BMW M6: Catch It While You Can
BMW's M6 is rarer, better built and more of driver's car than the M5 - get one before anyone notices!
So it's the M5 Touring estate that's the coolest member of the E60/E61/E63/E64 family, followed by the M5 saloon. The poor old M6 coupe suffers from a malaise of perceived naffness. I'm convinced that's about to change.
M5s were always much more popular new than M6s. Being the first of the new generation of M cars, it was the M5 that grabbed all the headlines initially. When the M6 debuted in the UK in November 2005 (with the Convertible following in September 2006), its thunder had been kind of stolen.
Does the M6 have an image problem?
Today, the M6 is often derided as ugly, brash and generally not as desirable as the M5. But I think it's time the balance was redressed in the M6's favour.
First off, it's actually a better driver's car. It's stiffer, lighter and more compact than the M5, as well as having a pretty cool party piece in the shape of a funky CSL-style carbon-fibre roof. Obviously the Convertible doesn't get this but its ragtop is pretty neat in itself, folding away in less than 20 seconds. The '6' also has a superior interior to the M5.
Mechanically it's all but identical to the M5, which is no bad thing. I fell in love with the fabulously exotic 5.0-litre, naturally aspirated, 100hp-per-litre V10 engine as soon as I sampled it and heard its soaring soundtrack. It's good for 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds (0.3 quicker than the M5) and has proven itself capable of a sub-eight time around the Nurburgring.
True, not everyone likes the SMG sequential gearbox, but you have paddles to ease the frustration that we never got a manual-box M6 in the UK (as they did in the USA, weirdly). And the DSC stability control system can be switched in three settings from 'safe' to 'sorry' to allow you various degrees of tail-out terror.
Big miles, small price - yours for just £12,990
It's also true that you don't have anywhere like the rear seat space you get in an M5, but space is generous up front and the boot is a very usable size (even in the convertible, whose closed roof doesn't impact on space).
So here's the steal: M6s are really no more expensive than M5s. The cheapest M6 in the classifieds is an astonishingly low £12,990, but then it does have an interstellar 169,000 miles on the clock (and given the typical 10-15mpg averages, I've worked out that its former owners must have spent over £80K in fuel alone in that time - absolutely terrifying). On the plus side, it does have a full BMW history.
A rather mean-looking all-black private-sale example with only 49K miles looks to be decent value at £14,999. Perhaps the best colour combo is Interlagos Blue with light Merino leather, which is what this 64K mile example has. It also benefits from having just had a new clutch and throttle actuator.
Around £18K is where most M6s are pitched. If you value peace of mind, this silver M6 comes with a full BMW warranty and looks very tidy. Convertibles definitely pack a premium, with thecheapest up for £26K, and the priciest still at £33,950.
For that money, can you think of another coupe or convertible that offers such raw pace and such a sense of occasion?
I do however knew one guy that bought one on chucky, and couldnt afford to run it when petrol prices spiked so it sat completely unused as he couldnt sell it due to the extortionate interest rate and the settlement being greater than the car value!
I fancy a six series next, but at this age (the car, not me) though it is lovely it just looks like a money pit, you can replace the brakes for a few hundred on a normal six, on these its huge money, it isnt like a bit worse, its more akin to an exotic where the cooking versions are nearer to a normal five series, same applies to the M5.
I fancy a six series next, but at this age (the car, not me) though it is lovely it just looks like a money pit, you can replace the brakes for a few hundred on a normal six, on these its huge money, it isnt like a bit worse, its more akin to an exotic where the cooking versions are nearer to a normal five series, same applies to the M5.
A hugely heavy wallowathon, according to the proper reviews. Never driven one, mind, and certainly now a lot of car for the money.
Now I never owned one, but had one on the driveway for a fortnight.
Body control is excellent for its size and lets not forget, this is a fast GT car, not a sports car.
Easily one of the fastest point to point cars out there- especially in this current price range. Acceleration is savage- 150mph comes up before you know it.
If you're not doing many miles fuel doesn't matter a jot but I would worry about servicing- brakes, clutch and all manner or electrical maladies are expensive items when needed.
To my eye its also a very good looking car. I think BMW's designed in the bangle era have aged much better than anything else of that time and almost become better looking with age.
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