Autocar F13 M6 video review, states M cars have lost a bit of their driver involvement and compromised M enthusiast appeal

Love the look of the new M6 coupe. Too bad its ridiculously expensive.

Originally Posted by leo985i

Love the look of the new M6 coupe. Too bad its ridiculously expensive.

The new 6 is definitely priced rather absurdly but it certainly has a great design.

I was a huge fan of the previous M5 and M6, but felt like they could become better cars if they were more comfortable and had more torquey engines. It always seemed like the M6 in particular was trying to feel as sharp as an M3 and frankly it never came anywhere close and honestly it made no sense to try and make such a large GT car into anything else, so I'm actually glad the new M5 and M6 are much better daily cars. They're more in the mold of the big AMGs, while still being that little bit sharper and more precise with more of a focus on top-end power over low-end torque. I just hope they don't make the new M3 equally comfy, I want that one to be as sharp as the E46 M3.

Originally Posted by Remonster

I was a huge fan of the previous M5 and M6, but felt like they could become better cars if they were more comfortable and had more torquey engines.

So you feel the car should be what it is now? I think it makes it lazy and less exciting. Definitely makes it less M.

Originally Posted by Remonster

They're more in the mold of the big AMGs

Agreed. Too bad BMW stopped being themselves.

Originally Posted by Sticky

So you feel the car should be what it is now? I think it makes it lazy and less exciting. Definitely makes it less M.



Agreed. Too bad BMW stopped being themselves.

The previous M6 was never much of a sports car, and in fact an uncle of mine used to have the original (I can't remember if it was a full-on M6 or an M635CSi, he sold it before I was even a teenager and I rarely saw it) but I was talking to him recently and he said even that car wasn't such a sports car as much as it was a sporty grand tourer. Supremely comfortable and capable and more fun than most other cars, but definitely not a precise corner-carver.

So yes, I'm happy BMW finally figured out who the target audience is for the M6: bankers and doctors and lawyers in their 40s and older (you know, the guys who can afford a six-figure coupe) and these people will clearly prefer this new M6 over the old one. Anyone shopping in this price range looking for an actual sports car would (and should) get a 911.

Originally Posted by Remonster

The previous M6 was never much of a sports car

Of course not but it was definitely an M car.

Originally Posted by Remonster

So yes, I'm happy BMW finally figured out who the target audience is for the M6: bankers and doctors and lawyers in their 40s and older (you know, the guys who can afford a six-figure coupe) and these people will clearly prefer this new M6 over the old one.

They might as well drive a luxury prius then or just a 650i, how about that? The M6 isn't about being lazy and catering to the masses. It's an M car. It's supposed to scream and offer razor sharp response. It isn't for everyone and M cars were never designed to be.

Here's to selling out.

Well, from the mags and such, it does seem BMW is 1. watering down the " M series " of cars ( it's like every model has an M counterpart ), and 2. slightly treading in that water away from the beloved niche of " M ". It seems as though they're trying to cater to do too many things once. Having to comply with CAFE while still creating a car that stirs your soul is a daunting task. - I do feel it's a bit unbalanced as not everyone can afford these cars nor does everyone want them. Which would make it fair to allow automakers to have a performance division and have their mainstream cars fulfill the standards. - Add to that the constant efforts to out-do your last magnificent creation, appeal overall to a broader demographic and some loss of focus is possible. As the cars get heavier, more electronics are added, I feel the focus it being a driver's car is replaced with a car you can drive.

Is M turning into a GTR ? DCT's are surely the new sliced bread but, is that what the car is all about ? Creating a machine that can just go fast, quickly ? When I think of M, I think of more than just a car from the peformance division. I think of more than just 3 pedals, hydraulic steering, and a smooth, high reving engine. I think of a car that provides much more than just parts to make you go fast. Something that makes you feel as though the car can hear and react on your thoughts. A mechanical extension of what you personally want to do on the road. The rise of euphoria as the combination of the engine and exhaust notes strum away at your senses. It's a car for the enthusiast that doesn't just want a fast brick. Do the current M's exemplify that ? Does a recorded track of engine noise pumped into the cabin sustain the perception of what is known as ///M ? I believe they'll continue to make cars that can perform, and perform WELL but, does that still make them M cars ?

That's just my take on it anyway. Oh and I think the new M6 looks ugly. It looks like they took the previous one and flattened it out or something. Eh, to each their own.

Originally Posted by SleepersOwn

Which would make it fair to allow automakers to have a performance division and have their mainstream cars fulfill the standards.

That's how it is supposed to be.

looks phenomenal

M6 is a big car. i.e.the opposite of Motorsport. However, M has never been motorsport as they sell cars for the streets. The new M6 is a great car for what it is meant to be. GT.

Originally Posted by 654

M6 is a big car. i.e.the opposite of Motorsport.

So the M5 is opposite of Motorsport?

Originally Posted by Sticky

So the M5 is opposite of Motorsport?

I haven't really seen them racing in a motorsport event. In which class are they racing?

Originally Posted by 654

I haven't really seen them racing in a motorsport event. In which class are they racing?

You seem to be not be resolving the difference between M division street cars and their actual race cars.

I had the opportunity to hear on this weekend, it sounds like a V6 with unequal-lengthed exhaust manifolds, which isn't a compliment.

No one is buying an M6 today for raw sports-car type raw performance. It is a big GT car that is very sporty. Gorgeous design.

Originally Posted by singletrack

No one is buying an M6 today for raw sports-car type raw performance. It is a big GT car that is very sporty. Gorgeous design.

The M6 has never been about that. The issue is more the loss of classic M traits.

Originally Posted by spool twice

I had the opportunity to hear on this weekend, it sounds like a V6 with unequal-lengthed exhaust manifolds, which isn't a compliment.

Sound is a major complaint of the S63.