1988 BMW M6 “Finest E24 series”

In 1987 Car and Driver wrote without hesitation: “The BMW M6 is one of those wild, wonderful cars that throw the scales of automotive justice totally off balance.” And when you look at an M6 from 1988 today, you immediately understand why.

The BMW M6 appeared in the late nineteen eighties as the ultimate evolution of the already impressive Six Series. Its roots trace back to the 2800 CS, the 3.0 CS and later the 635 CSi, but for the North American market the car received the coveted M designation from BMW Motorsport. This was not just an extra badge, but a serious technical upgrade. Fewer than eighteen hundred examples were produced for the American market between 1987 and 1989, with estimates around 1767 units, a small number of which went to Canada. That means roughly a little over sixteen hundred cars actually reached customers in the United States. That is a very limited number, especially considering how many have disappeared over time.

The design features that unmistakable forward leaning front end, the famous shark nose. It was developed under the direction of Paul Bracq. The bodies were built by Karmann in Osnabrück and then finished in Dingolfing. The result is a coupe that radiates speed even when standing still, without exaggerated spoilers or loud styling. Subtle, yet far from modest.

Under the long hood sits a magnificent inline six with dual overhead camshafts and twenty four valves, derived from the engine used in the BMW M1. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a manual five speed gearbox and a limited slip differential. Acceleration from zero to sixty two miles per hour takes about six seconds and top speed is around one hundred fifty five miles per hour. At the time, this made it BMW's second fastest road car, surpassed only by the M1.

The chassis was thoroughly revised compared to the regular 635 CSi. Bilstein gas filled MacPherson struts at the front, shorter and stiffer springs all around, larger stabilizer bars, and ventilated disc brakes with ABS. Behind the seventeen inch three piece BBS honeycomb wheels hides serious stopping power. The car sits lower, feels tighter, and responds more directly than its civilian sibling. You notice that immediately once you are on the road with this icon.

Inside it is just as impressive. Fully power adjustable heated sport seats upholstered in beautiful leather. Automatic climate control, power windows, an adjustable steering column, a premium audio system and, in this example, a power sunroof. Everything you would expect from a late nineteen eighties high performance coupe.

Last year this BMW was carefully attended to down to the smallest details, while the body remains largely in its original first paint. The car also comes with documentation including original booklets and invoices. The condition is very well preserved and presents beautifully. We invite you to review the photo report on our website for a first impression.

Within the E24 range, the M6 is rightly regarded as the absolute pinnacle. The finest execution of the series. A rare manual grand tourer with genuine Motorsport DNA, built in limited numbers and technically linked directly to the M1.

And when you turn the key, you do not hear an ordinary inline six. You hear an engine that was designed to perform, even if you are only heading out for a short drive to pick up a newspaper.

Interested in this iconic BMW? Contact Gallery Aaldering today and experience this BMW for yourself. We export our vehicles worldwide. Ask us about the possibilities.

* Completely renovated last year - down to the last detail
* Largely in the first and original paintwork
* Less than 1.800 US-market examples produced between 1987 and 1989
* Presented in "Zinnoberrot over Natural leather" (completely renovated)
* With the correct history file containing booklets and invoices
* Sliding roof - Sports interior (elec) - etc executed