BMW 6 Series Review (2011-2017)
BMW 6 Series cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Successfully blends performance and refinement
Staggering performance of the M6
Choice of body styles to suit different priorities
Cons
Coupe and convertible are cramped in the back
Not as agile as a Porsche 911
Budget for a big bill if a major part fails
The CarGurus verdict
If you’re looking for a used premium grand tourer that can soak up the miles with ease then the BMW 6 Series should be at the top of your list. It looks the part, it feels the part and it packs serious performance credentials, even in standard 640i specification. Many will want to opt for the more sensical 640d, though, as it offers stout performance in conjunction with good economy, and its mid-range punch and long range make it an ideal companion for cross-country trips.
It’s not designed to accommodate four in comfort, however, unless you go for the Gran Coupe variant, and drivers seeking a more sporting experience will find alternatives such as the Porsche 911 or Jaguar F-Type more agile, evocative and engaging. If none of that’s an issue, though, and you just want an upmarket and refined GT, BMW’s third-generation 6 Series is an excellent choice.
What is the BMW 6 Series?
The third generation of BMW 6 Series, which landed on the market in 2011, has a lot to offer for buyers who are after an upmarket grand tourer. Aside from stylish looks and an elegant interior, it’s loaded with equipment, available with an array of powerful engines and drives and rides in a refined fashion. It’s also offered in convertible, coupe and four-door Gran Coupe body styles, widening its appeal even further.
The array of options is such that the BMW has a long list of competitors, including models such as the older Jaguar XK and newer F-Type, the Porsche 911, Maserati Gran Turismo and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and CL.
In 2018, the 6 Series was superseded by the BMW 8 Series range.
How practical is it?
The two-door 2+2 versions are also best treated as two-seat cars with occasional rear seats, so go for the Gran Coupe variant if you need to take more passengers along with you more regularly.
There’s plenty of room in the boot, though, even in convertible versions – the convertible musters 350 litres of luggage room, while the coupe and four-door Gran Coupe both offer the same 460 litres.
What's it like to drive?
Buyers could opt for the entry-level 640i, which featured a 315bhp 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine or, if more muscle was required, they could go for the 650i. This featured a 4.4-litre V8 that, thanks to a pair of turbochargers nestled between its cylinder heads, produced a hefty 401bhp.
Coupe versions of the 650i were not slow, as a result, and dispatched the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds, which was impressive given their size and weight. The 640i wasn’t far behind, though, clocking in at a still-swift 5.4 seconds in the benchmark sprint.
It’s the slightly later diesel 640d that hit the mark for many buyers, however, as it offered 309bhp and lots of pulling power in conjunction with a claimed 51.4mpg. Its lower running costs and longer range subsequently made it a more appealing option.
Most will be satisfied whether they go for a petrol or a diesel version of the 6 Series,, and the good news is that both of these options are solid ones. But before you take the plunge, just be sure you're after a more GT-like experience than a sports car one, because that's precisely what the 6 Series gives you. Consequently, if you’re after driving fun and engagement, a Porsche or Jaguar would be a better option. The BMW is a big and heavy car, after all, and that’s evident in the corners. The big Beemer still does a good job in the bends, though, and also does brilliantly on comfort and refinement.
You need to be mindful of running costs, as well because, while the 640d can be efficient, the petrol versions are often considerably less so in the real world. These are complicated luxury cars, too, and older ones can throw up expensive bills that could derail your ownership experience.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
The 6 Series is offered in convertible, two-door coupe and four-door Gran Coupe body styles, which are respectively also referred to as F12, F13 and F06. Most versions are offered in standard SE or more upmarket M Sport trim, and with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, but a standalone high-performance M derivative is also available in all three body styles. Standard equipment on even the earliest iterations was good and included Dakota leather trim, an eight-speed automatic transmission, satnav, xenon headlights, front- and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with a brake function and auto-dimming mirrors.
BMW 6 Series running costs
A large luxury rear-wheel-drive GT is not going to be a cheap car to run but there are facets of the 6 Series line-up that can make it more affordable than some rivals, namely the 640d engine. If you went for an early 640d coupe, for example, you’d benefit from a claimed average economy of 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.
Owners report that 640ds can return around 40mpg in the real world, too, granting long range and sensible costs. The petrol variants are predictably thirstier, with the turbocharged straight-six 640i averaging a claimed 36.2mpg and the twin-turbocharged V8 650i giving a claimed 26.6mpg. Both often burn through more fuel in real-world conditions, though, but a light foot and gentle cruising can result in some impressive economy figures considering the size and power of the 6 Series.
If you’re looking for the lowest VED rates, you’re best off with a pre-1 April 2017 640d, as they have the lowest VED rates. Go for a V8 and you’ll pay a hefty whack in annual VED due to their emissions. Rates for cars registered after 1 April 2017 will be based on a flat annual £150 fee but each will be hit with a five-year £325 premium for the second to sixth tax year – due to their list price being over £40,000 – so you’ll have to stomach heftier VED fees for a few years yet.
BMW does offer fixed-price service plans, too, and quotes for the specific vehicle you’re looking at can be acquired by entering a few details online. According to a quote we sourced, a service plan for a 2017 640d with 30,000 miles, for example, will cost £1,080 for two years and 18,000 miles
The higher up the scale you climb, however, the higher the costs get. Bigger tyres, bigger brakes, more complex M variants will hike your outlay: basically, the more power and kit a 6 Series packs, the more it’s going to cost to run. You’ll also do well to get more than 20mpg out of an M6, which could quickly take its toll on your bank account. Don’t forget to factor in insurance costs and deprecation, too.
BMW 6 Series reliability
The third-generation BMW 6 Series fares better than its predecessor on the reliability front and it is generally accepted as a reliable car. Many used examples aren’t that old, and haven’t covered many miles, which stands in their favour.
It is a big, complicated and expensive GT, however, so you need to be prepared for big bills should something more significant pack up in the future. Some have reported LED headlight failure, for example, which might not sound like a huge issue. That is, at least, until you find out that a replacement light is going to set you back a four-figure sum.
Fortunately, some cars may still be covered by an original BMW warranty, as extensions were available, and that could protect you from some significant expenditure. If you can get your hands on a warranty, in any instance, it’s well worth going for.
To otherwise avoid as much grief as possible, aim to buy a 6 Series that’s been serviced according to schedule and looked after otherwise. When it comes to buying a used BMW 6 Series, however, you’ll need to check any example against the government’s 'Check Vehicle Recalls' website, as there have been several recalls issued for this generation of 6 Series.
One other way you can dodge some potential hassle is to get a used 6 Series from the BMW Approved Used car programme. Cars offered through the scheme are comprehensively inspected by BMW and brought up to scratch before being sold on with 12 months’ unlimited-mileage warranty, 12 months’ roadside assistance and 12 months’ MOT cover.
If the idea of buying such a car from an independent dealer or private seller makes you a little uncomfortable, this could subsequently be the best way to go.
- Range-topping M6 versions arrived in 2012, and featured an even more powerful V8 that produced 552bhp and granted a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds. It even fared quite well on the economy front, with its twin-turbocharged V8 delivering a claimed mpg of 28.5 in coupe form.
- Conventional 6 Series models use a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, but the high-performance M6 features a quick-shifting seven-speed, dual-clutch M DCT gearbox. M models also feature more aggressive styling, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and upgraded chassis and suspension components. The net result is a devastatingly quick car, albeit one that’s still large and heavy and less engaging than a Porsche 911. Upgrades were available to make the M6 quicker and sharper, though.
- Facelifted models of the 6 Series arrived in 2015. These benefitted from updated exterior styling, standard-fit ConnectedDrive infotainment and satnav throughout the range and revised suspension systems. Petrol models also got a sports-tuned exhaust system, for an improved soundtrack, and a switchable exhaust valve that could be used to dial up the noise level when desired. Fuel efficiency was also improved in some models thanks to technical tweaks and aerodynamic changes. New options were added as well, including the Driving Assistant Plus system that incorporated active cruise control, pedestrian and collision warning with braking and automated stop & go.
- The best all-rounder: A 640d diesel in SE trim, and in your body style of choice, strikes us as offering the best blend of performance, comfort, range, refinement and equipment. A 640d will have 309bhp, be capable of 0-62mph in as little as 5.3 seconds and average up to 54.3mpg on the combined cycle. Standard features on early cars includes cruise, xenon headlights, heated electric leather seats, dual-zone climate, Bluetooth and parking sensors.
- The most practical option: You’ll want to go for the Gran Coupe, as it offers 4-1 seating and more rear room. This, coupled with the diesel engine option, will give you a long-legged and more practical 6 Series.
- For maximum economy: The straight-six 640d diesel is the most frugal of the 6 Series line-up, but you’ll need to go for the Coupe model in particular to get the best figures. If you want a petrol engine, though, the straight-six 640i offers up a reasonable claimed average of around 37mpg.
- For the best performance: The range-topping M6 is the one to go for. Its V8 pounds out a hefty 552bhp in standard form, which catapults it from 0-62mph in as little as 4.3 seconds, depending on body style. The flagship 6 series has hefty running costs, though.
