BMW 6 Series (2003 - To Date)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
After the furore caused by the controversial styling of the 5 Series, the launch later in 2003 of the 6 Series was virtually a low key event. Based on a modified 5 Series chassis, the Six offered a sleek coupe shape and was followed shortly thereafter by a Convertible version. Both cars are in strong demand, with few natural competitors. As a used buy, these cars are just starting to make sense, the earlier models having had the sharpest edge taken off the depreciation curve.
Core driving functions are located in or around the steering wheel and a simplified version of the iDrive system offers a still enormous amount of driver control with just a few nudges, taps and twists of the serrated metal mouse. The dashboard design is otherwise rather low key, the analogue dials being rather disappointingly small. If the exterior is jam-packed with design details clamouring to catch your eye, the opposite is true of the cabin layout. Yes, it all hangs together very well and seems well built but nowhere does your eye alight approvingly on a signature feature.
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Or for those who want the convenience of a sequential manual gearbox but really want to take control when charging hard, theres the F1-style SMG system with steering wheel mounted paddles. The 630i, meanwhile, misses out on the SMG and the M6 is offered exclusively with its seven-speed SMG set-up.
With the M6 a rarity and 630i models also thin on the ground, your best chance of finding a used Six will come in the shape of the 645i models. Youll need at least £34,700 for a 53-plated 645i coupe with £36,500 landing you an automatic of the same year. The convertibles are holding their value extremely well and open at £37,500 for a manual on a 53 plate and £39,400 for an automatic model. The 630i is rated at insurance group 19 with all other variants lumped into the catch-all 20 category.
No significant faults have emerged thus far. Youll need to make sure the previous keeper has specified wisely from the options list. Leather and metallic paint are essentials and anything with oversized or chromed alloys should be given a wide berth. Check that the service record and mileage corresponds and that if your car is a high mileage ex-fleet vehicle, that the price has been adjusted correspondingly.
Like all contemporary BMW models, the 6 Series has no fixed service intervals, the cars diagnostics deciding when it needs to come in for a freshening, so ask the buyer questions about how the car has been run and get a feel for whether its been cherished or punished. Check the Convertible hoods thoroughly for tears or discolouration and operate the mechanism a few times to ensure it all seals correctly.
(approx based on a 630i ) An air filter is around £21, whilst youll pay a similar amount for a fuel filter. Oil filters are around £8, whilst spark plugs are £17. A replacement cam belt is around £29.
Although the 6-Series can lift its skirt and hustle when needs be, as evidenced by a sprint to 60mph in just 5.9 seconds produced by the 645i or 4.2s in the M6, its by no means an out and out sports car. The ride is firmer than you may expect, the big tyres occasionally crashing through potholes.
Dynamic Driving Control is a function very similar to the Sport mode on M3 and M5 models. Press a button on the centre console and this sharpens up throttle reaction as well as generating a little more feel from the steering system. When allied to the SMG or Steptronic gearboxes, DDC also shifts gears at higher revs, switching ratios in just 150 milliseconds. Whichever system you choose, youll be amazed at the sheer grip generated by the roadroller Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
That said, the 6 Series feels just that little bit too big to be a truly effective cross-country tool. On sweeping A-roads, however, the Six is magnificent, third gear capable of reaching over 100mph, the engines gutsy 332lb/ft of torque making it almost unnecessary to resort to stirring the box. Leave it on third and itll be fine. Even the 630i is a strong performer, 62mpg is reached in 6.
5s thanks, in part, to the 258bhp output. An option many customers will choose is BMWs Dynamic Drive. This automatically builds up counter forces on the cars anti-roll bars and as such, virtually eliminates any body roll when cornering. After trying a car with Dynamic Drive and another without it, its an option worth pursuing if you plan to enjoy serious lateral g-forces.
Another interesting option BMW offer is Active Steering, a system that debuted to mixed reaction on the latest 5 Series. This dramatically varies the steering ratio according to speed. At low speeds, youll often need little more than a quarter of a turn on the wheel to effect a 90-degree turn. Its easy to be caught out when decelerating from a motorway into the tight car park of a service area by Active Steering but its probably something to which youll grow accustomed.
Customer take-up of the option on 5 Series models has outstripped BMWs most optimistic estimates. Theres also Adaptive Headlights which turn through corners, a Head-up Display which projects vital information onto a section of the windscreen and Active Cruise Control that uses radar to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front.
If you are going to splash out on a used GT coupe or convertible of this ilk, the BMW 6 Series is one of the safer havens for your money. Thats not to say that depreciation wont take quite a toll, just that there are many rivals that will get hit much harder. The M6 model is virtually beyond reproach but for most people the 630i variants are the best compromise. Tracking down a nicely specified, low mileage 630i coupe could be a very enjoyable quest.
