BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018) Review

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

4/5

+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.

Insurance Groups are between 47–50
On average it achieves 77% 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

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012 – 2018)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

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

RealMPG

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

77%

Real MPG

30–46 mpg

MPGs submitted

91

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.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

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.
Answered by Honest John

Which large executive car?

"I'm looking to buy a stylish large exec, with a good balance of performance and economy. I do anywhere between 12k to 18k miles per year, split motorway and city, and am currently looking at a Mercedes CLS 350d or BMW 640d or whatever else you would suggest (but not an A7 as hate the shape.) Budget around 35k, private purchase, no finance. "
You could add an old shape XF 3.0d 275 to your list and maybe even an XJ 3.0d 275. If you don't like the A7, what about an A8? Very cool and understated. Or be Captain Sensible and get the smaller Jag XE 2.0d Ingenium 180 auto which works better with the Ingenium than the new XF.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions