Used 2015 BMW 6 Series

The 2015 BMW 6 Series slots between the 5 and 7 Series cars with a coupe, a convertible, and a 4-door that BMW calls a "Gran Coupe," but we all know is really just a sleek sedan. Sleekness is all part of the game though, as the 6 Series is designed to offer eye-catching style over practical transportation. All three models offer plenty of style and performance, with engines ranging from a turbocharged 6-cylinder to a couple different V8 models. With roots that trace back to the late 1970s, the 3rd-generation 6 Series remains a leader in grand touring, even against such tough competitors as the Jaguar XK, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Audi S5.

The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe offers a unique experience in the BMW 6 Series range. With power close to what you get in the all-conquering M6 model, but with a bespoke interior treatment unavailable in any other model, the B6 offers tremendous performance and luxury in one package. It’s as if the B6 magnifies everything we already like about the BMW 6 Series: There’s the luxury, which – across the lineup from coupe to convertible to Gran Coupe sedan – means quiet and comfortable cruising suitable for mile after mile of open-road touring. Yet when the Driving Dynamics Control is in Sport+ mode, the 6 Series transmission kicks down eagerly and the suspension tightens, transforming this big car into a surprisingly nimble sporty car. Even the "base" 640i Coupe leaps to 60 mph in just over five seconds, and the M6 does it in just over four.

While Audi may still have an edge with interior aesthetics, the BMW 6 Series isn’t far behind. More premium materials and interesting shapes are finding their way into new BMWs, and the latest-generation 6 Series may be one of the best examples yet. This goes double for the Alpina B6, with its bespoke cabin including unique leathers, Myrtle wood accents on the dash, and other premium touches. The two rear seats in the coupe and convertible are tight for adults, but acceptable for the Gran Coupe. The black fabric top on the convertible 6 Series models leaves cargo space largely unaffected when folded.

Coupe, Gran Coupe or convertible, the 2015 BMW 6 Series boasts an athletic profile, one defined by a long hood and a striking crease that’s nearly the length of the body. The elegant and aggressive exterior looks confident, not cocky. The 6 Series Convertible is an elegant tourer with the top down, but lacks the visual balance of the Coupe, especially when the top’s raised. That said, the M6 performance models definitely lean more toward "cocky," and are distinguished by wider 19-inch wheels, quad tailpipes and carbon-fiber composite roof panel. Alpina B6 models get unique wheels, and two unique colors.

ANY WAY YOU WANT IT
While the BMW 6 Series is referred to as a family of coupes, the reality is that the Gran Coupe is actually a sleek 4-door sedan. That it means the goodness of the 6 Series is open to anybody who wants it, even if you can’t give up 4-door practicality.

BANG & OLUFSEN AUDIO SYSTEM
The name may sound odd to those who aren’t audiophiles, but listen to this optional sound system and you’ll soon join their ranks. This primo audio option drenches ears with 1,200 watts of sound emanating from 16 speakers, each with its own amplifier.

Even a base 6-cylinder 640i Coupe comes equipped with a leather and wood interior, xenon headlights, navigation system with 10.2-inch display, dynamic cruise control and rearview camera. The standard audio is a 9-speaker/205-watt system. Along with a V8 engine, 650i models add even softer Nappa leather, 20-way power front seats, 19-inch wheels, and a 12-speaker/500-watt audio system. Alpina models offer even more luxury accouterments, including Myrtle wood trim. BMW 6 Series xDrive models offer all-wheel drive, and all BMWs offer four years or 50,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.

Most options for the 2015 BMW 6 Series are bundled into packages. There’s the Executive Package with amenities like ventilated front seats, soft-close doors, and a futuristic head-up display that projects travel information onto the windshield so you can focus on the road. The wonderful Bang & Olufsen sound system is a gotta-have-it option, and performance-minded drivers should check out the active steering and Adaptive Drive. A night-vision system can detect pedestrians via infrared camera. Individual options include things like 20-inch wheels and ceramic controls for the iDrive command-center module.

Four powerplants are available for the 2015 BMW 6 Series, three of them variations of the same V8. Base 640i models use BMW’s much-loved 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that makes a robust 315 horsepower. Move up to the 650i and you’ll get a 445-horsepower 4.4-liter turbo V8. The Alpina B6 uses a handbuilt version of that engine, tuned to 540 horsepower. Above that is the M6, also using a 4.4-liter turbo-8, but one tuned to a sizzling 560 horsepower. The 640i, 650i and Alpina B6 use an 8-speed automatic transmission, with either rear- or all-wheel drive. M6 variants use a 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual and are rear-drive only. To save fuel – premium fuel – the 2015 BMW 6 Series uses auto start-stop to cut engine power at idle.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
315 horsepower @ 5,800-6,000 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/33 mpg (RWD coupe), 20/29 mpg (AWD coupe and convertible), 20/30 mpg (RWD convertible)

4.4-liter turbocharged V8
445 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
480 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (RWD coupe and convertible) ), 16/24 mpg (AWD coupe and convertible)

4.4-liter turbocharged V8
540 horsepower @ 5,200-6,250 rpm
540 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg

4.4-liter turbocharged V8
560 horsepower @ 6,000-7,000 rpm
500 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (automatic coupe and convertible), 15/22 mpg (manual coupe and convertible)