BMW 6 Series review
The BMW 6 Series is a great grand tourer that's luxurious, comfortable and rewarding to drive
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Styling
With its flowing bodywork and distinctive headlamps, the BMW 6 Series has no problem turning heads. The car looks big next to rivals like the Porsche 911, and is given real road presence by its large 19-inch alloy wheels. M Sport equipped versions get a package of modifications that help the car stand out even more - with polished exhuast tips and 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin is luxurious, with leather seats as standard. Fit and finish are very impressive, and the cabin's detailing - which includes gloss finish inserts on the doors, and a jewel like instrument panel - looks very modern.
Driving
BMW's big 6 Series is a beefy looking grand tourer that rivals the Porsche 911 and Jaguar XK - and boasts some impressive technology. The petrol 640i and diesel 640d both offer 3.0-litre turbo engines, while the top of the range 650i gets a 4.4-litre V8 that punches out a hefty 407bhp. It’s the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel 640d that’s the real star. It pulls like a train from 1,500rpm, never loses its composure and is marvellously refined. 0-60mph arrives in less than six seconds. A traditional rear-drive platform serves up sharp handling, strong brakes and involving dynamics, meaning the 6 is fun to drive too, particularly with the optional hi-tech anti-roll ‘Dynamic Drive’ system. However, the ride is firm and there’s rather a lot of road noise if you choose the larger alloy wheel options.
Reliability
The BMW 6 Series hasn't been around long enough to make a firm judgement about its reliability. Owners tell us there are few problems. Safety is first rate, thanks to the fact that all 6 Series Coupes come with DSC stability control, and front, side and curtain airbags.
Practicality
It's a sporty coupe, but the 6 Series actually has a very large 460-litre boot. Its large overall size means that there's more than enough room for those in the front and a pair of big, deep, bucketed seats in the rear. Despite that, most adults will feel cramped in the back because of the low roof line, so the rear is best left to children. If you want more versatility, then you should check out the four-door 6 Series Gran Coupe
Running Costs
There's no escaping the fact that the 6 Series is a big car offering a choice of big engines. That said, the BMW 640d offers much better fuel economy than you might expect, returning 51mpg and 144g/km respectively. Petrol-engined models have far lower mpg figures and are much more expensive to run. The 3.0-litre engine returns 37 mpg, while the V8 serves up 27mpg. A high price means that the 6 Series is competing with fellow premium rivals like the Jaguar XK. It really is quite expensive, to the point where just a few more thousand pounds will buy an entry-level Porsche 911, which is a far better car to drive. Also, Audi's S5 coupe, though smaller and less economical than the BMW, offers the same mix of a premium badge, a powerful engine and a classy interior for much less.
For an alternative review of the latest BMW 6 Series Coupe visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
