Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2014 review

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe provides thrilling 552bhp performance – but it's expensive

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 BMW M6 Gran Coupe is truly rewarding to drive, thanks to well judged dynamics, a thumping engine and a thrilling rear-drive chassis. It just never feels quite worthy of its astronomical price. If you have the money, you won’t be disappointed – but Mercedes’ CLS63 AMG does a similar job for £15,770 less.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This new BMW M6 Gran Coupe means buyers searching for a big grand tourer packing serious performance are now spoilt for choice. The Audi RS7 and facelifted Porsche Panamera Turbo have arrived recently, and now BMW has thrown its hat into the ring with this four-door version of the M6 Coupe. This is our first chance to test it in the UK.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe full review

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe certainly looks good, with the kind of head-turning muscle normally reserved for supercars. Under the skin it shares its 552bhp twin-turbo V8 with the BMW M5. Paired with the seven-speed M-DCT dual-clutch transmission and adaptive suspension, this allows the Gran Coupe to switch from supple cruiser to savage muscle car at the touch of a button.

Even on straight, dry roads the towering 680Nm of torque is enough to set the traction control light flashing in second and third gears. Turn the ESP off and you can steer 
the car on the throttle – which makes it an engaging handful on the right road. However, on narrow lanes the size, weight and power restrict your ability to exploit the engine.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Crossland

2021 Vauxhall

Crossland

14,111 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £14,500
View Crossland
MG3

2018 MG

MG3

8,345 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £10,206
View MG3
208

2017 Peugeot

208

52,552 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £7,536
View 208
Civic

2021 Honda

Civic

7,942 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,195
View Civic

You sit much lower to the ground than in the M5, and while this adds to the sense of occasion, reduced visibility makes pulling out from tight junctions a touch tricky. The sloped roof means passenger space in the back is tight, while the small 460-litre boot and four-seat layout make it less practical for long European tours than rivals from Audi and Mercedes.

The cabin is reassuringly plush, though, with carbon fibre dash inserts and sumptuous leather seats. Major switchgear like the steering wheel, stubby gear selector and shift paddles are all stylishly designed yet superbly functional, too.

But despite all the different set-ups for the gearbox, steering and suspension, the Sport Plus mode doesn’t offer much more dynamic flair than Sport, while even in the Comfort setting the car patters over broken surfaces.

Considering the performance on offer, the economy and CO2 emissions impress, matching those of rivals. But the two-door M6 is already expensive, and the £3,000 premium the Gran Coupé carries means it looks very pricey.

Our test model came with a raft of options, including carbon-ceramic brakes and ‘Individual’ leather, which took the price to £116,055. Buyers spending this much could go for something more exotic and more capable.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,321 off RRP*Used from £12,220
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,803 off RRP*Used from £18,900
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,919 off RRP*Used from £13,300
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 EV exclusive image - front

Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future

The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
10 May 2025