New Car Review of the 2005 BMW 6 Series Luxury Sports Coupe and Convertible
Base MSRP Range: $69,300 - $76,300
Base Invoice Range: $63,225 - $69,595
MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: 645 CI Coupe and 645 CIC Convertible
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size luxury coupe and convertible
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive .
Engine as Tested: 4.4-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 132-valves, V-8, 325 -horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 330 lb-ft torque at 3,600 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 6-Speed Manual, 6-Speed SMG Sequential manual Gearbox, 6-SpeedAutomatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 6-speed manual 17/25, 6-speed SMG 17/24, 6-speed automatic 18/26.
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, Side air curtain, ">Antilock Brake System
Competition: Mercedes-Benz CLK, Audi A4 Cabriolet, Saab 9-3 Convertible, Lexus SC 430.
Review
Meiners Oaks, California - BMW has a long tradition of manufacturing some of the best-looking, and best-performing, coupes of any automaker worldwide.
The first coupe built by BMW was introduced in 1937,an elegant cabriolet called the 327. In 1956 BMW began producing the 503 coupe, and cabriolet. 1968 saw the production of a 3.0-liter engine coupe that continued until 1975. 1960s and 70s BMW coupes are coveted collectors’ cars. Many were among the most dominant racecars in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) racing series of the 1970s.
The first 6 Series coupe was launched in 1977, called the 630Cs. It was in production until the mid 1980s. The 6 coupe was a luxurious, “freeway burner” designed for high-speed driving on the German Autobahn. A high-performance M6 version was also in production.
The 8 Series was next in line, with production beginning in the 1990s. The line included the V8 840, and the V12 850Csi. Both were gorgeous designs, with fantastic dashboard layouts. The 8 Series was produced and sold in the United States until 1997 when demand for expensive, high-performance coupes tapered off.
BMW has reverted back to the 6 Series designation with the introduction of the all-new coupe. It is available as a convertible - perhaps its most fabulous feature.
As the series number suggests, the new 6 falls between the 5, and 7, in luxury, while sharing components with both. However it is built on its own platform making it wider, and almost as long, as a 5 Series sedan, but considerably shorter than a 7 Series.
Exterior
BMW designs are always controversial, and always gorgeous. There are few production vehicles as sensuous, and finely detailed, as BMW products. This is certainly true for the new 6 Series. The car is gorgeous, especially from the front.
The coupe shape is inherently elegant. In the 6 Series, the shape is sleek, long, and low. The line from the hood to the rear deck is nearly parallel to the ground, with a matching ridge running from the front wheel, to the back. The roofline is also long and low, positioning the driver in the middle of the vehicle. The 6 Series is devoid of cladding, but has numerous chrome details -- like the impressive bird-of-prey eye headlight clusters -- that make it shine.
The rear deck has a similar shape to the new 5 and 7 Series models. It is purposefully simple, which improves airflow over the car, reduces drag, and increases trunk space. It is the most controversial feature of the vehicle. That said, the new 6 Series is elegant, and hot. It turns heads.
The convertible maintains the same profile as the coupe. When the top is retracted the car’s shoulder-line is nearly flat. The rear window is made of glass and is fully retractable. When the top is up, the window is nearly vertical, positioned at the back of the passenger compartment. When the roof is down, the window rises back up to serve as a wind baffle for the rear passengers.
The downside of this configuration is that the car has a small rear window. The 6 convertible has significant blind spots when the top is up. But you would never drive it that way would you?
This car is breathtaking.
Interior
The interior is lovely. The dash is clean, and nicely fitted. The driver’s cowl contains the tach, and speedometer. A second cowl to the right holds the screen for the iDrive system. Below the screen are the HVAC vents, and their manual controls. The center console houses the transmission selector, and the mouse for iDrive.
iDrive is the system BMW uses to control the entertainment, climate, audio, and navitgation systems. Move the mouse in different directions, and press to make selections. The information is displayed in the screen. iDrive is a good idea, but despite improvements, the software is buggy, and slow, thus distracting. It is our least favorite feature in any BMW.
There are both wood, and aluminum, accents in the dash and doors. They are nicely executed, and luxurious.
The seats are solid, and hold you in place on twisting roads. The standard 12-way, adjustable seats can be replaced by optional 14-way, adjustable, sports seats. The rear seat is tiny, comfortable for perhaps a poodle, or a baby in a safety seat. But it is not sufficient for an adult, unless the ride is very short. Otherwise the 6 Series is roomy and comfortable for a driver and front passenger of any size.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK has 4 inches more legroom than the 6 Series coupe, or convertible, making it a slightly more practical choice. The 6 Series, however, has 1.7 inches more legroom than the Lexus SC 430 (can you imagine that?). And, it is much more fun to drive.
Opt for the addition of the Harmon Kardon Logic 7 sound system. It literally turns the chassis into a speaker cabinet.
Performance
The new 6 Series comes standard with a powerful, and smooth, 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 325-horsepower, and 330 lb-ft of torque. It is likely that other engines will be introduced later.
There are three transmission options; manual, fully-automatic, and a Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG.) Audi is the only other automaker selling a luxury coupe with a V8 engine, and a manual transmission.
The SMG transmission can be driven either in the automatic, or manual, modes using shift paddles on the steering wheel, or a lever on the center console. It is the same SMG transmission BMW puts in the Z4 roadster. The SMG eliminates the manual transmission’s clutch pedal. It has the best attributes of both the manual and automatic transmissions, and the paddle shifters are a blast. There is no reason to purchase the automatic. The SMG is the way to go.
We prefer the SMG transmission BMW puts in the M3, to this one. It shifts differently than the 6 Series. The M3 has two paddles. The one on the right shifts the gears up, and the left-hand one shifts down. In the 6 Series the paddles are two sided: pull either paddle toward you to shift up, and depress down with your thumbs to shift down. We want BMW to put the M3’s SMG in the 6 Series, for “over the top” fun.
Ride and Handling
BMWs handle like no other production cars sold in the US. They have been the driving-dynamics benchmark for luxury cars for a decade. BMWs provide an exciting driving experience that is controlled, and comfortable. This is true for the new 6 Series, making it the best handling large luxury coupe, or convertible, on the market.
The 6 Series has a lower ride height, and wider track in both the front, and back, than the 5 series sedan. The springs and shocks are stiffer than a standard 5 Series, but not as stiff as the 5 Series with the sport suspension.
The 6 Series, with the sport package, is the second BMW we have driven with Active Steering. BMW introduced this technology in the new 5. The system varies the steering ratio (amount of steering it takes to turn the car) based on vehicle speed, and driving conditions. This makes the car easy to maneuver in parking lots, or when making U-turns,
The complaint we hear about Active Steering is that it makes the car unpredictable in turns. We found that once we got used to it Active Steering helps the driver to better predict how the vehicle will respond when driving fast or slow. We enjoyed this benefit.
All the technology gives this big car nimble, sports car performance belying its weight and size. The 6 Series is much more a driver’s, and design-lover’s car than primary competitors such as the Lexus SC 430, or (to a lesser degree) the Mercedes-Benz CLK.
Safety
BMWs are among the safest cars on the road. The 6 Series is equipped with dual-stage, driver and front-passenger airbags. For side-impact protection, the coupe has BMW’s Head Protection System, and side-impact airbags that are integrated into the front seats.
The convertible 6 Series has a Rollover Protection System. The system is comprised of two roll bars, stored behind the rear seats, that deploy upward in the event of a rollover. The deployed bars, along with the reinforced, front-windshield A pillar, form a roll cage protecting the occupants.
BMW’s optional On-Star like “Assist” is a subscription-based product featuring collision notification, an SOS button, roadside assistance, and Concierge services.
Conclusion
It is great to have the 6 Series back after a decade of absence. BMW needed a large, luxury coupe, and convertible, in its lineup. It was a rather glaring omission from their otherwise comprehensive product line.
The 6 Series ride and handling are top notch. The transmission choices are comprehensive, and the SMG makes the car fun for everyone, without the performance loss of an automatic, or the physical effort of a manual. SMG transmissions are the wave of the future, and it is likely they will replace their automatic and manual predecessors.
Despite what other journalists say, the 6 Series is a classic. It’s beauty is understated and on par with the Cords, Auburns and Packards of yesteryear. If you love sports cars, this is -- yet another -- great offer from BMW.
Pros: Great handling, and performance. Beautiful inside, and out.
Cons: Cramped back seat. Frustrating iDrive. Priced for a Pope.
- Style: 10
- Performance: 10
- Price: 9
- Handling: 10
- Ride: 10
- Comfort: 8
- Quality: 10
- Overall: 9.6
More Data
Where Built: Germany
Major Options: Sport package, Premium package, Premium audio package, adaptive cruise control.
Seating: 4
Number of Rows: 2
Length in Inches: 190.2
Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 6 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 4 years/50,000 miles roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles free Scheduled maintenance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,781-4,189
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not Available
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not Available
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 18.5
Destination Charge: $695
