2013 m6 vs 2016 m3 **PLEASE CHIME IN**

[YoBi]

Hello all,

Been following this forum for a while. Wanted to get your insight/opinions regarding these 2 fine vehicles: 2013 m6 vs 2016 m3 (6 spd manual, exec, lighting, extended leather).

I am in the market and can't really decide. I'm looking at a cpo'd m6 with 25k miles vs m3 with with 7k miles. Both are very similarly priced.

My previous daily was a f10 550 m sport with c7 z06 and gt4 as wknd cars but those are all gone now () so I need one car that does many things well and checks multiple boxes (until I can do 570s in about 2 years). In terms of my driving, I rarely do track days, but do enjoy weekend spirited drives. My daily commute is about 13 miles each way, mainly highway driving.


My thoughts are below (I've driven both of these a handful of times, only 1x in DCT M3 though):

M6:
this is a refined beast. luxurious, fast, comfortable. I like the power delivery, sounds nice (much better than m3 at least), and the ability to greatly enhance sound with turner muffler delete or aftermarket exhaust is appealing. obviously, the weight is it's handicap. While it does feel large, the power/torque helps your overlook at how big it is. Great tuning potential, extremely rare.

M3:
aesthetically, I love how it looks. Love the wide hips and how it flares/bubbles out at the fenders. LCI tailights look sweet! Love the fact its a 6 speed manual. In terms of power delivery, it's kind of violent/abrasive WOT between 2-5.5k rpm in 1st or 2nd, no? I hear more road noise in m3 compared to m6 which felt more insulated. Not a huge fan of the sound. I know this has been a contentious point when it comes to the m3, but for me sound has A LOT to do with driving experience. The aural aspects of driving a car that sounds beastly (like a nat aspirated e60 m5, w204 c63, or gt3/gt4) greatly enhances the joys of driving. Anyhow, in the handling department feels more nimble than m6 but not that by THAT much more. Of course, this difference will be magnified on the track.


Anyhow, I'll stop now. Please chime in: 2013 cpo'd m6 or 2016 m3 6spd, exec, lighting, ext lthr?


Thanks!!

[devondragon]

" I rarely do track days, but do enjoy weekend spirited drives. My daily commute is about 13 miles each way, mainly highway driving."

Get the M6 I had a lovely E92 M3 before I moved up to the M6, and while it is bigger/heavier, it's an AMAZING car, and other than track days, will be a better driving experience for you I think...

But really either car will be fun

[mjposner]

I came from an E93 M3 and looked at an M4 versus M6 and for less money (2013 M6 versus 2015 M4) I got better looking interior, better sound (HK Premium is weak), heated and cooled seats with message, night vision and a classier ride. Also, I have heard that the M4 is a step down from teh previous generation on the street (but not on the track). I also believe that the 6 speed manual is not a goood choice as these cars were built hand in hand with the dct and the six speed is an afterthought to satisfy the US market. The only negative I have with the M6 is it is very long (and I have lightly scrapped the front twice alread arrgggh)

[M6-Coupe]

I would say M6 for sure... no comparison at all...it's like Night and Day; however after 3 years driving M6 now it's time to change for me and I'm gonna go for M4.... fair enough?

[Dr Thrillride]

The drop in power where you want it may be a disappointment if you get the M3.

[YoBi]

thank you all for the feedback. I have decided on the m6 but unfortunately the one I was looking at sold before making an offer.

I've been having another thought....only because I think the demand for the following vehicle will go up greatly as nat. aspirated, big displacement engines become a relic. Everything is being down sized/ forced induction to comply with emission standards. BMW's only nat aspirated v10?......e60 m5?


It's half the price of a cpo'd m6, v10 monster, 6 speed manual. The only issues that I've read about are with the SMG transmission but I heard the 6 speed manual is fairly reliable and robust. It it a bad idea to buy a preowned e60 m5 with sub 50k miles, 6 speed, withouth a warranty? If not, could I get an aftermarket warranty and up to how many miles and which company.

as for now, I'm still looking for m6's but I'm definitely wondering about this new interest I have of the E60....

[tampaturbom3]

I had the same challenge... I've had multiple M3's, and M5 (e39), z06, modded Supra, & currently have a modded 335 xdrive.
I compared a lot of cars (GTR, Jag F Type, C63 AMG, E63 AMG and some others I can't remember now)... the final 2 winners were the M6 or an M4 (I like the coupe versions) and after thinking it through,,, I like the quality of the interior of the M6 over the M4 (I drive 60 miles daily M-F) and spending that much time in it, I wanted to have the nicer environment.
Next is the engine- V8 turbo or basically the same motor that my 335 has (turbo inline 6)... I love the HP that just DP's and a tune give the M6 and the sound is way better in the M6 too. The tune for the M6 seems to give a lot more bang for the buck than the M4.
I do like the "razor sharp" suspension feel of the M4 over the M6's more weight... but that was the only thing I really liked better so I put the deposit on the M6 today.

[mjposner]

tampaturbom3- I felt the same way, just a nicer cabin in the M6.

[ChrisCM6]

Ive had several E92 M3's and an F82 M4 (modded), but the M4 just did not live up to the M3 (well M4) title imo. Felt more like a non M car for some reason. Issues with putting the power down, and on track i did not get on with it.

Downsides were, engine note, exhaust sound - no matter what system it still sounded like an M135 lol. Steering was heavy, interior was better than the 92 but still felt cheap, lots of plastic and like the wifes F31 320d!

Positives were, lots of tuning options (i had Manhart tuning box) and loads of add on goodies.

The M6 is in a different league, cant fault it at all bar one thing! The actual size of it! But if you can live with that, then its just an amazing car! Its bordering in hypercar fast, well remapped it is, simple. And handles its weight well. Only done one track day so far, but i was seriously impressed. And mine is a vert, but comp pack.

[mjposner]

ChrisCM6...I too had several E93s M3s, and at the price the M4 did not seem that special. I went with the M6 and like you I also have only one complaint, the size. I have lightly nipped the left front twice in tight parking spaces. All fixed, but now I am paranoid!

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by mjposner

ChrisCM6...I too had several E93s M3s, and at the price the M4 did not seem that special. I went with the M6 and like you I also have only one complaint, the size. I have lightly nipped the left front twice in tight parking spaces. All fixed, but now I am paranoid!

I had two different experiences this week. First I went to a short road trip with 3 passengers in the car (M4). I really missed the power of M6 and the fantastic V8TT. That engine was ready to deliver more power on demand at any time and any speed no matter how many people are in the car. The other day I went to a beautiful mountain road trip by myself and I enjoyed the agility of M4... So you are right the only complaint about M6 is size (and a little over weight) but as a highway cruiser or a powerful sport-luxury car is the top of the BMW lineup!