Used BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe 2012-2019 review

Marrying two bodystyles can go one of two ways. They either become stronger as one, or reveal the worst of both worlds. Indeed, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé leans heavily on the former. Its pairing of coupé and four-door saloon is a match made in heaven – one that doesn't demand ridiculously high used prices.

It wasn't the first luxury car to tie the knot, mind you. The Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. In 2012, this followed suit, arriving on the scene as a four-door, more practical version of the existing two-door 6 Series Coupé. Sleek looks, better usability.

Kicking off its engine range are two turbocharged six-cylinder models, a diesel badged 640d and a petrol dubbed 640i. Although the petrol is more powerful, both have plenty of punch and can manage 0-62mph in 5.4sec before running on to an electronically limited 155mph top speed.

Next up, there’s the 650i, with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. This 444bhp unit cuts the 0-62mph time to just 4.6sec. And if that isn’t enough, the M6 has a more heavily worked version of the V8 with 552bhp, or 592bhp if you opt for the Competition pack, and its performance is stunning.

It’s not just good in a straight line, though. There is an engaging fluidity to its handling that endows it with plenty of driver appeal. The steering is well-weighted and direct, and the chassis possesses wonderful balance, giving the car tremendously eager cornering. The ride is firm but comfortable, and coarse surfaces don’t spoil the exceptional refinement. On the motorway, the 6 Series Gran Coupé delivers rock-solid longitudinal stability and the sort of relaxed cruising qualities that make it an exceptional long-haul proposition.

The interior is a match for this, being lavishly leathered, well designed and clearly carefully assembled using some of the finest materials. The driving position is low and electrically adjustable and there’s plenty of room up front. Rear passengers will have a harder time of it, however, with slightly constricted leg room, while the small rear door apertures mean getting in and out can be hard work.

Trim-wise, there are but two: SE and M Sport. Entry-level SE cars get all the expected luxuries, including 18in wheels, two-zone climate control, cruise control and of course leather upholstery as standard. M Sport merely adds a sportier bodykit that enhances the 6 Series Gran Coupé’s sleek lines.

If you're interested in buying a used 6 Series Gran Coupé, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site here.

You can pick up a 6 Series Gran coupe for as little as £12,000 to £14,000, but it'll have a high mileage. A relatively clean example of the 6 Series Gran Coupé will cost you nearer £16,000. This would net you a 2012/13 model with an average mileage for the year and a full service history. Up the folding to between £18,000 and £20,000 and you’ll find plenty of good cars from 2013 or 2014 with the same criteria, bought from an independent dealership, while £20,000-£25,000 will find you in the driver’s seat of a 2015 or 2016 car. Beyond that, good 2016 and 2017 cars will set you back around £25,000, and around £30,000 for good 2018 and 2019 models.

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MPG

The diesel-powered 640d is the cheapest version to run by a country mile. Stick to SE spec with 18in wheels and it’ll emit a respectable 152g/km of CO2 and the official combined fuel economy figure is 49.6mpg. Meanwhile the petrol-engined 640i emits 178g/km of CO2 on 18in wheels and can only manage an official fuel economy figure of 36.2mpg. Don’t expect any V8-engined car to return much more than 20mpg in real-world driving.

Road tax

Any 6 Series Gran Coupé registered after the tax changes that came into force in April 2017 will pay a premium over the flat-rate annual charge, because all models cost more than £40,000 when new. Expect a reasonably sized bill for those registered before that date, too. Find out more about current road tax costs here.

Servicing and insurance

Servicing costs are likely to be high, especially at BMW main dealers. The firm provides service packs for older cars that allow you to budget for future servicing costs and pay by direct debit. Older cars could be looked after by one of any number of independent specialists that are likely to do the work for far less money. Insurance is generally pricy, too.

Despite the smoothness of the petrol unit in the 640i, we’d still choose the 640d for its blend of performance and economy. SE trim gives you the same kit as M Sport but minus the sporty bodywork, so we’d stick with that, unless you happen to find a competitively priced M Sport on the forecourt.

Our favourite BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé 640d SE

The sporty-looking Audi A7 Sportback plugs a neat hole between the A6 and A8 saloons. It's a very smart and distinctive car with some excellent driving manners and a beautifully crafted interior.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is the car that started the fashion for large four-door coupés and, as such, it’s a visual winner with striking looks. It has a range of competent and smooth engines and a supple ride. Only in the matter of rear head room does it come up short.

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If you're interested in buying a used 6 Series Gran Coupé, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site here.