Designed under the watchful eye of Chris Bangle, the second-generation BMW 6-series both shocked the critics and sold in droves.
And with its naturally aspirated straight-six engine, it's a quintessential reminder of the recipe that originally made BMW great.
Good design is not created overnight.
Great design is something that takes years of steeping to become special. It needs to be aired, viewed by many, and discussed, and then also aged to finally be deemed successful. Whilst the cool-looking and first-generation BMW 6 Series is a product firmly rooted in the 1970s and 80s, it took BMW almost 15 years to create a follow-up.
The company aimed to create a coupe that was innovative, cutting-edge, and ahead of its time. With the full backing of the BMW board, chief designer Chris Bangle and his apprentice Adrian van Hooydonk penned the E63 BMW 6-series. It was the first time a design philosophy – usually found in architecture and called ‘Deconstructivism’ – was applied to car design. Interesting angles intersect in ways never seen before, and with age, it’s something that’s aged gracefully.
Featuring a buttery-smooth 3.0-litre ‘N52’ naturally aspirated straight-six with 200 kW / 320 Nm, a six-speed auto, and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, it offers a different take on that unmistakable BMW recipe we all know and love. It features a short (and quick) steering rack that helps shave kilos off its perceived weight, making it feel somewhat agile and delicate on the road.
Finished in Barbera red with an off-white interior, heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof, it’s also oozing sophisticated GT-car qualities too.
If you like the idea of a reliable, simple, and easy-to-own BMW, this is your ticket.
The car pictured – 2006 BMW 630i
This BMW 630i was built in December 2006 and finished in Barbera red metallic with an off-white interior and dark timber inlays.
That makes it a four-seat and two-door GT coupe. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated ‘N52’ six-cylinder engine with 200 kW/320 Nm. It features a six-speed ZF torque-converter automatic that sends power exclusively to its rear wheels.
Standard features include push-button start, electric heated seats with three-position memory, leather trim, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors with visual display, BMW premium audio, and automatic headlights.
It was purchased in Japan via its domestic used vehicle auction network, was graded 4.0B, and was noted as a one-owner vehicle. It presents in above-average condition and comes with a detailed BMW service history from new. Alongside being well maintained in Japan, the vehicle has received a minor service upon arriving in Australia.
The paint is original, and the underside shows no evidence of action in cold climates. It was recently fitted with new, OEM-spec Pirelli tyres. The vehicle comes with two keys and all associated paperwork from when it was new.
Quick facts
- 3.0-litre ‘N52’ straight-six engine
- 200kW power / 320Nm torque
- 124,573km
- Six-speed torque converter ZF auto
- Rear-wheel drive
- Off-white leather interior
- Heated and electric front seats with driver’s three-position memory
- Front & rear parking sensors
- Push-button start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Automatic HID headlights
- Cruise control
- Auto folding + dipping side mirrors
- Four seats
- Auction grade 4.0B
- One-owner from new
- Detailed BMW service history from new
- Recently serviced upon arriving in Australia
- Vehicle comes with Japanese owners manual
- Vehicle comes with three months NSW registration
- Vehicle comes with SEVS compliance
Love or loathe his work, Bangle's impact on auto design has been profound. No other designer, not even legendary GM design chief Harley Earl, has so rapidly become a part of the industry lexicon.MotorTrend magazine, May 18, 2006.
