BMW E24

China Product


Model history

The E24 was a replacement for the CS and CSL coups first produced in 1965. The CS 3.0 was almost changed by adding a few inches in height to make it easier for customers to get into the car. However, Bob Lutz rebelled against the decision and rough drafted an alternative version that soon became the 6 series. Production started in March 1976 with two models: the 630CS and 633CSi. Originally the bodies were manufactured by Karmann, but production was later taken in-house to BMW.

In July 1978 a more powerful variant, the 635CSi, was introduced (for the time being not available in North America and Japan) that featured as standard a special close-ratio 5-speed gearbox and a black rear spoiler. gv 1480

In 1979 the carburetted 630CS was replaced with the 628CSi; this car had a fuel injected 2.8L engine taken from the BMW 528i. geovision dvr card

In 1982 (Europe) and 1983 (US), the E24 changed slightly, with an improved interior and slightly modified exterior. At the same time, the 635CSi received a new engine, a slightly smaller-bored and longer-stroked 3430 cc six to replace the former 3453 cc engine and became available with a wide-ratio 5-speed or an automatic. gv 1240

E24s produced after June 1987 came with ellipsoid headlamps instead of the halogen lamps of earlier models. The sleeker European bumpers were also discontinued. Previous cars had either a European-standard bumper or a larger, reinforced bumper to meet the US standard requiring bumpers to withstand impact at 5 mph (8 km/h) without damage to safety-related components. 1989 was the last year for the E24 with production stopping in April. The E24 was supplanted by the considerably heavier, more complex, and more exclusive E31.

M Version

The M635CSi was introduced in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983. It is essentially an E24 powered by the powerplant of the BMW M1 (the M88, now putting out 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp)). Most M635csi's were equipped with special metric 415 mm diameter wheels requiring Michelin TRX tires. A catalyzed, lower compression ratio version of the car with the S38 engine putting out 260 PS (190 kW; 260 hp) was introduced in the U.S. in 1987. All M635/M6s came standard with a 25% rear slip differential. U.S. models included additional comforts such as Nappa leather power seats and a dedicated rear A/C unit with a center beverage chiller. Car and Driver tested a U.S. M6 in July 1987 and achieved a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds, better than the BMW published 6.4 and 6.8 second times for the European and U.S. versions respectively. 4,088 M635CSis were built between 1983 and 1988 with 1,767 U.S. M6s built.

North America and Japan

While in most markets several E24 versions were usually available, markets with strict emission control regulations received only a single model (except for the M6 that was later offered additionally). This meant that in North America and Japan, BMW offered the following models :

1988 BMW M6

630CSi (MY 1977 through 1978)

633CSi (MY 1978 through 1984)

635CSi (MY 1985 through 1989)

L6 (MY 1987 - Luxury Edition 635CSi NA-only)

M6 (MY 1987 through 1989)

In 1977, the 6er was released in the US as the 630CSi. This was a fuel-injected version of the carburetted 630CS available elsewhere. Its 3-litre engine developed 176 horsepower (131 kW) and 185 ftlbf (251 Nm) of torque.

In mid-model year 1978 the 630CSi was replaced by the 633CSi. US/Japan specification 633CSi cars had the M30 3.2 litre 181 hp (135 kW) engine until 1984. In 1985 the car was renamed 635CSi, displacement was increased to 3.4 litres and horsepower increased slightly to 182 hp (136 kW). The big difference, however, was torque. Whereas the 3.2 litre had 195 ftlbf (264 Nm) at 4,000 rpm, the 3.4 litre powerplant managed 214 ftlbf (290 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.

From model year 1983, North American and Japanese versions benefitted from the technical revisions and changes to the interior introduced elsewhere in spring or summer 1982. Its chassis was now based on the E28 and no longer on the E12. The front and rear suspension was also revised. Later a self-levelling rear suspension was added to the 635 CSi and M6 features list in 1988.

The US received its own M series E24 in 1987 called the M6. The S38 powerplant found in the US model had several modifications from the M88 powerplant in the European model, most notably: a double row timing chain, modified cam tray, different valve lengths, a slightly different cam profile, less elaborate exhaust manifold (rather than full headers), Bosch X5DC copper spark plugs (instead of Bosch Silver plugs on the M88) and the introduction of an oxygen sensor for the EFI. These changes coupled with the introduction of a catalytic converter for emission regulations reduced the output to 256 hp (191 kW). The US model also included a variety of options not found on the earlier European models, to include: heated power seats, sport tuned self-levelling rear suspension, A/C cooled ice box between the rear seats, A/C vents for rear seat occupants, sunshade for rear occupants and an 8 speaker "premium" sound system.

In 1988, the US E24 was now available with the newest version of the M30, the 3.4L (first used in the E32 735i). Even though the intake manifold states 3.5 it's technically a 3.4 (3430cc) like the previous 3.4. This engine had an increased compression ratio, and updated Motronics/DME. The result was 208 hp (155 kW) and 225 ftlbf (305 Nm) torque. In effect, this engine was identical to the catalyzed version newly available in Germany and other markets.

Technical data BMW 628CSi-M 635CSi (E24) (except North America and Japan) (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

BMW

628CSi

630CS

633CSi

635CSi

635CSi

M635CSi

Produced: 

19791987

19761979

19761982

19781981

19821989

19831989

Engine: 

6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted

Bore Stroke: 

86 mm 80 mm

89 mm 80 mm

89 mm x 86 mm

93.4 mm x 84 mm

92 mm 86 mm

93.4 mm 84 mm

Displacement: 

2788 cc

2985 cc

3210 cc

3453 cc

3430 cc

3453 cc

Max. Power @ rpm: 

184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) @ 5800

185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 5800

197 PS (145 kW; 194 hp) @ 5500

218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 5200

218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 5200

286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) @ 6500

Max. Torque @ rpm: 

235 Nm (173 lbft) @ 4200

255 Nm (188 lbft) @ 3500

284 Nm (209 lbft) @ 4300

304 Nm (224 lbft) @ 4000

304 Nm (224 lbft) @ 4000

333 Nm (246 lbft) @ 4500

Compression Ratio: 

9.3: 1

9.0 : 1

9.3 : 1

9.3 : 1

10.0 : 1

10.5 : 1

Fuel feed: 

fuel injection

Bosch L-Jetronic

single downdraft carburetor

Pierburg 4A1

fuel injection

Bosch L-Jetronic

fuel injection

Bosch Motronic

Fuel tank capacity: 

70 L (18.5 US gal; 15.4 imp gal)

Valvetrain: 

12 valves, SOHC, duplex chain

24 valves, DOHC, duplex chain

Cooling: 

Water

Gearbox: 

4-speed manual, from 1979 5-speed manual (wide- or close-ratio)

on request 3-speed automatic, from 1983 4-speed automatic

rear wheel drive

5-speed manual

rear wheel drive

Electrical system: 

12 volt

Front suspension: 

McPherson axle, coil springs, stabilising bar

Rear suspension:: 

Trailing arms, struts, coil springs, stabilising bar

Brakes: 

disc brakes ( front 280 mm, rear 272 mm), power assisted, from MY 1984: ABS

Steering: 

ZF recirculating ball steering, power assisted

Body structure: 

Sheet steel, unibody construction

 

 

 

 

Dry weight: 

1,450 kg (3,200 lb)

1,475 kg (3,250 lb)

1,495 kg (3,300 lb)

1,520 kg (3,400 lb)

1,470 kg (3,200 lb)

1,510 kg (3,300 lb)

Loaded weight: 

1,830 kg (4,000 lb)

1,830 kg (4,000 lb)

1,830 kg (4,000 lb)

1,860 kg (4,100 lb)

1,850 kg (4,100 lb)

1,850 kg (4,100 lb)

 

 

Track front/

rear: 

1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in)

1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in)

1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1,487 mm (58.5 in)

1,430 mm (56 in) 1,460 mm (57 in)

1,430 mm (56 in) 1,460 mm (57 in)

1,430 mm (56 in) 1,464 mm (57.6 in)

Wheelbase: 

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

2,626 mm (103.4 in)

 

 

Length: 

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

4,755 mm (187.2 in)

Width: 

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

1,725 mm (67.9 in)

Height: 

1,365 mm (53.7 in)

1,365 mm (53.7 in)

1,365 mm (53.7 in)

1,365 mm (53.7 in)

1,365 mm (53.7 in)

1,354 mm (53.3 in)

 

 

 

 

Tyre/Tire sizes: 

195/70VR14

195/70VR14

195/70VR14

195/70VR14

205/70VR14

220/55VR390

or 240/45VR415

Top speed: 

215 km/h (134 mph)

210 km/h (130 mph)

215 km/h (134 mph)

222 km/h (138 mph)

225 km/h (140 mph)

255 km/h (158 mph)

Fuel Consumption (estimates): 

15.5 litres per 100 kilometres (18.2 mpg-imp; 15.2 mpg-US)

16.5 litres per 100 kilometres (17.1 mpg-imp; 14.3 mpg-US)

16.5 litres per 100 kilometres (17.1 mpg-imp; 14.3 mpg-US)

17.0 litres per 100 kilometres (16.6 mpg-imp; 13.8 mpg-US)

15.0 litres per 100 kilometres (18.8 mpg-imp; 15.7 mpg-US)

18.0 litres per 100 kilometres (15.7 mpg-imp; 13.1 mpg-US)

Sources and further reading

^ a b Oswald, Werner (1. Auflage 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 

^ Guts: Robert A. Lutz, Wriley and Sons, Pub. Copyright 2003

^ http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=5

^ Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1945-2002. Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW E24

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Type

Series

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Microcar

Isetta 250 / 300

Small family car

600

LS/700

Compact exec

3 Series

340/340-2

1602/2002

E21

E30

Executive

5 Series

327

1500,1800,2000

E12

E28

E34

Luxury

7 Series

501/502

E3

E23

E32

Coup

1600GT

6 Series

503

3200 CS

2000CS

E9

E24

Roadster

Z Series

507

Z1

Sports car/GT

M1, 8 Series

E26

E31

Categories: BMW platforms | Vehicles introduced in 1976Hidden categories: Articles needing additional references from February 2008 | All articles needing additional references