Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 6-Series coupe

The best of the 6-Series line-up, the 650i fills the gap between the 630i and the V10 M6

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your BMW 6 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The 650i is our pick of the 6-Series line-up. While it doesn’t have the manic performance and aggressive looks of BMW’s top-of-the-range M6, the super-smooth and tuneful V8 engine under the bonnet enables the newcomer to provide a wonderful blend of performance and comfort in an understated package. Carrying a price premium of £5,620 over the 630i, it neatly fills the gap between the six-cylinder car and the V10 M6.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The all-new X5 is grabbing the headlines, but the 4.8-litre V8 engine that stars in the SUV’s engine line-up also sees action in the 5 and 6-Series.

Under the bonnet of the svelte coupé, the powerplant is tweaked to deliver a thunderous 362bhp. Badged 650i, the V8 model bridges the gap in the 6-Series range between the flagship 507bhp V10-powered M6 and the 254bhp six-cylinder 630i.

Press the standard start-stop button, and the V8 hums into life. Impressively refined at idle and through the revs, the powerplant fills the role of both relaxed cruiser and gutsy performance engine. At any speed it provides strong pace in an effortless manner.

BMW’s engineers have fitted a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, rather than a lazy automatic, so the 650i is a proper driver’s car. The Sport model has 19-inch alloys, plus an M-branded steering wheel and gearlever.

With the optional Dynamic Drive active roll bars delivering excellent body control and the V8 offering such a spread of usable performance, the 650i is a tremendous all-round performance machine.

Sharp handling, strong brakes and involving dynamics mean it combines great driver involvement with superb comfort. As with all 6-Series models, the 650i has a revised version of BMW’s iDrive cabin control system, along with rear seats that provide more room than those in key rivals such as the Jaguar XK.

Plenty of hi-tech toys are available on the options list, but even without the gadgets, it’s the old-fashioned basics of a smooth, powerful engine and traditional rear-drive handling that make the 650i stand out.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,704 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £10,000
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025
Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025