2005 BMW M6 V10
Discussion
James B said:
Get some pics up! 
Here you go James! It's a UK car with 25k miles. I've seen a few LHDs for sale in France and Germany but there were only 8 RHDs produced (UK, Singapore and Australia). Cheers.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/hKm0lBon[/url]
Edited by rdysan on Monday 9th July 23:49
Looking back, when I picked up my M6 at the factory in 2006 and drove the wheels off it , it was a brilliant road car, though too heavy and underbred for track- which was fair enough as that was not its primary purpose. Still, looking at it now, 14 year after I bought it, I think it looks even better Thant when I got it first. I took a lot of heat last the time for the design - many felt it was horribly ugly. I did not, and still love the design. I had it for five years from new, and loved ir....
rdysan said:
Here you go James! It's a UK car with 25k miles. I've seen a few LHDs for sale in France and Germany but there were only 8 RHDs produced (UK, Singapore and Australia). Cheers.
Well done that man!!!! What a car. It looks absolutely immaculate! I daren't ask what you paid but i'm sure it'll do just fine as an investment piece, particularly with what was said by Mr RDMcG about them becoming better looking in their dotage. The George Clooney of cars perhaps? I hear that a lot about mine that they were almost universally panned for their looks at launch but here we are 13 years down the line and its evident they're a remarkably handsome car.I think that any relatively unmolested versions will do nicely. The ones that have been hacked about and fallen into the hands of hoodlums will continue to prop up the market but good ones will always be desirable.
Hi James, I'd like to think the good cars will be a good investment, or at least hold their value. You are dead right about the variety of M6s available, you can buy relatively decent E63 M6s for between £15-20k which is a real steal. However, there are also plenty to be witnessed being raced, modded or donutted, something I've never done with mine - nor want to in fact. Also, I'm not sure I would have the balls to drive one without the BMW Comp warranty and that means <60,000 miles. Low mileage examples (i.e. less than 40k) are getting very thin on the ground, however, especially late ones. If you look at the figures for production, the last two years resulted in only 42 of the 755 UK ones sold.
RDMcG, I'd love to have owned mine since birth - and to collect it from Dingolfing - how cool is that! I agree that Adrian van Hooydonk's design was just beautiful. It's a real marmite car in that people either love it or hate it but I have noticed the feelings towards its looks have appreciated as the car gets older. Seen several comments a la "hated it when it came out but it's really grown on me over the years"..
I know there will be plenty of people who think I'm a total arse owning a car like this and not driving it as if I've just stolen it, but hell I'm an old duffer...
RDMcG, I'd love to have owned mine since birth - and to collect it from Dingolfing - how cool is that! I agree that Adrian van Hooydonk's design was just beautiful. It's a real marmite car in that people either love it or hate it but I have noticed the feelings towards its looks have appreciated as the car gets older. Seen several comments a la "hated it when it came out but it's really grown on me over the years"..
I know there will be plenty of people who think I'm a total arse owning a car like this and not driving it as if I've just stolen it, but hell I'm an old duffer...
Nothing too major to report other than the car passed 22k miles this morning! That means i've done 2100 miles in my ownership thus far; an average of 300 miles/month. Not a lot but enough. In celebration of this i've decided to take it to Edinburgh on Wed as I need to get a business visa sorted for an impending China trip. That's another 250 miles door to door so should be a walk in the park for the M6. Anyway, I think it has just about the best non-radar controlled cruise system with the firm push to hop up and down 5mph and soft push for single digit adjustment. My C63 was the same but the BMW stalk is better. Also once I leave Aberdeen, other than passing through Dundee, the car is in 7th the entire time cruising at 77. Very relaxing.
I think i may have noted it from my NC500 trip but the drivers side small wind deflector that sits in front of the rear wheel had a bolt missing that meant, at NC500 speeds, the deflector was being pushed backwards into the tyre. I picked up some replacement clips and screws from an eBay seller (as well as the interior ones too) and set about replacing the fixings on the car. For the sake of balance I did both sides of the car with new fixings.
There was also a rattle becoming more obvious in the drivers footwell area. I tracked it down to the footwell light fitting and assume I must have disturbed something when changing the interior lights for LED. I dropped the lower dash panel (very easy job with 4 x phillips screws all located at the front of the panel, slightly angled toward the driver) and there was the culprit. The box that sits above the footwell light, presumably to focus more light downwards, had come loose at one side and was rattling. I clipped it back in and all was sorted.
I mentioned above that I picked up some interior clips too. This is because I'm going to take off the passenger door card and the A-pillar cover. There is a light squeak present in the A-pillar where I suspect a clip has been broken during removal. It's fractionally looser than it should be which means when the car is flexing during hard cornering on a firm suspension setting it's making this light mouse-like squeak. I'll just replace the clips and look for any evidence of contact that I take care of. FYI I keep a roll of wiring loom felt tape handy for this. It's great for fitting to squeak points where two plastics meet etc. Every one of my 911's has had it's dash facings out and all the corners wrapped with this tape. Every one of them remained totally silent for the rest of my ownership.
The door card is coming off as it appears to bulge very slightly at the part of the door that meets the rear interior panel when the door is closed. The tolerance is extremely tight so it touches every so often and the two panels make a noise. Again I would wager the bulge is a misfitted/broken clip that once replaced should sort it. I'll see how i get on.
Final job of the week is to get the diff oil swapped out. I have had all the kit sitting for a while but i've had my 911 on the ramps for a while too as i was fitting a new gearshift to it and will do a quick oil change this week too. Then the M6 can get on for its diff. I'll get some pics of this for those interested.
I think i may have noted it from my NC500 trip but the drivers side small wind deflector that sits in front of the rear wheel had a bolt missing that meant, at NC500 speeds, the deflector was being pushed backwards into the tyre. I picked up some replacement clips and screws from an eBay seller (as well as the interior ones too) and set about replacing the fixings on the car. For the sake of balance I did both sides of the car with new fixings.
There was also a rattle becoming more obvious in the drivers footwell area. I tracked it down to the footwell light fitting and assume I must have disturbed something when changing the interior lights for LED. I dropped the lower dash panel (very easy job with 4 x phillips screws all located at the front of the panel, slightly angled toward the driver) and there was the culprit. The box that sits above the footwell light, presumably to focus more light downwards, had come loose at one side and was rattling. I clipped it back in and all was sorted.
I mentioned above that I picked up some interior clips too. This is because I'm going to take off the passenger door card and the A-pillar cover. There is a light squeak present in the A-pillar where I suspect a clip has been broken during removal. It's fractionally looser than it should be which means when the car is flexing during hard cornering on a firm suspension setting it's making this light mouse-like squeak. I'll just replace the clips and look for any evidence of contact that I take care of. FYI I keep a roll of wiring loom felt tape handy for this. It's great for fitting to squeak points where two plastics meet etc. Every one of my 911's has had it's dash facings out and all the corners wrapped with this tape. Every one of them remained totally silent for the rest of my ownership.
The door card is coming off as it appears to bulge very slightly at the part of the door that meets the rear interior panel when the door is closed. The tolerance is extremely tight so it touches every so often and the two panels make a noise. Again I would wager the bulge is a misfitted/broken clip that once replaced should sort it. I'll see how i get on.
Final job of the week is to get the diff oil swapped out. I have had all the kit sitting for a while but i've had my 911 on the ramps for a while too as i was fitting a new gearshift to it and will do a quick oil change this week too. Then the M6 can get on for its diff. I'll get some pics of this for those interested.
It has been a little while since I last updated this but really only because I've been busy at work and travelling a fair bit. The car is now just shy of 22500 miles so i'm hardly racking them up but its getting regular use.
I never managed to do the rear diff oil but do plan to very shortly. All the kit is there, I just need the time.
I did have the tyres changed, yesterday in fact, and have gone for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all round. You may remember that the car was wearing 245/35/19 on the front and 365/35/19 on the rear. I have changed them for 255/40/19 on the front and 285/35/19 on the rear.
They're still a little slick with the release agent but already I can feel a difference in suppleness and compliance on the road. The last set were undoubtedly past it and needed changed. They were a lot harder and I wonder if the biggest difference is that the tyre wall is giving more. Anyway, the car feels very smooth. I'll see what its like on the open road soon when I have a moment to get the tyres properly scrubbed in.
I never managed to do the rear diff oil but do plan to very shortly. All the kit is there, I just need the time.
I did have the tyres changed, yesterday in fact, and have gone for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all round. You may remember that the car was wearing 245/35/19 on the front and 365/35/19 on the rear. I have changed them for 255/40/19 on the front and 285/35/19 on the rear.
They're still a little slick with the release agent but already I can feel a difference in suppleness and compliance on the road. The last set were undoubtedly past it and needed changed. They were a lot harder and I wonder if the biggest difference is that the tyre wall is giving more. Anyway, the car feels very smooth. I'll see what its like on the open road soon when I have a moment to get the tyres properly scrubbed in.
Haha! Well they maybe weren’t quite that wide. Clearly a typo slipped through.
I have actually just been for a wee scrub of the new rubber and to say I’m impressed would be an understatement. The MPS4S is a stunning tyre and I knew that already as I changed the rears on my last C63 from MPSS to them and they were a step up.
On the M6 it is like I have another 100bhp such is the grip out of the corners as the car just bites and heads for the horizon. Clearly before there was a fair bit of scrubbing and power cutting until everything hooked up and it did it’s thing. Now there isn’t so much as a peep from the tyres, it just goes!
I wasn’t pushing terribly hard into the corners but I would say that I feel more front end grip too. That wouldn’t be surprising as not only is there some grippier rubber on the road but it’s also wider too.
There are absolutely no signs of rubbing etc and I hit some hefty compressions too.
I think I’m going to do a stud conversion on the hubs and will look at some spacer options too when I fit the competition pack springs. That’s not planned any time soon however. Too much on elsewhere in my life!
I have actually just been for a wee scrub of the new rubber and to say I’m impressed would be an understatement. The MPS4S is a stunning tyre and I knew that already as I changed the rears on my last C63 from MPSS to them and they were a step up.
On the M6 it is like I have another 100bhp such is the grip out of the corners as the car just bites and heads for the horizon. Clearly before there was a fair bit of scrubbing and power cutting until everything hooked up and it did it’s thing. Now there isn’t so much as a peep from the tyres, it just goes!
I wasn’t pushing terribly hard into the corners but I would say that I feel more front end grip too. That wouldn’t be surprising as not only is there some grippier rubber on the road but it’s also wider too.
There are absolutely no signs of rubbing etc and I hit some hefty compressions too.
I think I’m going to do a stud conversion on the hubs and will look at some spacer options too when I fit the competition pack springs. That’s not planned any time soon however. Too much on elsewhere in my life!
I got the car out for a proper run this weekend and it's a different animal on new rubber.
The MPS4S is unbelieveable in the wet. The road holding is superb. It was lashing down rain at times and still they felt like they would never break traction at the front.Of course with the sort of power the M6 has it was always going to have a tough time not spinning the rears but even still they had so much grip and coupled with the very predictable feel of the M6/MPS4S it made for an extremely enjoyable drive.
The MPS4S is unbelieveable in the wet. The road holding is superb. It was lashing down rain at times and still they felt like they would never break traction at the front.Of course with the sort of power the M6 has it was always going to have a tough time not spinning the rears but even still they had so much grip and coupled with the very predictable feel of the M6/MPS4S it made for an extremely enjoyable drive.
Good to hear that and glad you're getting to enjoy the car. I changed my XKR for a newer one a few weeks ago and have Vredestein Ultrac Vortis on it all round, so far they seem to cope pretty well in the wet but they struggle a bit with the greasy, sodden leaves we find on the ground just now, interested to hear if the PS4S do any better on that score?
8bit said:
Good to hear that and glad you're getting to enjoy the car. I changed my XKR for a newer one a few weeks ago and have Vredestein Ultrac Vortis on it all round, so far they seem to cope pretty well in the wet but they struggle a bit with the greasy, sodden leaves we find on the ground just now, interested to hear if the PS4S do any better on that score?
I always find this time of year a bit slippery but wouldn't say i've noticed any particular lack of grip from these tyres. Maybe you're just driving on particularly slippery leaves! In other news the car is now MOT'd and with no advisories (other than rear child seat fitted so seatbelt was presumably untestable). Car has done 3600 miles between MOT's this year. That's about what I expected. I'm off to Edinburgh in soon so that's going to stick another 300+ miles on. That's going to be its last decent run of the year.
Ha, yes - wrong type of leaves on the road 
You just reminded me about something, what child seat is it you have and does it use ISOFIX? I was using a belt-in seat in the front passenger seat of my old car but the seats on the new one are not a great shape for a child seat, so I'm back on the hunt for a seat that I can fit in the rear "seats". That said I think the rear seats on your car are probably larger than what Jaguar call a rear seat on mine...
You just reminded me about something, what child seat is it you have and does it use ISOFIX? I was using a belt-in seat in the front passenger seat of my old car but the seats on the new one are not a great shape for a child seat, so I'm back on the hunt for a seat that I can fit in the rear "seats". That said I think the rear seats on your car are probably larger than what Jaguar call a rear seat on mine...
+1, a really good read, thank you
I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
+1, a really good read, thank you
I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
8bit said:
Ha, yes - wrong type of leaves on the road
You just reminded me about something, what child seat is it you have and does it use ISOFIX? I was using a belt-in seat in the front passenger seat of my old car but the seats on the new one are not a great shape for a child seat, so I'm back on the hunt for a seat that I can fit in the rear "seats". That said I think the rear seats on your car are probably larger than what Jaguar call a rear seat on mine...
Sorry i totally missed this as I was in the US over Christmas!You just reminded me about something, what child seat is it you have and does it use ISOFIX? I was using a belt-in seat in the front passenger seat of my old car but the seats on the new one are not a great shape for a child seat, so I'm back on the hunt for a seat that I can fit in the rear "seats". That said I think the rear seats on your car are probably larger than what Jaguar call a rear seat on mine...
There is no isofix in the M6 as far as i'm aware so I use a belt in seat and have found it very handy for moving between cars. My son has enjoyed the 911 and DB6 in this seat, in the front passenger seat of both.
If you haven't already found a solution you're welcome to test fit in the Jag.
Rhys-zzaud said:
Great read from someone who is wanting an M6. It is interesting to note your thoughts on SMG and sometimes I think the concerns on internet by a lot of people who are driving them like fully fledged automatics.
Thanks. I'm always happy sharing my experience with the car. The SMG remains the perfect box for this car. I've just done an Edinburgh trip and headed down on the dual carriageway which was perfect in full auto mode, just adjusting speed using the car's cruise system. Then on the trip home I was able to go the scenic route using the paddles which are a joy in this thing. It is an ideal blend of automation and manual operation as far as i'm concerned. timbobalob said:
+1, a really good read, thank you
I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
I haven't been in a Chim before but have passengered in some of its younger relations. I would imagine there's still a fair amount of bodyroll, tyre flex (probably 50 profile!) and flex to the Chim so wouldn't be entirely surprised if one of the suspension settings got close enough to the handling of the Chim in one way or another. The M6 certainly feels nicely low slung but it is still a sizeable car and can't absolutely hide that fact. I’ve been on the hunt for a Chimaera 500 (or 450) for a while, and considering one of these for a short term fix - whilst they are obviously completely different cars I do wonder if a convertible M6 would be good shout? I had a Chimaera 400 years ago and I miss the performance and ‘sitting on the floor go kart feeling’ - does this feel comparable or a is it much more of a GT (albeit with loads of power!)
For me, with the suspension on full hard and my new tyres, it's just as pointy as the C63 it replaced and whilst the 997 2S that preceded that would be pointier still it also came with a nervousness that the M6 doesn't have at all. I feel like it will deal with anything I throw it at and gives oodles of feedback in the process. It will never step out unexpectedly. It needs provoking or overdriving to do so and both of those are conscious choices.
I would thoroughly recommend,
Well I have an actual update this morning!
Whilst loading my son into the back of the car his foot caught something on the lower part of the rear of the front seat and dislodged it. I took a closer look.
It’s only another one of those bloody footwell lights that the Russians must have fitted!!! I am really confused as it can’t be an effective footwell light placed all the way under the seat like that.
I think I’m going to remove it and hook it up to a power source. I have a feeling it’s some sort of infrared or black light. It’s purpose? Who knows but I’m still half expecting to find a secret handgun slot somewhere!
Oh and in other news the PDC decided to fail. I have no idea if it’s related to disturbing the weird light but assume not. I just got an error message on the screen as I selected reverse for the first time this morning. I’ll do some Googling for related issues others have experienced.
Whilst loading my son into the back of the car his foot caught something on the lower part of the rear of the front seat and dislodged it. I took a closer look.
It’s only another one of those bloody footwell lights that the Russians must have fitted!!! I am really confused as it can’t be an effective footwell light placed all the way under the seat like that.
I think I’m going to remove it and hook it up to a power source. I have a feeling it’s some sort of infrared or black light. It’s purpose? Who knows but I’m still half expecting to find a secret handgun slot somewhere!
Oh and in other news the PDC decided to fail. I have no idea if it’s related to disturbing the weird light but assume not. I just got an error message on the screen as I selected reverse for the first time this morning. I’ll do some Googling for related issues others have experienced.
Google tells me i must have a PDC sensor fail.
Seemingly I can test them myself by engaging the PDC and holding my hand close to each sensor as an operational one will make a faint clicking. If i find one that doesn't click then that's the failed unit. Simple enough i hope. If its the front then I may just pull the front bumper off anyway as it'll give me a chance to have a nosey behind it and give things a wee spring clean.
Seemingly I can test them myself by engaging the PDC and holding my hand close to each sensor as an operational one will make a faint clicking. If i find one that doesn't click then that's the failed unit. Simple enough i hope. If its the front then I may just pull the front bumper off anyway as it'll give me a chance to have a nosey behind it and give things a wee spring clean.
James B said:
Google tells me i must have a PDC sensor fail.
Seemingly I can test them myself by engaging the PDC and holding my hand close to each sensor as an operational one will make a faint clicking. If i find one that doesn't click then that's the failed unit. Simple enough i hope. If its the front then I may just pull the front bumper off anyway as it'll give me a chance to have a nosey behind it and give things a wee spring clean.
Parking sensors do make a surprisingly loud clicking noise if you listen closely, it'll be obvious which one is out.Seemingly I can test them myself by engaging the PDC and holding my hand close to each sensor as an operational one will make a faint clicking. If i find one that doesn't click then that's the failed unit. Simple enough i hope. If its the front then I may just pull the front bumper off anyway as it'll give me a chance to have a nosey behind it and give things a wee spring clean.
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