When BMW rolled out the “F01” 7-Series in 2008 and the “F10” 5-Series in 2009, it signaled a shift in the automotive landscape. For some, including myself at the time, it felt like BMW was redefining luxury, potentially stepping into territory long held by Mercedes-Benz. This perspective was further solidified after experiencing the 2011 335is and the 2012 X5M. While some BMW purists might have balked at this notion, the arrival of the 2012 328i only strengthened the argument. This culminated in an opportunity to spend a week with the all-new 2012 BMW M6 Convertible. The question loomed: would this flagship M car reinforce the idea of a new luxury order, or would it redefine perceptions? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review of the BMW M6 Convertible and explore what makes it a standout in the realm of Bmw M6 Cars.
Exterior Design: A Blend of Elegance and Aggression
The design of the previous generation 6-Series, particularly its rear end, was a point of contention, often attributed to Chris Bangle’s polarizing style. The 2012 M6, however, marked a departure, replacing the arguably awkward trunk with a sculpted design characterized by flowing curves and sharp creases. This new aesthetic seemed to garner widespread approval. Despite being lower and wider than the standard 650i, with significant unique bodywork, the M6 maintained a degree of visual subtlety. To the untrained eye, the transformation into the high-performance M6 might not be immediately apparent, lending it an air of understated power.
BMW chose to stick with a soft-top for the convertible M6, incorporating classic 6-Series buttresses flanking the rear window. This decision bucked the trend of retractable hardtops, favored by brands like Mercedes. The soft top offers several advantages: reduced weight, maximized trunk space, a less compromised weight balance when lowered, and operation at speeds up to 25 mph. When placed alongside competitors like the Jaguar XK-R, the M6 presents a larger, more assertive stance. Yet, this aggression is balanced with an elegance in its profile and detailing that surpasses the Mercedes SL63, whose hood vents and trunk spoiler can appear somewhat overstated.
Luxurious Interior: Refinement with M-Specific Touches
Stepping inside the M6 Convertible reveals an interior that, while based on the 650i, receives distinct M-specific enhancements. The changes are more subtle than the exterior transformation, focusing on trim alterations, subtly redesigned seats, a new steering wheel, and an M-badged gear shifter. Despite its shared foundation with the more mainstream 640i, the cabin unequivocally belongs in a luxury coupe with a price tag north of $120,000. The interior boasts meticulously stitched dashboard seams and supple leather throughout, creating an environment of premium comfort and craftsmanship.
One minor point of critique is the steering column, which is carried over from the lesser 6-Series models. The M6’s airbag is notably smaller, perfectly circular, and positioned centrally within a slender three-spoke steering wheel. This design choice makes the rectangular plastic steering column somewhat conspicuous, a minor visual blemish in an otherwise impeccably crafted interior.
During a week-long test, the M6 Convertible served as an impromptu pace car for a charity walk. Four occupants spent two full days driving between stops and waiting for participants, racking up hours in the seats under the sun. In typical luxury convertibles, such prolonged occupancy with multiple passengers might feel cramped. However, the M6 proved surprisingly accommodating, offering genuinely usable rear seats and supportive front seats. In contrast, the Jaguar XK’s rear seats are virtually vestigial, the Mercedes SL lacks rear seats altogether, and the Maserati GranCabrio provides comparable legroom but with less comfortable, steeply angled seatbacks.
Infotainment and Technology: iDrive and Gadgetry
As expected from a modern BMW, the M6 is equipped with BMW’s iDrive system, displayed on a standard 10.2-inch screen. However, it’s worth noting that the minor updates introduced in the newer 3-Series haven’t yet made their way to the 6-Series. This means the system retains a CD button instead of a media button, and the head-up display doesn’t integrate infotainment information. For a more in-depth look at the iDrive system, resources such as video reviews of the 2012 650i are available.
Interestingly, BMW’s typically excellent radar cruise control is not offered on the M6, although most other technological features from the 6-Series range can be added. The test M6 included the “Executive Package,” a $4,900 option that bundles full LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, satellite radio, anti-fatigue front seats, soft-closing doors, and BMW’s “apps” package for iDrive. For those seeking even more tech, options like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, an all-around view camera, and electronic speed limit information were available for an additional $1,900. Ventilated front seats were a standalone $500 option, and a night vision system with pedestrian detection could be added for $2,600. A particularly worthwhile upgrade is the $3,700 Bang & Olufsen sound system, as the standard 12-speaker BMW audio system leans towards a brighter sound profile. Given the M6’s price point as a high-end convertible, the premium audio upgrade is a sensible choice.
Compared to competitors, the M6 holds its own in the technology arena. While the Mercedes SL63, despite a significantly higher starting price, offers active lane keep assist and radar cruise control, it lacks features found in the M6 such as night vision, all-around camera, anti-fatigue seats, and LED headlights. Furthermore, BMW’s iDrive system is generally considered more user-friendly and advanced than Mercedes’ COMAND system. The Jaguar XKR-S, while also pricier, falls behind in infotainment and gadget offerings, with a less intuitive system and fewer available tech features.
Drivetrain: Twin-Turbo V8 Power
The automotive industry’s shift towards twin-turbo engines, driven by increasingly stringent CAFE regulations, has even reached BMW’s M division. This evolution meant the 2012 M6 transitioned from a bespoke V10 engine to a modified version of BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 (N63). This engine, designated S63, initially debuted in the high-performance X5M and X6M models. For its application in the M5 and M6, BMW enhanced the engine with Valvetronic technology, increased the compression ratio from 9.3:1 to 10:1, and boosted peak turbo pressure. These refinements resulted in a slight horsepower increase to 560 and a broadened power curve, delivering peak power across a plateau from 5,750 to 7,000 RPM, rather than a single peak at 6,000 RPM. Torque remained substantial at 500 lb-ft, but became available across a wider band from 1,500 to 5,750 RPM. The M6 also received a revised 7-speed “M-DCT” dual-clutch transmission, inherited from the previous M5/M6, and a new electronic rear differential. A notable chassis change involved replacing the floating rear subframe with a fixed unit to enhance handling and power delivery.
In comparison, the Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 5.0-liter V8, while the Mercedes SL63 offers a choice between a 530 HP/557 lb-ft or a 590 HP/664 lb-ft version of AMG’s new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. Jaguar continued to use a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, and Mercedes employed their 7-speed automatic without a torque converter. While each transmission type has its merits, BMW claimed that their M-DCT transmission offered shift times half as fast as the competition.
Driving Experience and Performance: Savage Yet Refined
It often takes a week of driving to truly form an opinion about a car. With the M6, it took a mere 50 miles. This swift impression was due to BMW’s remarkable ability to blend ferocious acceleration with a comfortable, luxurious ride and supportive seats. The M6 quickly revealed itself as an exceptional road trip convertible.
However, make no mistake, the M6 is a serious performance machine. Full throttle launches propel it to 60 mph in a mere 3.75 seconds, followed by a quarter-mile sprint in 11.89 seconds at 123 mph. These impressive figures were achieved without using launch control, which, surprisingly, slightly worsened acceleration times by about three-tenths of a second. It appears letting the car’s electronic aids manage traction yields optimal results. Performance data indicates a slight turbo lag from 0-30 mph. From 30-60 mph, the M6 becomes a true beast, outpacing the XKR-S by 0.70 seconds in acceleration. By 120 mph, the Jaguar’s lighter weight helps it keep pace with the BMW. By the end of the quarter-mile, the M6 edges ahead by about a car length. While direct track testing of the SL63 wasn’t conducted, its 0-60 mph performance is expected to be in the same ballpark, limited by rear-wheel traction despite its significant power advantage.
Performance Metrics Comparison
| 2012 Jaguar XKR-S | 2012 BMW M6 Convertible | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30 mph | 1.18 seconds | 1.8 seconds (Acknowledging turbo lag) |
| 0-60 mph | 3.83 seconds | 3.75 seconds (Torque curve advantage) |
| 0-120 mph | 11.84 seconds | 11.80 seconds (Weight influence) |
| 1/4 mile | 12.0 seconds @ 122 mph | 11.89 seconds @ 123 mph |
Note: 0-60 mph times in high-horsepower cars are heavily influenced by traction, which varies with road surface, tires, and testing conditions. Performance figures from different publications may not be directly comparable due to variations in testing environments, but they generally fall within a similar range. Testing was conducted using a 10Hz GPS meter with a stated accuracy of +/-0.2 mph for 0-60 mph runs and +/-0.4 mph for quarter-mile tests, validated against drag strip measurements to be within +/-0.3 mph over a quarter mile.
On a track setting, the XKR-S and M6 prove to be closely matched. While the XKR-S feels slightly heavier in the front and has narrower front tires, its rear end seems to find grip more readily, and its steering is more direct and responsive. The Jaguar is also significantly lighter, by 429 lbs, with a firmer suspension, less body roll, and notably quicker 0-30 mph acceleration. The M6 counters with rapid dual-clutch shifts and seemingly limitless mid-range power. For the 2012 model year, BMW refined the M-DCT software, resulting in one of the smoothest “robotic manual” transmissions available. Comparisons to Mercedes’ SPEEDSHIFT transmission in the SL63 revealed the M-DCT to be significantly smoother and more refined.
On less-than-perfect road surfaces, the M6’s adaptive suspension system shines. It provides a more composed ride than the SL or XKR-S on broken pavement, even at higher speeds. While the Jaguar and Mercedes are not unrefined, the M6 achieves a remarkable balance, riding with the comfort of a 7-Series while handling with the agility of an M3, albeit a heavier one. This is a testament to modern suspension technology.
The M6’s more compliant ride and less communicative steering mean it might be slightly less engaging in tight corners compared to the XKR-S. However, this translates into the M6 being a more practical daily driver, whereas the SL63 and XKR-S demand more compromises in everyday usability. The M6 offers superior comfort, seating for four, and a generously sized trunk capable of accommodating luggage for three. The one area where the BMW cannot compete is the visceral exhaust note of the Jaguar’s 5.0-liter V8. The M6, in contrast, is quieter, even described by some as demure in its sound profile.
Conclusion: The King of Luxury Sports Coupes?
For ultimate track performance, cars like the GT-R surpass the M6. For the most captivating V8 engine sound, the XKR-S takes the crown. For sheer sex appeal in a coupe form, a Maserati might be the choice. However, for the best all-around luxury sports coupe, the BMW M6 emerges as a compelling contender. After a week with this top-tier M car, it’s undeniable that it leaves a lasting impression. The M6’s appeal lies in its exceptional interior, comfortable seating, advanced technology, and striking LED headlights, perhaps even more so than outright track prowess. In essence, it embodies many of the qualities traditionally associated with Mercedes-Benz, but in a BMW package. The M6 delivers luxury without significantly sacrificing performance. While branding discussions are best left to marketing experts, anecdotal evidence suggests the Mercedes SL doesn’t necessarily command more prestige than the M6, despite its higher price. The BMW M6 stands as a dominant force in the German luxury coupe segment, setting a high bar for competitors, including AMG (with the notable exception of the SLS). The BMW M6 cars have truly come into their own, blending performance and luxury in a compelling package.
BMW provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of gas for this review.
Specifications (as tested):
- 0-30 mph: 1.8 seconds
- 0-60 mph: 3.75 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 11.89 seconds @ 123 mph
- Average fuel economy: 16.1 MPG over 825 miles
