2007 BMW M6 Convertible

Surprisingly Aloof

Enthusiasts looking for the ultimate in luxury and speed will enjoy the M6. Those who prefer a visceral driving experience should look elsewhere.

By nature, luxury coupes and convertibles are about looks and performance first, with practicality a distant runner-up. In the cult of coupes, the BMW 650i, with its 360-hp V8, was already among the richest and most powerful members. Yet the 6 Series, even apart from its controversial design, proved an odd duck for BMW. Amazingly quick, competent and luxurious, it’s also a bit of an automaton — coldly technical and aloof from its driver in a way that, to some, seems to stray from BMW’s driver-first philosophy.

For those seeking an adrenaline injection, the M6 solves some of those issues. But the car remains hamstrung by its frustrating, joyless Sequential Manual Gearbox. Fortunately, a six-speed manual has been added for 2007. But the bigger news is an all-new convertible variant to complement the existing coupe.

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The M6 is unquestionably the fastest production BMW in history. Its 10-cylinder, 500-hp engine, shared with its four-door sibling, the M5, is glorious. And compared to the already-striking 650i, the M6’s body is more aggressive, the wheels bolder and the interior more decadent.

But despite those ample pleasures, we can’t recall a BMW — let alone any M model, which are supposed to be the pinnacle of BMW driving pleasure — that asks so little of its pilot and gives so little in return. Go ahead, drive with two fingers on the steering wheel, jabber away on your cell phone: The M6 will still burn up the road.

In that way, it’s the ideal supercar for amateurs. Drivers will find that the M6, whether in coupe or convertible form, can be driven safely at superhuman speeds with little need for overt human input. And certainly, if you have 600 miles to cover before sunset, the BMW is a fantasy luxury “grand tourer” or GT (a fast but luxurious ride), ready to shave an hour or two from any long road trip.

For some affluent buyers, that effortless performance might be exactly the point. Choose the M6 for that, or for its unique style, and you’ll be well satisfied. But buyers who expect more heat and passion for the money may want to check out the competition from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Porsche and others.

Exterior

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Reaction to the 6 Series’ design is divided, but not in a typical way. Some BMW purists and auto journalists break out in hives at the sight of it. Yet according to people on the street, the car looks terrific — sexy, cool, expensive … all the stuff an owner loves to hear.

The M6 definitely amps up the visual voltage. Its makeover includes new front and rear bumpers; sculpted side sills and rocker panels; wider fenders; four exhaust outlets and satin-chrome window trim. Deep-dish, 19-inch wheels add a touch of menace. It’s all topped with a black carbon-fiber roof. 

Standard Xenon headlamps pivot with steering input. Open the doors and passengers are treated to the sight of illuminated M6 logos on the doorsills. Finally, four unique exterior colors are available, including our test model’s Sapang Bronze — a gorgeous shade of brown with gray and violet undertones.

Interior

The 6 Series’ interior set a new BMW standard in design, materials and craftsmanship, and the M6 again adds finishing touches. The 14-way sport seats are tremendously comfortable, with power side bolsters and a manual thigh extension. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is as fat as a well-fed snake, flanked by the dual paddle shifters of the seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox. Unique gauges feature titanium-finish surrounds.

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Definitely chip in for the full-leather interior. The $3,500 option adds top-grade Merino hides on the seats, doors and center armrest, plus an alcantara headliner — think high-end suede — that’s as nice to look at as it is to touch. Black carbon-fiber console trim is another worthwhile addition for $300, or choose standard dark walnut or lighter olive wood trim for a less-sporty and more-luxurious flavor.

A head-up display ($1,000) projects important vehicle data on the windshield in the driver’s lower field of vision. You can select what is displayed, including vehicle and engine speed, navigation instructions and more.

Unlike the strictly two-seat Mercedes SL-Class or Cadillac XLR, the larger M6 carves out room for a backseat that’s extremely tight but usable in a pinch — not a bad thing when you’ve got to squeeze in four bodies for a trip to dinner or for picking up the kids. And the trunk is large for this class, easily accommodating several pieces of luggage.

Of course, all that goodwill — and your patience — is again tested by BMW’s iDrive, the rotary console knob that adds needless stress and confusion to adjusting the audio, navigation, climate and other functions.

*The vehicle tested was a BMW M6 Coupe, which differs only by virtue of its fixed roof in place of the convertible model's folding fabric top.