2018 BMW M6

M6 shares a lot with the M5 and has impressive dynamics. The big heavy behemoth has no problems carving up twisty back roads. Being one of the most expensive BMW cars currently on sale, it is not just about how it looks or how it drives, it's also about the goodies that come along with this beauty.

BMW M6 has only one trim to offer that is priced at $119,900. It is powered by a 4.4L BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that delivers 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. It is fitted with a 7-speed M double clutch transmission that gives it such lighting speed gear shifts that you almost feel you’re in a race car.

Trim	M6
MSRP	$119,900
Key   Features	Adaptive suspension dampers Automatic adaptive LED headlights, LED fog lights, and taillights Front and rear parking sensors Automatic soft-close doors Power-folding and heated auto-dimming mirrors Split rear-folding seatbacks BMW’s iDrive interface (with a 10.2-inch display) Rearview camera Navigation system Wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system

The BMW M6 comes standard with Full Leather upholstery, heads-up display, a power 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and BMW’s most advanced version of the iDrive infotainment system. Also, standard is adaptive suspension, soft-close function, adaptive LED headlights with BMW signature daytime running lights.

Our Recommendation

Only one trim makes this a much simpler decision than it is. To invest $119,900 in a car should be a much harder one. But when you consider that this car has both, the appeal and feel of a supercar and the comfort of a luxury car, this is one of the best deals you can have. Buy it, Period.

“The base engine is adequate, though unimpressive, and the most fuel-efficient. The other engines deliver more-impressive power. The 6 Series’ ride is comfortable, and the car is solid but not spectacular when it comes to handling curvy roads”- Cars.usnews.com

Engine and Transmission

M6 is powered by a mighty 4.4L BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine which makes 560 horses and delivering 500 pound-feet of tire-smoking torque from just 1500 RPM. it incorporates high precision direct injection and BMW’s VANOS technologies. There is absolutely no turbo lag from the big engine and performance is savage when you put your foot down.

Models	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
MSRP	$119,900	$161,600	$108,900	$113,900
Engine	4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.8 L/293	Handcrafted AMG 5.5L V8 biturbo	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.0 L/244
Transmission	7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic (includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters)	8-speed Tiptronic S with Auto Start Stop function	AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	560hp @ 6,000 rpm	570hp @ 6,000 rpm	577hp @ 5,500 rpm	560hp @ 5700
Torque	502 lb.-ft. @ 1,500 rpm	590 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 rpm	590 lb.-ft. @ 1,750 rpm	516 lb.-ft. @ 1,750 rpm

Acceleration

BMW has the pedigree of making engines that deliver impressive performance without compromising quality. I would actually call it an ultimate license-losing machine. This is due to the fact that BMW M6 accelerates to 0-60 MPH in just 4.1 seconds which is absolutely insane. A standing quarter mile time of 11.9 seconds means you can take it out on a drag strip and have fun on the tarmac.

Models	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
0-60 MPH	4.1 sec	3.6 sec	3.5 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter mile	11.9 sec	11.5 sec	11.6 sec	11.3 sec
Engine	4.4L	4.8L	5.5L	4.0L
Emission   (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	11.0	8.4	9.8	10.4

However, competition is much faster than the M6 in every aspect. CLS 63S does 0-60 MPH in an absolute bonkers time of 3.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 11.6, which is like supercar league times. Just shy by 0.1 seconds second place goes to Porsche Panamera Turbo which does it in 3.6 seconds and quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds. Audi RS7 might lose out in the 0-60 MPH of 3.9 seconds but it wins the quarter mile time at 11.3 seconds.

Handling and Steering

Now onto the main question of what it is like to be behind the wheel of BMW M6. Despite the dashing looks, BMW has tuned the M6 for a softer setup which doesn’t make the car lose its hardcore element thanks to its adaptive damper settings. BMW M6 has a near perfect balance between motorway cruiser and back road bruiser and everything from steering to throttle response to gear shifts can be tinkered with.

Wide tires of the M6 give it impressive traction but on wet roads, it struggles for grip not by much. Overall, the grip is excellent, and steering is surprisingly responsive for such a big car.

Braking

BMW comes standard with 15.7-inch front ventilated discs and 15.6-inch disc at the rear. Being a heavy car at 4430 pounds, it does a pretty neat job in stopping from 60-0 MPH in 108 feet. The optional ceramic brakes also improve the braking distance by a little margin.

Model	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
Brake Front (in.)	15.7	16.1	14.2	15.4
Brake Rear (in.)	15.6	15.0	14.2	14
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4430	4398	4420	4497
60-0 MPH (ft.)	108	111	113	101

In terms of competition, BMW has an edge in the disc sizes, only Porsche Panamera has a large front ventilated disc of 16.1 inches. Audi RS7 does an excellent job of braking with a distance of 101 feet which beats BMW by 7 feet not to mention, it is the heaviest among the lot.

A supercar engine and weight of an elephant doesn’t save your fuel bills. The BMW M6 gives 14 MPG in city driving circle, 20 MPG on the highway and 16 MPG in a combined driving cycle of city and highway. However, it should be noted that it completely depends upon the conditions the car is being driven in. It might not save polar bears or melting glaciers, but it is respectable given the muscle under the hood.

Model	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
MPG (city)	14	18	16	14
MPG (highway)	20	25	22	24
MPG (combined)	16	21	19	19

In comparison, Porsche Panamera Turbo has the best fuel figures rated at 18 MPG for the city, 25 MPG for the highway and 21 combined driving cycle owing to its lightweight design.

“The 2018 BMW 6 Series has an extremely well-built cabin, as do many other cars in the class. The front seats are outstanding, but the rear seats have some room for improvement – namely, adding more room. The iDrive infotainment system is easy to use, and there are several optional driver assistance features”- Cars.usnews.com

Seating and Comfort

The seats up front are multi-power adjustable and are the definition of an executive sports seat which can be optioned with ventilation or heating. The sweep of the roofline compromises the rear seat space for taller passengers. The running front console comes all the way back to the rear seats making it ideal to carry only four passengers in total. Though most people would find good enough space for head and leg behind the front seats. The seats are really supportive and hold you in place while you explore the huge power on offer at your disposal in the M6.

Model	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
Passenger capacity	4	4	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.6/56.7/42.1	37.9/54.6/43.1	36.9/57.1/42.1	36.9/57.0/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37/54.6/35.3	34.5/52.0/32.4	36.1/56.5/35.0	36.6/55.9/37

Infotainment

BMW has updated its infotainment that is called the iDrive. It comes with new 5.0 version which you get in the brand new 7 series. It’s a 10.2-inch display with a swivel wheel and the touchpad. This is just spectacular, the way the menus are laid out is so easy to use and it is the best on the market. It controls virtually everything be it music, service information, navigation and also a Wi-Fi hotspot to name a few.

USB ports are outfitted to the central console and offer enough juice to charge phones and tablets. Apple Carplay and BMW connected services are equipped as standard. Also, standard is the BMW Navigation which is easy to use.

Cargo Space

BMW 430i coupe has a really useful cargo as you’ve got a big wide opening and you can put a lot of stuff in the back. 16.2 cu-ft of space is really good. It does have fold down rear seats but if you want to split them, you can do it.

Model	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	16.2	17.6	15.3	24.5
Volume with Rear Seats Folded	—	47.3	—	—

In comparison terms, Audi RS7 has a massive and practical boot 24.5 cu.ft thanks to its hatchback layout. Porsche Panamera has 17.6 cu.ft of cargo space and when folded down it is an impressive 47.3 cu.ft of space. Mercedes AMG CLS 63S has the least space in the boot at 15.3 cu.ft.

 

“The M6 is visually distinguished from its non-M brothers by unique grille inserts, a more aggressive and lower bumper treatment in front and rear, and of course M6 badges on the nose, fender vents and tail. But it’s a subtle difference, playing off the already powerful and sexy styling of the 6 Series itself” - Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

2018 BMW M6 is a big car. It measures 197.8 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, 54.9 inches in height and 4.3 inches of low ground clearance. It weighs in at 4430 pounds and it does show when you try to pound it when a corner comes in. You can’t tackle it at insane speeds, but it does a good job. Wheelbase is 116.7 inches, which provides for a roomy interior despite a sloping roof.

Model	BMW M6	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	Audi RS7
Curb weight (lbs.)	4430	4398	5225	4497
Length(in)	197.8	198.8	196.7	197.3
Width(in)	74.8	76.3	74.1	75.2
Height(in)	54.9	56.1	55.4	55.9
Ground clearance (in)	4.3	5.4	4.7	4.3
Wheelbase (in)	116.7	116.1	113.2	114.8
Track width (in) F/R	64.2/63.5	65.2/64.5	64/63.3	64.3/64

Panamera is longest here, although it doesn't have the largest wheelbase. It does feel the most imposing, while all the others feel like much smaller cars. The feel though vanishes as soon as you enter your local supermarket's parking. Muscling the car around takes effort, and sometimes a few craned necks as well.

Exterior Features

On the outside, the car sports the following characteristics:

• Adaptive LED Headlights and Taillights
• Sloping Roofline
• Wide Body stance
• 18" silver forged aluminum Wheel (19" optional)

Apart from these, you also get rain-sensing windshield wipers, and fog lights, aiding the driver and reducing the need for distracting inputs.

BMW M6 is laden with best of the best safety features such as:-

• BMW’s Active Protection System detects imminent accidents, then prepares by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and activating post-crash braking; includes Fatigue and Focus Alert feature
• Driver’s and passenger’s front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment; and front-passenger-seat sensors designed to prevent unnecessary airbag deployment
• Active Front Headrests
• Active Knee Protection
• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Front safety belts with automatic pretensioners
• Acoustic safety-belt warning
• LATCH attachment for child-restraint safety installation
• Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger-seat safety belts (for installation of child-restraint seats)
• Adaptive Brakelights
• Programmable LED Daytime Running Lights
• Impact sensor that activates Battery Safety Terminal disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; automatically unlocks doors; and turns on hazard and interior lights
• Coded Driveaway Protection (prevents engine start when your key fob with constantly changing electronic code is not used)
• Anti-theft alarm system
• BMW Assist eCall includes Emergency Request (SOS button) and Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification
• BMW Remote Services includes Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Remote Door Unlock and My BMW Remote app

2018 BMW M6 has not been tested for IIHS and NHTSA but we will keep you updated once they have been done. 

BMW M6 Vs Audi RS7

While the M6 might be the luxurious, desirable, solidly built car with plenty of features but RS7 has a lot of oomph which makes a better choice. The ample cargo and rear space, awesome power, marvelous looks and costs less than M6 make it a better package.

BMW M6 Vs Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera turbo is a league of its own. It’s completely redesigned inside out as the previous generation was pretty unappealing. Price point is significantly higher than M6. Panamera Turbo has a lightweight design which aids in better fuel economy and the all-wheel-drive system is top notch in the car. Unlimited customization options in Porsche increases the price of the car at much more speed than the stock market rise. If price is a factor, then M6 is a better option as you save close to $30,000.

BMW M6 Vs Mercedes Benz CLS 63S

Mercedes Benz and BMW have been in competition for decades. From racetrack to city streets, they have cars to suit everyone’s personality which leads to another competition M6 and CLS 63S. CLS 63S is an all-wheel-drive whereas M6 is rear-wheel biased. CLS 63S has a bigger engine with more power and torque on offer. It’s around $11,000 cheaper than M6 which might make Mercedes a better option between the two.

2018 BMW M6 is a premium BMW that has a supercar performance and carries 4 passengers at the back with plenty of space to offer. A host of packages on offer makes the car even better. On price alone, there’s absolutely no reason why anyone should buy an M6, yet factor in the car’s great looks, comfortable drive and a mix of coupe and saloon-style practicality and there’s a lot to like here. In fact, it’s likable enough that, anyone able to spare the extra cash, should get it over the M5.