BMW E24

Infobox Automobile|

name = BMW 6-series (E24)
manufacturer = BMW
production = 1976 - 1989 86,216 builtcite book |last=Oswald |first=Werner |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4|year=1. Auflage 2001 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 3-613-02131-5]
predecessor = BMW E9
successor = BMW E31
body_style = 2 door coupé
engine = 2.8L−3.5L I-6
layout=FR layout
transmission = 4 or 5 speed manual, 3 or 4 speed automatic
length = Auto mm|4755
width = Auto mm|1725
height = Auto mm|1365
weight = Auto kg|1450−Auto kg|1520
wheelbase = Auto mm|2626
track f/r = Auto mm|1422 / Auto mm|1487
fuel_capacity=
related =
similar =
designer = Paul Bracq

The BMW E24 automobile platform was the basis for the first production of BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. Replaced by the E31 chassis 8 Series coupés, 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).

Model history

The E24 was a replacement for the CS and CSL coupés first produced in 1965. 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 black rear spoiler.

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 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 or an automatic.

In Europe, 1984 saw the introduction of the M635CSi, essentially an E24 powered by the powerplant of the BMW M1 (the M88, now putting out Auto PS|286). 16" BBS 3 piece wheels and a deeper air dam completed the package. Most M635csi's were equipped with special metric 415 mm wheels requiring Michelin TRX tires.

The 1988 E24s came with ellipsoid headlamps, and were equipped with a single type of bumper. Previous cars had either a European-standard bumper or a larger, reinforced bumper to meet the US standard requiring bumpers to withstand impact at convert|5|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on without damage to safety-related components. 1989 was the last year for the E24 with production stopping in April. The replacement for the E24 was the considerably heavier and more complex BMW 8 Series.

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 [ Mike Covello: "Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1945-2002". Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8.] :
* 630CSi (MY 1977 through 1978½)
* 633CSi (MY 1978½ through 1984)
* 635CSi (MY 1985 through 1989)
* M6 (MY 1987 through 1989)

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 convert|176|hp and convert|185|ft.lbf|abbr=on 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 Convert|181|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine until 1984. In 1985 the car was renamed 635CSi, displacement was increased to 3.4 litres and horsepower increased slightly to Convert|182|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. The big difference, however, was torque. Whereas the 3.2 litre had convert|195|ft.lbf|abbr=on at 4,000 rpm, the 3.4 litre powerplant managed convert|214|ft.lbf|abbr=on 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 features list.

The US received its own M series E24 in 1987 but it was called simply M6 and due to emission regulations it came with a reduced Convert|256|hp|kW|0|abbr=on.

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 Convert|208|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and convert|225|ft.lbf|abbr=on torque. In effect, this engine was identical to the catalyzed version newly available in Germany and other markets.

Technical data BMW 628CSi-M 635CSi (E24) (except North America and Japan) cite book |last=Oswald |first=Werner |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4|year=1. Auflage 2001 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 3-613-02131-5] "(Manufacturer's figures except where stated)"

ources and further reading

External links

* [http://www.sharknose.de/damals.htm Sharknose]