BMW 6 Series (E24)

The E24 was a replacement for theCS and CSL coupés first produced in 1965. The CS 3.0 was almost changed by adding a few centimeters in height to make it easier for customers to get into the car. However, Beb Lutz rebelled against the decision and rough drafted an alternative version that soon became the 6 series.^[1] Production started in March 1976 with two models: the 630CS and 633CSi. Originally the bodies were manufactured by Karmann but production was later taken in-house to BMW.

In July 1978 a more powerful variant, the 635CSi, was introduced (for the time being not available in North America and Japan) that featured as standard a special close-ratio 5-speed gearbox and a single piece black rear spoiler. The bigger bore and shorter stroke facilitated max 218 hp at 5200rpm and a better torque curve. For the first year, the 635CSi was offered in three colors (Polaris, Henna Red, Graphite), and could also be spotted by the front air dam that did not have attached fog lights. These simple cosmetic changes reportedly worked to reduce uplift on the car at high speeds by almost 15% over the non-spoiler body shape. This early model shared suspension components with the inaugural BMW 5-series, the E12.

BMW 5 Serie E12

BMW 5 Series (E12)

  

The BMW E12 BMW 5-Series was made between 1972 and 1981. The E12 was the first series to bear the 5 Series name: the '5' denoting BMW's fifth 'New Class' platform. Designed as a replacement for the popular BMW New Class mid-size sedan, the E12 5-Series models were smaller than the large BMW E3 sedan but larger than the two-door 2002 models. The E12 was replaced by the BMW E28  5 Series in 1981, although production continued until 1984 in South Africa

                                                                        BMW 525 SERIES E12
  

                                                            BMW 520 E12



Styling and features

The 1970 BMW 2200ti Garmisch show car designed by the Bertone Design Centre led by Marcello Gandini set the style for the E12 5-series. Designed to compete with the Mercedes Benz W114 sedans, the E12 models were fitted with a variety of engines. 1.8 L and 2.0 L M10 I14 engines from the older Neue Klasse sedans were used in the 518 and 520, respectively. A six-cylinder version of the 520, built with a 2.0 L M20 belt-driven engine was also available from 1977 on (to coincide with the minor restyling). The 525i, 528i, 530i, and M535i, were fitted withM30 sixcilyndres engine as used on the large E3 sedans and E9 coupes

BMW-M

                                                            BMW M 

BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just "M" (for Motorsport) was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s.  

As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW's vehicles portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known by the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW's private facility at the Nurburgringg racing circuit in Germany.

                                                              First BMW M1 E26

There are several BMW models which BMW Motorsport made changes on, without them becoming M-Cars. This succession of styling (M-tech I, M-tech II) and performance cues came from BMW Motorsports; e.g. BMW 530i M packet or 325i M packet etc.

Vehicles which have been modified by BMW Motorsport, but are not full M Cars, may feature "M" badges, whilst full M Cars will have "M" badges with the model number (e.g. "M3" or "M5"). Two exceptions would be the M Roadster and M Coupe models, both Z3, Z4 and 1-series variants, which only have an "M" badge with no number displayed on the trunk. These cars are full M Cars.

                                                                   BMW M535i  E 12      

BMW M3 E30

The BMW E30 is a compact executive car with rear-wheel-drive layout (except the all-wheel-drive 325iX) produced by BMW. The BMW M3 was first introduced on the E30 platform. The E30 was released in 1982 and was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1992. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet convertible E30 well into 1993 and the touring until 1994.

The cars were powered by a range of inline 4-cylinder and inline 6-cilynder engines. The E30 BMW M3 was fitted with a high-revving 4-cylinder petrol engine BMW S14 which produced 175 kW (238 PS; 235 hp) in its final European-only iteration.

                                                                 DIRTY M3 E30

                                                                 NIGHT BMW M3E30

                                                               /// M3

The BMW M3 E92

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the bmw 3series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW  M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupe saloon and convertible body styles. Upgrades over the "standard" 3-Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, and interior/exterior accents with the tri-colour "M" (Motorsport) emblem. Over the years the M3 and M5 have become the benchmark vehicle against which most sport sedans in its class are compared despite competition from Mercedes AMG and Audi Quattro.

The last M3 coupe rolled off the assembly line in Germany on 5 July 2013. Part of BMW's renumbering to move the 3-Series coupe and convertible to the 4series, the M3 name will remain with the sedan, but the coupe model will be replaced by the M4 beginning with the 2014 model year.

                                                                  BMW M3 E92 ORANGE

M3E92