Used BMW 6 Series cars

BMW 6 Series updates and facelifts

When the BMW 6 Series first launched in the mid-1970s, it represented the very best in luxury and design. It was sold until 1989, and a period of over 10 years went by before the nameplate was revived. The Mk2 6 Series coupé and convertible went on sale in 2004, blending style, sophistication and comfort. It received praise from critics and buyers alike and was followed up by the Mk3 model in 2011.

The convertible was the first to be released in March 2011, with the coupé version coming in October and the Gran Coupé following in December. Trims included SE and M Sport. A year later the M6 coupé and convertible were added to the lineup, bringing with them the utmost in power and performance. The M6 Gran Coupé arrived in the spring of 2013.

The 6 Series won several design awards in 2012, including that year’s Red Dot award. It stood out against competitors thanks to its long-distance cruising ability and fuel efficiency. The coupé’s main rivals include the Jaguar XK, Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A5. The convertible’s closest rival is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, and the Gran Coupé competes against the Audi A7, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The BMW 6 Series was updated in 2015. Not only were the engines made more efficient, the car also received an improved interior, an upgraded infotainment system and standard LED headlights. From the same year onwards, the Gran Coupé could be specified with a Competition Package and a new range of metallic paint finishes.

In 2018, after a relatively short production run, the BMW 6 Series was discontinued. However, it remains an excellent option on the used market, suiting city drivers as well as those looking for an efficient well-equipped vehicle.

Practicality and style of the car

The BMW 6 Series provides a relaxed ambience with a slick, minimalist feel. The centre console is dominated by a touchscreen interface on models produced after 2015, and the dash is trimmed in leather. The seats are comfortable and supportive too, with electric adjustment ensuring the driver can find their optimum position and remain relaxed even on long journeys. Storage in the front includes a pair of cup holders, a glovebox, slim but deep door bins, and a covered cubby.

The 6 Series coupé and Gran Coupé both offer a 460-litre boot. This is ample for storing two sets of golf clubs or luggage for a trip away. The coupé’s seats don’t split or fold, so if you require extra storage options, the Gran Coupé is a great choice. This offers a total boot capacity of 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded down. Whichever variant you choose, there’s more boot space on offer than in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupé (425 litres) and the same as the Audi A5’s 450 litres.

The convertible’s fabric roof means that boot space isn’t compromised when you want to drive with the top down. A commendable 350 litres of luggage capacity is on offer, which is enough for golf clubs or two standard suitcases. The roof itself is fully automatic and will drop at the touch of a button in just 19 seconds at speeds of up to 25mph.

Running costs

As a premium car, the BMW 6 Series occupies groups 49–50 out of 50 for insurance. This is comparable to the Jaguar XJ and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

Road tax depends on the model year you choose. Most variants cost between £200 and £570 per year to tax. The higher figure is for models produced from April 2017 onwards with a list price of over £40,000. All such vehicles incur a £390 surcharge for the first five years that the tax is renewed, after which fees drop to £180 per year.

How a used BMW 6 Series drives

Throughout its lifespan, the BMW 6 Series offered two petrol engines and a single diesel option. All versions in the UK have rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, acceleration times and efficiency vary depending on the body style you choose.

The entry-level petrol engine is the 640i – a 3.0-litre turbocharged unit producing 316bhp. This sends the coupé from 0–62mph in 5.3 seconds, with the convertible and Gran Coupé achieving the same in 5.5 seconds and 5.4 seconds respectively. Combined fuel economy for the convertible and Gran Coupé is 36.2mpg, while the coupé returns slightly better efficiency at 36.7mpg.

Stepping up to the 650i brings exceptional power and performance. This 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine delivers 444bhp and gets all three variants from 0–62mph in just 4.6 seconds. Fuel economy for this engine is best in the Gran Coupé body style, with a combined figure of 31.7mpg. The coupé and convertible return 27.2mpg and 26.4mpg respectively.

The most frugal option is the 640d – a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel with an output of 309bhp. This delivers a 0–62mph acceleration time of 5.3 seconds in the coupé, 5.5 seconds in the convertible and 5.4 seconds in the Gran Coupé. As with the entry-level petrol unit, the coupé boasts the best efficiency, reaching 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. The convertible and Gran Coupé aren’t far behind, however, achieving a combined figure of 50.4mpg.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2011 - 2018

6 Series Gran Coupé (2012 - 2018)

6 Series Convertible (2011 - 2018)

Features you can expect in a BMW 6 Series

Interior

The level of space on offer in the 6 Series depends on the body style you choose. The coupé is a four-seater, two-door design which provides generous front legroom to ensure even the tallest adults can get comfy. The rear is best suited to children and young teens in the coupé. The convertible has a spacious feel and offers more room in the rear. The wider body delivers extra shoulder room, and the car can accommodate four adults on shorter journeys or a family of four on longer ones.

For the greatest amount of space, choose the Gran Coupé. It’s longer than the regular coupé and has a four-door design, making it suitable for carrying four adults in comfort. The middle rear seat can accommodate a fifth occupant but is best reserved for short journeys.

Technology

The 6 Series is fitted with useful technologies to enhance your drive. The Drive Dynamic Control, for example, provides three modes: Normal, Sport and Sport+. These enable you to adjust the car’s parameters according to your preferred levels of throttle response, steering feedback and more. When you reach your destination, front and rear parking sensors help you to manoeuvre and park easily.

The BMW iDrive system was one of the most innovative at launch and remains an intuitive and impressive system today. It can be operated using the touchscreen display or a rotary dial on the centre console and provides access to audio, telephony and navigation. The system also has voice control enabling the driver to keep their hands on the wheel.

Among the options for the BMW 6 Series was the brand’s pioneering head-up display. This clever feature projects driving data onto the windscreen, enabling you to keep an eye on your speed or glance at navigation directions without taking your eyes off the road.

Safety

The 6 Series may not have been sold in sufficient numbers to be tested by Euro NCAP, but its level of safety technology ensures drivers and passengers are well protected. ISOFIX points feature on the two outer rear seats, meaning child seats can be safely secured in the vehicle. In addition to a suite of airbags are stability control and traction control, both of which ensure optimum grip at all times.

There are also cameras for aiding visibility at junctions, and BMW Night Vision, which can detect pedestrians up to 300 metres away in the dark. The options list included Driving Assistant Plus, which incorporates active cruise control and lane departure warning. As such, buyers on the used market can find variants with these advanced technologies.

Trims available on the BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series SE

The entry-level SE trim features 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, Dakota leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and keyless start. It also includes the BMW iDrive system with a CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and sat nav. Selectable driving modes, cruise control and front and rear parking sensors are among the technologies available.

BMW 6 Series M Sport

The M Sport includes sportier body styling, 19-inch alloy wheels and dark chrome exhaust pipes. Inside are sports seats trimmed in leather.

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