BMW 6 Series - E63 and E64

The BMW E63/E64 is the current platform of the BMW 6 Series of luxury coupés, introduced in Autumn 2003. It comes as either a coupé or cabriolet (convertible) and in several engine variants ranging from a 3 liter straight-6 to 5 liter V10 in the M6 model.

In 1989 the original 6 Series was supplanted by the more expensive and higher performance 8 Series. In late 2003, the 6 Series was reintroduced as a 2004 model, with coupé and convertible versions based on the BMW E63 and BMW E64 platforms, respectively. The E63/64 itself is based on the BMW E60, the latter which forms the current iteration of the 5 Series sedan, with the E63/64 having reduced rear passenger room and sleeker lines.

The E63/E64 currently competes with the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class in that price point, though BMW is rumored to have plans to revive the 8 Series name for a potential four-door coupe in that segment.

BMW 6 Series Engines

These two models are each available with either a 3.0 L (2996 cc) straight-6 N52 engine producing 258 bhp at 6600 rpm or a 4.4 L (4398 cc) V8 making 333 bhp at 3600 rpm in the 645Ci. The 645 models have now been phased out in the favor of the more powerful 650i and they are now called 650i Coupé and 650i Cabriolet. (no Ci anymore in the naming) The 630i is not available on US market. It is available in Europe as both Coupé and Cabriolet.

The V8 in the 645Ci is the N62 engine, the same powerplant used in the 545i and 745i, with BMW's Valvetronic variable valve timing system. This is an all aluminum engine with 4 valves per cylinder. This 6-Series comes with either a 6 speed automatic transmission or a 6 speed SMG sequential gear box. For the 2006 model year, BMW remodeled the 645Ci as the 650i. The reason for this change was the increase in engine displacement. A manual transmission is also available.

Various auto tuners offer aftermarket products for the BMW E63/E64 that include improved engine software, throttle bodies, and exhaust sets that improve horsepower through the power band.

BMW 6 Series Styling

Unlike that of the new 5 Series and 7 Series models, the styling of the new 6 Series has generally received a warm welcome from the BMW community—except, largely, owners and enthusiasts of the E24. The new 6 Series was designed to look like a shark, and many have acknowledged the resemblance. The controversial rear styling is considered to work somewhat better on the shapely E63 than on other BMWs.

The Autumn 2007 update

In the autumn of 2007 BMW debuted an updated BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible. They feature new LED turn signals in the headlights, slightly restyled rear tail lamps with an LED turn signal, and a redesigned third LED brakelight that has been enlarged and moved to the top of the trunklid.

BMW M6

In 2005, an M6 version of the new 6 Series was introduced. It shares the E60 BMW M5's engine and transmission (507 bhp). In the third quarter of 2006, BMW announced the M6 convertible. It will go for sale in the fall of 2006 as a 2007 model. The 2008 M6 Coupé and Cabriolet will both benefit from the standard 6-Series refresh in the fall of 2007.

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