We all have an idea of what makes the ideal mate. Typically, we'd like a partner who's gorgeous, smart, athletic, rich and reliable (maybe not in that order). A few of us get close but we usually compromise on a parameter (or two). If you're looking for an automotive mate who's got all the above, look no further than BMW's new 6 Series. Since its early inception as the CS Coupe, the 6 Series has always been given the regard of a Nobel Prize-winning supermodel. It's a great example of a car with the perfect blend of everything.
In its latest iteration, the lines penned by Chris Bangle are clearly apparent. Although his singular styling has left many cold, the overall shape and size of the 6 Series has remained sexy. A good analogy is a German-built Jaguar.
Richard Hamann, the owner and founder of Hamann Motorsport GmbH has been tuning BMWs for more than 20 years. His styling is typically Germanic and favors understated elegance rather than outlandish extravagance. Like all European tuners, Hamann products are rigorously tested and must pass the stringent TV certification before getting on the road. Essentially, that means the hardware is as good-if not better than-the factory.
Both Shoreline Motoring and Wheel Power obtained versions of BMW's latest 6er, and thanks to Wheel Power's exclusive North American concession for Hamann, were the first to modify this model. The BMW 645i Cabriolet was purchased by Shoreline at the request of Dan Barnes, ec's former tech guru. Dan is now part of the Shoreline crew, and although we miss him terribly, he's been a blessing to his new employer. Dan knows his stuff and if it's installed on a car, it works.
These BMWs wear Hamann's front spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser and have been re-badged with Hamann logos. The front lip on the convertible was trimmed to increase ground clearance and reduce the frequency of scraping and return visits to the paint shop when driven by its new owner. The cars also wear Hamann's rear exhaust system wrought of 100% stainless steel. It provides a throaty rumble, like a traditional muscle car, but still meets European Union noise limits of no more than 1-decibel increase at idle and peak torque rpm. The running gear is comprised of Radenergie R10 wheels, forged, three-piece units made in Japan on an 8,000-ton press. The R10s are lightweight and one of the most attractive sets we've seen on a BMW. The fronts measure 9x20-in. and the rear a whopping 10x20-in. The Michelin-flavored rubber measures 245/35ZR20 in front and 285/30ZR20 rear.
"Michelin's Pilot Sport PS2 is, in our experience, the best all-around maximum-performance tire currently available," said Barnes. "It's what we run on our own cars, including former Project 325. It is outstanding in the rain, provides awesome grip and handling characteristics in the dry, while also giving a very smooth ride and low road noise. It provides all the characteristics required to put very large-diameter wheels on the finest luxury cars without overly compromising their refinement. Customer feedback indicates it actually rides smoother in plus-one sizes than other, older performance tires on stock sizes."
H&R Sport springs have replaced the stock units and provide 0.75-in. drop in height while retaining the overall goodness of the BMW suspension. However, given the topless structure of the cabrio, Dan may return to stock depending on the new owner's driving style.
No, these are not the most highly modified BMWs we've seen but they are some of the most beautiful. This is a case where the aftermarket actually helps a car realize its full potential. We really love the treatment Wheel Power and Shoreline applied and recognize this is exactly the type of program 80% of European car owners will ultimately seek.
Gorgeous, smart, athletic, rich and reliable. That's damn near the perfect mate.