6 Series (E24) BMW 6 Series (E24)


The BMW E24 is the first generation of the 6 Series range. Body style: 2-door coupé. Predecessor: BMW E9. Successor: BMW 6 Series E63. Production: 1976-1989.

Rainer271

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BMW History: the First 6 Series, the E24
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With a few records set back in the 80s still standing, the 6 Series is today a whole different breed compared to the original car. That’s probably why BMW took the time to put together a short clip about it, inviting one of the people that was directly involved in its production to step in front of the camera and tell a thing or two.

The person who accepted their invitation was Armin Gollob, former designer for the BMW Group’s exterior components, in a time when every car looked different and had its own parts.

With production starting in 1976, the 6 Series was kept on the assembly lines up until 1989, therefore becoming the model with the longest production span in the near 100-year long history of the Bavarians.

It was designed by Paul Bracque after a rough sketch was done by Bob Lutz, in an attempt to keep the Coupe alive, after the management was thinking of sacking it. Initially, the body of the cars used to be made by Karmann but later on, to cut costs, BMW started manufacturing it in-house. However, early models have unique bodies made by the famous coach-builder.

Its history is rather controversial but the 6 Series was and will forever remain a special model in BMW’s lineage. That’s because it was always fitted with inline 6-cylinder units that used to make at least 180 HP, plenty for any taste.

Unfortunately, the original was pulled in 1989 and wasn’t revived until 14 years later, in 2003, when the E63/64 models were introduced, under the supervision of Chris Bangle. Time has passed and today, we’re looking at the third 6 Series iteration, under the codename F12/F13 and F06 which points to the Gran Coupe model, an extension of the original concept. It’s funny how things change over time.

The original though, could be considered a pioneer in the field of on-board computers as it was the first BMW fitted with an early version of iDrive. Well, that’s a far stretch, to put it mildly. We’ll let Armin explain it to you!

BMW History: the First 6 Series, the E24
 
I found this interesting dutch video on the introduction of the M635csi by Nelson Piquet in the 80's. It was a wonderful performance car and still is in my eyes one of the finest looking coupes of all time.

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Also below is some more interesting history on the different models in the E24 6-series range.

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the BMW 6 Series

"the E24"
REPORT BY bmwfirst.com Editor

The BMW 6 (codenamed the E24) appeared in 1976, borrowing much of its design and mechanics from the upcoming E23 7 series and provided a much-needed replacement for its predecessor, the E9 30CS/i Coupe. Most of the first models were produced at Karmann's Osnabruck plant before production was brought under the BMW roof a year later. The new Coupe, whose models were aptly marked 'CS' (standing for 'Coupe Sport') were available primarily in two models. You could have a 3.0 litre single carburetor model, the 630CS, or you could opt for vastly more grunt with fuel injection and a bigger 3.3 litre engine in the 633 CSi.

The 633Csi was a more spacious, luxurious example of the sporting archetype than the 630CS, also introducing a handy innovation replicated throughout today's modern cars. This new feature was Check Control, a status-reporting system which allowed the driver to check brake fluid, windscreen washer and oil levels with a push of the 'TEST' button, the system also reported failures in brake lights and lining. The 6s also debuted with the first on-board computer and a (now commonplace) service interval indicator.

In 1978, the 635CSi joined the line-up and in 1979, the entry-level 628CSi tempted buyers into the driver's seat of a six.

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In 1983, at the Frankfurt show, the defining 6 series achievement was heralded with the introduction of the M635CSi. This high-performance six boasted the same award-winning M-power engine which propelled the fabulously fast BMW M1, with 6 cylinders and 4 valves for each, totaling a capacity of 3453cc. The 'M6' became one of the fastest cars on the market, encompassing 0-60mph (0-100km/h) in a cool 6.4 seconds (Some sources have stated that time as low as 6.0 seconds). A number of additions to the M635CSi's design 'toughed her up' with respect to the 635CSi. BMW served up stiffened suspension appropriated by Bilstein shocks, more resilient anti-roll bars and stiffer springs. The brakes sported 300mm ventilated discs, and to tolerate 286bhp, a stronger clutch and gearbox was fitted. The M6 only appeared as a manual, with limited slip differential as standard.

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M markings on both front and rear of the M635CSi. (Left) BMW trademark front double kidney grille accompanied by a discreet 'M' and (Right) 'M' logo fixed above the right tail-light.


All 6s undertook minor facelifts in mid-1987, only for the 628CSi to be discontinued in 1988. As it happened, the 'M6' represented the last major addition to the 6 series which was discontinued in 1989, in favour of a new 8 series. The last car rolled of the assembly line in on April 6, 1989 after a production effort of 80,361 units over a decade and a half.

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The M6 (M635CSi) accompanied by the M1 from which its highly developed and powerful M-Power engine is derived.
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This guy owns a pristine Euro spec M635csi, what a lovely car. You need to turn the volume up on the video to hear that beautiful 6 cylinder engine sound at its best.

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I remember seeing a lightgreen metallic BMW 633 CSI for the first time. Must have been in 1976 or 1977. It belonged to a friends father and he drove up to us, opened the power window and I thought: "Captain James T. Kirk couldn't have a nicer and more impressive machine than this one". To me at that time, this car was from another world :-)
 
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The thing that amazes me if that the current 6 series still has the same presence and shark nose as the wonderful car of this time
Really? I can't see any sharklike nose in the current 6er. Typical sharknose is, when the upperside of the kidneys and bonnet "lean" forward, as seen in the E24 6er en the E12 5er. The current 6er they lean back.
 
Me too buddy I love these 6 series models they are such a classic, out of all the earlier shark nose BMWs this car I lust after the most. Love to own a 635csi or even more so the very rare M635csi!
 

BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)

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