The BMW New Sixes were a line of luxury six-cylinder automobiles produced from 1968 to 1977. The series was introduced as a response to the Mercedes-Benz-dominated large luxury car class and was very important in establishing BMW's reputation as a maker of sporting, luxury sedans. A two-door coupé version was produced alongside. The sedans have the internal name E3, while the coupés are E9.
Models were given names denoting their engine sizes, and suffixes to indicate the long-wheelbase (L) and fuel injection (i) available on later cars. The coupés were all named CS, followed by i (for fuel injection models) or L (for light-weight models, which also had fuel injection and higher power).
2500/2.5, 2.5CS (2478 cc, 150 PS)
2800/2.8, 2800CS (2769cc, 170 PS)
3.0S, 3.0CS (2966cc, 180 PS using twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors)
3.0Si, 3.0Li, 3.0CSi (2966cc, 200 or 195 PS, depending whether Bosch D-Jetronic or L-Jetronic was installed)
3.3Li (3188cc, 200PS)
The 2500 and 2800 sedans were sold in the USA as the Bavaria, a name which some enthusiasts apply to the whole range. The New Sixes are the direct ancestors of the now-familiar 7-Series.
They were roomy 6-cylinder cars that handled well and impressed contemporary reviewers. Road & Track called the Bavaria "delightful" and "superb", concluding that it was "one of the world's best buys". The big-bore 3.0S was introduced in 1971. It was more powerful and expensive than the 2800; a fuel-injected version was also made. Also produced were long-wheelbase L models (3.0L, 3.3Li, etc.), whose sharp handling was a stark contrast to the large Mercedes-Benz models of the time.
From the several cars my father owned, none was ever as missed as his 2800.
We loved that car. I hope I can buy one someday.