2004-2008 BMW 6-Series: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Seat comfort
- Steering/handling
- Acceleration
Cons
- Rear-seat room
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
BMW launched a 6-Series coupe and companion convertible during the 2004 model year. This was the first 6-Series model since 1989. BMW competed against the Cadillac XLR, Lexus SC 430, and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Both rear-wheel-drive 6-Series versions used a 325-horsepower V8, with a choice of three six-speed transmissions: an automatic, a conventional manual, and BMW's sequential manual (SMT). The SMT was a clutchless manual transmission operated via console lever or steering-wheel paddles; it could be set to shift like an automatic when desired. ABS and traction/antiskid controlwere standard, as was BMW's Active Roll Stabilization to counteract body lean. Dynamic Drive Control firmed the suspension, quickened throttle response, and adjusted shift points on the automatic transmission and SMT. BMW's Active Steering option varied steering ratio and assist. Front torso side airbags and front knee airbags were standard; the coupe added front head-protecting tubular side airbags. Convertibles had a power soft top and a heated glass rear window that lowered for roof-up ventilation or raised to deflect top-down cabin drafts. Standard equipment included leather and metal interior trim, a navigation system, and steering-linked headlights. BMW's iDrive that used a console "joystick" to adjust major climate, audio, and navigation functions. Optional was adaptive cruise control, designed to maintain a set distance from traffic ahead. Other options included 19-inch wheels (versus standard 18s), and a head-up instrument display.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | BMW 645Ci coupe w/ Sport Pkg., SMT Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 8 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 53 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series.
Year to Year Changes
2005 BMW 6-Series:
A longer list of standard features marked 2005 for BMW's 4-seat coupe and convertible. Newly standard were front and rear obstacle detection.
2006 BMW 6-Series:
A more powerful, bigger V8 engine transformed the 645Ci model into a 650Ci. The new 360-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 replaced the 645's 325-hp 4.4-liter. During 2006, BMW launched a super-performing M6 coupe with a V10 engine that could switch between 400 and 500 horsepower at the touch of a button. A new seven-speed automatic transmission went into the M6 coupe.
2007 BMW 6-Series:
For 2007, the M6s were available in convertible as well as coupe form.
2008 BMW 6-Series:
Only minor trim changes distinguished the 2008 BMW 6-Series.
Our road test for the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Plenty of ready power and impressive passing punch greet the 6-Series driver. BMW said the 6-Series could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds with the SMT or conventional manual transmission. A test convertible with automatic clocked 5.7 seconds. The SMT unit is harsh shifting and cantankerous around town, in stark contrast to the smooth and responsive automatic. Fuel economy is so-so. With the conventional manual transmission, a coupe averaged 17.5 mpg, convertibles 13.7 to 19.6 mpg. With automatic, test convertibles averaged 15.8 mpg, coupes 17.5. Premium-grade fuel is required. Unforgiving run-flat tires and a firm suspension make the 6-Series ride much stiffer than BMW's 5-Series sedans, and tauter than many coupe and convertible rivals. These coupes are always stable and never jarring, but some testers said the ride grew tiresome on rough-surface freeways. Well-balanced and agile, 6-Series is the benchmark for handling among coupes in this class. Active Steering sharpens low-speed maneuverability, but some testers found it intrusive and inconsistent. Active Roll Stabilization eliminates most body lean in fast turns. There's little perceived roadholding gain with the Sport Package. Braking is strong, stable, and straight. Modest wind rush has been noticed in coupes. Convertible tops are well-insulated for marginally greater wind noise than in the coupe. Minimal top-down buffeting is scarcely different with the rear window deployed, though exhaust rumble is noticeable. Plenty of tire noise is evident on rough roads. Both body styles are impressively solid in structure. Minimal body flex is evident on convertibles. Confounding iDrive adds delay and complication to most control functions; worse, it diverts driver attention. The control layout itself is simple and convenient. Elegant interior decor makes use of top-notch materials. The thick steering-wheel rim interferes with clear view of main instruments and turn-signal arrows. Pressing the keyfob's trunk release on one test coupe regularly set off the alarm system. All but the very tall get good head and leg room on firm, supportive front seats. Power adjustments and a tilt/telescope steering wheel help dial in driving position after some trial and error. Long doors are a parking lot inconvenience. The coupe's large sunroof does not slide open, merely tilting for more ventilation. Aft visibility is restricted in coupes, and worse in convertibles with the top up. Rear seats are comfortable, but leg room is very tight. Front seats power forward slowly, and entry/exit is a typical coupe chore. Trunk volume is par for the class--coupe or convertible. The lid powers up but not down. Hinges are covered to prevent crushing packages, but they gobble space. Interior storage is minimal. Single cupholders are installed, front and rear; the front is an odd clip-on device.
Value for the Money
BMW's 6-Series suffers all the typical coupe/convertible compromises, along with daunting new-car prices and a firmer-than-necessary ride. That said, any version is a joy to drive: surprisingly fast, supremely capable, and very sophisticated. Secondhand prices aren't likely to be moderate.
BMW's 6-Series suffers all the typical coupe/convertible compromises, along with daunting new-car prices and a firmer-than-necessary ride. That said, any version is a joy to drive: surprisingly fast, supremely capable, and very sophisticated. Secondhand prices aren't likely to be moderate.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | BMW 645Ci coupe w/ Sport Pkg., SMT Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 8 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 53 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation BMW 6-Series includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation BMW 6-Series .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Check-engine light:
Engine may run rough accompanied by check engine light due to failure of camshaft position sensors. (2005-06)
Check-engine light:
The check engine light may illuminate accompanied by rattling sound from front of engine due to leak in oil line for variable valve timing system. (2004-07)
Convertible top:
The convertible top may not lower because a sensor in the rear window may not be reporting that the window is down. (2004)
Dashboard lights:
A "rollover protection fault" message may appear on the driver's information center due to a problem in wiring or connectors. (2005)
Electrical problem:
The electronic steering lock warning light may illuminate and/or the vehicle will not start if battery was low when starting. (2006)
Electrical problem:
The convertible top warning light is illuminated, indicating the top not fully open or closed, due to faulty sensor switch. (2005-06)
Electrical problem:
Night vision display malfunctions due to wiring harness damage near headlights. (2006-07)
Headlights:
Automatic headlights may not go off when exiting a tunnel or parking garage due to miscommunication between rain sensor and headlight module. (2005-06)
Tail/brake lights:
The lens for the center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) may crack at the sides. (2005)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $920 |
| Alternator | $820 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,410 |
| Brakes | $1,410 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,450 |
| Exhaust System | $1,100 |
| Radiator | $945 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $3,405 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,350 |
Our price chart for this generation BMW 6-Series details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| 650Ci convertible | $72,000-75,000 | $68,400-71,300 | $54,700-57,000 |
| 650Ci coupe | $64,000-67,000 | $60,800-63,700 | $48,000-50,300 |
| M6 convertible | $89,500-93,500 | $85,000-88,800 | $68,900-72,000 |
| M6 coupe | $82,000-85,000 | $77,900-80,800 | $63,100-65,500 |
| 2007 | |||
| 650Ci convertible | $60,000-63,000 | $57,000-59,900 | $45,000-47,300 |
| 650Ci coupe | $53,000-56,000 | $49,800-52,600 | $39,800-42,000 |
| M6 convertible | $78,000-81,000 | $74,100-77,000 | $60,100-62,400 |
| M6 coupe | $71,500-74,500 | $67,900-70,800 | $54,300-56,600 |
| 2006 | |||
| 650Ci convertible | $52,000-55,000 | $48,900-51,700 | $39,000-41,300 |
| 650Ci coupe | $46,000-48,500 | $43,200-45,600 | $34,000-35,900 |
| M6 coupe | $65,000-68,000 | $61,800-64,600 | $48,800-51,000 |
| 2005 | |||
| 645Ci convertible | $45,500-48,000 | $42,800-45,100 | $33,700-35,500 |
| 645Ci coupe | $40,000-42,500 | $37,200-39,500 | $28,800-30,600 |
| 2004 | |||
| 645Ci convertible | $40,000-42,500 | $37,200-39,500 | $28,800-30,600 |
| 645Ci coupe | $35,500-37,500 | $33,000-34,900 | $25,200-26,600 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation BMW 6-Series include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 109.4 | 109.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 190.2 | 190.2 |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.0 | 73.0 |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.1 | 54.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3781 | 4178 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 13.0 | 12.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 | 37.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.0 | 42.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.5 | 36.7 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 28.8 | 28.8 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
BMW's 6-Series comes with a 325-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine and a choice of three six-speed transmissions: manual, sequential manual (SMT) or full automatic. A bigger 360-horsepower V8 went into 2006 models. In spring of 2006, BMW issued a high-performance M6 coupe with a 500-horsepower V10 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. A console button reduced output to 400 horsepower when desired.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V8 | 4.4 / 268 | 325 | 330 | 6-speed manual: 17/25 6-speed automatic: 18/24 SMT manual: 17/24 |
6-speed manual: 16.7 6-speed automatic: 16.7 SMT manual: -- |
| dohc V10 | 5.0 / 305 | 500 | 383 | SMT manual: 12/18 | SMT manual: -- |
| dohc V8 | 4.8 / 293 | 360 | 360 | 6-speed manual: 16/23 6-speed automatic: 17/25 SMT manual: 16/22 |
6-speed manual: -- 6-speed automatic: -- SMT manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Germany
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation BMW 6-Series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2004-2008 BMW 6-Series directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2004 6-Series V8:
On certain cars, engine stalling may occur after short period of operation; engine may be unable to restart.
2004 6-Series V8:
Retention clip along fuel supply line may have been omitted; in a severe frontal crash, the quick-release coupling could separate, causing fuel leakage.
2005-06 6-Series:
Incorrectly-manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate could cause parking lock system not to engage, with the lever in "P" position.
2006 6-Series:
Certain nuts may not have been tightened to specification. This could eventually result poor vehicle handling. Dealers will retighten the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts to the correct specifications free of charge.
2006-2007 BMW 650i coupe and convertible with V8 engine:
The engine can stall in conditions of below-freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, due to electrostatic discharge. Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment.
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