BMW E24 6-Series (1976-1990)

Fast Facts

• Engine: 3453cc/6-cyl
• Power (bhp/rpm): 218/5200
• Torque (lb ft@rpm): 224/4000
• Top speed: 140mph
• 0-60mph: 8.5sec
• Fuel consumption: 24mpg
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Length: 15ft 7in (4.76m)
• Width (inc mirrors): 15ft 7in (4.76m)
• Weight: 3447lb (1565kg)
• Books: Bmw 6-Series enthusiasts’ companion by Jeremy Walton.ISBN 000-0-8376-0193-2; Bmw 6-Series ultimate portfolio 1976-1989 by Brooklands Books. ISBN 000-1-85520-644-7
• Clubs: www.bigcoupe.com; www.e-24.ru/eng; www.bmwinfo.com
• Websites: BMW Car Club. 01225 709009, www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk

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Fast, stylish, svelte, understated, affordable and Teutonic – it could be only a big BMW coupé, and when it comes to the original 6 Series, there’s plenty more to appeal too. Beautifully built and impeccably designed, the original 6-Series can cover massive distances at high speed, while cossetting its occupants at the same time. Two decades after production ended, these cars are already recognised as highly desirable classics. There are some superb examples out there, but you need to be very careful before jumping in.

What to look for?

Corrosion is likely, even on cherished cars. Open the bonnet and check the state of the inner wings; rust where the front lower corners meets the front panel means big bills as this area is structural. Fatigue in the front subframe allows the steering box to break away while the rear suspension mounts can also corrode spectacularly – with catastrophic results. The straight-six is long-lived if the oil has been changed regularly; without this the camshaft wears quickly. Even if cherised a fresh shaft is usually needed between 130,000 and 150,000 miles, but it can be done on a DIY basis. Don’t worry about rattly timing chains as they last forever, and if the cooling fan has made contact with the radiator, the engine mounts have worn. Gearboxes are tough but the suspension wears because the car is so heavy; so check for wandering at speed. Finally, check that all the electrics are working. The 6-Series came with lots of kit and poor electrical connections can – and does –
cause havoc.

Values

Pre-1982 cars are rare, and even rarer still in good condition, so these are best avoided. If you do fi nd a minter pay no more than £4000 for it as most buyers opt for the earlier E9 CSi coupé instead. Post-1982 cars are more common in good condition, but don’t bother with anything other than a 635; there are enough of these to warrant choosing nothing else. Anything less than £2000 bags a liability, while £4-5000 gets something half decent. Really nice 635s are £8-10,000 from a reputable specialist; for something exceptional you could pay a bit more, while Highlines carry a £2-3000 premium. M635s are the ultimate; good ones start at £8000 with really nice cars fetching twice as much. The key thing to remember is that poor cars massively outnumber really good ones.

Driving one

It’s a BMW, so you can expect great things in the dynamics department. Even the 628CSi can manage 130mph, while the M635 can manage nearly 160mph. It’s not just about performance though; the chassis set up is every bit as fabulous as you’d expect, with oversteer available on demand – in the wet it’s easy to get the car out of line even when you don’t want to. The steering has just the right weighting and feedback, the controls are perfectly placed and it’s simplicity itself fi nding a supremely comfortable driving position. aren’t helped by those enclosed front wheels; the turning circle is 37 feet, which doesn’t help much with the manouevrability!