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Photo of a BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series

From Paul Bracq's sharknose to a 500 hp V10 M6.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • sharknoseNamed for the pointed nose of the original coupe, created under chief designer Paul Bracq.1
  • Bangle ButtCritics' label for the E63/E64's rear styling, a treatment first seen on the E65 7 Series.2

At a glance

0300600
174–600 hpPower
0510
3.6–7.7 s0–60 mph
0175350
199.6–324 km/hTop speed
0400800
235–800 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,450–1,985 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.368910

Layout
E24/E63: RWD; F06/F12/F13 and G32: RWD or AWD2346
Gearbox
4–6-speed manual; 3–8-speed auto; SMG; F12/F13/F06 M6: 7-speed DCT236
Built at
Karmann (early E24) and BMW Plant Dingolfing, Germany37
Units built
E24: 86,216 (1976–1989)3

The story

Born to replace the E9 coupe, the 6 Series added convertibles and four-door Gran Coupes. The 2017 G32 took a new path: a five-door fastback replacing the 5 Series Gran Turismo, with a 610-liter trunk.345

1976: E24 replaces the E9 coupe19761982: Dingolfing bodies and E28 hardware19821989: E24 ends; the 8 Series steps in19892003: E63 returns after a 14-year gap20032005: E63/E64 M6 unleashes a 500 hp V1020052011: F06/F12/F13 opens a three-body era20112017: G32 becomes the Gran Turismo20172020: 48V power for every Gran Turismo20202023: Gran Turismo production ends2023 BMW 2000 C / 2000 CS: 1965–1969BMW 2800 CS / 3.0 CS / CSi / CSL (E9): 1968–1975E9BMW 6 Series (E24): 1976–1989E24BMW 8 Series (E31): 1989–1999E31BMW 6 Series (E63/E64): 2003–2010E63/E64BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07): From 2009F07BMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13): 2011–2018BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (G32): 2017–2023G32BMW 8 Series (G15): From 2018G15 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones134561120
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1969BMW 2000 C / 2000 CS
1968–1975BMW 2800 CS / 3.0 CS / CSi / CSL (E9)
1976–1989BMW 6 Series (E24)
1989–1999BMW 8 Series (E31)
2003–2010BMW 6 Series (E63/E64)
From 2009BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07)
2011–2018BMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13)
2017–2023BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (G32)
From 2018BMW 8 Series (G15)
1976E24 replaces the E9 coupe
1982Dingolfing bodies and E28 hardware
1989E24 ends; the 8 Series steps in
2003E63 returns after a 14-year gap
2005E63/E64 M6 unleashes a 500 hp V10
2011F06/F12/F13 opens a three-body era
2017G32 becomes the Gran Turismo
202048V power for every Gran Turismo
2023Gran Turismo production ends
  1. 1976

    E24 replaces the E9 coupe

    Production starts in January with the European 197 hp 633CSi; the carbureted 182 hp 630CS follows in February.3

  2. 1982

    Dingolfing bodies and E28 hardware

    E24 bodies shift from Karmann to BMW Plant Dingolfing, while E28 5 Series parts transform the chassis, suspension, electronics and cabin.13

  3. 1989

    E24 ends; the 8 Series steps in

    E24 production ends in April at 86,216 cars. The 8 Series takes the large-coupe slot; the 6 Series name waits until 2003 to return.13

  4. 2003

    E63 returns after a 14-year gap

    The E63 coupe revives the badge; the E64 convertible follows in 2004. Both use a shortened E60 5 Series chassis.24

  5. 2005

    E63/E64 M6 unleashes a 500 hp V10

    The M6 coupe gets a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 with 500 hp and seven-speed SMG III; the convertible follows in 2006.2

  6. 2011

    F06/F12/F13 opens a three-body era

    Third-generation options include the 315 hp 640i, 308 hp 640d and 402 hp 650i. A Gran Coupe follows in 2012; the 8 Series takes over in 2018.46

  7. 2017

    G32 becomes the Gran Turismo

    G32 replaces the 5 Series Gran Turismo with a five-door fastback, a 610-liter trunk and an average 115 kg weight saving.45

  8. 2020

    48V power for every Gran Turismo

    July's facelift makes every Gran Turismo a 48V mild hybrid, from the 190 hp 620d to the 340 hp, 700 Nm 640d xDrive.7

  9. 2023

    Gran Turismo production ends

    G32 production ends, closing the fourth generation after the 6 Series badge's move to Gran Turismo fastbacks.4

Every generation

  • BMW 2000 C / 2000 CS
    BMW 2000 C / 2000 CS1965–1969
  • BMW 2800 CS / 3.0 CS / CSi / CSL
    E91968–1975
  • BMW 6 Series
    E241976–1989
  • BMW 8 Series
    E311989–1999
  • BMW 6 Series
    E63/E642003–2010
  • BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
    F07From 2009
  • BMW 6 Series
    F06/F12/F132011–2018
  • BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo
    G322017–2023
  • BMW 8 Series
    G15From 2018

Power over the years

From 197 hp to 600 hp in 40 years.

0200400600 19801990200020102020 hp 1976 · 197 hp · European 633CSi1978 · 215 hp · European 635CSi1979 · 181 hp · European 628CSi2004 · 325 hp · US 645Ci2006 · 360 hp · US 650i2007 · 268 hp · 630i N53, low-sulfur markets2007 · 282 hp · 635d diesel2013 · 444 hp · 650i (F12/F13/F06), upgraded V82016 · 600 hp · M6 Competition Package2017 · 258 hp · 630i Gran Turismo2020 · 333 hp · 640i Gran Turismo, mild hybrid 600 hp M6 Competition Package 197 hp European 633CSi
23567811
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1976197European 633CSi
1978215European 635CSi
1979181European 628CSi
2004325US 645Ci
2006360US 650i
2007268630i N53, low-sulfur markets
2007282635d diesel
2013444650i (F12/F13/F06), upgraded V8
2016600M6 Competition Package
2017258630i Gran Turismo
2020333640i Gran Turismo, mild hybrid

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    635CSi (E24)

    1978–1989

  • Standard

    G32 Gran Turismo

    2017–2023

  • Special

    M Sport Edition (F06/F12/F13)

  • Special

    Edition Sport (E63/E64)

  • Special

    Highline (E24)

  • M6 (E63/E64)

    Performance

    M6 (E63/E64)

    2005–2010

    500 hp

    14,152 built

  • M6 (F06/F12/F13)

    Performance

    M6 (F06/F12/F13)

    560 hp
  • M635CSi / North American M6 (E24)

    Performance

    M635CSi / North American M6 (E24)

    1984–1989

    5,855 built

  • Performance

    Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe

    2016

    600 hp
  • Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe

    Performance

    Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe

    1978–1981

    300 hp

    183 built

  • Limited

    M6 Coupe Competition Edition

    2016

    600 hp

  • Limited

    Convertible Frozen Brilliant White Edition

    2014

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original coupe: a pointed shark nose and large windows.1
  • E64 convertible: roof side fins and an adjustable integrated wind deflector.2

Year by year

  1. 1982; US model year 1983

    E24 loses slim bumpers for a deeper bodykit and larger wheels; inside, a revised dash and three-spoke steering wheel.314

  2. After June 1987

    E24 gains ellipsoid headlights and a common bumper/spoiler design worldwide, replacing separate North American styling.3

  3. 2007 / 2008 model year

    Second-generation front: clear-lens headlights with LED elements, reshaped lower intakes and a larger kidney grille.218

  4. 2007 / 2008 model year

    Second-generation rear: revised bumper and reflectors; the coupe's third brake light moves onto the trunk-lid lip.218

  5. 2015

    F06/F12/F13: fewer grille slats, standard full-LED headlights and a horizontal chrome insert in the rear bumper.619

  6. July 2020

    Gran Turismo: bigger grille, slimmer headlights and trapezoidal exhaust finishers across the range.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • BMW E9 coupe

    Check the pillar between the side windows: the E24 has a B-pillar, unlike the E9.3

  • BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

    The 6 Series Gran Turismo has a lower tail and loses the extra guide strip dividing the large rear-door window.5

Against its rivals

  • Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa

    6 Series vs Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa

    Skidpad grip

    6 Series0.9 g
    Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa0.9 g
    21
  • Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG

    6 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG

    Price as tested lower is better

    6 Series$76,070
    Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG$80,695
    21

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K 1990200020102020 1983 · $39,210 · US as tested, 633CSi2004 · $69,995 · US base, 645Ci2014 · $106,695 · US 650i Frozen Brilliant White2014 · $110,095 · US 650i xDrive Frozen White2015 · $92,100 · UK base 640i; £59,430≈$92,1002016 · $122,195 · US base, Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe2016 · $164,900 · US M6 Competition Edition, excl. D&H2017 · $60,900 · UK base 630i GT; £46,810≈$60,9002018 · $120,000 · US base, M6 Competition 2019 · $36,100 · 1988 635CSi auto; €32,200≈$36,100, Essen2021 · $29,000 · 1986 635CSi auto, <134,000 km; €25,000≈$29,000, Open Roads2025 · $15,555 · 1988 635CSi automatic, mileage unknown, BaT2025 · $26,000 · 2018 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 54k miles, BaT2025 · $32,000 · 2007 M6 Coupe 6-speed manual, 84k miles, BaT2026 · $26,000 · 2007 M6 coupe 6-speed, 95k miles, BaT2026 · $23,000 · 1977 630CSi 4-speed, 70k miles shown, BaT2026 · $8,850 · 2006 650i Convertible Sport, 59k miles, BaT2026 · $41,000 · 2018 M6 Gran Coupe Competition, 32k miles, BaT2026 · $50,000 · 2017 Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe, 26k miles, BaT2026 · $21,500 · 2016 640i xDrive Gran Coupe, 20k miles, BaT $50.0K BaT, 2026
58910111619213031323334353637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1983Price when new$39,210US as tested, 633CSi
2004Price when new$69,995US base, 645Ci
2014Price when new$106,695US 650i Frozen Brilliant White
2014Price when new$110,095US 650i xDrive Frozen White
2015Price when new$92,100UK base 640i; £59,430≈$92,100
2016Price when new$122,195US base, Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe
2016Price when new$164,900US M6 Competition Edition, excl. D&H
2017Price when new$60,900UK base 630i GT; £46,810≈$60,900
2018Price when new$120,000US base, M6 Competition
2019Auction sale$36,1001988 635CSi auto; €32,200≈$36,100, Essen
2021Auction sale$29,0001986 635CSi auto, <134,000 km; €25,000≈$29,000, Open Roads
2025Auction sale$15,5551988 635CSi automatic, mileage unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$26,0002018 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 54k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$32,0002007 M6 Coupe 6-speed manual, 84k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$26,0002007 M6 coupe 6-speed, 95k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$23,0001977 630CSi 4-speed, 70k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,8502006 650i Convertible Sport, 59k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$41,0002018 M6 Gran Coupe Competition, 32k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$50,0002017 Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe, 26k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$21,5002016 640i xDrive Gran Coupe, 20k miles, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Three European titles, plus DTM and Australia”
    • “Spa victory on a one-off Pro entry”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. An icon celebrates its birthday at the BMW Museum: 50 years of the BMW 6 Series. After posting a record number of visitors in 2025, the BMW Museum has welcomed in the new year with a special exhibiti press.bmwgroup.com
  2. BMW 6 Series (E63) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. BMW 6 Series (E24) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. BMW 6 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. press.bmwgroup.com
  6. BMW 6 Series (F12) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. press.bmwgroup.com
  8. BMW M6 Coupe Competition Edition. press.bmwgroup.com
  9. The New BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe press.bmwgroup.com
  10. 1983 BMW 633CSi Is the Subtle Supercoupe caranddriver.com
  11. The BMW 6 Series: History, Photos, Generations, Specifications motortrend.com
  12. 1983 - 1984 BMW 635 CSi Group A - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  13. The M Sport Edition BMW 6 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe. press.bmwgroup.com
  14. BMW 6-Series (E24) buying guide, history and review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  15. Used BMW 6 Series review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. BMW 6 Series for Model Year 2014. press.bmwgroup.com
  17. Alpina-Archive | B7 Turbo Coupe alpina-archive.com
  18. The new BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible press.bmwgroup.com
  19. The new BMW 6 Series range for 2015 press.bmwgroup.com
  20. BMW E9 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Tested: 2004 Luxury Sports Coupe Comparison caranddriver.com
  22. BMW 6-series Gran Coupe review | evo evo.co.uk
  23. 1985 BMW 635 CSI GROUP A for sale| Ascott Collection en.ascottcollection.com
  24. Exclusive: Interview with Nader Faghihzadeh - BMW 6 Series Coupe Exterior Designer bmwblog.com
  25. More Information on Gran Turismo Sport Revealed at the “PlayStation Experience” Show - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  26. Walkenhorst Motorsport secures record-extending Total 24 Hours of Spa victory for BMW at landmark 70th edition | GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS gt-world-challenge-europe.com
  27. Hans-Peter Naundorf on overall victory for BMW at the Nürburgring 24 Hours: “This success is something very, very special”. press.bmwgroup.com
  28. BMW 645Ci and 650i (E63) - Buyer's Guide bmwblog.com
  29. BMW M6: review, specs and buying guide | evo evo.co.uk
  30. 1988 BMW 635CSi | Essen 2019 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  31. 1986 BMW 635CSi | Open Roads, October 2021 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  32. 2007 BMW M6 Coupe 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on May 5, 2026 (Lot #241,079) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1977 BMW 630CSi 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,000 on July 7, 2026 (Lot #251,180) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 2006 BMW 650i Convertible Sport for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,850 on August 19, 2026 (Lot #258,688) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 32k-Mile 2018 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Competition Package for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,000 on July 24, 2026 (Lot #254,025) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 26k-Mile 2017 Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $50,000 on May 28, 2026 (Lot #244,931) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 20k-Mile 2016 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,500 on April 20, 2026 (Lot #238,739) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 32-Years-Owned 1988 BMW 635CSi for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,555 on December 15, 2025 (Lot #223,590) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 2018 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on November 5, 2025 (Lot #218,255) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 2007 BMW M6 Coupe 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,000 on October 6, 2025 (Lot #213,494) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • press.bmwgroup.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • motortrend.com
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • octane-magazine.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • alpina-archive.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • en.ascottcollection.com
  • bmwblog.com
  • gran-turismo.com
  • gt-world-challenge-europe.com
  • rmsothebys.com

Photo credits

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