BMW 6-series I (E24) photos

1976 — 1989 · coupe
19
photos
22
specifications
181–282
hp
6.4 s
best 0–100

About this generation

The first-generation BMW 6 Series E24 defined the modern luxury grand tourer with its iconic shark-nose design and smooth inline-six engines.

Debuting in 1976 as the successor to the legendary E9 coupe, the E24 generation established BMW as a dominant force in the premium grand touring market. Penned under the direction of Paul Bracq, the sleek two-door coupe captured attention with its aggressive forward-leaning radiator grille, earning it the enduring nickname "Sharknose." Inside, the E24 introduced the driver-centric dashboard orientation that became a signature ergonomic element for the Bavarian brand. Over its thirteen-year production run, the flagship coupe embodied an understated blend of prestige, comfort, and dynamic capability.

Power came exclusively from BMW’s smooth naturally aspirated inline-six M30 engine family, ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 liters of displacement. Engineering highlights included advanced electronic fuel injection systems like Bosch Motronic and a sophisticated fully independent suspension. The E24 remained in production until 1989, securing its legacy as BMW’s longest-running single generation and cementing its place as a timeless collector classic in automotive history.

Specifications

22
4755 mm187.2 in
Length
1725 mm67.9 in
Width
1365 mm53.7 in
Height
2626 mm103.4 in
Wheelbase
415 l14.7 cu ft
Trunk
Petrol
628CSi
181hp(135 kW)
2.8 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.1 s
1979–1987
Torque
240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed
212 km/h (132 mph)
Displacement
2788 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B28
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1410 kg (3109 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
628CSi
181hp(135 kW)
2.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.9 s
1979–1982
Torque
240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed
206 km/h (128 mph)
Displacement
2788 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B28
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1440 kg (3175 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
628CSi
181hp(135 kW)
2.8 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.5 s
1982–1987
Torque
240 Nm (177 lb-ft)
Top speed
207 km/h (129 mph)
Displacement
2788 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B28
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1430 kg (3153 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
630CS
182hp(136 kW)
3.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.0 s
1976–1979
Torque
260 Nm (192 lb-ft)
Top speed
210 km/h (130 mph)
Displacement
2986 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
630CS
182hp(136 kW)
3.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 11.2 s
1976–1979
Torque
260 Nm (192 lb-ft)
Top speed
205 km/h (127 mph)
Displacement
2986 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1480 kg (3263 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
182hp(136 kW)
3.4 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 8.3 s
1985–1986
Torque
290 Nm (214 lb-ft)
Top speed
217 km/h (135 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1430 kg (3153 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
182hp(136 kW)
3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.3 s
1985–1986
Torque
290 Nm (214 lb-ft)
Top speed
213 km/h (132 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
189hp(141 kW)
3.4 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.9 s
1986–1987
Torque
300 Nm (221 lb-ft)
Top speed
222 km/h (138 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1430 kg (3153 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
189hp(141 kW)
3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.1 s
1986–1987
Torque
290 Nm (214 lb-ft)
Top speed
217 km/h (135 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
633CSi
197hp(147 kW)
3.2 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.9 s
1976–1979
Torque
285 Nm (210 lb-ft)
Top speed
215 km/h (134 mph)
Displacement
3210 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
633CSi
197hp(147 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.9 s
1979–1982
Torque
285 Nm (210 lb-ft)
Top speed
215 km/h (134 mph)
Displacement
3210 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
633CSi
197hp(147 kW)
3.2 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.8 s
1976–1982
Torque
285 Nm (210 lb-ft)
Top speed
208 km/h (129 mph)
Displacement
3210 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1480 kg (3263 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
208hp(155 kW)
3.4 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.4 s
1987–1989
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
230 km/h (143 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B35
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
208hp(155 kW)
3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.4 s
1987–1989
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
225 km/h (140 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B35
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1480 kg (3263 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
215hp(160 kW)
3.5 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.6 s
1978–1982
Torque
304 Nm (224 lb-ft)
Top speed
222 km/h (138 mph)
Displacement
3453 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M90
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1430 kg (3153 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
215hp(160 kW)
3.5 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 9.1 s
1980–1982
Torque
304 Nm (224 lb-ft)
Top speed
215 km/h (134 mph)
Displacement
3453 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M90
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
215hp(160 kW)
3.4 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.4 s
1982–1987
Torque
310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
Top speed
229 km/h (142 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1430 kg (3153 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
215hp(160 kW)
3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.4 s
1982–1987
Torque
310 Nm (229 lb-ft)
Top speed
221 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B34
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
217hp(162 kW)
3.4 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 7.3 s
1987–1989
Torque
315 Nm (232 lb-ft)
Top speed
233 km/h (145 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B35
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1450 kg (3197 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
635CSi
217hp(162 kW)
3.4 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 8.3 s
1987–1989
Torque
315 Nm (232 lb-ft)
Top speed
227 km/h (141 mph)
Displacement
3430 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M30B35
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1480 kg (3263 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
M635CSi
256hp(191 kW)
3.5 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.8 s
1986–1989
Torque
330 Nm (243 lb-ft)
Top speed
245 km/h (152 mph)
Displacement
3453 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S38B35
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1515 kg (3340 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)
M635CSi
282hp(210 kW)
3.5 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.4 s
1984–1989
Torque
340 Nm (251 lb-ft)
Top speed
255 km/h (158 mph)
Displacement
3453 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M88/3
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1500 kg (3307 lb)
Fuel tank
70 l (18.5 gal US)

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