Bmw 6 Series Convertible
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Review Of The BMW 6 Series Convertible
Looking for an objective review of the BMW 6 Series Convertible? OSV have got you covered, from engines to lease deals.
The brand new BMW 6 Series Convertible looks a far smoother proposition to last time around. Its formerly quirky looks have been smartened up, and this car is now very much a suave companion for the weekend. Drive this with the window down on a warm, sunny day and you’ll be a smooth operator indeed.
It’s been improved in other areas, too. The head-up display, which could so easily have looked like a bad gimmick, is intuitive and improves overall safety, while more interior space has boosted its appeal to those of you looking for a stylish but practical cabriolet.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our BMW 6 Series Convertible review.
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On The Road
This is one of the best open-top cruisers on the road right now that offers a relaxing and rewarding driving experience. It’s to be expected; after all, BMW – the former ultimate driving machine, of course – have built their enviable reputation on luxury, premium cars that more often than not handle better than any other car in their sector.
The 6 Series is no exception to the rule. The chassis has been stiffened up but ride quality remains good.
[vc_single_image image=”63576″ img_size=”article-image”]Moreover, improvements to the chassis means that the convertible is composed over mid-corner lumps, and it handles most road surfaces with aplomb. Even better, body lean is almost non-existent, thanks to a quality suspension setup.
All the engines are marked by strength. The 640d is surprisingly our favourite. Backed by 310 of pure diesel braked horsepower, it can launch you from a rest to 62mph in just 5.5 seconds. The 640i 320bhp petrol matches those numbers, and is a good option if you don’t mind the higher running costs. It’s smooth, composed and offers good pace.
The engines come paired up with an 8-speed automatic transmission that changes gear seamlessly. As standard, you can flick through a trio of driving modes – Normal, Sport and Sport + – but we recommend that you add the Adaptive Drive system as an optional extra, as it gives you the chance to adjust the traction control, gearbox, steering, engine and suspension.
BMW 6 Series Convertible Interior, Design & Build
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This cabriolet from BMW is bigger than last time around. But while you can’t really notice its increase in size as you weave through twisting roads, you will notice its increase in size once you step inside – which, of course, is nothing but a good thing.
However, despite the increase in its dimensions, rear seat space still remains tight. It’s essentially a four seater, but while you’ll have to leave a potential fifth passenger at home, you might even have to leave behind the potential fourth. Or at least warn them that they and their fellow rear seated passenger will struggle for room!
The boot measures 350-litres, which we think is a reasonable size for a car of this type. Especially if you’re on the lookout for a convertible to get you to and fro to your weekend golfing excursions or brief romantic getaways, 350-litres should be more than enough to cope with your needs. It’s also a bigger boot than you’ll get in, say, an Audi R8 or a Porsche 911.
Whoever is in the car will be treated to top-notch ride quality. The 6 Series Convertible does a good job of absorbing lumps and bumps, and can even deal with pot holes pretty well. The interior is permeated by high-class materials, with the exquisite leather seats a particular highlight.
Equipment & Safety Of The BMW 6 Series Convertible
The listing price is steep, but a good amount of standard equipment should go someway to easing those numbers. Heated front sats, Bluetooth connectivity, voice-activated sat nav, an 8-speed automatic transmission, parking sensors, and sports steering wheel are all standard.
There is plenty of advanced tech inside the car, including the brands highly-praised iDrive infotainment system. Wireless phone charging and Wi-Fi hotspot are optional extras we think would be useful to the average buyer.
In terms of safety, this car hasn’t been given the once-over by EuroNCAP, but the 6 Series as a whole has very good reliability records. Moreover, we can’t foresee their state of the art engines causing too many issues if you look after them.
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Costs Of The BMW 6 Series Convertible
Prices for the new car start out from £64,500 and rise to £78.000. For more information on our lease deals, you can click here.
In terms of running costs, the diesels excel. Average returns of 52.3mpg from the 640d engine are pretty much unbeatable. Moreover, this model costs just £130 a year in road tax.
The 640i and 650i petrol models are – as expected – thirstier, with the latter only able to return fuel economy of 31.7mpg at best while costing close to £300 a year in road tax.
Whichever model you go for, servicing won’t come cheap, while how much CO2 the car emits will depend on a few variables, including the size of your tyres.
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Pros and Cons Of The BMW 6 Series Convertible
Pros:
Cons:
Exceptional Handling
BMW were never going to put out a convertible that didn’t handle well. If you want an open-top car that drives like a dream, this is the one.
Excellent Ride Quality
The revised chassis and tweaked suspension setup ensure that ride quality is supreme.
Well-Built
It’s strong, sturdy, secure and reliable.
It’s Large
Let’s get one thing straight – this is a convertible that handles exceptionally. If you test it after the 6 Series Coupe, you’ll notice its weight.
It’s Expensive
The petrols cost a lot to keep on the road, and the listing price is high.
BMW 6 Series Convertible vs Mercedes SL Class Convertible vs Porsche 911 Convertible
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our BMW 6 Series Convertible review.
BMW 6 Series Convertible vs Mercedes SL Class Convertible
The new Mercedes SL Class Convertible is a comfortable two-seater drop-top that is easily the most luxurious car in this class. It’s big, powerful, and sells next to the S-Class Saloon.
If you’ve driven an SL Cabriolet in the past, you might remember them being slightly underpowered. However, it’s a very different story in 2017. Even the twin-turbocharged SL400 is exciting, and can do 0-62 in less than 5.0 seconds no problem at all. The engine sounds great, offers smooth delivery and is our top pick.
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There are plenty of engines to choose from, though, including the high-performance SL63 AMG, which can dust 0-62 off in just over 4.0 seconds. However, that’s not much quicker than the SL65. Moreover, both these engines max out at 155mph.
However, if you’re an enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the feral roar of the AMG. Maybe that alone is worth the premium.
At times, keeping the SL Convertible on a tight leash can be tricky. This is a free spirit that requires you to work hard to keep it tamed. For example, wheel spin is easy unless you’re extra careful with the throttle, while traction can also be broken with ease.
A lighter body has improved agility, as well as efficiency. It’s cheaper to run than its thirsty predecessors, with Mercedes reckoning you can coax fuel economy returns of 36.7mpg out of the SL400 model. Tax will be fairly high across the board, though, with the entry level SL400 costing £210 a year to tax.
If you want a super comfortable convertible to coast around in this summer, there’s no need to look beyond the Mercedes. Sent from Heaven, this is the comfiest car in this sector. The lowered-stiffened sports suspension that’s available on AMG Line models is still comfortable, and is a big improvement on the outgoing steel-string suspension.
Sound insulation is excellent, and you’ll barely hear a peep from outside with the roof up. Take the roof down, and buffeting is well-reduced.
You’re never going to get a massively practical car if you go for a folding hard-top. But Mercedes aim to make your life on the road as easy as possible. To this end, the SL Convertible has a spacious 504-litre boot. That’s impressive, and space is only reduced to 364-litres when you fold down the roof (which takes 20 seconds).
Price:
BMW – £64,500 – £78.000
Mercedes – £73,800 +
BMW 6 Series Convertible vs Porsche 911 Convertible
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The new Porsche 911 Convertible might be able to tempt you by virtue of its iconic status alone. It sure is expensive, but you get plenty of thrills and spills and inimical looks. As ever, this legend is in a league of its own.
The introduction of turbochargers to the 911’s engines could have been a game changer – a disastrous one. However, while some engine snobs won’t be happy, let us be the millionth person to tell you that the turbochargers haven’t watered down performance one iota. A Porsche is still a special experience.
The roof drops in 13 seconds, and once it’s down you get to enjoy the rip-roaring soundtrack of a 911 engine in full flow. The turbos take nothing away – indeed, they add their own vocal flourishes that sound awesome.
Yes, the sound is different and it may take some getting used to. But we reckon that you’ll soon be smiling about it.
The 911 Convertible has never handled as well as the coupe variant. It still doesn’t, but handing is better than ever. You get lots of grip, and the steering is razor sharp and precise. Even better, refinement is superb – even with the roof up.
In standard guise, the car can rocket you from a standstill to 62mpg in 4.6 seconds while producing up to 365bhp. The S variant does the same distance in just 4.1 seconds. Not bad, huh? However, for that extra pace, you will need to pay a ten-grand premium.
The turbochargers really had to do something special if they were to win over the naysayers. As well as not diluting performance, they’ve also significantly improved running costs. The 365bhp engine can achieve average fuel economy returns of 33.2mpg, and costs £265 a year to tax.
That’s big news when you consider how expensive this car used to cost to keep on the road. Better yet, it can more than match the 6 Series.
With the roof up, this convertible is easily just as quiet and refined as its coupe sibling. And when the roof is down, buffeting is well reduced, thanks to an electronic wind deflector that comes as standard.
The cabin is plush and a great place to be, while the car benefits from the revised version of the brands’ 7” touchscreen infotainment system. Bluetooth, sat nav and a leather trim are part of the standard kit.
Not many cars in this class offer rear seats, but the Porsche 911 Convertible does. They’re not massive usable, though, but you can still squeeze two people in back there. However, even your kids will struggle for space and we prefer to think of them as two extra luggage compartments.
Speaking of luggage, the boot is placed at the cars’ front. It measures just 145-litres, but doesn’t lose any space when you fold the roof. However, 20-litres is trimmed off if you specify four-wheel-drive.
Price:
Porsche – £85,000 +
Verdict Of Our 2017 BMW 6 Series Convertible Review
The only thing we expect buyers to criticise about this new cabriolet is the way it looks. Which is a shame as for some first impressions are everything. But get beyond the fact it’s conservatively designed and you’ll find that it’s a very desirable convertible.
It’s fast, powerful, luxurious and super safe. As far as open-tops go in 2017, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is near-faultless.
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