BMW E24
| BMW 6-Series (E24) | |
|---|---|
BMW 633 CSi
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1976–1989 86,216 built |
| Assembly |
Dingolfing, West Germany Rheine, West Germany |
| Designer |
Paul Bracq Manfred Rennen |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.8−3.5 L six-cylinder petrol |
| Transmission |
Manual 4-speed 5-speed Automatic 3-speed 4-speed |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,626 mm (103.4 in) |
| Length | 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,923 mm (193.8 in) (US bumpers) |
| Width | 1,725 mm (67.9 in) |
| Height | 1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,354 mm (53.3 in) (M6) |
| Curb weight | 1,450 kg (3,200 lb) 1,583 kg (3,490 lb) (L6) 1,619 kg (3,569 lb) (M6) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | BMW E9 |
| Successor | BMW E63 |
The BMW E24 is the first generation of BMW 6 Series grand tourer coupes and was produced by from 1976 to 1988. It replaced the E9 coupes and was replaced, after a 16-year hiatus, in 2004 by the E63 6 Series. Aside from the M635csi/M6 models, the E24 was powered by a range of M30 straight-6 engines.
The E24 M635csi (called the M6 in the USA and Japan) is considered the start of the M6 model line. In most markets, the M635csi is powered by the M88 straight-6. In the USA and Japan, the M6 is powered by the less powerful S38 straight-6 engine.
Although the E31 8 Series was released as production of the E24 was ending, the 8 Series is considered a separate model line and therefore not a successor to the E24.
The initial proposal for the E24 was a based on a BMW E9 3.0 CS with an increased height, in order to make it easier for customers to get into the car. However, Bob Lutz rejected the proposal, eventually leading to the shape of the E24 in its production form. Production started in March 1976 with two models: the 630 CS and 633 CSi. Originally the bodies were manufactured by Karmann, but production was later taken in-house to BMW.
In July 1978 a more powerful variant, the 635 CSi, was introduced (for the time being not available in North America and Japan) that featured as standard a special close-ratio 5-speed gearbox and a single piece black rear spoiler. The bigger bore and shorter stroke facilitated max 218 hp at 5200rpm and a better torque curve. For the first year, the 635 CSi was offered in three colors (Polaris, Henna Red, Graphite), and could also be spotted by the front air dam that did not have attached fog lights. These simple cosmetic changes reportedly worked to reduce uplift on the car at high speeds by almost 15% over the non-spoiler body shape. This early model shared suspension components with the inaugural BMW 5-series, the E12.
In 1979 the carburetted 630 CS was replaced with the 628 CSi; this car had a fuel injected 2.8L engine taken from the BMW 528i.
In 1980 the 635 CSi gained the central locking system that is also controlled from the trunk. Also, the E24 body style converted from L-jetronic injection to a Bosch Motronic DME.
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