The four-door coupe was created back in 2004 when Mercedes released the original CLS. Clearly, the idea caught on and in 2007, BMW showed off a car called the CS Concept, which would later go on to become the 6 Series Gran Coupe. In BMW parlance, a Gran Coupe is a four-door coupe, pairing the stunning shape of a two-door car with the practicality of a four-door sedan.
The 6 Series Gran Coupe has since been replaced by the recently-revealed 8 Series but a flagship M8 Gran Coupe hasn't been revealed as of yet. A new 8 Series Gran Coupe costs between $85,000 for a six-cylinder model and $109,000 for the V8-powered M850i but for far less, you can get a used M6 Gran Coupe with even more power.
Why You Should Buy One
There are plenty of used alternatives to a new 8 Series Gran Coupe but the M6 Gran Coupe is by far the closest option. Why the Gran Coupe over the standard coupe or convertible M6? As we mentioned, the Gran Coupe offers the most practicality with four doors but looks sleeker than the M5 on which it's based. With its wide hips and double-bubble roofline, the M6 Series Gran Coupe is the most aggressive of the M6 variants. Depreciation on M cars is notoriously high, meaning these cars are now a used bargain.
The Price
BMW's flagship M car originally had a starting MSRP just under $120,000 back in 2018. Now the car can be found for as little as $35,000 with high-mileage. Taking the gamble on a high-mileage M car may not be the smartest financial decision though, so we found a few certified pre-owned examples ranging from $55,000 to $80,000 depending on year and mileage. BMW's CPO program includes a one-year warranty with unlimited mileage after the expiration of the original four-year/ 50,000-mile factory warranty. This is an outstanding deal on a stunning M car that is even more powerful than the new M850i Gran Coupe.
The Performance
Just like the brand-new 8 Series, the M6 was powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo N63 V8. The base output was 553 horsepower, which was upped to 567 hp with the Competition Package. 0-60 mph took just 4.2 seconds (3.9 with the Competition Pack) with the quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Buyers could also opt for a six-speed manual transmission, which was a rare but enticing option. BMW later upped the Competition model to 591 hp in 2016 and the 0-60 mph time dropped to 3.8 seconds as a result.
Opting for the Competiton Pack added a sportier exhaust system with black tips, stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars, and more direct steering than the base car. Even though it is not the fastest M6, we believe a manual example could be a nice investment because of its rarity.
The Interior
In the years since the M6 was in production, BMW's interior technology has improved with new touch controls, voice command, and wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility. But since this was one of the top M models, the M6 still doesn't feel out-of-date inside. Most of the advanced features like adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats are available and the materials all feel excellent. The leathers are top-notch as is the stitching, and the controls are well laid out. M6 interiors feature a sportier steering wheel, shifter, and seats, differentiating them from a base 6 Series.
The Practicality
As the largest model in the 6 Series lineup, the Gran Coupe is by far the most practical. The rear seat boasts 35.3 inches of legroom, which is five inches more than the two-door BMW M6. It is worth noting, however, that while the Gran Coupe does seat three in the rear, middle seat occupants will have to split their legs behind a center console. Unlike the rear seats, the trunk offers the same amount of space as the coupe with 16.2 cubic feet. As you'd expect of a V8-powered M model, fuel economy is a rather thirsty delivering 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Verdict
BMW may have moved on the from the 6 Series as is flagship coupe model but it doesn't mean the car isn't great. For less than a fraction of a new 8 Series Gran Coupe, the M6 Gran Coupe offers similar performance and style. And unlike the 8 Series, the M6 can be had with a manual transmission for those who want to row their own gears. The coupe and convertible were both great but we think the Gran Coupe was the most attractive and it was easily the most practical.