BMW M6 Coupe (2005 – 2010) expert review

1. Exterior

The BMW 6 Series looks its very best in M6 guise. The svelte coupé lines are given more menace with the M car’s styling changes, most notably the addition of a carbon fibre roof panel. Deeper, more aggressively styled bumpers, BMW M division’s signature quad exhaust pipes and wider wheel arches covering 19-inch alloy wheels complete the look. It’s certainly more assertive looking, but not so overblown and extrovert to lose the classy appeal of the regular 6 Series.

Our rating: 4

2. Interior

Introduced in 2005 the M6’s interior no longer feels quite as special as it once did. However, it is pleasingly driver-focused. Key buttons are gathered around the confidently upright automatic gear selector for the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), while the remainder of controls are taken care of via BMW’s iDrive system. The seats provide decent support and the finish throughout the interior is typical of BMW’s quality and build. That’s fine elsewhere in the 6 Series range, but the M6 commands a hefty list price – and the interior just doesn’t feel special enough to justify it.

Our rating: 3

3. Practicality

As coupes with supercar-rivalling pace go the M6 is relatively practical. You can get two adults in the rear for short journeys, and children won’t feel too cramped. Key to its practicality is the boot: it’s vast. Very few cars with this kind of performance in a coupe body offer the carrying capacity of the M6. You might want to strap down your luggage if you’re planning on using the M6’s performance potential, though.

Our rating: 4

4. Ride and handling

Everything on the M6 is adjustable, from the damping to the operation of the rear differential. The gearbox offers 11 different settings. Find your preferred choices and the M6 is devastatingly rapid and capable. Grip levels are huge and the steering is quick and accurate – if not particularly rich on information. The combination of poise and control at speed with its ability to cosset when you’re cruising is remarkable. As an everyday road car Jaguar’s XKR delivers a similarly exciting driving experience but with more outright finesse.

Our rating: 4

5. Performance

The M6’s 5-litre V10 engine allows this big coupe to reach 62mph in just 4.6 seconds and if it weren’t for the 155mph limiter it’d likely break the 200mph barrier. The engine is a high-revving delight, screaming towards its red-line with vigour. You need to press the Power button if you want the full 500bhp, as it delivers ‘just’ 400bhp otherwise. The M6’s Achilles’ heel is its seven-speed SMG paddle-shifted automatic transmission. It’s clunky around town, and even in its fastest shifting modes isn’t a match for the lightning-quick, seamless changes of newer paddle-shift systems from rival firms.

Our rating: 4

6. Running costs

That high-revving V10 engine demands a lot of fuel, with BMW quoting an official average fuel consumption figure of 19.8mpg. Enjoy the full performance on offer and it’ll return far less than that. Tyres won’t be cheap, and it’s a big heavy car so the brakes will need regular checks, making the M6 an indulgent machine for those who can afford to run it.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

BMW’s reliability is typically good, and customer surveys tend to see the Bavarian firm put in a strong performance.

Our rating: 4

8. Safety

Plentiful electronic driver assistance systems and huge brakes should ensure the BMW M6 helps you avoid an accident in the first place. The full gamut of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners protect you should the unthinkable happen.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

Being the range-topping model in the 6 Series line-up the M6 comes fully loaded with equipment. There’s climate control, sat-nav and Bluetooth telephony; only its advancing years means it misses out on BMW’s latest equipment and technology.

Our rating: 4

10. Why buy?

The BMW M6 is a Porsche 911 chasing coupe that can cruise with ease. Yet it’s quick enough to be the pace car for MotoGP motorcycle races. Fast coupes don’t usually offer such breadth of talent, even if it does come with a few compromises – chiefly the SMG gearbox.

Our rating: 3