The chrome bumpers began to gleam. The kidney grilles reappeared. The M6 badge stood proud again.

Step 3: Two-Bucket Hand Wash
With soft microfiber mitts and a pH-balanced shampoo, we worked panel by panel. We didn’t want to damage the aged clear coat—but surprisingly, the paint held up well.

Step 4: Wheel Revival
The original BBS-style wheels were coated in brake dust and algae. We used an iron remover and soft brushes to bring back their shine. Underneath: no rust, just beauty waiting to be uncovered.

Inside: The Time Capsule Clean
If the outside was bad, the interior was worse. Mold on the headliner, green fuzz on the seats, and cracked dashboard surfaces told the story of 25 lost years.

But we went in carefully:

🧼 Leather treatment & deep clean
🍃 Ozone treatment for odor removal
🧹 Detailing every vent, button, and trim piece
🧽 Steam-cleaning the carpets

Hours later, the interior began to smell like BMW again—rich leather, aged wood, and mechanical excellence.

The Transformation
After a full paint correction, polish, and ceramic seal, the BMW M6 looked like it had jumped forward in time. The red paint now shimmered in the sun. The chrome trim glinted. The M badge was reborn.

And under the hood? The engine bay cleaned up surprisingly well. The S38 engine looked eager to breathe again—though a mechanical inspection and fuel system flush are next on the list.

Why the M6 Still Matters
The E24 M6 represents the first generation of the M grand tourer legacy. Hand-built by BMW Motorsport, it had everything that made the '80s cool: boxy aggression, analog feel, rear-wheel drive, and no driver assists. It was elegant, brutal, and uncompromising.

Today, clean examples can fetch $80,000–$150,000 NZD, depending on mileage and condition. But an original, numbers-matching, untouched barn find like this? It’s priceless.