SHARK ATTACK

One of the accusations often levelled at the BMW 6-Series was that it was somehow softer than the preceding E9 Coupes that had arrived in 1969. There’s an element of truth to that as the E24 was certainly heavier and it initially had less of a sporting bias, but it was a better resolved product. The E9 might have been lighter but the shell was a bit flexible and being based on the New Class 1500-2000 floorpan, it wasn’t as good to drive as the E3 six cylinder saloons upon which the 1972 E12 520 – and subsequently the E24 – were based. In any case, accusations of softness were dispelled by the original 1978 635CSi and later the 1984 M635CSi – all 24 valves and 286bhp of it.

HISTORY

The E24 arrived in the summer of 1976, a year after the final E9 Coupes were built by Karmann in Osnabruck. It was available in two forms – the 185bhp carburettor 3-litre 630CS and the 200bhp fuel injected 3.2-litre 633CSi – but only the latter would come to the UK. Early cars until around November 1977 were assembled entirely at Karmann, after which they supplied the shells to Dingolfing near Munich where the cars were built.

In late 1978, a 635CSi arrived as a proper replacement for the 3.0CSi. Externally, a deep front spoiler was joined by a big boot spoiler and contrasting side stripes together with Mahle BBS lattice alloy