BMW 6

BMW 645Ci

DARTH VADER

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

Contrary to the popular belief there actually is some sunshine in Ireland, and when the big yellow thing is in the sky the convertibles come out to play. Baron, the owner of this stunning BMW 645i, believes the car roof should stay down no matter what the conditions are, so he opted for this car as his daily vehicle.  

The BMW 645Ci is a sports convertible featuring a powerful 4.4l petrol naturally aspirated v8 engine. BMW 645Ci was launched in March 2004 and produced until 2005 before replaced with the 650 model. The BMW 6 series was designed by Adrian Van Hooydonk who retrospectively based in on Chris Bangle's BMW Z9 concept drawing. The interior was designed by Chris Bangle. The car was built in Dingolfing, Germany and more than 100,000 versions of this model left the factory. 

 

The BMW 6 Series, code name: E64 featured a non-conventional convertible design with fins and built-in wind deflectors that could be lowered or raised at any time. The design was later copied and adapted by many supercar manufacturers including Audi R8 Spyder and McLaren 650S Spider. The car body is very strong and rigid, the body parts were made from aluminum whereas the boot and front wings were plastic.

The 6 series proved to be a very desired and successful model; however, there were a few negative comments on it from the automotive journalists, mostly aimed at the car's design faults at the rear. The unique design was approved by Chris Bangle (the head of the BMW at the time) hence the nickname for the 6 Series rear - "the Bangle Butt".

 

EXTERIOR

In my opinion the six series was one of the most successful BMW models released in the modern era featuring a very long and aggressive shark-like front end of the vehicle, hence why the nickname “bullshark”. It really is a mean looking vehicle and Baron has enhanced its aggressive look by adding quite a lot AC parts on it. His six features front AC Schnitzer front bumper splitter, AC Schnitzer rear diffuser, AC Schnitzer boot spoiler, M6 heated mirrors, BMW M6 side vents, BMW M6 sills, BMW carbon fibre badges, matte black kidney grills and xenon and LED bulb upgrade.

INTERIOR

As you can imagine the spectacle of this vehicle is its custom interior. Baron is the owner and main master behind the custom interior and audio upgrade shop “Top Secret”, and understandably his vehicles are the means to showcase his work and talent.

From the moment the BMW 6 series was purchased Baron knew he had to do something special with the interior. He came across some burnt out BMW F13 seats on Internet and decided to take on the challenge to restore them and make a unique interior weeks before the Ireland’s largest car show “Dubshed” back in April.

To contrast the metallic black paint on the six series Baron decided to go red in the interior. The F13 seats were fully reconstructed and restored, regaining all the electric functions as well as the top of the range heating (quite ironic). The front and rear seats were retrimmed in a bespoke style with red and black leather with detailed stitching.

Baron also modified the dashboard and door panels and finished it in red and black leather with detailed stitching. The same treatment was applied to centre console, armrest, gators, and quarter panels, as well as the rear soft top spoiler, kick panel, pillars and windscreen surround. The interior plastics were painted in high luster piano black.

Let’s not ignore the carbon either, there is a lot of it in this vehicle – from carbon fibre gear knob, to M6 carbon fribre centre console to a full custom BMW M6 flat bottom steering wheel.

Other upgrades include an AC Schnitzer Handbrake handle, AC Schnitzer Pedals and AC Schnitzer mats. This really is a custom interior and you’ll not see another one like this; it really makes you notice the car and it sets it apart from the rest of the stanced BMW 6 series out there.

As for the audio/visual: the 6.5” components are residing in a custom made housing in the doors accompanied by Audison DMI Morel supremo tweeters , whilst the bass is coming from Rainbow PL-W6c Mids JL W7 Subwoofer that is powered by Phoenix Gold limited edition carbon fibre amplifier. It is all controlled through the BMW CCC 8” or one of the several Alpine 7” Headrest screens.

WHEELS AND SUSPENSION

 

To finish off the mean exterior, Baron knew the car had to run some aggressive wheels and stance. He opted for the 21” Alpina staggered wheels wrapped in … rubber. The car was lowered to the ground with the help of D2 Air suspension, consisting of Airlift V2 digital management system and ViAir 444 compressor with the silencer kit.

 

 

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

Baron opted for the 4.4 I V8 engine; it has been remapped with Celtic Tuning stage 1 map and punches a healthy 360hp. If the noise from the beautiful V8 wasn’t enough, he also treated the car to a full AC Schnitzer stainless dual exhaust system. The power is delivered via the rear wheels and uses a 6 Speed SMG gearbox. As you can imagine the six series was never designed as a sports car, rather a fast open top cruiser that punches enough power to get those hair flying in the wind.

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