Review: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018)

Item: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018)
Rating: 4
Author: Honest John

Rating:

Four-door version of the 6 Series is an alternative to the Audi A7 Sportback. Available with the excellent 640d engine.

Prices start at more than £60k.

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BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018): At A Glance

Insurance Groups are between 47–50
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

On looks alone the 6 Series Gran Coupe has been worth the wait. The three premium German car makers seem locked in a battle to invent new niches and when one of them finds success the others quickly wheel out a rival. It's a tad surprising then that BMW has taken this long to launch what appears to be a competitor to the stylish Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 Sportback.

On paper, the Gran Coupé is just a 6 Series Coupe with 113mm extra metal in the wheelbase to accommodate rear doors. However, it proves to be a highly successful transformation, marrying the aggressive detailing of the two-door model's lights and front grille with an elegant side profile and squat rear view.

There are plenty of detail changes though, including a full-width high level brake light positioned at the top of the rear window, chrome finishing around the front air intakes and discreet 'Gran Coupé' badging behind the glass towards the back of those new rear doors.

Unsurprisingly, the quality, tactile interiors of other 6 Series variants are carried over - and rear occupants are not treated like second-class passengers. The attention to detail, fit and finish are exemplary. Is it as spacious in the back as a 5 Series? No, but there's far more room than in the rear of the two-door variant and it's on a par with the Mercedes-Benz CLS in that regard.

All versions are generously equipped with leather, sat nav, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, keyless start and electrically adjusted and heated seats. SE and M Sport specifications will be offered, the latter adding more aggressive body styling, larger alloys and a sportier interior for a premium of just under £5000.

BMW Gran Coupe 2012 Road Test

What does a BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018) cost?

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£18,200
2013 BMW 6 Series 3.0 640D M SPORT GRAN COUPE 4d AUTO 309 BHP BMW Pro SAT NAV Pan Sunroof He

£26,999
2017 BMW 6 Series 640d M Sport 2dr Auto

£13,000
2012 BMW 6 Series 640D M SPORT +NAV & LEATHER+ Automatic

£17,917
2015 BMW 6 Series 640d SE 2dr Auto

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What's the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018) like to drive?

Engines range from 640i to 650i Automatic
Readers report Real MPG to be between 30–46 mpg

While the turbocharged straight-six petrol engine of the 640i does a fine job, the 640d is a far more appealing car. Its six-cylinder diesel engine is fed air by two turbochargers, resulting in peak power of 313PS. That figure isn't as important as the maximum torque output, which is rated at 630Nm, produced from just 1500rpm. This endows the car with effortless performance regardless of the speed. If it is extended it sounds just as sporting as any petrol car.

The diesel model eclipses the entry-level version for outright speed, yet it's also significantly more efficient - it averages 50.4mpg with CO2 of 148g/km according to the official figures.

This achievement was made possible partially by inclusion of stop-start, but also by the standard fitment of the latest generation eight-speed automatic gearbox. In default guise it's smooth and relaxing, keeping the engine at low revs, though it allows for more hurried driving with various modes to choose from.

If tied into the optional Adaptive Drive system this is managed centrally, along with the throttle sensitivity, damping and level of traction control. It's an option worth having, as it allows limousine levels of bump absorption in Comfort+ mode, while permitting the driver to engage with the car more in Sport and Sport+. It does a good impression of a sports car in these settings.

Irrespective of the mode, the Gran Coupe feels very different to a 5 Series saloon on the road, mainly due to the low seating position and wide stance. Yet it's a more resolved car than the two-door 6 Series Coupé, which is likely to be due to the extra stability afforded by the longer wheelbase.

Vitally, the Gran Coupe feels special. That's just as well, as it's more expensive than the equivalent cars from BMW's main adversaries. However, the four-door is less than £2000 more than the 6 Series Coupé, which could make that car all but redundant.

Road test

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé 2012 Road Test

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
640d	50–50 mpg	5.4 s	148–149 g/km
640d Automatic	50–51 mpg	5.4 s	148–152 g/km
640i	36 mpg	5.4 s	181–183 g/km
640i Automatic	36–38 mpg	5.4 s	181 g/km
650i	32 mpg	4.6 s	206 g/km
650i Automatic	32 mpg	4.6 s	206 g/km

Real MPG average for a BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

30–46 mpg

MPGs submitted

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.

Ask HJ

Which luxury car is the wisest financial decision - Ferrari, Bentley or Aston Martin?

In early 2013, I bought a new BMW 640d M Sport Gran Coupe. I part exchanged it two years later for a new BMW M4. That cost me £32,000 in depreciation. I'm now thinking of selling my M4 at the three year point and expect a similar amount of depreciation. The total in five years will be about £64,000. I want to minimise the cost of ownership with my next purchase and have a short list of four second hand vehicles for my budget of £80,000. The options are a low mileage Aston Martin Virage, low mileage Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari California or, at a push, high mileage Ferrari F430. The BMW have cost very little in servicing or road tax. Including depreciation, cost of servicing and road tax - could you advise which might be best in terms of total cost of ownership? I drive about 4000 miles per year. Feel free to suggest an alternative car if you can.

Massive risk factor and high servicing costs with the Aston and the Ferrari, but recently Ferrari have been holding their prices quite well. A California makes more sense than a 430. Why not a Porsche 911? Obviously you will amortise your M4 more effectively by keeping it for another year or two, but if you're fed up with it that isn't an option.