BMW 6 Series Convertible full 9 point review
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Performance
The 6 Series goes on sale with two storming engines, a 3.0-litre turbo known as the 640i, and a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 badged 650i. Both drive through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. We’ve only driven the 650i so far, and with 401bhp and 443lb ft of readily available pull, brutal acceleration is never more than a dab of the throttle away.
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Ride & Handling
So far, we’ve driven cars with optional Adaptive Drive, which alters the suspension according to which of the four driving modes you select. Even in Comfort mode, the low-speed ride has a firm edge. However, things even out as you go faster, and it’s superb when you’re cruising. It’s too big and heavy to feel like a sports car in bends, but strong grip and tight body control means it still feels agile. Shame the steering feels remote.
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Refinement
The V8 engine we’ve driven sounds fantastic when you extend it, and the noise melts away when you’re cruising. The wide tyres kick up some road noise, but the hood isolates wind noise well. Other convertibles do a better job of protecting you from the buffeting effects of the wind with the roof down, but it’s nothing that going to ruin your journey.
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Buying & Owning
The 650i is an expensive way to travel. It costs a mint to buy, you won’t get much of a discount, and you’ll have to drive it like a vicar to achieve the claimed 26 mpg average. It’s in the top band for company car tax, too. We haven’t driven the 640i yet, but it returns almost 36mpg, which is a lot more palatable.
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Quality & Reliability
Even for an expensive luxury drop-top, the 6 Series has a truly gorgeous cabin. The controls are wonderfully slick, the materials look and feel effortlessly classy and the assembly is flawlessly sturdy. BMW has a reasonable reliability record, too, so you shouldn’t have any worries on that score.
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Safety & Security
All 6s come with a host of electric driver aids, such as stability control, which are designed to keep you on the road. Twin front- and side airbags are provided, too, which should help keep you from harm if the worst should happen. To keep thieves at bay, all cars also come with an alarm and an engine immobiliser.
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Behind The Wheel
The dashboard has the same orderly layout as most of BMW’s other newer models, so all the switches are easy to find and the functions are easy to operate. That’s mostly thanks to the iDrive controller, which operates lots of functions through one dial. The supportive seats have full electric operation, too, which makes getting comfortable a breeze.
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Space & Practicality
There’s no shortage of space up front, but limited legroom means the back seats are best left for children. Adults can just about squeeze in, but for short journeys only. The boot is wide and long, but it’s also shallow. You get 250 litres of space with the roof up, 200 in top-down mode.
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Equipment
You expect a fair amount of luxury kit when your car costs this much, and the 6 comes with luxuries such as heated leather seats that move electrically, climate control, satellite-navigation and automatic lights and wipers. However, some things you’d expect as standard, such as a wind deflector, cost extra. We’d avoid MSport trim – it adds plenty to the prices, but only cosmetic revisions to the car.
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