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BMW 6 Series (E63)

BMW 6 Series (E63)

The second generation of the BMW 6 Series consists of the BMW E63 (coupe version) and BMW E64 (convertible version) grand tourers. The E63/E64 generation was produced from 2002 to 2010 and is often collectively referred to as the E63.

The E63 uses a shortened version of the E60 5 Series chassis and subsequently shares many features. The car initially drew criticism, due to its controversial styling and complicated iDrive system.[1][2]

The M6 model was introduced in 2005 in coupé and convertible body styles. It is powered by the S85 V10 engine shared with the E60 M5, with most cars sold with a 7-speed automated manual transmission ("SMG III").[3]

In March 2011, the BMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13) began production as the successor to the E63.

BMW 6 Series (E63/E64)
2008 BMW 650i (E63 MY08) coupe (2015-07-16) 01.jpg
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Production2003–2010
AssemblyGermany: Dingolfing
DesignerAdrian van Hooydonk
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style
  • 2-door coupé
  • 2-door convertible
LayoutLongitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedBMW 5 Series (E60)
Alpina B6 (E63)
Powertrain
Engine
  • Diesel:
    3.0 L M57 twin-turbocharged I6
  • Petrol:
    3.0 L N52 I6
  • 4.4 – 4.8 L N62 V8
  • 5.0 L S85 V10
Transmission
  • 6-speed manual
  • 6-speed automatic
  • 6-speed SMG III automated manual
  • 7-speed SMG automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,780 mm (109.4 in)
Length4,820 mm (189.8 in)
Width1,855 mm (73.0 in)
Height1,374 mm (54.1 in)
Curb weight1,490–1,930 kg (3,280–4,250 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorBMW 6 Series (E24)
SuccessorBMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13)

Development and launch

The exterior was designed by Adrian Van Hooydonk, based on the 1999 BMW Z9 concept car designed by the then BMW Design Chief Chris Bangle.[4]

The controversial rear styling, first seen on the E65 7 Series, was nicknamed "Bangle Butt" by critics.[5] BMW described the styling philosophy as "flame surfacing", where concave and convex shapes meet to create sharp edges.[6][7]

To reduce weight, the doors and bonnet are made of aluminium,[8] and the boot and front wings are made of carbon-reinforced plastic. The high performance M6 coupé also has a carbon fibre roof in order to reduce weight and for a lower centre of gravity.[9][10]

Body styles

  • E63 coupé

  • E64 convertible

Coupé (E63)

Coupé models were unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show,[11][12] and introduced on the market in mid of the 2003 model year.[13]

Convertible (E64)

Convertible models were unveiled at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, and released in mid 2004.[14]

Convertible models featured a non-conventional convertible top design with side fins[15] and an integrated wind deflector that can be raised or lowered at any time. A similar design was used on the Audi R8 Spyder and the McLaren 650S Spider.

Equipment

Features available included adaptive headlights,[16] parking sensors (Park Distance Control), voice control,[17] variable rate steering (Active Steering),[18] active anti-roll bars (Active Roll Stabilisation), radar cruise control (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go), head-up display,[19] lane departure warning, night vision,[20] keyless entry and starting (Comfort Access),[20] heated steering wheel, universal remote control, and soft-close doors.

Transmissions and drivetrain

Unlike the 5 Series (E60), the all-wheel drive system (xDrive) was not offered on the 6 Series.

The available transmissions are:[3]

  • 6-speed ZF S6-37 manual (630Ci / 630i)

  • 6-speed ZF S6-53 manual (645Ci / 650i)

  • 6-speed ZF 6HP19 automatic (630Ci / 630i)

  • 6-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic (635d / 645Ci / 650i)

  • 6-speed GS6S53BZ SMG (645Ci / 650i)[21]

  • 6-speed GS6S37BZ SMG (630i)[22]

  • 7-speed SMG III (M6)

Models

Straight-six models are distinguished by circular tailpipes, while V8 models have oval tailpipes. Top speed for all models is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).[23]

Petrol engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque0–100 km/h (62 mph)Notes
630Ci2005–2007N52B30
3.0 L I6
190 kW (255 hp) at 6,600 rpm300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,000 rpm6.7 seconds
630i2007–2010N53B30
3.0 L I6
200 kW (268 bhp) at 6,700 rpm320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,750–3,000 rpm6.4 secondsOnly sold in countries with low-sulfur fuel
N52B30
3.0 L I6
190 kW (255 hp) at 6,600 rpm300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,000 rpm6.7 secondsAll other countries
645Ci2004–2005N62B44
4.4 L V8
245 kW (329 hp) at 6,100 rpm450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) at 3,600 rpm5.8 seconds
650i2006–2010N62B48
4.8 L V8
270 kW (362 hp) at 6,300 rpm490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) at 3,400 rpm4.9 seconds
M62005–2010S85B50
5.0 L V10
373 kW (500 hp) at 7,750 rpm520 N⋅m (384 lb⋅ft) at 6,100 rpm4.7 seconds

Diesel engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)Notes
635d2007–2010M57D30TU2
3.0 L I6 twin-turbo
210 kW (282 bhp)
at 4,400 rpm
580 N⋅m (428 lb⋅ft)
at 1,750–2,250 rpm
6.3 sOnly sold in Europe

M6 version

The M6 version was initially introduced as a coupé at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show,[24] and later in convertible form at the British International Motor Show in 2006.[25]

The M6 is powered by the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated S85 V10 shared with the E60 M5, generating 373 kW (507 PS; 500 hp) at 7,750 rpm[26] and 520 N⋅m (384 lb⋅ft) at 6,100 rpm.[27] Majority of the cars were sold with a 7-speed automated manual transmission ("SMG III"), however a 6-speed manual transmission was also available in some markets.

Additional features included: sports seats, larger front and rear brakes, an M-performance instrument cluster, a carbon-fibre roof (coupé only), and an optional M head-up Display.[28] The car also has quad exhaust-pipes and larger, more aerodynamic air intakes.

A total of 9,087 coupés and 5,065 convertibles were built; amounting to 14,152 cars.[29]

Model year changes

2005

  • The 650i model replaced the 645Ci

  • The M6 model was introduced[24]

2008 facelift

In September 2007, the facelift (LCI) was introduced for the 2008 model year. Major changes include:

  • The introduction of the 635d model, powered by the M57 diesel engine.[30]

  • The upgradation of the 630i's engine from the N52 to the N53 in countries with low sulphur fuel.[31]

  • Exterior design changes including headlights,[32] tail-lights, bumpers, and the third brake light on coupé models was relocated to the trunk lid.[33][34]

  • Interior design changes including updated climate controls, and new electronic gear lever with the ability to change gears manually via steering wheel paddles.[35]

  • Edition Sport trim introduced featuring a stiffer anti-roll system and an updated exhaust system for 650i models.[36]

Pre-facelift styling

  • Front

  • Rear

Post-facelift styling

  • Front

  • Rear

2009

  • The models started to feature the updated iDrive CIC system.

Safety

Models feature BMW's Advanced Safety System, where the car will decide the most effective deployment of the airbags in a crash.[37] Safety equipment includes active anti-roll bars, dynamic stability control, front knee airbags (in accordance to US regulation), BMW roadside assistance, and an SOS emergency system.[38] Convertible models also feature an automatic rollover protection system, where roll-bars behind the rear seats are automatically deployed in a rollover. From 2008, active head restraints became a standard feature on all seat options, reducing the risk of neck injuries in a rear-end collision.[38][39]

There are no EuroNCAP crash safety ratings for the BMW E63/E64 6 Series.

Production volumes

The E63/E64 was produced at the Dingolfing BMW plant.[40]

The following are production figures for the E63/E64, excluding M6 models:

YearTotalCoupéConvertible
200421,04012,3328,708
200523,34012,44710,893
200621,94711,94110,006
200719,6269,9679,659
200816,2998,3377,962
20098,6484,5014,147
20105,8483,0502,798
Total:116,74862,57554,173

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.caranddriver.com"First Drive Review: BMW 645Ci". Car and Driver. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
Sep 30, 2019, 3:29 PM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.roadandtrack.com"BMW 645Ci". Road & Track. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
Sep 30, 2019, 3:29 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.realoem.com"6'E63 model selection". realoem.com. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
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[4]
Citation Linkwww.motorshowblog.com"10 things you did not know about the BMW 6 Series". motorshowblog.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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Citation Linknews.bbc.co.uk"In pictures: Bangle's BMWs". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.nytimes.com"Hot Stuff: The Theme Is a Flame". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.newcartestdrive.com"2004 BMW 5 Series Review". newcartestdrive.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.automobilemag.com"2006 BMW M6". automobilemag.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.caranddriver.com"2006 BMW M6 - Road Test". Car and Driver. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.motortrend.com"2003 Frankfurt Motor Show – BMW 6 Series Photo Gallery". Motor Trend. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.autoevolution.com"BMW 6 Series Coupe (E63)". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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Citation Linkwww.rac.co.uk"BMW 6 Series Coupe (2003 - 2010) used car review". rac.co.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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Citation Linkwww.autoevolution.com"BMW 6 Series Convertible (E64) specs - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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[15]
Citation Linkwww.autoevolution.com"BMW 6 Series Convertible (E64)". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
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[16]
Citation Linkwww.caranddriver.com"BMW 645Ci | First Drive Review | Reviews | Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
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[17]
Citation Linkaustraliancar.reviews"Review: BMW E63 6 Series coupe". australiancar.reviews. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
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[18]
Citation Linkwww.thetruthaboutcars.com"BMW 645Ci Coupe Review - The Truth About Cars". The Truth About Cars. 25 March 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
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[19]
Citation Linkaustraliancar.reviews"AustralianCar.Reviews: #1 for Reviews and Used Car Valuations". australiancar.reviews. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
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[20]
Citation Linkwww.caranddriver.com"2007 BMW 650i - Short Take Road Test". Car and Driver. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
Sep 30, 2019, 3:29 PM