1981 - First title with a 635 CSi
BMW factory support went to the Swiss team Eggenberger Motorsport who prepared a 635 CSi Gr2 to be driven by German Helmut Kelleners and Italys Umberto Grano, in some races also Venezuelan Alberto "Johnny" Cecotto helped the team behind the steering wheel.
This team won 5 of 8 rounds and also won the drivers title of the European Touring Car Championship this year.
Final drivers standing ETCC 1981, top 3
| No | Team | Car | Drivers | Points |
| 1 |
Eggenberger Motorsport BMW Italia |
BMW 635 CSi Gr2 |
Umberto Grano (I) Helmut Kelleners (D) Johnny Cecotto (VZ) |
123 |
| 2 | Spiess Tuning | Audi Coupé GT5S |
Willi Bergmeister (D) Jaime Sanz de Madrid (E) |
69 |
| 3 | Eggenberger Motorsport | BMW 320 |
Marco Vanoli (CH) Enzo Calderari (CH) |
53 |