Considering an M6........?

[V8Smith]

I'm considering an M6 running costs don't worry me I currently have a Maser GTS, but just wanted to know what to look out for and any known problems? Are there issues I should be aware of with the SMG gearbox? How long does it last? What other concerns should I have when locating a car?

Cheers

Mike

[belleair302]

Dont tease me so am I. The only real worries are regular service history especially the initial one, clutches which do slip, and get the car onto a ramp if possible for a good look underneath and for accident damage. Otherwise it is the usual stuff, electrics, exhausts and minor damage to interior etc. In the March edition of BMW Car ( ie next months magazine available in 3 weeks time I think) they are doing a buyers guide. A BMW AUC warranty is well worth the expense too.

[Plainview23]

I used the E60 M5 buying guide (at the top of the page) and it covered all possible issues when I was buying my M6, the cars are so similar. Delighted with mine.

[joscal]

BMW Dealer warranty a must!

[AliV6]

I drove one about 3 months ago, following on from that I'm now after an E92 M3...Whilst the performance is staggering, above 100; the single digit mpg for commuting and woeful box was the final nail in the coffin.

[belleair302]

I wonder whether the 650I with some tweeking is close enough to the M6???

[Babw]

I'll no doubt get flamed for this but here goes. When I drove an M5 and M6 of the E6x variant, it was a clear case of mismatch from drivetrain to chassis. Individually they're great but the engine screams drive like a nutter and loves the 10/10 action where as the chassis + size is derived from more sedate offerings so it just never seems to keep up. On paper its fantastic but in reality I feel the engine (which is no doubt great) would be a true star in a smaller lighter car and the chassis suited to a more rumbling V8.

I ended up buying an M3 and a 550i which so far has proved that buying the right car for the job is still king.

[clabcon]

40k miles, serviced but without a FBMWSH and probably does not have a warranty, guy wants 20K for a 7 year old quite well specked example, but in a common colour combo:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

What's it really worth for a private sale, 17K?

[stats007]

joscal said:

BMW Dealer warranty a must!

Personally I don't agree, buy on condition and history. Any good 3rd party warranty will cover the engine and drivetrain for much less than BMWs if you feel the need.

[stats007]

clabcon said:

40k miles, serviced but without a FBMWSH and probably does not have a warranty, guy wants 20K for a 7 year old quite well specked example, but in a common colour combo:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

What's it really worth for a private sale, 17K?

I imagine it'll sell for £18k.

[smokey145]

stats007 said:

joscal said:

BMW Dealer warranty a must!

Personally I don't agree, buy on condition and history. Any good 3rd party warranty will cover the engine and drivetrain for much less than BMWs if you feel the need.

and your experience with these 3rd party warranties is?

[StuH]

stats007 said:

joscal said:

BMW Dealer warranty a must!

Personally I don't agree, buy on condition and history. Any good 3rd party warranty will cover the engine and drivetrain for much less than BMWs if you feel the need.

Only if you like playing russian roulette. £90 a month for full BMW Mondial warranty is fantastic value imo.

Aftermarket warranties are a waste of good paper.

[joscal]

StuH said:

Only if you like playing russian roulette. £90 a month for full BMW Mondial warranty is fantastic value imo.

Aftermarket warranties are a waste of good paper.

Having owned 2 E60 M5's over the past four years believe me I know which warranty I would prefer!

[scoobyc]

AliV6 said:

I drove one about 3 months ago, following on from that I'm now after an E92 M3...Whilst the performance is staggering, above 100; the single digit mpg for commuting and woeful box was the final nail in the coffin.

I was the opposite! My GTR was written off and I had a new M3 to run around in for 3 weeks. Great car but didn't feel anywhere near special enough for the money imho. M6 feels like an expensive well made car and goes from a great comfy cruiser to fast road car when you press a couple of buttons. Epic pace and wears the mileage/age so much better than other cars I looked at (997 C2S in particular). I wasn't expecting much from the (dated) SMG box but it's no where near as bad as some lead you to believe. Drive it in manual all the time and take a bit of time to learn it and it's very quick and smooth but is no where near the marvel that DSG boxes are now. MPG I get high teens running back and for and any decent run I can manage 20 without too much hassle and going at a decent pace.
At £20k there's very little to touch them imho.

[Zod]

belleair302 said:

I wonder whether the 650I with some tweeking is close enough to the M6???

Not a chance. Even if you got the power snywhere close, the delivery is completely different and it's automatic.

[stats007]

StuH said:

Only if you like playing russian roulette. £90 a month for full BMW Mondial warranty is fantastic value imo.

Aftermarket warranties are a waste of good paper.

At that price I agree, however it's £250 a month over 60k miles for the full warranty if you've not carried it over.

[B19TOY]

V8Smith said:

? Are there issues I should be aware of with the SMG gearbox? How long does it last?
Cheers

Mike

My clutch gave some indication of failure before giving up finally at 97,000.

[gaz1234]

mental engines