The BMW E63/E64 is the second generation of the BMW 6 Series range of grand tourers, and was sold from 2003 to 2010. The body styles of the range are:
- coupé (E63 model code)
- convertible (E64 model code).
In January 2003, the E63 coupé re-introduced the 6 Series range, 14 years after the E24 6 Series ended production. A few months later, the E64 convertible was released. The E63/E64 was replaced by the F12/F13 6 Series in 2011.
The E63/E64 uses a shortened version of the E60 5 Series chassis and shares many features with the 5 Series. The car initially drew criticism, due to its controversial styling and complicated iDrive system.
The M6 model was released in 2005 in coupé and convertible body styles. It is powered by the S85 V10 engine and most cars were sold with a 7-speed automated manual transmission ("SMG III").
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Development and launch
The E63/E64 6 Series design was based on the BMW Z9 concept car, which was designed by Chris Bangle and was unveiled at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The coupe (E63) was unveiled in autumn of 2003 in the Frankfurt Auto Show,. The convertible (E64) was unveiled at the Detroit North American International Auto Show in January 2004. Coupe sales began in January 2004 and convertible sales began two months later. This two month delay for the convertible was due to problems with the rubber seal for the convertible lid and the coat of paint on the car also looked slightly cloudy.
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Body
The exterior styling was designed by Adrian Van Hooydonk, with Chris Bangle being the head of BMW design at the time. The controversial rear styling, first seen on the E65 7 Series, was nicknamed "the Bangle Butt" by critics. BMW described the styling philosophy as "flame surfacing", where concave and convex shapes meet to create sharp edges.
The BMW E64 6 Series Convertible featured a non-conventional convertible top design with side fins 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.
To reduce weight, the doors and bonnet on the BMW E63/E64 6 Series are made out of aluminium, and the boot and front wing are made out of plastic. The M6 Coupe also gets a full carbon fibre roof, for a lower centre of gravity and to reduce weight.
iDrive
The E63/E64 was initially produced with the second-generation iDrive CCC. This version features several upgrades over the version used in the E65 7 Series, however reviews of the iDrive CCC were mixed. The iDrive system is controlled using only a controller with two additional buttons below the controller.
The "iDrive Business" system is lower specification version of iDrive, and was fitted to cars without a navigation system. Compared with the regular E63/D64 iDrive, it has a smaller 6.6" screen and less features.
In 2009, the iDrive system was upgraded to iDrive CIC. Upgrades include more shortcut buttons, 6 programmable buttons below the CD/DVD player, map storage switching from DVD to an inbuilt hard disk drive, a redesigned menu layout, a higher resolution screen and revised Voice Commands.
Equipment
The E63/E64 shares many features with the E60 5 Series. Features available on the E63/E64 include adaptive headlights, parking sensors (Park Distance Control), iDrive control system, voice control, knee airbags for the front seats, active head restraints, variable rate steering (Active Steering), active anti-roll bars (Active Roll Stabilisation), radar cruise control (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go), head-up display, Lane Departure Warning, night vision, keyless entry and starting (Comfort Access), heated steering wheel, universal remote control and soft-close doors.
Convertible models exclusively feature an electric roof with a retractable electric rear window, heat reflective leather seats and pop-up rollover hoops.
Later models featured BMW's "Efficient Dynamics" upgrades, which included brake energy regeneration, direct injection and a twin turbo engine were included in the car. In 2007, the 635d model was introduced, powered by a twin-turbo straight six diesel engine.
Standard exterior metallic colours include: Black Sapphire, Deep Sea Blue, Space Grey and Titanium Silver. Optional colours include: Atlantic Blue, Barbera Red, Mineral Silver, Monaco Blue, Stratus Grey and Metallic Carbon.
Engines
The BMW E63/E64 6 Series lineup has a four different engine types: a petrol straight-6, a turbodiesel straight-six, a petrol V8 and a petrol V10. The straight-six engines are distinguished by a circular tailpipe, while the V8 models have oval tailpipes.
Top speed for all models is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Petrol engines
630Ci/630i
The 630Ci/630i models are powered by either the N52 or N53 - both 3.0 litre straight-six engines. In countries with low sulfur fuel, the direct-injection N53 engine was used. In countries with higher sulfur fuel (such as Malaysia and Australia), the indirect-injection N52 was used. The 630Ci and 630i models were not sold in the USA.
Initially, the model was badged the 630ci and was produced from 1 October 2005 to 31 August 2007. The post-facelift (LCI) models were badged 630i and were produced from 1 October 2005 to 31 July 2010.
645Ci
The 645Ci was the first BMW E63/E64 6 Series model. It was available in coupe and convertible body styles and is powered by the 4.4 litre N62 V8 engine. 21,040 645Ci's were sold in its first year of production. In late 2005, the 645Ci was replaced by the 650i.
650i
The 650i replaced the 645Ci in late 2005 as model year 2006. It was also available in coupe and convertible body styles powered by a larger 4.8 litre version of the N62 V8 engine. The post-facelift models produced from September 2007 quoted the same power output, however BMW's official 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time dropped to 4.9 seconds.
Diesel engines
635d
The 635d was introduced in a Coupe and Convertible form at the 2007 facelift (LCI). It is powered by the 3.0 litre turbodiesel M57 straight-six engine.
The 635d was only sold in Europe, and a manual transmission was not available.
M6 version
The E63/E64 M6 is powered by the BMW S85 4,999 cc (305 cu in) V10 engine. Revving to 8250 rpm, the engine produced 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) at 7750 rpm and 520 N?m (384 lb?ft) at 6100 rpm. Most cars were sold with a 7-speed automated manual transmission ("SMG III"), however a 6-speed manual was also available in some markets.
The M6's additional features compared with regular 6 Series range includes: sports seats, a different instrument cluster, M Heads Up Display (optional), larger front and rear brakes, carbon-fibre roof (coupe only) and quad exhausts. The front bumper, rear bumper and side sills are also different, to increase the volume of air intake and improve the aerodynamics.
The M6 Coupe was introduced to the public in the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show, and the M6 Convertible was introduced at the 2006 British International Motor Show. A total of 9,087 M6 Coupe and 5,065 M6 Convertible's were built, meaning that a total of 14,153 BMW E63/E64 M6's were produced.
Drivetrain
Unlike the E60 5 Series, xDrive was not offered on the E63/E64. Therefore, all models are rear-wheel drive.
The available transmissions are:
- 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)
- 7-speed SMG III (M6)
Safety
The BMW E63/E64 6 Series features BMW's Advanced Safety System, where the car will decide the most effective deployment of the airbags in a crash. 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. 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 as a standard feature on all seat options, reducing the risk of neck injuries in a rear-end collision.
There are no EuroNCAP crash Safety Ratings for the BMW E63/E64 6 Series.
Model year changes
2005
- 650i model replaces 645Ci
- M6 model introduced
2008 facelift
In September 2007, the facelift (LCI) was introduced for the 2008 model year. The major changes are:
- 635d model introduced, powered by the M57 diesel engine.
- 630i engine upgraded from N52 to N53 in countries with low sulfur fuel.
- Exterior changes including headlights, tail-lights, bumpers and fog lights.
Production
The E63/E64 was produced at the Leipzig BMW plant.
The following are production figures for the E63/E64, excluding M6 models:
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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