1988 BMW M6

While the 1980s are not regarded for its styling, there was a bright spot imported from Germany. BMW released its new 6 Series design in 1976 and was the brainchild of BMW exec Bob Lutz, who put an end to business as usual at the German automaker, sketching out the basic framework for the new modern design. Starting in 1984, the 6 Series would be offered with the BMW Motorsports division upgrades, that is if you did not reside in the United States. The U.S. market had to wait until 1987 for the M6 to arrive.

The shark-nosed M6 (Model 5514) was derived from the 2800/3.0/635CS and CSI series and was largely identical to the 635CSI but assigned the 'M' prefix by the company's Motorsport Department for marketing purposes in North America. The styling was courtesy of Paul Bracq, and the E-series M6 coupe bodyshells were built on a special line at the Karmann factory in Osnabruck, with final assembly at BMW's Dingolfing works. The E24 chassis was given the M88 engine from BMW's Pro Car, the M1, albeit slightly detuned, to power the M-badged car. Additional upgrades included the M-Tech fully independent suspension with specially-developed McPherson-type Bilstein gas-charged struts and lower control arms up front, supplemented by shorter and stiffer coil springs all around that lowered the car by about half an inch. There were larger-diameter, model-specific anti-roll bars at both ends.

The double-overhead-cam, water-cooled, 24-valve inline-six (Type S38B35) displaced 3,453cc and in catalyzed form to meet US emissions standards, it developed 256hp at 6500 rpm, slightly less than the version sold in Europe, but still capable of a top speed of 158 mph. This made the M6 BMW's the second-fastest street-legal automobile, behind the exotic M1. Power was transferred to the road via a Getrag-sourced five-speed, fully-synchronized manual transmission with an enlarged clutch and a limited-slip differential. Large disc brakes with anti-lock were concealed behind 16-inch diameter BBS three-piece honeycomb alloy wheels fitted with high-performance rubber. A narrow rear spoiler was fitted to the rear deck to help keep the car planted to the road at extra-legal speeds, and there was a deep front air dam with integral fog lamps.

Although a highly refined performance machine, the four-seat M6 coupe retained a high level of civility, with electric Nappa leather seats as standard, along with electric windows, an automatic climate-control system, rear A/C and an A/C cooled chiller between the seats. The two front Recaro-style sports seats were both heated and adjustable in eight directions. They had deep bolsters to keep the occupants firmly in place during spirited driving. The two outside rear-view mirrors were both heated and electrically adjustable, and the multi-speed windshield wipers were aided by a system that fed heated cleaning solution to the blades. All that luxury and power came with a stiff price tag, reaching nearly sixty thousand dollars. Although factory production numbers tend to vary, it is believed that only 1,767 M6 models were built for the North American market, and of those, about 135 were sent to Canada. Model 5514 production spanned November 1986 through September 1988.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: WBAEE1417J2560911

Paul Bracq was tasked with designing the E24 6-Series coupe and it remains one of the most charismatic of modern BMW designs. In 1983, the ultimate M635CSi speciation was introduced with the touch of BMW's 'M' (Motorsport) division and given a wet-sump version of the M1's 3.5-liter dual overhead cam six-cylinder engine. The M635CSi was introduced in 1983 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and has become more commonly known as the 'M6'. It was produced in five distinct variations depending upon the destination market. The cars destined for the North American market (Model 5514) were emission compliant with the S38 engine offering 256 horsepower.

Production of the M5 spanned November 1986 through September 1988. The body shells were built by Karmann at Osnabruck, Germany, with the cars completed at BMW's Dingolfing Works.

Other mechanical improvements bestowed upon the M6 were a front air dam, sport suspension, limited-slip differential, and Michelin TRX tires on alloy wheels. Options included power front seats, rear air-conditioning, and a central beverage chiller.

The M6 was capable of racing from zero-to-sixty in just 6.4 seconds with the top speed in the neighborhood of 160 mph.

This particular example is one of just 1,600 examples produced for the United States market from November 1986 through September 1988. It was sold net to an oral surgeon in Knoxville, Tennessee, who retained it until August of 1993. The next owner was a Colorado-based BMW collector who purchased the car with just 19,058 miles on the odometer.

This M6 has its tool kit, original handbook, owner's manual, warranty card, brochures, a BMW cassette head cleaner, a flashlight, and a BMW Motorsport umbrella.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: WBAEE1418J2561405

This Paul Bracq-designed E24 6-Series coupe is one of 1,632 built examples to U.S. specification. It is finished in cinnabar red with a natural Nappa Highline (beige) leather interior. Performance features included a front air dam, sport suspension, limited-slip differential, and Michelin TRX Metric tires on alloy wheels. Options included power front seats, rear air conditioning, and even a beverage cooler. There is air conditioning, power windows, heated front bucket seats, and BBS Metric wheels mounted with Michelin radial tires. Zero-to-sixty mph takes just 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of nearly 160 MPH. The engine is a 3.5-liter overhead valve inline 6-cylinder unit with 256 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque backed by a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission.

This M6 currently has 89,475 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

The BMW M6 was produced from 1983 through 1989. A second generation was introduced in 2004. The first generation sat atop an E24 chassis of the 6-Series and powered by a modified version of the BMW M1 engine. It was quick, aggressive, and well equipped. The US version of the engine produced nearly 260 horsepower and over 240 foot-pounds of torque. The European spec-engine did not have a catalyst and produced nearly 290 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty took only 6.4 seconds for the Euro version and 6.8 seconds for the US version. Road and Track hailed the M6 as one of the fastest cars in America for 1987.

Only 5,855 examples of the M6 were produced from 1983 through 1989 with 1,767 going to North America.

In 2005 BMW revived the M6 name. It made its debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show and was powered by a 5-liter V10 engine and an SMG III gearbox. The performance was impressive with over 500 BHP available. Zero-to-sixty was in the low four-second range.

by Dan Vaughan

This is a vehicle that one can quickly get addicted to. The fastest, quickest production vehicle that BMW has ever produced, the 2007 M6 features a 507 bhp normally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 7-speed sequential manual gearbox. Designed by the motorsport division of BMW, the M6 was the epitome of exceptional German styling that exudes all that this company stands for. A high-performance version of the 6-Series automobile, the M6 is well-loved for its luxurious and aggressive styling along with its opulent features.

BMW took the M88/3 (an updated version of the M88/1) from the M1 and placed it in the E24 chassis of the BMW 6-series. The end result was the M635CSi, or the M6 in North America. The E24 and M6 are easily distinguished by the M badges on the grille and rear, a spoiler, and a larger air dam on the M6.

The U.S. M6 featured a catalyzed S38 motor that produced 256 hp and 243 ft/lb of torque. The European version produced 286 hp and 251 ft/lb of torque and did not need catalysts. The European M6 could achieve 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds, and 6.8 seconds for the American model. Road and Track featured the U.S. M6 as one of the 10 fastest vehicles in America in 1987.

A total of 5,855 M6 models were sold by the time production ended in 1989, 1,767 were produced in the U.S. and Canada.

At the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the brand new BMW M6 concept vehicle was unveiled to the public. This concept was based on the BMW E63/E64 6-Series that had been introduced in 2004. The E60 M5 shared the same 5.0 L V10 S85 engine and SMG III gearbox with the M6 and produced 507 hp and 384 lb/ft of torque. This newest M6 was capable of achieving 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph. The top speed 205 mph when the limiter was removed.

Featuring the same power button that modified throttle response as the M5, the M6 delivered 298 kW from ignition, but with the button the full 370 kW was reached. With a carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof panel, the M6 weighed approximately 3770 lbs and featured thermoplastic front wings, a compound boot lid, and aluminum doors and hood. Strategically placing the lighter materials and the carbon fiber allowed the M6 to feature improved handling.

by Jessican Donaldson