|
2007 BMW 6-Series Review
Sometimes more can be too much.
2007 6-Series Review Summary & Specifications
The BMW 6 Series is a remarkable car, an intriguing attempt at blending state-of-the-art electronics with award-winning mechanicals. The BMW 650i coupe and convertible succeed, offering a combination of comfort, luxury, sportiness, exhilarating performance and ease of operation that's hard to beat in the class. On the M6 models, it remains an attempt, perhaps a misguided one, as it inserts unnecessarily isolating layers of electronics between driver and car, muddying a unique, symbiotic relationship that BMW has painstakingly cultivated over decades. We prefer the standard automatic and manual transmissions to the high-tech SMGs.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and California's Northern Central Valley.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Tom Lankard |
| Model Lineup | BMW 650i Coupe ($73,900); 650i Convertible ($80,900); M6 Coupe ($98,600); M6 Convertible ($104,400) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.0-liter dohc 40-valve V10 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox |
| Engines (optional) | 360-hp 4.8-liter V8; 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual; 6-speed sequential manual; 6-speed automatic with Steptronic; 7-speed sequential manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual-threshold front airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; roof-mounted side curtain airbags (coupe only); roll-over protection system (convertible only); front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters; active knee protection; rear seat child safety seat anchors (LATCH); antilock brakes with four-wheel brake proportioning; traction control; electronic stability control; tire pressure monitoring; auto-leveling, adaptive headlights; rain-sensing windshield wipers; park distance control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-831-1117 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 73900 |
| Model Tested MSRP | BMW M6 Convertible ($104,400) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic, dual-zone, micro-filtered, auto-recirculating climate control; power windows, central locking, heated outside mirrors and tilt/telescope, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls; heated, 14-way power seats with manual thigh-support extensions; 13-speaker, AM/FM/CD DSP stereo with glove box-mounted, six-CD changer; DVD-based, GPS navigation system; three-setting memory for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors; auto-dim rearview mirrors; leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel, door panels and center armrests; walnut wood interior trim accents; ski bag; floor mats; programmable garage/gate remote; multi-function iDrive onboard trip computer and systems management |
| Destination Charge | 695 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Silverstone II Merino Leather ($3500); Comfort Access ($1000); Carbon Fiber black trim ($300); Head-Up Display ($1000); high definition radio ($500); satellite radio ($595); gas guzzler tax ($3000) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 114990 |
| Horse Power | 500 @ 7750 |
| Torque | 383 @ 6100 |
| Fuel Economy | 12/19 |
| Wheelbase | 109.5 |
| Length/Width/Height | 191.8/73/54 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 41 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.6/NA/42 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 35.6/NA/30.1 |
| Trunk Volume | 12.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | not recommended |
| Front Suspension | independent strut; coil springs; electronically controlled, twin-tube, gas-pressurized shocks; stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, 4-link; coil springs; electronically controlled, twin-tube, gas-pressurized shocks; stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 5.0 |
| Curb Weight | 4398 |
| Stock Tires | 255/40ZR19 front, 285/35ZR19 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc w ABS, EBD |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 |
|
|