The E63/E64 BMW 650i, 645i and M6 are some outstanding sport touring cars, but BMW left a few nagging details that really take away from the car, preventing it from being the best it could’ve been. In this article, we’ll be covering the five best mods to make your BMW 6-Series look the way it was always intended to.
#1 – Ditch The Cookie Cutter Wheels
I really don’t know what Chris Bangle was smoking when he decided to let the otherwise beautiful 6-series roll out of the factory wearing some of the less-than-gorgeous wheels the cars came equipped with factory. A set of fresh rolling stock is the simplest and one of the most effective mods for E63/E64 6-Series.
A set of Forgestar Wheels is an ideal way to set your 6 apart from the crowd. The popular Forgestar F14 wheels for BMW, seen here in gloss black, look great with the 6’s bodylines.
Available in semi deep, deep and super deep concavity, the F14 looks great on any 6er.
Avant Garde M359 Hyper Silver 20×8.5 20×11
Avant Garde Wheels also offers some great looking options in 6-series fitments. Avant Garde’s popular M359 is available in 20in diameter, as you can see in the 20×8.5 / 20×11 Avant Garde M359 Hyper Silver wheels on the merlot 650ci above.
One of our favorite wheels from AG for the 6-series are Avant Garde M590 Wheels for BMW in 20in fitments, seen in Satin Silver finish above.
VMR V710 19×8.5 et35 19×9.5 et22 in Hyper Silver Finish
VMR Wheels also offers some great looking options for 6-Series wheels, like the classic VMR V710 Wheels for BMW, seen here in a 19in fitment in Hyper Silver finish, really gives the 6 a classy look.
There are many great wheels for BMW 6-series on the market and these are just a few of the offerings out there. To get advice on your next set of wheels, we invite you to talk to our Mod Experts, who can offer you the information you need to get the set of wheels that’s perfect for you. Give us a call at 714-582-3330, chat live at ModBargains.com or stop by the showroom.
#2 Drop it Like It’s Hot with Suspension Mods
After a set of wheels, the next best thing you can do for your 6 is lower your BMW 6-Series suspension. One of the next best things you can do for the aesthetics and performance of your 5er is to give it a healthy drop. Like the E90 and E60, your E63 suspension is likely showing its age by now, so many owners find it simpler to just get coilovers rather than replace both springs and shocks.
The lifespan of the average shock absorber is approximately 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The seals wear out and the oil inside leaks out or loses its viscosity. Since the shocks are worn out, if you’re thinking about lowering your E63 6-series, Eibach Pro-Kit Springs for E63 BMW 6-series combined with Bilstein Shocks is an ideal solution, including both springs and shocks all in one go, a great choice for those who want a lower ride height but want to maintain ride quality.
Here’s how the Bilsteins look with the Eibachs installed.
If you’re looking for a sportier ride, check out H&R Sport Springs for BMW E63 6-Series / M6 for sharper handling at the expense of some ride quality.
Considering going to coilovers? Coilovers replace both the springs and the shock absorbers completely, and give you precise control over just how much lower your 6-series sits. What’s more, Coilovers aren’t just for those guys heading to a trackday. Coilovers can ride better than stock if set up correctly and most of us here at ModBargains on staff are on coilovers in our own daily driven modded cars.
If you’re looking for a great coilover on a budget, check out BC Racing BR Series Coilovers for BMW E63/E64 6-Series & M6, which are a high quality coilover that offers full 30-way adjustment for just 10 benjamins. H&R Street Performance Coilovers for E63 are another great option priced just above that if you’d prefer a name brand, and CKS Suspension Coilovers for E63 6-Series/M6 have an outstanding reputation for their handling performance. Of course, if you live somewhere that snow is an actual problem, KW Coilovers for E63 6-Series feature a stainless steel coating to resist corrosion, but the KW brand name will cost you a bit more.
Not sure what suspension mod might be best for your E63/E64? Ask a Mod Expert. Give us a call at 714-582-3330 today for expert modding advice for your 6er.
#3 Be Heard & Seen With An Exhaust
The OEM exhaust is a bit on the quiet side on the 5er, and the single side exit on everything short of the M5 leaves some people feeling a bit cold. While the exhaust for E60 BMW 5-Series is good for SOME power, but it’s mostly for sound. A Remus Exhaust for BMW 6-Series & M6 with Carbon Fiber Trimmed Street Race tips sexes up the rear end of any 6-series.
Want something BMW-sanctioned? Check out a Dinan Free-Flow Exhaust for BMW 645i/650i [E63/E64] – offering a more aggressive sound than stock and the peace of mind of a BMW-endorsed part
Dinan also offers a handsome and aggressive system for the E63/E64 BMW M6.
The Eisenmann Exhaust for BMW E63 M6 is a great option for those who want a more aggressive sound and features oval tips for a more “luxury-oriented” look.
Eisenmann tends to be on the louder end of the spectrum, so be sure you listen to sound clips to be sure you like the volume of what you’re ordering.
Another great option with an aggressive sound at a very reasonable price is the Billy Boat Exhaust for E63 BMW M6 models, featuring sexy quad slash cut quad tips.
If you’re looking for a full cat-back exhaust for your 6-Series, check out the Borla Cat-Back Exhaust for E63 BMW M6 which has a more muscular, Americanized sound to it.
Alternately, the Magnaflow Header-Back Exhaust for E63 BMW M6 offers another aggressive option but with a distinctly American bark to it.
Of course, the best exhaust for BMW E63/E64 6-Series or M6 is going to be the one that sounds best to you, so be sure you listen to sound clips of different exhaust system options rather than choosing based on power, price or appearance alone.
Have questions about an exhaust for your 6-Series or need a system installed? Talk to a Mod Expert – call 714-582-3330 today or chat live at ModBargains.com
4. Breathe Free with an Upgraded Air Intake
A cold air intake will let your BMW 6-Series V8 or V10 breathe more freely and perform better, allowing you to better hear your engine note as well as delivering more horsepower to your rear wheels. A K&N Air Intake for your E63 M6 is a great place to start, with a pair of free flowing conical air filters with heatshields replacing the restrictive OEM airboxes for much sharper response.
Another great option for the M6 guys is this High Flow Mass Meter/Intake Assembly for E63 BMW M6 by Dinan. These beautiful Carbon-Fiber trimmed airboxes reduces intake restriction for a better breathing engine – with greater flow of cool air, power increases by 21hp and provides improved throttle response. The larger, completely sealed, filter housings are designed for use with oval shaped filters which provide greater surface area for superior flow and virtually eliminate the pressure drop typically experienced with stock systems.
Say you don’t have an M6 – Dinan offers a great airbox option for non-M cars as well.
The Dinan High Flow Intake System for the E63 BMW 650i to dramatically increase intake air-flow volume and velocity. This improved design ensures the lowest possible air temperatures, providing maximum power gains and improved throttle response. This system adds a second air inlet in conjunction with the stock inlet configuration which feeds cool air into the modified airbox. The new airbox lid in this kit is completely sealed and is designed to increase volume and accommodate a special high flow filter element. The modified airbox and the secondary inlet both are designed to reject underhood heat and resist power-robbing. This system alone results in an amazing 18 horsepower gain and provides a subtly more aggressive intake note.
The aFe Power intake for the BMW 650i outflows the OEM intake by more than 45%, and smooths airflow going into the transition for the intake tract. Featuring a molded intake tube, this intake’s plastic construction means it has excellent heat insulation properties, meaning your air charge will stay nice and cool.
In aFe Power’s dyno tests, the increased flow to the intake allowed this 6-er to make an additional +12whp and +11wtq, offering power gains across the board and helps correct the torque dropoff around 4420rpm.
These K&N and aFe Power intakes are just one example of many different intakes for BMW E63 6-series, so ask a Mod Expert for their recommendations on what the best intake currently on the market for your model is.
5. Stand Out With Exterior Mods
Believe it or not, something as simple as Gloss Black Kidney Grilles for BMW E63 6-Series can really clean up the exterior of your 6. Here are a few simple exterior mods to make your 6-series stand out from the crowd a bit more and clean up your aesthetics.
One of the things we really hate is the front license plate. Something like the No Holes BMW License Plate Holder is a great way to legally display it in a way that doesn’t clutter up your front end or obstruct airflow.
Want to give your 6-series a more aggressive look? A V-Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip for BMW E63/E64 M6 can give you that extra bit of aggression you’re after.
Here’s how the lip looks mounted.
Of course these are just a few suggestions – check out our full selection of E63 6-Series Exterior Mods here, and if you don’t see what you’re after, ask a Mod Expert, as we can likely get a hold of what you’re after.
So that wraps up our roundup of the 5 best mods for the BMW E63/E64 6-series platform – it’s worth noting though that this is a general guideline, for specific recommendations for your exact 6er, give us a call at 714-582-3330 and speak with our Modification Experts who can assist you with advice and suggestions for what might be the best fit for your needs.
Need something installed? Our shop, Mod Auto, offers full service installations – if it’s aftermarket and bolt on, odds are we can install it for you. Call 714-582-3330 or CLICK HERE to Use Our Online Appointment Scheduling System
Story & Photos Nicholas Gregson