Test drove an E63 M6 @ the weekend.....
Discussion
Having had a 645 which I loved but wanted 'more' I started looking at M6's about 18 months ago. But I got thoroughly put off by the tales of how terrible the SMG box is. So I didn't drive one (idiot!)and bought a 55K AMG.
Well the AMG is fast, once moving I'd bet faster than the M6 in a straight line. It's has more torque than a lorry and will happily pull hard in top from 1200 rpm. But it's numb to drive, the huge reserves of torque are great but also its curse. It doesn't require any thought to drive, it's boring.
So I'm thinking about M6's again. The internet is still full of the horror stories of its reliability and how rubbish the SMG is. But this time I decide I need to drive one. So off I go on Saturday.
All I can say is - What are they all talking about? Sure the SMG is not smooth like an auto but lifting at change points sorts that. Drive it like the manual it is. If you want/expect auto type gearshifts buy an auto! No it's not as fast as a modern dual clutch box, but it predates them.
Oh and the V10..... wow. No it's not got the torque of the supercharged AMG engine. But well, WOW!
So off M6 hunting I go.
End of RANT at self for being an idiot and not driving one before!
Well the AMG is fast, once moving I'd bet faster than the M6 in a straight line. It's has more torque than a lorry and will happily pull hard in top from 1200 rpm. But it's numb to drive, the huge reserves of torque are great but also its curse. It doesn't require any thought to drive, it's boring.
So I'm thinking about M6's again. The internet is still full of the horror stories of its reliability and how rubbish the SMG is. But this time I decide I need to drive one. So off I go on Saturday.
All I can say is - What are they all talking about? Sure the SMG is not smooth like an auto but lifting at change points sorts that. Drive it like the manual it is. If you want/expect auto type gearshifts buy an auto! No it's not as fast as a modern dual clutch box, but it predates them.
Oh and the V10..... wow. No it's not got the torque of the supercharged AMG engine. But well, WOW!
So off M6 hunting I go.
End of RANT at self for being an idiot and not driving one before!
I had an up and down journey with mine; all for me all the scare stories bore true; SMG pump, clutch, flywheel, VANOS, throttle actuators, parking sensors (annoyance) were all replaced during my 18 months with the car.
I would urge you to get one with a full BMW approved warranty which can be negotiated to 2 years if you push hard enough or get a sub 60,000 mile car with full BMW service history and you can put a warranty on it for about £1800. Anyone running an S85 V10 with high mileage without warranty is a brave person.
For what it's worth, VANOS problems are usually 4 figures to rectify and it's only specialists who know how to fix them.
I urge everyone to go in with their eyes open when purchasing one of these or the E60 M5 V10.
They are getting to that stage where people want to experience them but don't have the fund to properly maintain them and they'll skimp on things so make sure you don't end up with one of those cars. If you are local to me (Huddersfield) and want to go view a car give me a shout, I'll help you decide if it's a good one or not!
They are epic cars though when they are properly working and on back country roads are a riot in full attack mode.
This was mine, I still miss it but I'd be reluctant to have another one I reckon.
I would urge you to get one with a full BMW approved warranty which can be negotiated to 2 years if you push hard enough or get a sub 60,000 mile car with full BMW service history and you can put a warranty on it for about £1800. Anyone running an S85 V10 with high mileage without warranty is a brave person.
For what it's worth, VANOS problems are usually 4 figures to rectify and it's only specialists who know how to fix them.
I urge everyone to go in with their eyes open when purchasing one of these or the E60 M5 V10.
They are getting to that stage where people want to experience them but don't have the fund to properly maintain them and they'll skimp on things so make sure you don't end up with one of those cars. If you are local to me (Huddersfield) and want to go view a car give me a shout, I'll help you decide if it's a good one or not!
They are epic cars though when they are properly working and on back country roads are a riot in full attack mode.
This was mine, I still miss it but I'd be reluctant to have another one I reckon.
Edited by Schermerhorn on Monday 16th November 13:06
AW10 said:
Nat_H said:
The engine really does come alive at the 5k point, and 3rd - 4th - 5th - 6th gears are great fun to the redline.
redline in 5th equates to roughly 160 mphredline in 6th equates to roughly 185 mph
Be careful out there.
Well done for seeing the light! The SMG is indeed fantastic, the people berating them generally don't understand how it works.
Now just make sure you buy carefully: either get an AUC, sub 60k miler so you can take out a cheap BMW Insured Warranty or one which has had the common problems fixed.
redline in 6th equates to roughly 185 mph
Be careful out there.
https://youtu.be/6bqidASwMhY
Now just make sure you buy carefully: either get an AUC, sub 60k miler so you can take out a cheap BMW Insured Warranty or one which has had the common problems fixed.
AW10 said:
Nat_H said:
The engine really does come alive at the 5k point, and 3rd - 4th - 5th - 6th gears are great fun to the redline.
redline in 5th equates to roughly 160 mphredline in 6th equates to roughly 185 mph
Be careful out there.
https://youtu.be/6bqidASwMhY
Schermerhorn said:
AW10 said:
Nat_H said:
The engine really does come alive at the 5k point, and 3rd - 4th - 5th - 6th gears are great fun to the redline.
redline in 5th equates to roughly 160 mphredline in 6th equates to roughly 185 mph
Be careful out there.
I know not where you live, your budget or preferred spec but I do know where you can get a good low mileage well cared for lci model with a better than average spec from a franchised dealer that is yet to advertise it.
How do I know this? Well I traded it in with them today indeed just got home from my trip up the M1 to the county home of Schermerhorn (although it is not in the 'West' part of this county).
Finally, after months of looking, pulled the trigger on an M6GC which I collect in January and so my pride and joy of the last three years will be off to a new home. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with it and was fortunate to have trouble free motoring which I did not with my E60 beforehand so I do go along with the majority with regard the warranty it certainly allowed me to sleep better at night.
Good luck in your search.
How do I know this? Well I traded it in with them today indeed just got home from my trip up the M1 to the county home of Schermerhorn (although it is not in the 'West' part of this county).
Finally, after months of looking, pulled the trigger on an M6GC which I collect in January and so my pride and joy of the last three years will be off to a new home. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with it and was fortunate to have trouble free motoring which I did not with my E60 beforehand so I do go along with the majority with regard the warranty it certainly allowed me to sleep better at night.
Good luck in your search.
I have had my 2005 M6 for a year now looked after by a very good Indy in the Northwest and I have no Warranty.
I'll say that again NO WARRANTY. Spend so far new springs an alternator and two rear calipers. Also friction modifier to
cure a noisy diff. Bought car for 16k with 47,000 miles on the clock so if the engine explodes Tomorrow and I had to part
it for spares I could maybe loose 10k? I've lost more than that on 12 months depreciation on a new car?
Get one drive and enjoy.
I'll say that again NO WARRANTY. Spend so far new springs an alternator and two rear calipers. Also friction modifier to
cure a noisy diff. Bought car for 16k with 47,000 miles on the clock so if the engine explodes Tomorrow and I had to part
it for spares I could maybe loose 10k? I've lost more than that on 12 months depreciation on a new car?
Get one drive and enjoy.
Well it's well over 2 years ownership now and I've never had to use my warramty on my E60 M5, its been just as reliable as any other car I've owned so far. Don't really have any issues with how the SMG works either, much easier to drive in traffic than my previous E39 M5 as you don't have to worry about a clutch pedal which gets tiresome in heavy traffic.
cosworth330 said:
much easier to drive in traffic than my previous E39 M5 as you don't have to worry about a clutch pedal which gets tiresome in heavy traffic.
Or even worry about putting your foot on the brake when stopped!Easier to drive in traffic than either a manual or torque converter auto.
Haven't posted here before, just been doing a bit of stalking...I bought a M6 (convertible, don't mock) earlier this year as after 15 years of not commuting by car I changed jobs to a 90 mile round trip every day. Not sensible, but you only live once.
I also ran a Ford Focus diesel, which I thought I'd use when the sun isn't shining, but love the M6 so much the Ford is gone. I've only had routine servicing done, which was more reasonable than expected, the only other costs are fuel (lots of it) and oil.
As a daily driver on motorways it's fantastic, just the right balance between being a barge or too hard. Around town not so good and it certainly doesn't like stop/start traffic. It fits 4 adults in reasonable comfort unlike a Jag XK, Aston DB9 or a 911; I've carried 2 bicycles inside it to the Alps; is blindingly fast, comfortable and discreet. Couldn't want for more.
Just be prepared to be on first name terms with your local petrol station staff
I also ran a Ford Focus diesel, which I thought I'd use when the sun isn't shining, but love the M6 so much the Ford is gone. I've only had routine servicing done, which was more reasonable than expected, the only other costs are fuel (lots of it) and oil.
As a daily driver on motorways it's fantastic, just the right balance between being a barge or too hard. Around town not so good and it certainly doesn't like stop/start traffic. It fits 4 adults in reasonable comfort unlike a Jag XK, Aston DB9 or a 911; I've carried 2 bicycles inside it to the Alps; is blindingly fast, comfortable and discreet. Couldn't want for more.
Just be prepared to be on first name terms with your local petrol station staff
MarcelM6 said:
Haven't posted here before, just been doing a bit of stalking...I bought a M6 (convertible, don't mock) earlier this year as after 15 years of not commuting by car I changed jobs to a 90 mile round trip every day. Not sensible, but you only live once.
I also ran a Ford Focus diesel, which I thought I'd use when the sun isn't shining, but love the M6 so much the Ford is gone. I've only had routine servicing done, which was more reasonable than expected, the only other costs are fuel (lots of it) and oil.
As a daily driver on motorways it's fantastic, just the right balance between being a barge or too hard. Around town not so good and it certainly doesn't like stop/start traffic. It fits 4 adults in reasonable comfort unlike a Jag XK, Aston DB9 or a 911; I've carried 2 bicycles inside it to the Alps; is blindingly fast, comfortable and discreet. Couldn't want for more.
Just be prepared to be on first name terms with your local petrol station staff
Running a 55K AMG I'm more than on first name terms! I think an M6 might be a slight improvement in MPG!I also ran a Ford Focus diesel, which I thought I'd use when the sun isn't shining, but love the M6 so much the Ford is gone. I've only had routine servicing done, which was more reasonable than expected, the only other costs are fuel (lots of it) and oil.
As a daily driver on motorways it's fantastic, just the right balance between being a barge or too hard. Around town not so good and it certainly doesn't like stop/start traffic. It fits 4 adults in reasonable comfort unlike a Jag XK, Aston DB9 or a 911; I've carried 2 bicycles inside it to the Alps; is blindingly fast, comfortable and discreet. Couldn't want for more.
Just be prepared to be on first name terms with your local petrol station staff
I have had E63 M6 for three years, only problem I had during that period was oil cooler leakage, replaced under warranty. Even servicing was not expensive, nor insurance. Most reliable car I have ever owned. SMG was OK, but not great. Brilliant when pushing – although too fast for most roads. I only sold it because I did not use it enough/properly, only short journeys/school runs.
Mikeeb said:
Well the AMG is fast, once moving I'd bet faster than the M6 in a straight line. It's has more torque than a lorry and will happily pull hard in top from 1200 rpm. But it's numb to drive, the huge reserves of torque are great but also its curse. It doesn't require any thought to drive, it's boring.
You'd be surprised how much faster the V10 in the M5/M6 is than the AMG, might not have the torque to match it but it revs to 8250rpm!Autocar tested the E63 M6 from 0-150 mph in 20.9 secs, 3.5 secs faster than the time they got for the supercharged E55 AMG. To put into context, by the time the V10 reached 150mph, it would have covered 256 yards more than the AMG at the same speed! (that's more than a couple of football pitches!?).
Fantastic engine and the best n/a M engine ever imho, fantastic car and I still miss mine. I would say it was easily the best all round car I have ever had. Miss the sound of the V10.
I ran a BMW warranty on mine and it covered over £6k of repairs including a new clutch and flywheel. Only car I really regret selling and would have kept it if my financial circumstances hadn't changed.
A v10 m5 has been my daily for coming on 7 years now, 90% of my mileage is commuting which at the moment is a weekly schlep between Cambridge and Notts with a load of inner city driving in-between, ignore the nay sayers, 20+ mpg is perfectly achievable if you don't insist on going everywhere sideways.
If you can live with the potential costs and are willing to invest time in learning how to master the gearbox then go for it.
If you can live with the potential costs and are willing to invest time in learning how to master the gearbox then go for it.
ATM said:
I'm currently thinking about getting a v8 m3. Obviously I know the v10 is a bit more of an animal. Is it really useable as a daily grinder or should it be thought of as an occasional use 2nd or 3rd car?
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