What does it cost?
BMW 6 Series Convertible full 9 point review
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Performance
The 6 Series Convertible is available with 3.0-litre turbo (316bhp) and 4.4-litre twin-turbo (401bhp or 552bhp) petrol engines, but the vast majority of buyers will go for the 309bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel. It’s easy to see why; this gutsy engine makes acceleration effortless, aided by an eight-speed automatic gearbox that always seems to be in the right ratio.
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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, and you feel pronounced body shimmy over bumps. However, things even out as you go faster, and it’s great 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 engines sound fantastic under hard acceleration, 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’s going to ruin your journey.
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Buying & Owning
The 6 Series Convertible is an expensive car to buy, but resale values are pretty strong thanks to the car’s desirability. Running costs will be fairly palatable if you opt for the diesel model - this averages around 50mpg, which is seriously impressive given the performance it offers. Choose a petrol, though, and you’ll need extremely deep pockets.
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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 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 M Sport trim – it adds plenty to the price, but only cosmetic revisions to the car.
What BMW 6 Series Convertible owners say:
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Our pick of the range
BMW 6 Series Convertible 640d SE 2dr
With its mix of stonking performance and reasonable running costs, the diesel is our pick of the range. So is SE trim.
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