The M6 has one of the greatest ever production engines wrapped in a timelessly handsome coupe body. What's not to like?
The 500bhp motorsport-inspired V10 that blessed the BMW M6 more than a decade ago was a true innovation for BMW at the time. Gas-guzzling, naturally aspirated and thoroughly intoxicating, it’s an old-school brute, though in todays modern world of downsizing and turbocharging, it’s almost unheard of. It just so happens that when fitted to the 6-series, it created a monster - the BMW M6. But first, the M5.
In 2004 the E60 generation M5 was born ahead of its time boasting a launch control system which could rocket the 1755kg luxury saloon from 0-62mph in a staggering 4.7sec, and - once the electronic limiter was removed - would rise to an almost unheard of 205mph.
A year later, the E63 M6 followed, which not much long after brought with it the E64 convertible. This new step up in generations resulted in the M6 borrowing the M5’s world-class drivetrain which held with it the V10 and SMG paddleshift transmission. BMW then housed all that in the M6 body, which was now lower and lighter (by 120kg) and also much sleeker visually. All these upgrades reduced the 0-62 time by 0.1 sec, and although the top speed stayed limited to 155mph the acceleration was blistering. Back then, it was the German brand’s fastest production car to date.
If you were to invest in one of the machines at the time you would be pleasantly treated to a long list of standard equipment, meaning there was no need for thousands to be spent on extra options. A seven speed sequential box, M-diff, plus three mode damping and changeable stability and traction control systems all lined the spec list, though could still be tailored to personal taste. It didn’t stop there though, as a state-of-the-art heads-up display featured in the car along with some tasteful 19in deep-dish alloy wheels encasing the vast ventilated discs. All of this brought the re-vamped M6 to a £79,760 list price, though as the last cars began to depart the showrooms back in early 2011 this price rose to a modest £87,335. Today on the other hand, be prepared to pick one up for less than £20k.
Despite the enticing second-hand list price, these cars don’t come cheaply on running costs (though to save two hundred quid a year in road tax, aim for a car registered before 23 March 2006). Rear tyres and brakes will quite rightly need replacing frequently, and that is rather expensive coupled with the MPG averaging a figure in the mid-teens at best. In addition to the usual costs, if anything goes pear shaped all of a sudden, the repair costs can be sky high.
Specs
EngineV10, 4999cc petrol
Max power500bhp @ 7750rpm
Max torque384lb ft @ 6100rpm
Transmission Seven-speed SMG automated manual, rear-wheel drive, M-diff
Weight1635kg
Power-to-weight 311bhp/ton0-62mph 4.6sec (claimed)
Top speed155mph (limited)
Price new£79,760 (2005)
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