BMW 6 Series (E24)

BMW 6-series (E24)

BMW M 635 CSi
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1976–1989
86,216 built[1]
Assembly Dingolfing, Germany
Predecessor BMW E9
Successor BMW E63/E64
Body style 2-door coupé
Layout FR layout
Engine 2.8L−3.5L I6
Transmission Manual
4-speed
5-speed
Automatic
3-speed
4-speed
Wheelbase 2,626 mm (103.4 in)
Length 4,755 mm (187.2 in)
4,923 mm (193.8 in) (US)
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)–1,520 kg (3,400 lb)
Designer Paul Bracq

The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars (E12, later E28).

Contents

Model history

The E24 was a replacement for the CS and CSL coupés first produced in 1965. The CS 3.0 was almost changed by adding a few centimeters in height to make it easier for customers to get into the car. However, Bob Lutz rebelled against the decision and rough drafted an alternative version that soon became the 6 series.[2] Production started in March 1976 with two models: the 630CS and 633CSi. Originally the bodies were manufactured by Karmann, but production was later taken in-house to BMW.

In July 1978 a more powerful variant, the 635CSi, 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 635CSi 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 630CS was replaced with the 628CSi; this car had a fuel injected 2.8L engine taken from the BMW 528i.

In 1980 the 635CSi 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.

In 1982 (Europe) and 1983 (US), the E24 changed slightly, with an improved interior and slightly modified exterior. At the same time, the 635CSi received a new engine, a slightly smaller-bored and longer-stroked 3430 cc six to replace the former 3453 cc engine and became available with a wide-ratio 5-speed manual or an automatic.

E24s produced after June 1987 came with new, ellipsoid headlamps which projects beam more directly onto road surface (newly introduced E32 series also sporting them).[3] The sleeker European bumpers were also discontinued. Previous cars had either a European-standard bumper or a larger, reinforced bumper to meet the US standard requiring bumpers to withstand impact at 5 mph (8 km/h) without damage to safety-related components. 1989 was the last year for the E24 with production stopping in April. The E24 was supplanted by the considerably heavier, more complex, and more exclusive E31.

M version

BMW Motorsport introduced M 635 CSi in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983. It is essentially an E24 powered by the powerplant of the BMW M1 - the M88 (286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp)). Most of the cars were equipped with special metric 415 mm diameter wheels requiring Michelin TRX tires. A catalyzed, lower compression ratio version of the car with the S38 engine (260 PS (190 kW; 260 hp)) was introduced in the U.S. in 1987. All M6 cars came standard with a 25% rear limited slip differential. U.S. models included additional comforts that were usually optional on models sold in Europe such as Nappa leather power seats and a dedicated rear A/C unit with a center beverage chiller. Car and Driver tested a U.S. M6 in July 1987 and achieved a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds, better than the BMW published 6.4 and 6.8 second times for the European and U.S. versions respectively. 4,088 M 635CSi cars were built between 1983 and 1988 with 1,767 U.S. M6 built.[4]

Models timeline

Type 1970s 1980s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
630 CS
633 CSi
630 CSi (US)
633 CSi (US)
635 CSi
628 CSi
M 635 CSi
635 CSi (US)
L6 (US)
M6 (US)

Technical data

Technical data BMW 628CSi-M 635CSi (E24) (except North America and Japan) [1] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)
BMW 628 CSi 630 CS 633 CSi 635 CSi 635 CSi M 635 CSi
Produced:  1979–1987 1976–1979 1976–1982 1978–1981 1982–1989 1983–1989
Engine:  6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted
Bore × Stroke:  86 mm × 80 mm 89 mm × 80 mm 89 mm x 86 mm 93.4 mm x 84 mm 92 mm × 86 mm 93.4 mm × 84 mm
Displacement:  2788 cc 2985 cc 3210 cc 3453 cc 3430 cc 3453 cc
Max. Power @ rpm:  184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) @ 5800 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 5800 197 PS (145 kW; 194 hp) @ 5500 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 5200 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 5200 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) @ 6500
Max. Torque @ rpm:  235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @ 4200 255 N·m (188 lb·ft) @ 3500 284 N·m (209 lb·ft) @ 4300 304 N·m (224 lb·ft) @ 4000 304 N·m (224 lb·ft) @ 4000 333 N·m (246 lb·ft) @ 4500
Compression Ratio:  9.3: 1 9.0 : 1 9.3 : 1 9.3 : 1 10.0 : 1 10.5 : 1
Fuel feed:  fuel injection
Bosch L-Jetronic		 downdraft carburetor
Pierburg 4A1		 fuel injection
Bosch L-Jetronic		 fuel injection
Bosch Motronic
Fuel tank capacity:  70 L (18.5 US gal; 15.4 imp gal)
Valvetrain:  12 valves, SOHC, duplex chain 24 valves, DOHC, duplex chain
Cooling:  Water
Gearbox:  4-speed manual, from 1979 5-speed manual (wide- or close-ratio)
on request 3-speed automatic, from 1983 4-speed automatic
rear wheel drive		 5-speed manual
rear wheel drive
Electrical system:  12 volt
Front suspension:  McPherson axle, coil springs, stabilising bar
Rear suspension::  Trailing arms, struts, coil springs, stabilising bar
Brakes:  disc brakes (Ø front 280 mm, rear 272 mm), power assisted, from MY 1984: ABS
Steering:  ZF recirculating ball steering, power assisted
Body structure:  Sheet steel, unibody construction
   
   
Dry weight:  1,450 kg (3,200 lb) 1,475 kg (3,250 lb) 1,495 kg (3,300 lb) 1,520 kg (3,400 lb) 1,470 kg (3,200 lb) 1,510 kg (3,300 lb)
Loaded weight:  1,830 kg (4,000 lb) 1,830 kg (4,000 lb) 1,830 kg (4,000 lb) 1,860 kg (4,100 lb) 1,850 kg (4,100 lb) 1,850 kg (4,100 lb)
   
Track front/
rear: 		 1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in) 1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in) 1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in) 1,430 mm (56 in) 1,460 mm (57 in) 1,430 mm (56 in) 1,460 mm (57 in) 1,430 mm (56 in) 1,464 mm (57.6 in)
Wheelbase:  2,626 mm (103.4 in) 2,626 mm (103.4 in) 2,626 mm (103.4 in) 2,626 mm (103.4 in) 2,626 mm (103.4 in) 2,626 mm (103.4 in)
   
Length:  4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,755 mm (187.2 in) 4,755 mm (187.2 in)
Width:  1,725 mm (67.9 in) 1,725 mm (67.9 in) 1,725 mm (67.9 in) 1,725 mm (67.9 in) 1,725 mm (67.9 in) 1,725 mm (67.9 in)
Height:  1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,365 mm (53.7 in) 1,354 mm (53.3 in)
   
   
Tyre/Tire sizes:  195/70VR14 195/70VR14 195/70VR14 195/70VR14 205/70VR14 220/55VR390
or 240/45VR415
Top speed:  215 km/h (134 mph) 210 km/h (130 mph) 215 km/h (134 mph) 222 km/h (138 mph) 225 km/h (140 mph) 255 km/h (158 mph)
Fuel Consumption (estimates):  15.5 litres per 100 kilometres (18.2 mpg-imp; 15.2 mpg-US) 16.5 litres per 100 kilometres (17.1 mpg-imp; 14.3 mpg-US) 16.5 litres per 100 kilometres (17.1 mpg-imp; 14.3 mpg-US) 17.0 litres per 100 kilometres (16.6 mpg-imp; 13.8 mpg-US) 15.0 litres per 100 kilometres (18.8 mpg-imp; 15.7 mpg-US) 18.0 litres per 100 kilometres (15.7 mpg-imp; 13.1 mpg-US)

Models for North America and Japan

While in most markets several E24 versions were usually available, markets with strict emission control regulations received only a single model (except for the M6 that was later offered additionally). This meant that in North America and Japan, BMW offered the following models:[5]

In 1977, the 6er was released in the US as the 630CSi. This was a fuel-injected version of the carburetted 630CS available elsewhere. Its 3-litre engine developed 176 horsepower (131 kW) and 185 ft·lbf (251 N·m) of torque.

In mid-model year 1978 the 630CSi was replaced by the 633CSi. US/Japan specification 633CSi cars had the M30 3.2 litre 181 hp (135 kW) engine until 1984. In 1985 the car was renamed 635CSi, displacement was increased to 3.4 litres and horsepower increased slightly to 182 hp (136 kW). The big difference, however, was torque. Whereas the 3.2 litre had 195 ft·lbf (264 N·m) at 4,000 rpm, the 3.4 litre powerplant managed 214 ft·lbf (290 N·m) at 4,000 rpm.

From model year 1983, North American and Japanese versions benefitted from the technical revisions and changes to the interior introduced elsewhere in spring or summer 1982. Its chassis was now based on the E28 and no longer on the E12. The front and rear suspension was also revised. Later a self-levelling rear suspension was added to the 635 CSi and M6 features list in 1988.[5]

The US received its own M series E24 in 1987 called the M6. The S38 powerplant found in the US model had several modifications from the M88 powerplant in the European model, most notably: a double row timing chain, modified cam tray, different valve lengths, a slightly different cam profile, less elaborate exhaust manifold (rather than full headers), Bosch X5DC copper spark plugs (instead of Bosch Silver plugs on the M88) and the introduction of an oxygen sensor for the EFI. These changes coupled with the introduction of a catalytic converter for emission regulations reduced the output to 256 hp (191 kW). The US model also included a variety of options usually of which were optional on European models, to include: heated power seats, sport tuned self-levelling rear suspension, A/C cooled ice box between the rear seats, A/C vents for rear seat occupants, sunshade for rear occupants and an 8 speaker "premium" sound system.

In 1988, the US E24 was now available with the newest version of the M30, the 3.4L (first used in the E32 735i). Even though the intake manifold states 3.5 it's technically a 3.4 (3430cc) like the previous 3.4. This engine had an increased compression ratio, and updated Motronics/DME. The result was 208 hp (155 kW) and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) torque. In effect, this engine was identical to the catalyzed version newly available in Germany and other markets.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Oswald, Werner (1. Auflage 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 
  2. ^ Guts: Robert A. Lutz, Wriley and Sons, Pub. Copyright 2003. http://books.google.com/books?id=B1ht0aQ1KZoC&pg=PA22&dq=Guts:+Robert+A.+Lutz+BMW+3.0CS#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 
  3. ^ "1987 BMW 6-Series coupe | Theory | BMW E24". E-24.ru. http://www.e-24.ru/eng/theory/evolution/1987/. Retrieved 2010-11-10. 
  4. ^ "FAQ E24 M635CSi/M6". BMW M Registry. http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=5. Retrieved 2010-10-03. 
  5. ^ a b c Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publications, Iola 2002. ISBN 0-87341-605-8.

External links

Type Series 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
Small family 3 Compact E36/5 E46/5
1 Series E81 / E82 / E87 / E88 F20
Compact exec 3 Series E21 E30 E36 E46 E90 / E91 / E92 / E93 F30
Executive 5 Series E12 E28 E34 E39 E60 / E61 F10 / F11
Luxury Coupé 6 Series E24 E63 / E64 F12 / F13
Luxury 7 Series E23 E32 E38 E65 / E66 / E67 / E68 F01 / F02 / F03 / F04
Roadster Z Series E30 (Z1) E36/7 & E36/8 (Z3) E85 / E86 (Z4) E89 (Z4)
M 1 Series M Coupe E82 M
M3 E30 M3 E36 M3 E46 M3 E90/92/93 M3
M5 E28 M5 E34 M5 E39 M5 E60/61 M5 F10 M5
M6 E24 M635CSi/"M6" E63/64 M6
M Roadster E36/7 (Z3) M E85 (Z4) M
M Coupé E36/8 M Coupé E86 M Coupé
Supercar/GT E26 (M1) E31 (8 series) E52 (Z8)
Sports Activity X1 E84
X3 E83 F25
X5 E53 E70
X6 E71 / E72
Progressive Activity 5 GT F07