2005 BMW M6 V10
Discussion
Speed addicted said:
They look quite high quality, whatever they are!
Yes they appear to be. The dome is glass and the base is alloy. I’ve seen something loosely similar on ROV and subsea tools before as bulkhead lighting. I still think I’ve bought an ex-KGB cruiser. I’ll likely find the secret gun slot soon. 
stevec33 said:
How do you find the gearbox in this to live with? I’ve always liked these and the m5’s but your hear stories about the gearboxes not being the best.
I had an M5 with the same 'box, it was fine if you always drove it in manual mode and treated it like an automated manual rather than a proper auto ie. lifting off the throttle when changing up gears, downshifts were fine as there is 'blip the throttle' functionality built in. The other thing that helped with smooth driving was to hold 1st gear to 3-4k rpm before changing into 2nd, after that (into 3rd and beyond) you could shift at lower rpm.In conclusion, a high revving V10 and clonky 'characterful' gearbox isn't really suited to a big super-saloon or GT cruiser, but is great fun while it lasts.
Truckosaurus said:
stevec33 said:
How do you find the gearbox in this to live with? I’ve always liked these and the m5’s but your hear stories about the gearboxes not being the best.
I had an M5 with the same 'box, it was fine if you always drove it in manual mode and treated it like an automated manual rather than a proper auto ie. lifting off the throttle when changing up gears, downshifts were fine as there is 'blip the throttle' functionality built in. The other thing that helped with smooth driving was to hold 1st gear to 3-4k rpm before changing into 2nd, after that (into 3rd and beyond) you could shift at lower rpm.In conclusion, a high revving V10 and clonky 'characterful' gearbox isn't really suited to a big super-saloon or GT cruiser, but is great fun while it lasts.
If you’re expecting a buttery smooth automatic box experience with the ability to do the occasional paddle shifting then you will find this system lacking. However the SMG is a far better auto mode than the Vanquish ever was and I feel really at home with it in town. It does need a slight finesse of the throttle to be entirely smooth but I can drive it, as I’m sure many others can, without thinking about it any longer and use the car as an automatic.
However out of town is where this gearbox comes into its own. I love the mechanical clunk to shifting, it feels like you’re actually achieving something exactly as I felt in the Vanquish. I make 3 times as many downshifts with this type of box where I other cars I might hold the gear or simply can’t be bothered. In fact in the C63 the auto box was so good that I never bothered with the paddles anyway but I always felt an element of the experience was lacking when pressing on in that car. It was super quick and fun to throw around but still left me wanting.
The M6 seems to me, on paper, to be the perfect blend for what I’m after at the moment;
Exciting engine
Interesting gearbox
Right sound
Great looks
Handling
Rear seat for son
Safe
Well put together
Hooligan tool when I want it
Hopefully that helps.
Not much to update this time but my boot net arrived at long last!
In other news after fitting all of the LED bulbs in place of the filament units I have an intermittent failure on one of the number plate bulbs. I'll just write that one off to a bulb failure and will get a new one.
I've realised this morning that i've only done 250 miles (if that) since getting the car home on the 28th December. I'll need to get using it a little more. I also got the date for a shoulder operation I need to repair its repeated dislocation which is the 19th Feb. This means i'll not be behind the wheel for about 6 weeks. Happily i've got an NC500 run booked for week 7 following the operation!
That should blow any cobwebs out of both the car and myself!
In other news after fitting all of the LED bulbs in place of the filament units I have an intermittent failure on one of the number plate bulbs. I'll just write that one off to a bulb failure and will get a new one.
I've realised this morning that i've only done 250 miles (if that) since getting the car home on the 28th December. I'll need to get using it a little more. I also got the date for a shoulder operation I need to repair its repeated dislocation which is the 19th Feb. This means i'll not be behind the wheel for about 6 weeks. Happily i've got an NC500 run booked for week 7 following the operation!
That should blow any cobwebs out of both the car and myself! 
Hi James! She is a beauty for sure. I actually had a deposit on her with Joe back in September while I see-sawed between her and another M6. I thought she ended up in Singapore!
Re the red LEDs I think you’ll find she has an interesting history and one which will show she has been looked after supremely and without consideration to cost; the 'full' CIC retrofit itself requires a new central console to house the controller which is a different shape from the original aluminium dial and button. My hunch was that the original wheels didn’t even see many miles either. Just from the S319A (Universal RC) option you could tell that she was going to have been at least gated, but more probably garaged for most of her life. I think she’s a stunning car!
I think the E63/E64 is a hugely under-appreciated car, especially in M6 guise with the addition of the S85, an engine that mated with the SMG box can require understanding and care to fully value, but is so worth the effort. It may be a marmite car from a looks perspective, but - for me at least - the Van Hooydonk / Bangle concept and design of the 6 Series was just gorgeous and everything that the M team added leading to its 2005 launch just increased its beauty. As they say “if, when you park your car, you don’t look back as you walk away – then you’ve bought the wrong car”. My M6 will be 10 years old in June and its interior is more than a match for any car I have ever sat in terms of build quality, ambience, comfort and style. And as for the looks, well you might guess I’m biased…
Although I’m still smarting a little that M6 WEJ is not on my drive now, I’m really pleased that she ended up with someone who will truly cherish her.
Cheers!
Re the red LEDs I think you’ll find she has an interesting history and one which will show she has been looked after supremely and without consideration to cost; the 'full' CIC retrofit itself requires a new central console to house the controller which is a different shape from the original aluminium dial and button. My hunch was that the original wheels didn’t even see many miles either. Just from the S319A (Universal RC) option you could tell that she was going to have been at least gated, but more probably garaged for most of her life. I think she’s a stunning car!
I think the E63/E64 is a hugely under-appreciated car, especially in M6 guise with the addition of the S85, an engine that mated with the SMG box can require understanding and care to fully value, but is so worth the effort. It may be a marmite car from a looks perspective, but - for me at least - the Van Hooydonk / Bangle concept and design of the 6 Series was just gorgeous and everything that the M team added leading to its 2005 launch just increased its beauty. As they say “if, when you park your car, you don’t look back as you walk away – then you’ve bought the wrong car”. My M6 will be 10 years old in June and its interior is more than a match for any car I have ever sat in terms of build quality, ambience, comfort and style. And as for the looks, well you might guess I’m biased…
Although I’m still smarting a little that M6 WEJ is not on my drive now, I’m really pleased that she ended up with someone who will truly cherish her.
Cheers!
rdysan said:
Hi James! She is a beauty for sure. I actually had a deposit on her with Joe back in September while I see-sawed between her and another M6. I thought she ended up in Singapore!
Re the red LEDs I think you’ll find she has an interesting history and one which will show she has been looked after supremely and without consideration to cost; the 'full' CIC retrofit itself requires a new central console to house the controller which is a different shape from the original aluminium dial and button. My hunch was that the original wheels didn’t even see many miles either. Just from the S319A (Universal RC) option you could tell that she was going to have been at least gated, but more probably garaged for most of her life. I think she’s a stunning car!
I think the E63/E64 is a hugely under-appreciated car, especially in M6 guise with the addition of the S85, an engine that mated with the SMG box can require understanding and care to fully value, but is so worth the effort. It may be a marmite car from a looks perspective, but - for me at least - the Van Hooydonk / Bangle concept and design of the 6 Series was just gorgeous and everything that the M team added leading to its 2005 launch just increased its beauty. As they say “if, when you park your car, you don’t look back as you walk away – then you’ve bought the wrong car”. My M6 will be 10 years old in June and its interior is more than a match for any car I have ever sat in terms of build quality, ambience, comfort and style. And as for the looks, well you might guess I’m biased…
Although I’m still smarting a little that M6 WEJ is not on my drive now, I’m really pleased that she ended up with someone who will truly cherish her.
Cheers!
Thanks for the post! Joe did mentioned that he had some very serious interest in the car but thankfully nobody had quite taken that leap!Re the red LEDs I think you’ll find she has an interesting history and one which will show she has been looked after supremely and without consideration to cost; the 'full' CIC retrofit itself requires a new central console to house the controller which is a different shape from the original aluminium dial and button. My hunch was that the original wheels didn’t even see many miles either. Just from the S319A (Universal RC) option you could tell that she was going to have been at least gated, but more probably garaged for most of her life. I think she’s a stunning car!
I think the E63/E64 is a hugely under-appreciated car, especially in M6 guise with the addition of the S85, an engine that mated with the SMG box can require understanding and care to fully value, but is so worth the effort. It may be a marmite car from a looks perspective, but - for me at least - the Van Hooydonk / Bangle concept and design of the 6 Series was just gorgeous and everything that the M team added leading to its 2005 launch just increased its beauty. As they say “if, when you park your car, you don’t look back as you walk away – then you’ve bought the wrong car”. My M6 will be 10 years old in June and its interior is more than a match for any car I have ever sat in terms of build quality, ambience, comfort and style. And as for the looks, well you might guess I’m biased…
Although I’m still smarting a little that M6 WEJ is not on my drive now, I’m really pleased that she ended up with someone who will truly cherish her.
Cheers!
Yes the car has clearly been very well cared for mechanically and has a lot of very nice LCI additions as you mentioned. Externally it's clear that it was a London city centre car and I agree that they were likely quite well heeled so the car wanted for nothing. I have checked the address on the V5 and yes, it was in an underground gated premises so your assessment of the remote gate opener option is a good one! I too am about to start using that as I have elec gates to the front of my property and elec garages to rear.
I totally agree that the M6 is very well screwed together. Aside from a minor seat creak in the drivers seat there is not a single noise within the cabin which is quite exceptional for a car of that age and, with all due respect to the marque, perceived position in terms of quality of brand. They really have done a superb job with the M6, it's an astoundingly good car.
So what did you end up with after your hunt?
Originally wanted an end of the line late 2010 Frozen Grey Competition Pack (probably as rare as the gullwing actually!). Tracked down what I think were the only two in the UK but the owners did not want to sell. So next plan was to buy this alpine white one and your sapphire black metallic and try and get them to mate. Foiled again!
Seriously though, low mileage E63/4 M6s are very hard to come by as you no doubt know. Mine has 31k so you have some catching up to do! I do not have the advantage of the replaced clutch/flywheel although the oil test came back great so I'm not too concerned about the rod bearing issues (yet, anyway).
BTW, yours was indeed a London car but it has great European credentials - namely Monaco, Cannes etc. I did a fair amount of homework on her.
Seriously though, low mileage E63/4 M6s are very hard to come by as you no doubt know. Mine has 31k so you have some catching up to do! I do not have the advantage of the replaced clutch/flywheel although the oil test came back great so I'm not too concerned about the rod bearing issues (yet, anyway).
BTW, yours was indeed a London car but it has great European credentials - namely Monaco, Cannes etc. I did a fair amount of homework on her.
Yes, quite, there weren’t many options to choose from when I began looking and I felt that M6 WEJ had all the good bits of a low mile car, the benefit of being an early car so lower tax and then a load of the nice retrofitted bits of the later cars; particularly the CIC nav.
The frozen grey comp pack cars sound interesting. What did the comp pack consist of?
Interesting info obtained in your ‘homework’. I would love to copy your homework notebook!!!
The frozen grey comp pack cars sound interesting. What did the comp pack consist of?
Interesting info obtained in your ‘homework’. I would love to copy your homework notebook!!!
IMHO you got a total steal. The clutch/flywheel a year ago is a £1.5-3.0k bonus depending on whether you go indy or dealer whilst the CIC retrofit is a £2k++ job properly done and few people will even take it on. Did you get any paperwork detailing the job? Add to that only 19k on the clock, one family ownership, the lower tax band...fantastic!
The Comp Pack was offered later in 2008 and lowers the standard M6 with altered springs; it has slightly wider alloys, a modified diff, a couple of roll bars (front and rear) and I believe BMW also revisited and upgraded the DSC software. They were also marked out by the introduction of a Competition Bonnet, with a couple of sweeping creases running from the windscreen jets either side of the emblem on the front of the bonnet. I don’t have the pack but I do have the bonnet.
The Comp Pack was offered later in 2008 and lowers the standard M6 with altered springs; it has slightly wider alloys, a modified diff, a couple of roll bars (front and rear) and I believe BMW also revisited and upgraded the DSC software. They were also marked out by the introduction of a Competition Bonnet, with a couple of sweeping creases running from the windscreen jets either side of the emblem on the front of the bonnet. I don’t have the pack but I do have the bonnet.
They only made 100 CPs to sell worldwide, each with a numbered plaque and CP emblem door sill (I've seen a couple with something akin to extra stitching on the seats and some individual interior leather colours). Not super rare but most of these were LHD, so finding a RHD is very hard.
Here's one of the UK RHD CPs in Frozen Grey. Registered in 2011 but a 2010 manufactured car (the production of the E63 6 Series was stopped in 2010 although occasionally you see models out on the road that ceased production in the previous year, as they may have not been sold or the stock was held till the following year).
Here's one of the UK RHD CPs in Frozen Grey. Registered in 2011 but a 2010 manufactured car (the production of the E63 6 Series was stopped in 2010 although occasionally you see models out on the road that ceased production in the previous year, as they may have not been sold or the stock was held till the following year).
James B said:
Ah i’ve realised you’re referring to the Autogespot pics of the car. A little too black on black if I’m honest.
All adding to the attraction of what you got, however. She had BBSs and bremos so I reckon the 167M double spokes didn't even get used for a chunk of their life but were probably stored. Another positive 
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