The BMW M6 - What do you think? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 12-31-2002, 05:10 PM

My Mechanic has a BMW M6 for sale. It's either an 87 or 88 (not sure forgot to ask). It's black in color, and black leather interior (which still has that nice BMW leather smell BTW)

It doesn't have any rust anywhere, it's a Euro M6 (short bumpers, etc.)

The engine bay was clean however the car was overall really dusty (been off the road since winter started).

He mentioned a few things that will need to be replaced (air mass sensor or something, a brake part and the rear bumper needs to be straightened out (parking lot incident) )

Oh, a 5-speed manual...

I love this model BMW however... how are these cars to maintain?
or am I still better off trying to find a Mercedes SEC? I kinda like the BMW more in some ways....

I could see that it's definitely a clean car.. 73000 mi. or maybe km's.

The cat needs to be put back on as the current "off-road use" exhaust doesn't have one

What do you guys think? How much is this car worth?

Is there a forum like this for the M6 / 6-series?
I see a lot for 3-series and 5... but not really for these older bimmers.

Thanks & Happy New Year!

need2speed · #2 12-31-2002, 06:42 PM

Holson, you really have an eye for beauty! IMHO the M6 is the best lookin BMW of the last 30 years.

tkd_M119 · #3 12-31-2002, 10:25 PM

I've heard that the M6 can be an "expensive mistress" - Parts can be quite expensive. That said, the 6 series is one of my favorite coupes and the M6 being the best of the series. Looks best with Euro bumpers IMHO. Don't know how much these are worth but I think one must ask "How much do I love this car?" I think this is what matters most.

#4 12-31-2002, 10:35 PM

Put an M on any BMW and the price of repairs doubles. Make sure you drive it from a cold start (espically on a cold morining if possible the BMW 5 speeds show there weakness then) If it doesnt always want to go into first you may have some tranny work ahead.
eeemmm and M6 would be nice to have around.

look on the rim to check if they are TRX's not at the tire because you can put a 195/70r14 on a TRX rim and get a price on the mass airflow sensor if that is the problem some can get to be pretty price.

Oh yeah and since it's a euro and it's an M be prepared for the insurance

tkd_M119 · #5 12-31-2002, 11:27 PM

Didn't the M6 come with 50 series P7s (something like 245/50/16)? I remember P7s being the cutting edge of technology of the time.

Holson Adi · #6 01-01-2003, 01:50 AM

yeah it definitely looks awesome with the Euro bumpers.

BTW, It has some fancy really nice BBS 18" wheels and Potenza S-02 tires!
The tires + wheels alone are probably worth quite a bit :p They seem new.. no curb rash very clean, etc. and lots of rubber left.

hhmmm the fact that parts can be expensive and neverending electrical issues just sound like a recipe for disaster..

I have to start some reading on these cars..

thanks for the Tranny Tip Benzman, I'll keep that in mind..

placo1 · #7 01-01-2003, 04:14 AM

Holson,

You have good taste, the M6 has been one of my favorite BMW's of all time. It is beautiful and unique and has to be one of the few Beemers that really stands out in my mind. I hardly ever see them but when I do I usually stare!

I would go through the same procedure you go through with any car you want to purchase. Find another mechanic to have the car checked out unless you really really trust your mechanic. Good luck and if you decide not to buy it I'm sure a good 500E will cross your path.

#8 01-01-2003, 05:57 PM

If I could find a M6 in good condition I would be all over it. I personally think it was one of the nicest cars ever.

blackmercedes · #9 01-01-2003, 06:19 PM

An M6 is a very cool car, but the earlier comments about expensive parts is right on the money. I had a friend with one, and it was deadly reliable, very fast, and awesome looking. But, when it did need an M specific part, it was wallet busting.

The engine is unique M, and anything engine related is mucho bucks.

For those liking the look, but not in need of M cache or performance, the 635 is a great alternative.

#10 01-01-2003, 06:51 PM

If you still want the 24 valve Motorsport 3.5 liter, albeit in a different body, a 1988 M5 might be to your liking also. I heard in some BMW forum that the 6 has lots of electrical quirks, although you'd have to verify that for yourself.

-Sam

rickg · #11 01-01-2003, 07:33 PM

Holson & I started talking about these cars over in the diesel forum(go figure!

) I too would like to pick up a M6 or a nice 635 CSI, but after hearing about some of the warnings, maybe not. But then I like Audi's from about the same era, so am used to self-abuse

Electrical gremlins are a major prob with Audis' of the 80's. Not a hinderence IF you don't mind tinkering with your car, and know how to track down and fix electrical glitches. But if you have to take them to a shop, it can get expensive real fast. Parts usually aren't that expensive, but can be very labor intensive for a shop to track down and find the faulty componant. If you pick up one of these cars, may want to make sure you have a shop nearby that knows these cars inside and out, and are familiar with the usual problems. Since you found this car at a shop, they may be your best bet.

Holson Adi · #12 01-01-2003, 10:54 PM

Thanks guys,

After all these warnings maybe I should just forget the M6 for now. While I'm sure I could tackle the electrical problems myself if I devote the time.. I won't have time during school year and since that is my priority I guess I'll let this M6 pass.

However it's definitely one of my dream cars. I agree it's one of the most (if not the most) beautiful BMW's.
I've loved it ever since I was a little kid. I assembled plastic models of both the 500SEC (with the Euro wheel covers

) and a silver BMW 635CSi.

Glad to know that some other people like it too!

I particularly love the front end design of it. It is unmistakably a BMW!

The car that I'm looking at has the Recaro-looking leather seats which I believe are standard equipments.

oh well back to the 500E I guess. In fact I'm just looking for something out of the ordinary (from BMW or MB).

seacoast_benz · #13 01-03-2003, 06:48 PM

Thought about buying an M6 a couple of years ago, when a well kept example went up for sale locally.

I passed, for two reasons:

(a) The clutch in the older M cars is a bear. Really, unless you are a bodybuilder, it requires enough work that your left leg would speedily become asymmetrically larger versus your right. I'm not joking! Feels like a Nautilus machine.

(b) Couldn't verify the entire service history. If the M5/M6 I-6 engine overheats even slightly, the head will warp. It's not field repairable except in rare instances. And a new one costs about 10K USD. Again, I'm not joking.

s/b