BMW M6

BMW M6: which generation to buy

Three generations, three body labels, three cylinder counts.

Three generations, three body labels, three cylinder counts.

What changed, in numbers:

• Displacement: 3453 cc (1 generation) → 4999 cc (2 generation, +1546 cc) → 4395 cc (3 generation, −604 cc versus 2 generation).
• Cylinders: 6 → 10 → 8, all V-shaped. Boost: No on 1 and 2 generation, Turbo on every 3 generation version.
• Peak power: 286 hp max in 1 generation, 507 hp in 2 generation (+221 hp), 600 hp in 3 generation (+93 hp versus 2 generation, +314 hp versus 1 generation).
• Power per litre (displacement as given, litres = cc / 1000): 3.5 MT 260 hp → 75.3 hp/l; 3.5 MT 286 hp → 82.8 hp/l; every 5.0 507 hp → 101.4 hp/l; 4.4 560 hp → 127.4 hp/l; 4.4 575 hp → 130.8 hp/l; 4.4 600 hp → 136.5 hp/l. The 3 generation 4.4 litre engine makes 35.1 hp/l more than the 2 generation 5.0 at the 600 hp tune.
• Drive is RWD on every version in all three generations.
• Fuel: 92 on 1 generation, 98 on 2 and 3 generation.
• Tank: 70 l (1 and 2 generation) vs 80 l (3 generation, +10 l).
• Ground clearance: not measured (1 generation); 110 or 140 mm (2 generation); 107 mm on every 3 generation version (3 mm below the 110 mm 2 generation cars, 33 mm below the 140 mm 2 generation cars).

If the question is “fastest 0–100,” the answer is 3 generation 4.4 DSG 600 hp at 3.8 s. If the question is “lightest,” the answer is 1 generation 3.5 MT 286 hp at 1500 kg. If the question is “most power per kilogram,” 3 generation 4.4 DSG 600 hp at 1850 kg is 3.08 kg/hp; 2 generation 5.0 MT 1710 kg is 3.37 kg/hp; 1 generation 3.5 MT 286 hp is 5.24 kg/hp.

Engines and specs

Exact names as in the database. Same name, different power: always keep the hp figure next to the name.

1 generation Coupe, 1984–1989 — both named 3.5 MT

Both: Front, longitudinal, Distributed injection (multi-point), bore/stroke 93.4 × 84, power at 6500 rpm, torque at 4500 rpm. Compression ratio: not measured. Valves per cylinder: not listed in a separate English field in the source rows used here — do not invent.

Wait I should not invent valves - 1 gen might have klapanov. I didn't print them for gen 1... I didn't include klapanov in print for gen1. From typical data they might have 4. I should not invent if I didn't extract. I extracted klapanov_na_cilindr_en for gen3 as 4. For gen1 I didn't print. Safer skip valves for gen1 or assume they're in data.

The user's JSON for gen1 was truncated. From my python print I didn't show klapanov for gen1. Let me check - I didn't print that field. I'll say 4 only if I know. I'll grep quickly... I already have the parse. For gen 1 I didn't output cilindrov wait I did cilindrov=6. I didn't output valves. I'll omit valves for 1 gen or write not measured if null.

I'll not mention valves for gen1 unless sure.

2 generation Cabrio, 2005–2010 — 5.0 DSG twice, 5.0 MT twice, all 507 hp

All four: 507 hp / 373 kW at 7750 rpm, 520 Nm at 6100 rpm, 4999 cc, Gasoline, 98, 10 cylinders V-shaped, boost No, RWD, compression 12, bore 92 × 75.2.

The two 5.0 DSG rows match on power, torque, 0–100 (4.6 s), kerb (1715 kg), clearance (110 mm) and consumption. They are not separable by those numbers. The two 5.0 MT rows are separable: 2005 kg vs 1710 kg, 4.6 s vs 4.4 s, clearance 140 mm on both, consumption not measured on both, Euro 4 on both.

3 generation Cabrio, 2012–2018 — 4.4 MT and 4.4 DSG

Shared hardware on all ten: 4395 cc, Gasoline, 98, 8 cylinders V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct), compression 10, RWD. Power band 6000–7000 rpm. Independent, spring front and rear. Ventilated disc front; rear label Disc ventilated.

Distinguish 4.4 DSG by hp, then by 0–100 and kerb:

Bore/stroke is 89 × 88.3 on the first eight 3 generation versions and 88.3 × 89.9 on the last two 4.4 DSG (575 hp at 1875 kg and 560 hp at 1875 kg). That is a 1.6 mm stroke increase and a 0.7 mm bore decrease; displacement in the data stays 4395 cc.

Performance and economy

Top speed is 250 km/h on every 2 generation and 3 generation version. 1 generation: 242 km/h on 3.5 MT 260 hp and 255 km/h on 3.5 MT 286 hp — the only M6 in this set above 250 km/h, and the only one below it.

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest:

1. 3 generation 4.4 DSG 600 hp, 1850 kg: 3.8 s 2. same name, 600 hp, 1850 kg: 4.0 s (0.2 s slower at the same kerb and 700 Nm) 3. 4.4 DSG 575 hp, 1850 kg and 1875 kg: 4.1 s 4. 4.4 DSG 575 hp, 1980 kg: 4.2 s; 4.4 DSG 560 hp at 1850 kg and at 1875 kg: 4.2 s 5. 4.4 DSG 560 hp, 1980 kg: 4.3 s 6. 2 generation 5.0 MT 1710 kg: 4.4 s 7. 3 generation 4.4 MT 1914 kg: 4.6 s; 2 generation 5.0 DSG 1715 kg: 4.6 s; 2 generation 5.0 MT 2005 kg: 4.6 s 8. 3 generation 4.4 MT 2032 kg: 4.7 s 9. 1 generation 3.5 MT 286 hp: 6.4 s 10. 1 generation 3.5 MT 260 hp: 6.9 s

The 3.8 s 4.4 DSG is 0.9 s faster than the heaviest 4.4 MT (4.7 s) at the same 4.4 litre family. Versus 2 generation’s best (4.4 s) it is 0.6 s faster. Versus 1 generation’s best (6.4 s) it is 2.6 s faster.

Manual versus robotic in 3 generation, same 560 hp: 4.4 MT 2032 kg 4.7 s vs 4.4 DSG 1980 kg 4.3 s (0.4 s); 4.4 MT 1914 kg 4.6 s vs 4.4 DSG 1850 kg 4.2 s (0.4 s again). The gearbox change plus 52–64 kg is worth 0.4 s at 560 hp.

Mixed consumption:

• 3 generation 4.4 DSG light group (1850 / 1875 kg): 9.9 l/100 km (city 14 / highway 7.6).
• 3 generation 4.4 DSG 1980 kg: 10.3 (city 14.4 / highway 7.9) — +0.4 mixed.
• 3 generation 4.4 MT both kerbs: 13.8 (city 15.7 / highway 10.7) — +3.9 versus the 9.9 DSG group.
• 2 generation 5.0 DSG: 14.8 (city 22.7 / highway 10.2) — +4.9 versus 9.9; city is 8.7 l/100 km above the 3 generation DSG city figure of 14.
• 2 generation 5.0 MT: city, highway, mixed all not measured.
• 1 generation 3.5 MT 286 hp: 11.3 mixed (16.5 / 7.8); 260 hp: 11.9 (17.6 / 8.1). The 1980s Coupe uses less mixed fuel than 2 generation 5.0 DSG (14.8) and less than 3 generation 4.4 MT (13.8), and more than 3 generation 4.4 DSG 9.9–10.3.

CO2: 232 g/km on the 9.9 l/100 km 4.4 DSG cars; 239 g/km on the 10.3 cars; not measured on both 4.4 MT, both 5.0 DSG, both 5.0 MT, and both 3.5 MT. Eco class: Euro 5 on those 3 generation DSG rows that have CO2; not measured on 3 generation MT; Euro 4 on both 2 generation 5.0 MT; not measured on both 5.0 DSG and both 1 generation cars.

Range at mixed figure and tank (tank / mixed × 100): 3 generation DSG 9.9 with 80 l → 808 km; DSG 10.3 → 777 km; MT 13.8 → 580 km; 2 generation DSG 14.8 with 70 l → 473 km; 1 generation 286 hp 11.3 with 70 l → 619 km; 260 hp 11.9 → 588 km. 5.0 MT range from mixed: not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance 107 mm is fixed across all ten 3 generation versions. 2 generation splits: 110 mm on both 5.0 DSG (1715 kg) and 140 mm on both 5.0 MT. 1 generation clearance: not measured.

Kerb vs gross:

• 1 generation: 1515 / 1865 kg (3.5 MT 260 hp); 1500 / 1850 kg (3.5 MT 286 hp). Payload 350 kg on both (1865−1515, 1850−1500).
• 2 generation: 1715 / 2200 kg (5.0 DSG) payload 485 kg; 2005 / 2200 kg (5.0 MT heavy) payload 195 kg; 1710 / 2200 kg (5.0 MT light) payload 490 kg. Same 2200 kg gross on all four; the heavy 5.0 MT is 290 kg above the light 5.0 MT at the same 507 hp.
• 3 generation: 2032 / 2410 kg (4.4 MT 4.7 s) payload 378 kg; 1980 / 2410 kg (1980 kg DSG pair) payload 430 kg; 1850 / 2350 kg (1850 kg group, including both 600 hp cars) payload 500 kg; 1914 / 2350 kg (4.4 MT 4.6 s) payload 436 kg; 1875 / 2410 kg (last two DSG) payload 535 kg.

Heaviest M6 here: 3 generation 4.4 MT 2032 kg. Lightest: 1 generation 3.5 MT 286 hp 1500 kg (532 kg less). Inside 3 generation the spread is 2032−1850 = 182 kg.

Wheels: 1 generation — not measured. 2 generation — 255/40 R19 and 285/35 R19 on all four. 3 generation — 265/40 R19 and 295/35 R19 on most DSG; 4.4 MT both kerbs also list 265/35 R20 and 295/30 R20; the last two 4.4 DSG (1875 kg) list only 265/35 R20 and 295/30 R20.

Suspension is Independent, spring at both ends on every generation. Front brakes Ventilated disc throughout. Rear: mix of Disc and Disc ventilated as in the spec table; do not treat those two English labels as the same string.

Which version to choose

Want the smallest 0–100 number: 3 generation 4.4 DSG 600 hp, 1850 kg, 3.8 s, 700 Nm, 9.9 l/100 km mixed, 232 CO2, Euro 5, 3.08 kg/hp, 136.5 hp/l. The other 4.4 DSG 600 hp at the same 1850 kg and 700 Nm is 4.0 s — same power, 0.2 s slower. That 0.2 s is the only measured performance gap between the two 600 hp rows.

Want 3 generation without the 600 hp tune: 4.4 DSG 575 hp at 1850 kg (4.1 s, 9.9 mixed) is 25 hp and 20 Nm below 600 hp and 0.3 s slower than 3.8 s. 4.4 DSG 575 hp at 1980 kg is 4.2 s and 10.3 mixed: +130 kg versus 1850 kg, +0.1 s versus the light 575, +0.4 l/100 km. 4.4 DSG 575 hp at 1875 kg matches the 4.1 s of the 1850 kg 575 but uses 88.3 × 89.9 bore/stroke and 20-inch wheels only.

Want 560 hp: prefer 4.4 DSG 1850 kg (4.2 s, 9.9) over 4.4 DSG 1980 kg (4.3 s, 10.3) over 4.4 MT 1914 kg (4.6 s, 13.8, CO2 not measured) over 4.4 MT 2032 kg (4.7 s, 13.8). The 2032 kg manual is 182 kg and 0.9 s behind the 1850 kg 600 hp DSG, and 3.9 l/100 km thirstier on mixed.

Want a clutch pedal in 3 generation: only 4.4 MT. Both are 560 hp / 680 Nm / Manual 6. Take 1914 kg (4.6 s, gross 2350, 20-inch sizes listed) over 2032 kg (4.7 s, gross 2410) unless the extra 118 kg is irrelevant. Both manuals leave CO2 and eco class not measured.

Want the 10-cylinder Cabrio: 2 generation only. Power does not choose for you — all four are 507 hp / 520 Nm. Choose by mass and gearbox:

• Fastest 2 generation: 5.0 MT 1710 kg, 4.4 s, 140 mm clearance, Euro 4, consumption not measured, 3.37 kg/hp.
• Same gearbox, avoid the 5.0 MT 2005 kg: +295 kg, 4.6 s (0.2 s slower), payload only 195 kg.
• 5.0 DSG 1715 kg, 4.6 s, 110 mm, 14.8 mixed, 70 l. Two database rows share this set of numbers. Direct injection (direct) vs the MT’s Distributed injection (multi-point) is the fuel-system split, not a power split.

Want the Coupe and the lowest kerb: 1 generation. 3.5 MT 286 hp vs 3.5 MT 260 hp: +26 hp, +10 Nm, −15 kg, −0.5 s (6.4 vs 6.9), +13 km/h v-max (255 vs 242), −0.6 l/100 km mixed (11.3 vs 11.9). There is no automatic in 1 generation. The 286 hp car is 82.8 hp/l against 75.3; still 18.6 hp/l below 2 generation’s 101.4 and 53.7 hp/l below 3 generation’s 600 hp tune.

Cross-generation arithmetic that actually changes the choice:

• 3 generation 600 hp vs 2 generation 507 hp: +93 hp, +180 Nm (700 vs 520), −0.6 s vs best 2 generation, −4.9 l/100 km mixed vs 5.0 DSG, +10 l tank, −3 mm vs DSG clearance or −33 mm vs MT clearance. Kerb 1850 vs 1710: the newer peak-power car is 140 kg heavier than the lightest 2 generation 5.0 MT.
• 3 generation 560 hp 4.4 MT 2032 kg vs 2 generation 5.0 MT 1710 kg: +53 hp, +322 kg, 4.7 vs 4.4 s — the older, lighter manual still wins 0–100 by 0.3 s.
• 2 generation 507 hp vs 1 generation 286 hp: +221 hp, +180 Nm, 4.4 vs 6.4 s on the best of each, +210 kg (1710 vs 1500), mixed 14.8 vs 11.3 on the cars that have a mixed figure.
• kg/hp: 3 generation 600 hp 1850 kg = 3.08; 2 generation 1710 kg = 3.37; 1 generation 286 hp 1500 kg = 5.24. The 3 generation peak is 0.29 kg/hp lighter than the best 2 generation car despite weighing 140 kg more, because 93 extra hp more than covers the mass.

Reliability / problems: this dataset has no failure rates, no service intervals, no recall counts. Those are not measured here. What is measured and does affect ownership cost in the sheet is fuel: 9.9 versus 13.8 versus 14.8 l/100 km mixed, tank 70 versus 80 l, fuel grade 92 versus 98, and eco class Euro 4 / Euro 5 / not measured.

Short list: buy 4.4 DSG 600 hp 3.8 s if the catalogue’s 3 generation Cabrio is in play and the 0–100 column is the ranking; buy 4.4 DSG 575 hp 1850 kg if 25 hp less is acceptable for the same 9.9 mixed; buy 4.4 MT 1914 kg only for the 6-speed Manual; buy 5.0 MT 1710 kg if the 10-cylinder and 140 mm clearance matter more than the missing consumption figures; buy 3.5 MT 286 hp if the Coupe and 1500 kg matter more than a 6.4 s 0–100. Do not buy the 2005 kg 5.0 MT or the 2032 kg 4.4 MT unless those heavier rows are the only cars on the lot: each is the slowest manual of its generation in this table.