BMW 6 Series review

Overview

The two-door F13 6 Series is a grand touring coupe, not the later five-door Gran Turismo or the four-door Gran Coupe. This review selects the 2012 UK 640d SE with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. Its unusually strong diesel engine is part of the appeal for someone travelling long distances, but the body is still a deliberate lifestyle choice. Our original desk-based judgement puts the emphasis on comfortable two-person touring and condition, not a claim of sports-car purity. RoadMatch has not personally driven it. Depreciation can make acquisition attractive while leaving the expensive components and specialist labour of a large premium coupe unchanged.

Exterior and interior

The F13's long body and low roof create an elegant shape, but they also make the two doors substantial and the seating position relatively low. Try entry and exit in a narrow parking bay before deciding that elegance will remain convenient every day. SE is a useful target when appearance matters without a desire for the firmest styling-led setup. Inspect leather bolsters, electric seat movement and door glass alignment, then check carpets and the rear compartment for moisture. Paint consistency and repair documentation deserve more attention than a polished dashboard. A tidy cabin can be restored cosmetically, so its condition should support rather than replace a convincing maintenance record.

Practicality

BMW's UK launch pack gives the coupe a 460-litre luggage compartment with the seats upright. The volume is useful for two-person touring, but the opening and floor shape decide whether actual luggage fits. Do not import the Gran Coupe's additional-door convenience or folding arrangements into this body. The catalogue records four seats, and rear passengers should try both the access and usable headroom with the front seats set normally. Treat the rear compartment as something to test rather than assuming adult comfort from exterior length. Check any fitted through-loading arrangement and luggage accessories. The coupe can suit a household with occasional extra passengers, but frequent school-run access is a separate and less favourable requirement.

Driving experience

The best way to approach a 640d SE is as a fast, substantial touring car. Independent reviews cover optional steering and suspension systems, and their impressions cannot establish how an unoptioned example will ride. Drive over the uneven surfaces you encounter regularly and listen for knocks, wheel vibration and unexpected trim rattles. Check that it tracks straight and remains calm under ordinary braking. The relatively low seating position can feel special without making the car narrow or light. RoadMatch values stable, predictable progress here more than aggressive cornering. A car whose wheel and suspension configuration suits your back and local roads is a better buy than one chosen mainly for photographs.

Performance

The original UK 640d coupe produces 313 PS, approximately 309 bhp, and its manufacturer 0–62 mph claim is 5.5 seconds. Later revisions and other body styles have different figures, so the number belongs specifically to this early record. The twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel supplies ample reserve without asking the driver to keep revs high. During inspection, check smooth acceleration when warm and consistent automatic changes rather than attempting a standing-start test. Unexpected smoke, hesitation or rev flares require diagnosis. There is little practical reason to seek an undocumented remap when standard performance already exceeds ordinary commuting requirements. The recommendation favours a healthy standard drivetrain over extra claimed output.

Fuel economy

The period UK launch pack quotes 51.4 mpg combined under the old NEDC procedure. It does not describe current WLTP certification or guarantee the consumption of an older example. We use 40 mpg as an explicit routine-cost assumption, not a copied owner database value. Long, steady journeys suit the diesel's role better than repeated cold urban errands, and the car's attraction weakens when most of its life is spent warming up. Check current emissions-zone eligibility by registration before planning regular city access. Compare fuel spending with maintenance and tyre costs rather than treating the diesel badge as proof of inexpensive ownership. Consumption should be monitored across full tanks once purchased.

Reliability

Moderate confidence is an editorial assessment, not a measured probability that the exact 640d will avoid repairs. The service record and previous use now matter more than a general reputation for the engine. Ask for itemised invoices, investigate coolant or oil loss and commission a specialist diagnostic inspection covering the automatic and emissions systems. Check all electric seat functions and window movement because smaller cabin faults can still require costly labour. A low-mileage car needs calendar-based maintenance as well as mileage-based work. Avoid vague assurances about deleted emissions equipment or performance software. A separate repair reserve is essential; buying a premium coupe cheaply is not the same as having inexpensive components to replace.

Safety

An exact F13 Euro NCAP crash assessment was not established during this research. The official Euro NCAP link therefore explains testing context and is not a substituted result from a related BMW saloon. We reproduce no rating, score or assessment artwork. Verify fitted assistance packages from the build record and demonstrate ordinary functions without provoking an emergency scenario. Sound tyres, brakes, restraints and correctly repaired bodywork are central to the individual car's safety. Have suspicious accident history examined professionally, and ask about calibration following windscreen replacement. Use GOV.UK's registration recall process and BMW VIN confirmation to establish whether applicable remedial work has been completed.

Technology and features

An early 6 Series can still provide an appealing conventional cockpit, but its navigation and audio system should be treated as technology from its own period. Modern smartphone mirroring is not promised. This catalogue keeps convenience features conditional until the build and operation are verified, rather than importing later facelift equipment. Pair your phone, test calls and audio, and examine the controller and screen for intermittent response. Optional cameras or distance cruise should be demonstrated separately from sensors and ordinary cruise. Aftermarket infotainment upgrades need a credible installation record and continued access to essential vehicle functions. A working, understandable baseline system is worth more than a long advert listing unsupported connected features.

Running costs

Our £9,000–£15,000 October 2026 purchase band is a dated RoadMatch planning estimate, not live-market evidence. At 8,000 miles, assumed 40 mpg and illustrative diesel at £1.55 per litre, fuel comes to about £1,409. Add a £250 tax allowance and £900–£1,500 for routine servicing, MOT and tyre wear: approximately £2,600–£3,200 annually. Obtain actual registration-based tax and personal insurance quotes separately. Finance, depreciation, parking and major drivetrain or electronics repairs are excluded. A lower-mileage touring role may reduce fuel expense while leaving significant fixed maintenance. Do not spend the entire available budget on acquisition; deferred premium-car work can erase the apparent saving very quickly.

Advantages and disadvantages