2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Review: A Powerful Swan Song

BMW's four-door luxury sedan, the sleek Gran Coupe, is one of the most desirable models in the brand's entire line-up. In M6 form, it's also one of the very fastest. Utilizing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, this Gran Coupe produces a towering 552 horsepower and will haul itself to 60 mph in only 4.1 seconds. The thing is, the newer M5 is more powerful, faster, and costs less. Plus, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is imminently available and will soon supersede the current 6 Series Gran Coupe. However, don't discount the M6 Gran Coupe just yet. It is arguably one of the prettiest BMW designs you can get, while the interior is also more distinctive than we've come to expect from the brand. In a throwback to older BMW M cars, a six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option. Excellent build quality and many standard features make the M6 interior a feel-good place to be, although rear-seat passengers don't get much space. Along with the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the M6 Gran Coupe continues to occupy a small but intriguing niche within the luxury sedan segment.

What's the Price of the 2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe?

Available in just one trim, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe has an MSRP of $119,900, with the price excluding tax, registration, and a $995 destination and handling charge. While a dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, a six-speed manual is a no-cost option.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The M6 Gran Coupe (and the previous M5 with which it shares an engine), represent a significant turning point in BMW's history. These are likely the last large and ultra-powerful M cars to feature rear-wheel-drive. Quite simply, even BMW realized that you can only send so much power to a pair of wheels before things get out of hand.

To be honest, it all makes sense when you try to drive the M6 Gran Coupe in anger for the first time. While it has great grip, this is a big and heavy machine and it feels it. Limited feedback through the steering wheel and suspension also make it challenging to sense where the car's limits are, with oversteer a constant threat (or treat depending on your intentions). The newer M5 is much more controllable despite its extra power. That said, the M6 Gran Coupe remains a joy through long sweeping bends on the open road.

Switch over to Comfort mode and you may be surprised at just how absorbent this M6 is. Most road scars are soaked up before they reach the cabin and noise insulation is good. Only the large tires can be heard a touch more than is ideal. Braking performance is as you'd expect in a high-performance car, the M6 Gran Coupe coming to a stop confidently and quickly.

Verdict: Is the 2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe A Good car?

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way: not only is the newer BMW M5 cheaper than the M6 Gran Coupe, but it's also faster, more powerful, and filled with the very latest of the brand's technologies. However, to focus only on the M5 would be missing the point of the M6 Gran Coupe. This is a car designed to seduce with its low, coupe-like proportions and stunning interior. Even at the end of its lifecycle, that's exactly what it continues to do. That it happens to be ridiculously fast is merely a bonus. In six-speed manual form and with exclusive rear-wheel-drive, the M6 Gran Coupe is also one of the last of its kind and, if you can get your hands on one in this guise, it is sure to become a highly desirable collector's item. Yes, there's limited rear-seat passenger room, dynamics hampered by its heavy weight, and a high price. But the M6 Gran Coupe is less about on-paper stats and figures and more about emotional appeal. In that context, it's every bit as captivating as that other German four-door coupe, the alluring Mercedes-Benz CLS.

What BMW M6 Gran Coupe Model Should I Buy?

If you want the fastest BMW M car, you'd go for the M5 or even the new M850i - both hit 60 mph faster than the M6 Gran Coupe. For this reason, we'd suggest steering clear of the expensive performance upgrades and instead going for the indulgent Executive Package along with full Merino leather. These additions make the gorgeous M6 Gran Coupe feel truly special, and you'll still be able to enjoy what is one of the fastest BMW models currently available.

2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Comparisons

2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs BMW M5 Sedan

Further along in its life cycle than the current BMW M5, the M6 loses out in a few key areas. Not only is the M5 up on power, but its clever all-wheel-drive system allows it to get off the line faster than the M6. The M5 is also better-balanced in the corners, being easier to manage than the rear-wheel-drive M6 is at the limit. The M5's interior is a newer design than the M6 Gran Coupe, although both feel suitably luxurious inside. Rear-seat passengers will much prefer the M5's more spacious rear seat, however. More than this, an M5 Competition produces even more power and is still cheaper than the M6 Gran Coupe. The smart money is on the M5, with the M6's few advantages restricted to it being the more stylish, exclusive car.

2019 BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Mercedes-AMG CLS 53

Closest in concept to the Gran Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLS is also a lower-slung, four-door luxury sedan with coupe styling. At $79,900, the CLS 53 AMG lacks the firepower to directly compete with the M6 Gran Coupe, but it is also $40,000 cheaper. The CLS 53 is even more comfortable and luxurious than the Gran Coupe, while it also enjoys the benefit of all-wheel-drive. The Mercedes is also the much more fuel-efficient of these two competitors, largely due to lesser outputs and the introduction of mild hybridization to the Mercedes range. Both are somewhat compromised by their low rooflines for interior space, but the Gran Coupe has a larger trunk. If you don't need the M6's greater performance and want to spend a bit less, the CLS 53 is the newer product and is a fine choice in this segment.