BMW 6 Series (E63): the grand tourer with flame surfacing

The 6 Series returned in 2003 after a long absence, as the E63 coupé and later the E64 convertible. Both used a shortened version of the E60 5 Series chassis, and the styling by Adrian van Hooydonk attracted as much criticism as praise. The M6 of 2005 shared its V10 engine with the M5.

BMW 6 Series (E63) at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the E63; the German article was not available.

History of the BMW 6 Series (E63)

Design and launch

Adrian van Hooydonk drew the exterior from the 1999 Z9 concept car created under design chief Chris Bangle. The rear treatment, first seen on the E65 7 Series, was nicknamed “Bangle Butt” by critics, while BMW called the philosophy “flame surfacing”, where concave and convex forms meet in sharp edges. To save weight the doors and bonnet were aluminium and the boot lid and front wings were made of carbon-reinforced plastic. The coupé was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt show and went on sale in the middle of that model year; the convertible appeared at the 2004 Detroit show and followed in mid-2004. Its soft top had side fins and an integrated wind deflector that could be raised or lowered at any time.

Range and updates

The 6 Series initially drew criticism for its styling and for the complicated iDrive system. In 2006 the 650i replaced the 645Ci and the M6 joined the range. A facelift arrived in September 2007 for the 2008 model year: the 635d diesel with the M57 engine was added, the 630i moved from the N52 to the N53 engine where low-sulphur fuel was available, and headlights, tail-lights, bumpers and interior trim were revised. On the coupé the third brake light moved to the boot lid, the climate controls were updated, a new electronic gear lever with steering wheel paddles appeared and an Edition Sport trim with a stiffer anti-roll system was offered. In 2009 the iDrive moved to the CIC version.

M6 and safety

The M6 was shown as a coupé at the 2005 Geneva show and as a convertible at the British International Motor Show in 2006. Its 5.0-litre S85 V10 produced 373 kW (500 hp) at 7,750 rpm and 520 N·m at 6,100 rpm; most cars had the seven-speed SMG III automated manual, with a six-speed manual offered in the United States. The coupé had a carbon fibre roof and both versions had quad exhausts and larger brakes. Production reached 9,087 coupés and 5,065 convertibles. Safety equipment included the Advanced Safety System, active anti-roll bars, stability control, front knee airbags and an SOS system, with an automatic rollover protection system on the convertible and active head restraints from 2008.

Design and features

• Flame surfacing: the styling language of the Bangle era, with sharp creases between concave and convex surfaces.
• Mixed materials: aluminium doors and bonnet with carbon-reinforced plastic panels at the rear and front wings.
• V10 M6: the S85 engine from the M5, with a carbon fibre roof on the coupé.
• Practical soft top: the E64 roof had side fins and a wind deflector that could be moved at any time.
• Driver aids: adaptive headlights, active steering, active roll stabilisation, head-up display and night vision.

BMW 6 Series (E63) versions

• 645Ci and 650i: the V8 models, the 650i replacing the 645Ci in 2006.
• 630i: six-cylinder model, N52 then N53 engine after the facelift.
• 635d: the M57 diesel added with the 2008 model year facelift.
• M6 coupé (2005): S85 V10, carbon fibre roof, seven-speed SMG III.
• M6 convertible (2006): same engine with the soft top.
• Edition Sport: facelift trim with a stiffer anti-roll system and revised exhaust.

The E63 used the chassis of the 5 Series (E60), whose M5 shared its V10 with the M6 covered in the BMW M5 article. The two-seat alternative was the Z4 (E85), and more cars are in the BMW collection.

Sources

• BMW 6 Series (E63), English Wikipedia: design, body styles, engines, M6, updates