Anyone move from an M5 to an M6?

[Chesie]

Hey folks,

The lease on my 2016 M5 6MT is up next September, and I am thinking of my next car. I was originally planning on getting a Porsche 911 GT3 touring, as BMW is moving away from Manual transmissions. But....

I went to my local dealership this weekend, to get my coolant topped off, and my CA happened to be there. We talked, and he mentioned the possibility of getting a 2019 M6 Grand Coupe with a 6MT, which apparently will still be made until February 2019. I actually like the idea of this better than moving to a 911, as I kinda still need a backseat from time to time, and this will be my DD.

My question: have any of you moved from an M5 to an M6 (F06)? What were your impressions of the M6? More fun, more comfortable, more snazzy? Harder to drive or park? I'm really just looking for general impressions.

If the F90 M5 were made in a 6MT, there is no question I would get one of those when my '16 M5 lease is up, but that isn't the reality. My M5 has been the most-enjoyable car I have ever owned.

I am not ready to give up my stick shift yet. As an aside, I am not looking at an M3 or M4. If the M6 idea doesn't pan out, and I move to a smaller sports car, it will be to the P-car. Money isn't the issue.

Thank you for your thoughts,

Danny

[RPiM5]

It's people like you who I feel are the real enthusiasts keeping this shrinking community alive. Yes the F06 Gran Coupe will continue production until early next year. I've driven the M6 Gran Coupe many times. I think you absolutely will not be disappointed with it. It's also a fantastic car. It just handles a bit differently than the M5, but it's still a wonderful drive especially with a 6MT. The back seats aren't as spacious as the M5 and there is no option for Rear Seat entertainment, but the back seats are still very comfortable and quite usable even with baby seats back there. My advice is that I think you might love the M6 Gran Coupe just a little more because it looks even sexier. In a world where everything is going the Auto Transmissions, the M6 Gran Coupe with a 6MT will be quite the rareity in the future that is to come. You will not be disappointed. With the GT3 Touring, there's too many compromises with that car if you need to use it for any kind of utility.

The M6 Gran Coupe with the 6MT reminds me of another car, in which Clarkson said, he feels "sad, like this is an ending". I feel sad too, BMW will never make another car like this again.

But thank God Porsche is still offering manuals for the foreseeable future.

[irishbimmer]

It sounds like the perfect compromise car for you and the performance of the M6 is quite good-I've recently turned in my M5 and drove off with an M6 coupe, which I prefer to the M5. Its lower and feels more responsive, smaller backseat are so not as utilitarian but if you loved the M5, you will the M6 GC as well, if not a little bit more.

[AWF10M5]

I had the chance to drive a m6 gran coupe and was really impressed with how it handled and the power seems faster for some reason. I am not impressed with the interior at all I prefer the m5.

[RPiM5]

OP you can check this video out too. Although the M6 GC on the video is not a 6MT, the comparison in the video is as real as it gets.

[Mr. M6]

best looking bmw is M6 GC and its more fun if its with 6MT i think.. good luck with your next car.

[core22]

I had a 6 Grand Coupe before my M5. My frustration with the car's size is what led me to eventually trade it in for an F10 M5 - its a big car, longer than the M5. I'm 5'7" and couldn't see the end of the hood unless I moved the seat pretty much all the way up height-wise. Unless I was pulling straight into a spot I had trouble parking everywhere, especially my garage where its a side entrance, requiring a turn as you pull in.

[hirkaismyname]

Chesie I'm looking to do the same thing but May '19. What cars are in the running? And what cars would the fellow enthusiasts in this forum go to if you'd like to keep the purchase under 100K?

I was debating between the GTs, '17 m6 GC, a well sorted 2015 v10 r8 gated shift, or '15 911 GT3 (might go a tad bit over 100K for that one).

[Chauncey.Bishop]

2019 with a 6MT? Looks like you've just identified my next car!

[3rdCoastBMW]

Parking the F06 is almost as difficult as parking my old 4 Door 1500 Silverado. It takes some time to adjust, and you definitely won't ever be whipping in and out of parking spots. It is a wonderful beast on the highway though; it just glides at 70+ MPH and is probably the most comfortable highway car I have ever driven.

[Chesie]

Thank you for the replies. That is exactly the information I was seeking, and the videos RPiM5 posted were exactly what I was looking for.
Regards,
Danny

[bquicksilver]

Lots of posts here in the archives on this. I went M5 because it had a better back seat (have kids), a sunroof (never really use), and less showy. As a dentist my patients never really notice anything but sports cars out back and accuse me of overcharging. If it was a weekender and I wanted to be showy I would have went M6GC. They're both so similar in driving I wouldn't even factor that in. On those same lines I love "sleeper" cars, and surprisingly few even know what the M5 is.

edit: It's also worth noting the M5 aftermarket is quite a bit more plentiful.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by Chesie

Thank you for the replies. That is exactly the information I was seeking, and the videos RPiM5 posted were exactly what I was looking for.
Regards,
Danny

Your welcome. The only thing that I ask, is that you post up on here when you get your M6 Gran Coupe with the 6MT. I'll make sure it gets on the front page. It'll truly be something special, a last hurrah to how pure BMW's used to be.

[AKG M3]

Great thread and very useful. I also have to figure out next year what’s next after the M5 and had similar alternatives in mind. OP good luck and certainly post pics of the next car you get.

[Blacross]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

OP you can check this video out too. Although the M6 GC on the video is not a 6MT, the comparison in the video is as real as it gets.

I desperately wanted to watch this but I couldnt get through 30 seconds without wanting to vomit because the guy couldnt stand still.

[Chesie]

UPDATE:

I decided to try having my CA order a 2019 M6, after listening to the information provided by members on this board and getting behind the wheel of a 2015 M6 GC. I found out yesterday that BMW has permanently halted production of the M6 GC at the Dingolfing plant and have started re-tooling for the upcoming M8. BMW is no longer taking orders for M6's. Womp womp for me.

But... my CA was able to find a new 2019 M6 on Long Island, with all of the options I wanted, save for Sakhir Orange leather seats (the car in NY has black leather). I can live with that flex. As long as everything works out, I may be in my new M6 in a couple weeks. I'll be sure to post some pics.

As an aside, my local dealership is going to take my 2016 M5 back. At this moment, it has 28,700 miles on the odometer and has had exactly zero problems since I took delivery in Sept, 2016, when it had 1 mile on the odometer. It has brand new Michelin PS4's with less than 1,000 miles on them. There have been no modifications to this car at any point in its life, no wrecks, fender benders, parking lot dents or scratches, bird poop or tree sap stains. I drove the car like it was meant to be driven, but I didn't over-rev, race at the track, drive off-road, or drift excessively.

There are pics of it in my "garage", if you happen to be in the market for a '16 M5 6MT, in Singapore Grey/Sakhir Orange leather. The car is in excellent condition, has no dents or scratches (except for minor curb rash on passenger wheels). I cleaned the car weekly, waxed it quarterly, and kept the interior in pristine condition. I don't smoke or smell weird, and no one has smoked in the car or spilled a drink, or vomited (someone did vomit in the air conditioning vent in my old 535i, but i digress...). If you are interested, PM me and I can give you the information on the dealership that is going to take possession.

Thanks again for all your help!
Danny

[Chesie]

Update:

I turned in my M5 and picked up my M6 last night. My first impression was that the car is really low to the ground. But man, is she one sexy car. Driving and parking were not appreciably different from the M5. The stick and clutch are much smoother than my M5. Not sure why, as the equipment should be the same, but I am happy with the improved feel of gear changes.

Some idiosyncrasies of the car:
1. There is no cubbyhole to the left of the steering wheel, which is a bummer because I stored sunglasses there.
2. Adding the manual transmission deleted the wireless phone charging pocket in the center console. I have no idea why.
3. There is a lot of carbon fiber on the outside, and it looks badass. The car is just so much better looking than the M5.
4. The CarPlay works as advertised, and I finally have Waze on my center screen. Woo hoo!
5. The mirror tap hard-wire for my valentine 1 was effortless to install and was the same as the M5.
6. The B&O stereo kills the HK stereo on the M5. Amazing difference.
7. My car came with MPSS tires, which was a welcome relief.
8. The backseats have marginally less leg room than the M5 but are more comfortable.
9. The idrive screen is not a touchscreen, despite the BMW M6 webpage stating otherwise.

Overall, I would say this ‘19 M6 is a completely different monster than my ‘16 M5, in a good way. I will lose zero sleep over the $20k premium.

Thanks again for all your advice.
Danny

[Chesie]

...And some obligatory pictures of the new whip.

[daddymalu]

Congrats... Enjoy in good health.... definitely a special car....

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Chesie

Update:

I turned in my M5 and picked up my M6 last night. My first impression was that the car is really low to the ground. But man, is she one sexy car. Driving and parking were not appreciably different from the M5. The stick and clutch are much smoother than my M5. Not sure why, as the equipment should be the same, but I am happy with the improved feel of gear changes.

Some idiosyncrasies of the car:
1. There is no cubbyhole to the left of the steering wheel, which is a bummer because I stored sunglasses there.
2. Adding the manual transmission deleted the wireless phone charging pocket in the center console. I have no idea why.
3. There is a lot of carbon fiber on the outside, and it looks badass. The car is just so much better looking than the M5.
4. The CarPlay works as advertised, and I finally have Waze on my center screen. Woo hoo!
5. The mirror tap hard-wire for my valentine 1 was effortless to install and was the same as the M5.
6. The B&O stereo kills the HK stereo on the M5. Amazing difference.
7. My car came with MPSS tires, which was a welcome relief.
8. The backseats have marginally less leg room than the M5 but are more comfortable.
9. The idrive screen is not a touchscreen, despite the BMW M6 webpage stating otherwise.

Overall, I would say this ‘19 M6 is a completely different monster than my ‘16 M5, in a good way. I will lose zero sleep over the $20k premium.

Thanks again for all your advice.
Danny

Congrats on the pick up!! The car looks great and I'm glad you were able to find one of the few 6MTs out there. A few notes from your comments:


The stick and clutch are much smoother than my M5. - This might have something to do with your seating position. I came from a E90 M3, and it takes a while to get used to the seating position of the M6 and it can affect the way you interact with the clutch pedal.

Some idiosyncrasies of the car:
1. There is no cubbyhole to the left of the steering wheel, which is a bummer because I stored sunglasses there.

- Haha! I wasn't even aware of there was a hold in the M5. I still put mine in the door pocket, though it runs a risk of falling out as it's very shallow.

3. There is a lot of carbon fiber on the outside, and it looks badass. The car is just so much better looking than the M5.

-THIS is one of the only reasons why you would choose a M6GC over an M5. The interior and exterior design is just freaking gorgeous. But at the price of vanity, you'll notice that the interior design comes at a cost of visibility. Everything reflects and glares off the glass due to the lower windshield rake, the chrome surround of the B&O, the larger footprint of the rearview mirror relative to viewing size of the front windshield, and the HUD.

8. The backseats have marginally less leg room than the M5 but are more comfortable.

check out my breakdown here of the dimensions. https://f10.m5post.com/forums/showpo...6&postcount=10

Overall, most of the differences are deceiving, though the M6GC does give up a lot of rear seat width.

9. The idrive screen is not a touchscreen, despite the BMW M6 webpage stating otherwise.

According to this summary, https://bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=59 , the touchscreen came out after 3/2017 production cars. Not sure why you didn't get it. For the most part, nothing changed after 2016 LCI changes.

[Chesie]

For anyone interested in my 2016 M5, it is now listed for sale at BMW of Toledo. They are asking $64k. If you are seriously interested, feel free to PM me any questions about the car. I have lots of pictures of it and was the only driver in its current lifetime.

https://www.fiatusaoftoledo.com/cert...9587820064.htm

Edit: I have nothing to do with selling this car, so please don’t send me offers. I was just the original owner.