Just bought an M6 Gran Coupe

[Chazaxl]

Difficult question (considering this is an M6 thread too).

Any thoughts on M5 Comp vs M6 non Comp in terms of 'feel'. I might not get a comp at this rate, M5 is my backup plan but how would it stack up if I could find similar spec cars for the same price.

Would a Comp M5 be a 'better' drivers car than a standard M6 or is the 6 still 'better'?

Of course, very much based on perception but keen to hear thoughts.

Thanks

[Chazaxl]

So, drove this, this morning. 500 BHP, cheap. Lots of toys. It's not dissimilar to a 6 series in terms of seating / feeling.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102219...

Very wet, so couldnt really use the power. A lot of car for the money. Whilst I enjoyed it immensely, it lacks the excitement that an M car gives you. Probably a lot cheaper to run, certainly worth the asking price.

[monthefish]

Chazaxl said:

So, drove this, this morning. 500 BHP, cheap. Lots of toys. It's not dissimilar to a 6 series in terms of seating / feeling.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102219...

Very wet, so couldnt really use the power. A lot of car for the money. Whilst I enjoyed it immensely, it lacks the excitement that an M car gives you. Probably a lot cheaper to run, certainly worth the asking price.

That looks excellent value for money - what a machine!

It's not going to be as exciting or as thrilling to drive as an M car, but then again it's not designed to be. I would say that will do 7/8 tenths of what an M6 GC will do for you, but at a fraction of the price. I can't believe that is so cheap.

It really comes down to what YOU want from a car.

[Chazaxl]

monthefish said:

That looks excellent value for money - what a machine!

It's not going to be as exciting or as thrilling to drive as an M car, but then again it's not designed to be. I would say that will do 7/8 tenths of what an M6 GC will do for you, but at a fraction of the price. I can't believe that is so cheap.

It really comes down to what YOU want from a car.

Interestingly Ive found the previous owner so know a lot more about the car. He had it for 6 years and did almost 100K miles in it.

Not much wrong with it, he traded it with them on a newer car (A8) as his commute increased. He has mentioned to me what to look for and what he had issues with, nothing major. He also mentioned that he had done the timing chain / tensioners and a few other common bits which the dealer told me they didnt know.

There's a similar spec car in Black with 60K miles less for £19500 ish. It is only missing the adaptive cruise which the grey car has. Even this as an option is not listed in the advert, nor are the message seats.

So ye, its a lot of car for the money. It will likely need new tyres (the ones on it are OK but not great and not a good brand) and he has said that one of the wheels had a crack, so would likely need to be fixed / replaced. The bonnet struts also need replacing.

Apart from the colour being a bit boring, its certainly an option. His view is that he would buy the newer car for the extra money as its less miles. There's an XFR 2014 for £25K which is better again. Soon however you start hitting M6 money.

[Chazaxl]

Chazaxl said:

Difficult question (considering this is an M6 thread too).

Any thoughts on M5 Comp vs M6 non Comp in terms of 'feel'. I might not get a comp at this rate, M5 is my backup plan but how would it stack up if I could find similar spec cars for the same price.

Would a Comp M5 be a 'better' drivers car than a standard M6 or is the 6 still 'better'?

Of course, very much based on perception but keen to hear thoughts.

Thanks

I'm trying to finalise my potential car options. Any view on M6 non Comp vs M5 Comp?

[monthefish]

Chazaxl said:

Chazaxl said:

Difficult question (considering this is an M6 thread too).

Any thoughts on M5 Comp vs M6 non Comp in terms of 'feel'. I might not get a comp at this rate, M5 is my backup plan but how would it stack up if I could find similar spec cars for the same price.

Would a Comp M5 be a 'better' drivers car than a standard M6 or is the 6 still 'better'?

Of course, very much based on perception but keen to hear thoughts.

Thanks

I'm trying to finalise my potential car options. Any view on M6 non Comp vs M5 Comp?

As I said earlier in the thread, despite sharing a lot of mechanicals, the M6GC and M5 are very different prospects, and will appeal to quite different buyers, and only YOU can decide which is right for you. The M5 is a very capable machine, but not at all special to my mind (but that's part of the appeal of the M5)

The M6GC comp-v- non comp is a lot easier to answer. Even though mine is a comp, it wasn't a major influencing factor when I chose my car, and it was just nice to have. Given how rare the M6GC is, there are other spec factors which are far more important.

In short, I'd choose pretty much any M6GC over an M5.

[Stever]

ditto.

The M5 is a very good looking car, the M6GC for me however is the best looking car BMW have made yet. The M8 is somehow ugly and a step backwards so follow your heart which I think is telling you an M6 is what you really want, anything else will just be OK? Comp is nice to have but do you really need it, not really.

Edited by Stever on Monday 10th May 17:26

[Chazaxl]

monthefish said:

As I said earlier in the thread, despite sharing a lot of mechanicals, the M6GC and M5 are very different prospects, and will appeal to quite different buyers, and only YOU can decide which is right for you. The M5 is a very capable machine, but not at all special to my mind (but that's part of the appeal of the M5)

The M6GC comp-v- non comp is a lot easier to answer. Even though mine is a comp, it wasn't a major influencing factor when I chose my car, and it was just nice to have. Given how rare the M6GC is, there are other spec factors which are far more important.

In short, I'd choose pretty much any M6GC over an M5.

Thanks. I've understood that Comp made both cars very much 'drivers' like and without them the cars, whilst good, do not have as much steering feel etc. The M6 Comp I drove was really good (ignore that it was 700 BHP). If I can anything to 'feel' similar to that, Id be happy.

I agree on the M6 vs 5. I agree, the M6 is special. The M5 is less so, but more of a Q car. I think Id be happy in either, but I agree, the M6 is something to behold.

[monthefish]

Chazaxl said:

Thanks. I've understood that Comp made both cars very much 'drivers' like and without them the cars, whilst good, do not have as much steering feel etc.

I don't think the difference is as marked as you think it is.
Whilst it's nice to have the 'ultimate' version, in the real world I don't think it's that big a deal, especially as the car has configurable modes which will overlap each other (i.e. although the comp has stiffer suspension, the non comp in SportPlus mode will be firmer than a comp in comfort mode)

Chazaxl said:

The M6 Comp I drove was really good (ignore that it was 700 BHP). If I can anything to 'feel' similar to that, Id be happy.

Chris Harris was pretty happy in a non-comp car...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-yCupxxErM&t=... (5:30 onwards)

I guess you probably would be too...

Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 11th May 11:51

[pjv997]

Chazaxl said:

Thanks. I've understood that Comp made both cars very much 'drivers' like and without them the cars, whilst good, do not have as much steering feel etc. The M6 Comp I drove was really good (ignore that it was 700 BHP). If I can anything to 'feel' similar to that, Id be happy.

I agree on the M6 vs 5. I agree, the M6 is special. The M5 is less so, but more of a Q car. I think Id be happy in either, but I agree, the M6 is something to behold.

I swapped my F10 M5 non-comp for an M6GC comp

IMO, the cars are very similar in driving characteristics. After the change I often wondered whether the slightly sharper feel of my M6 was down to M6 vs M5, Comp vs Non-Comp or simply the effect of a new vs 6 year old car.

As mentioned, the configurations on the car will also cause overlap.

I’d by more on condition and any essential options that are important to you.

Edited by pjv997 on Tuesday 11th May 14:19

[Chazaxl]

Thanks Both. Every review I watched (comp vs non comp) sounded like they 'fixed' the non comp with the better steering feel / setup.

But agree, nitpicking.

Certainly not looking for a Comp brings more cars to being available and generally priced a bit better too.

The slightly louder pipes would have been welcome too but other ways to get that sorted.

[Chazaxl]

pjv997 said:

I swapped my F10 M5 non-comp for an M6GC comp

IMO, the cars are very similar in driving characteristics. After the change I often wondered whether the slightly sharper feel of my M6 was down to M6 vs M5, Comp vs Non-Comp or simply the effect of a new vs 6 year old car.

As mentioned, the configurations on the car will also cause overlap.

I’d by more on condition and any essential options that are important to you.

Edited by pjv997 on Tuesday 11th May 14:19

That's an interesting observation. I'd suspect its a combination of both. The M6 is generally considering the better handling of the two, adding comp will make that even better.

If the M6 Comp is 100% in terms of driver's feel, where would you place the M5 (non comp)?

Personally not as fussed about firmness / ride height, its all about the steering feel.

[pjv997]

Chazaxl said:

That's an interesting observation. I'd suspect its a combination of both. The M6 is generally considering the better handling of the two, adding comp will make that even better.

If the M6 Comp is 100% in terms of driver's feel, where would you place the M5 (non comp)?

Personally not as fussed about firmness / ride height, its all about the steering feel.

The difference between them is a very subjective call and in my view not a significant amount - maybe 5% to 10%.

Another factor of course is tyres, when new the M6 had Pirelli’s vs Michelin’s on my M5.

[Chazaxl]

Thanks. The Michelins are preferred by most it seems so would have benefitted the M5. I seem to recall the M6 I drove (not for very far) was on Pirellis.

So the plan on the weekend is to go view two different F10 M5s. One being a Comp, one not. I wouldnt mind a view from our esteemed group in terms of the cars themselves. The cars basically cost the same. I've got a bit of a logistical issue to travel between the two so need to move one of the viewing times.

This is the first car - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104171...

The colour scheme and interior is 'interesting'. I like a tan interior but until you actually see the car in the flesh, its hard to know if it works or not. The matt finish paint, same comment. I have 3 concerns about this car.

1. The colours, I might like it, no one else may, so does reselling later become an issue? Dislike the blackwheels as well but that can be changed (at a cost).
2. It's a Sale or Return car - did some research, looks like its legit if done properly. I can view at the dealer at Nottingam (Im in Oxford) or closer, with the owner in Milton Keynes. The car is on the trader's insurance.
3. The car has low miles, the service history tends to back this up but if you look at the driver's seat (hard to tell), it looks like the car might have done more miles?

This is the 2nd car.

https://oldcolonelcars.co.uk/listing/bmw-f10-m5-co...

Comp Pack, nice spec. Lovely colour.

Whilst I like the wheels, many have raised concerns about the quality / weight of them.

Nothing jumps out as 'wrong' as such, maybe someone knows the car or spots anything of value?

Thanks

[RichardM5]

pjv997 said:

The difference between them is a very subjective call and in my view not a significant amount - maybe 5% to 10%.

Another factor of course is tyres, when new the M6 had Pirelli’s vs Michelin’s on my M5.

I think the tyres just depend on what they had at the factory at the time of build for both M5 and M6 with both Pirelli and Michelin's being 'approved'. My M6 GC was supplied with Michelin's.

[monthefish]

Chazaxl said:

The slightly louder pipes would have been welcome too but other ways to get that sorted.

Definitely. That is the best thing about the comp IMHO.

The only thing is the official BMW exhaust upgrade is around £5k
(but then again, it's Akrapovic, so probably worth every penny )

[Stever]

Blue car gets my vote, I couldn't live with a matt finish so I'm out on the dull car.

If it's wrapped my first thought is what's underneath i.e. paint damage? It's probably fine but I'd have moved on to the next advert already.

If it's been sprayed why? Again alarm bells probably unfairly but since I've already moved on does it matter

[Chazaxl]

Stever said:

Blue car gets my vote, I couldn't live with a matt finish so I'm out on the dull car.

If it's wrapped my first thought is what's underneath i.e. paint damage? It's probably fine but I'd have moved on to the next advert already.

If it's been sprayed why? Again alarm bells probably unfairly but since I've already moved on does it matter

Its the original colour, not sprayed / wrapped.

[Stever]

Oh OK quite rare then but there is a reason for that

Marmite interior to match the exterior too, a brave purchase IMHO for when you want to move it on. But we are all different thankfully and it's your boat only that needs to be floating not mine or anyone elses. Good luck with your search and test drives - you still really want a 6GC really tho do you not

[Chazaxl]

Stever said:

Oh OK quite rare then but there is a reason for that

Marmite interior to match the exterior too, a brave purchase IMHO for when you want to move it on. But we are all different thankfully and it's your boat only that needs to be floating not mine or anyone elses. Good luck with your search and test drives - you still really want a 6GC really tho do you not

Yep, spot on.

I made a cheeky offer on the higher mile XJ Supersports which was rejected. So waiting to see if we can find a compromise price that we both like. I'm meant to be driving the Blue Comp F10 M5 on Saturday but not confirmed yet as I wanted to see what happened with the XJ.

But agreed, Id like an M6GC, but dont want to pay 35-40K for one.