Launched in 1975, BMW’s 6 Series was meant to embody everything about the Bavarian marque that carried the slogan ‘the ultimate driving machine’.
Now its chiseled good looks, and familiar kidney grille, personify the ’80s like little else on four wheels.
Unlike some of its rivals, the 6 Series was a true sporting coupe, equally at home in the twisty stuff as it was fulfilling the more long-legged activities expected of its breed.
But if sportiness is your priority then the M635CSi is the most desirable option. It may not look hugely different to the regular machine, but it is a manual-only sports car whose (relatively) sedate looks hide a modified version of the straight-six that powered the M1 supercar.
Exotic mechanicals can bring their own problems, however, and the M is known to be more fragile than its bread-and-butter siblings. A known flaw was the relative weakness of the single-row timing chain, but most cars will have had it replaced by now.
That’s not to say that the ‘normal’ car was bereft of issues. While German electronics may be more robust than other (dare we say British?) technology, it is not immune to issues, especially on cars that have been left standing in damp conditions. A methodical check of warning lights and electrical gizmos is highly recommended.
Rust, meanwhile, affects the usual areas including the front wings, footwells, door bottoms, sills, sunroof drains, wheelarches and the boot floor.
The ‘sixes’ are generally thought to be durable, but repairing a neglected unit will be costly – extremely so in the case of the M.
Full article at ClassicAndSportscar.com
