Pros
Cons
Certainly one of the brand’s performance benchmarks, the BMW M6 sits well within the performance GT segment and is a stylish cruiser in either convertible or saloon form.
Both are powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 552bhp and more than 680Nm of torque. This means 0-60mph happens in just 4.1 seconds
The M6 is certainly not a bargain, costing six figures. However, against rivals such as the Bentley Continental, it offers very good value. Not only do you get a powerful twin-turbo engine with phenomenal performance, you also get a plethora of kit on-board including LED headlamps, a pro navigation system, full leather interior with electric memory seats, a carbon-fibre roof with carbon-fibre trim in the cabin and a head-up display.
The M6 is a very stylish looking car, especially in Gran Coupe guise where it is a sleek, sophisticated coupe-like saloon. The convertible is also a classy car and looks at its best with the roof down. Both cars come with a plethora of extra design elements on the bodywork, including quad exhaust pipes, vents on the front wings, a chunkier, more muscular body kit and 19-or 20-inch alloy wheels.
 The interior is just as bold, with lots of carbon-fibre trim, luscious leather seats and tons of tech. However, the whole cabin is just a tad boring and is starting to look dated. Because of this it doesn’t bode well against its rivals, which are either recently updated or entirely new models, such as the recently released Porsche Panamera.
The convertible version has plenty of room in the cabin for occupants, but a fairly small boot space. With the roof up you get 350 litres, but with it down this is reduced by 50 litres. This will easily accommodate a couple of suitcases and the weekly shop, but probably isn’t practical for a trip to the garden centre.
If you need practicality, the Gran Coupe is a better option. Not only do you get a five-door saloon that seats four adults comfortably, you also get a generous 460 litres of boot space with the seats up and 1,265 with them down. Â However, one issue is headroom in the back is slightly restricted thanks to the sloping roof.
Inside, the convertible has ample legroom for occupants in the front, but not so much in the back – which is only really suitable for children. The Gran Coupe on the other hand has ample leg and headroom for four adults to sit comfortably.
There is only one engine choice, but it’s a stonking bit of kit. The 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 churns out 552bhp and a mountainous 680Nm of torque for the convertible and 700Nm for the Gran Coupe.
The convertible manages to accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds, while the Gran Coupe takes 4.0 seconds. Both are electronically limited to 155mph.
Neither are overly economical cars, as you can imagine. The convertible returns a combined 27.4mpg and emits 239 g/km of CO2, while the Gran Coupe manages 28.5mpg and emits 231g/km of CO2.
The M6 is never going to be a cheap car to repair. However, if you can afford to buy one in the first place, money may not necessarily be an issue. For a start the fuel economy will see you going to the petrol pumps fairly regularly. Tax is also expensive at £1,700 for the first year, plus £310 because the car costs over £40,000. Tax is then £140 per year thereafter.
There have been reports that the M6 convertible can develop issues with drainage pipes in the rear. If this happens water can leak into the boot. This can be very costly as the electrical controls for the car are housed within the boot.
Another issue across the range is the automatic gearbox, which can fail or hesitate to change gear.
The M6 convertible is up against the Bentley Continental GTC V8, Mercedes SL and Porsche 911 Cabriolet. The M6 Gran Coupe is up against the Porsche Panamera, Audi RS7 and Maserati Quattroporte
This is the M6’s Achilles heel. The convertible, for example, costs from £100,530 new. However, we found one that was a year old with only 13,000 miles on the clock and the price had dropped significantly to £56,950. That works out at a staggering £3,631 in depreciation per month.
On the plus side, this does make the M6 a cracking used buy and saves someone a lot of money.
The M6 is only available in one trim level.
M6
As standard you get lots of leather, LED headlights, carbon trim and BMW’s excellent i-Drive infotainment system with a cracking sat nav system.
Everything inside the cabin is of typical solid BMW build quality and whether buying it new or used, owners will be impressed with the feel.
