USED BMW 6 Series Coupe (03 - 11)

The 6 Series is a relatively rare sight on UK streets, so exclusivity is assured. It's an impressive grand tourer. Built to cover long distances, it's lavishly equipped, supple-riding and quick. However, while it's a big car, there's not enough space in the back for adults, and luggage space is barely enough for a week's holiday for two.

It's based on the 5 Series saloon, so it rides and drives with all the polish you'd expect. The cabin is handsome, but doesn't have the warmth or special feel of some of its more exotic competitors.

Like other BMWs, minor controls are handled by BMW's iDrive system, which employs a single point-and-click dial to control heating, phone, stereo and so on. It's a love-it-or-hate-it device, so spend time with it before you buy.

Go for the 630i. It's the cheapest model and has the smallest engine, but its 3.0 V8 takes you to 60mph from rest in just 6.5sec. It burbles nicely when worked hard, but otherwise does its work quietly, with either a six-speed manual or auto gearbox.

Its interior may not have quite the special sense of occasion that its big brother, the M6, conveys, but it is still trimmed in leather and has pretty much all you'd ever want, although sat-nav is an extra.

Like all Sixes, it comes in a choice of standard or Sport trim, the latter bringing stiffer suspension and bigger alloy wheels. We prefer standard models for their more absorbent ride and subtler looks.

If you can bear the expense of buying and owning, the other options are the 650i and the M6, which produces 500bhp and screams to 60mph in under 5sec.

By BMW standards, depreciation is steep in a 6 Series. By the time it is three years old, it will be worth only half what it originally cost new, but that helps to make it an attractive used car buy once the first owner has suffered the initial loss of value. It certainly makes older ones look attractive buys, but be warned that running costs mount as they enter their middle years.

That said, servicing costs are reasonable and, as on all BMWs, intervals vary according to how you drive. Spares are dear and a pair of tyres will cost several hundreds of pounds to replace.

Insurance falls into group 19 for the 630i, while cover for the others is by special quote only.

For a car of this sort, fuel economy is good, at up to 31mpg overall for the 630i.

History and service records must be impeccable to preserve the car's resale value. But, high mileage isn't too much of an obstacle, provided it's all accounted for, and you are able to see garage receipts to back what the service records show.

Extras such as an information system that projects into the driver's line of sight are desirable, so long as you don't pay more than a fraction of what they originally cost.

Above all, check that the iDrive system works correctly, because some are known to behave erratically. Finally, light-coloured leather trim marks easily and shows dirt, and is best avoided if you regularly carry children or pets.