Test drove M6 Comp. Surprised and Disappointing.

[Damage Inc]

I currently have 2 cars - 16 535i and 14 R8 V8 - looking to consolidate to a single car. Lots of highway driving, bad Michigan roads, winter driving (with snow tires).

Looking at an M6 Gran Coupe or coupe, whichever best deal I can find.

Drove a 15 M6 comp pack w 17k miles.

Likes:
- Suspension was NOT stiff w comp pack. I read its stiff, IMO very smooth and compliant over any roads. I was shocked after reading forums stating its very stiff. The non comp pack must be too smooth?
- Luxury - while it has the "old" 5/6 platform interior still high quality.
- Seats were awesome.
- DCT - love DCT. Hate the new auto's.

Dislikes:
- Sound - too quiet in the cabin w stock exhaust. Even with ASD on not much interior cabin noise.
- Throttle blips - you could barely hear them in the cabin.
- Power - its a fast car, but not scary fast. Maybe I need to punch it

Initial impression: it is a VERY reserve car, I was expecting a more visceral experience in an M car. Although I felt the same when I stepped from my 10 M6 w E-race exhaust, drove a 13 M5 and walked away unimpressed.

I'm assuming the M6 Gran Coupe is reserve like the M6 coupe?

I might go drive an M3 sedan. I owned a 15 manual, wasn't a huge fan due to the numb steering, but I've read the comp pack fixed that.

I'm not saying I didn't LIKE the M6. Its a nice ride, but I expected a bigger step up in driving experience over my 535i M Sport in terms of sound and driving feel. I hopped back in my R8 for a quick drive, everything felt at a whole nother level - sound, luxury, feel...

Any "mods" that will wake up the M6? Exhaust is #1 on the list, but must be valved. I'm not interested in touching the suspension, it felt fine as is. Although I felt a bit more feedback in my 535i M Sport with the passive 704 suspension.

Decisions decisions...

[Cincinnatus]

How did you have the car set up? If yiu didn't adjust power/suspension/trans to Sport+, that would explain your first take.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus

How did you have the car set up? If yiu didn't adjust power/suspension/trans to Sport+, that would explain your first take.

Steering comfort
Trans Sport
Suspension comfort

What option impacts throttle response?

Would love to figure out how to get more engine sound in the cabin...

[Hotsawwce]

Sounds like you didn't set the car up properly. There are 4 things you can the the setting of and that's engine, suspension, steering, and transmission. You can pick from efficient, sport, or sport plus and for transmission it's three modes from softest to harshest shifts. For best throttle response put the engine in sport plus and imo suspension being in sport plus, it's pretty stiff. For valved exhaust I would look into eisenmann or meistershaft. Those by itself might be enough for sound but if you want more go catless downpipes. I had the Akrapovic/M Performance and it was still way too quiet but once I added catless downpipes it was heaven to my ears with the turbo spool and everything. Also get a tune from a reputable company if you want to go faster. So pretty much an exhaust and tune will fix most of your problems but can be a bit expensive with the M tax

[BMWDriverX]

Should have set it to D3, Sport+ suspension, steering, throttle response, traction control off, and you would have been blown away compared to a 535.

If you lose a little traction which you will on the stock pirellis that are probably old and dry now and sucked to begin with the ECU will cut power for traction and slow you down.

[brad850csi]

The trans has 3 shift speeds, not just sequential or drive, this is the number of bars on the gauge cluster in between the speedo and tacho. I find that the middle setting is best, setting 3 is fun once you're in 3rd gear and above but it makes my car break traction going from 2nd to 3rd which upsets the car a bit. I always drive it in sequential, so S2 for me.

Throttle should be in sport or sport plus, the difference to comfort is huge!

I normally put my suspension in sport as it makes the car feel a bit firmer overall but I can't handle sport plus as it makes the car very fidgety.

[Jeffxxx]

Like others are saying, you didn’t have the settings adjusted. You can’t even really drive the car on the street with the sport + suspension setting on because of how stiff it is. With a tune and some downpipes this car is real fast!

[Flying Ace]

I came from a E90 V8 M3, a similar car to the E63 M6. I can offer my perspectives on what you experienced.

The F gen M6 is tuned softer than the E series car. It's a very good street car and that's pretty much what it is. Don't expect the F M6 to be some track machine. My F06 M6 rides softer and more comfortable on 20s than my E90 M3 did on 19s. The F gen also has more sound deadening. The F also increased in weight by about 200 lbs over a comparable E car.

To answer you questions:

The "Rev Icon" button adjusts the throttle sensitivity akin to the E63's power button. I normally have this in comfort. I also had this setting in comfort in my 6MT M3, but it's just a driving preference. I feel anything other than comfort is a bit jerky.

The transmission setting i have set to is full sport (3 bars). On this setting i feels the transmission shifts like how a sports can should shift, and how I would normally shift in a 6MT. It's a hard shift when you're going fast, but on the street in slow partial throttle applications, it'll also shift slower. The drivelogic adjusts to the situation very well.

Suspension - I have this on comfort. It comes down to preference and road quality. I also drove in comfort on my M3.

Steering - I feel like this actually is where the M6 shines. It's still a hydraulic unit and is the last M car with a hydraulic unit. I have mine set on on sport. My friend prefers his on comfort, but I feel sport gives the proper weight and is very similar to turning on the servotronic sport in M mode in the E63/E90.

So in conclusion my settings are:
Steering - sport
Transmission - 3 bars
Everything else - your preference

Regarding sound. Yes the car is quiet with the windows up. The ZCP exhaust will sound a bit more aggressive, but it won't sound like a E-race on your V10. But come on...what car short of a race car will sound like a E-Race on a V10? That said, I have the Akrapovic on mine and unplugged the ASD and it sounds amazing both inside and out. Member kong2468 had a E-Race on his F06 and it sounded crazy loud. He now has a Akrapovic.

Finally, if you don't think the M6 is scary fast, then you haven't really driven it. The car will spin it's tires in 3rd gear at highway speeds. None of the cars you are comparing to will do this. This car is as close to a 911 Turbo S experience as you'll get without actually buying a Turbo S. I suggest you rent the car on Turo or take a dealership loaner home and drive it some more. It is stupidly faster than my V8 M3, it'll walk your R8 and quicker than your E63 in any gear.

Btw, i cannot believe you're even comparing the M6 to your 535i. The 535i can't even hold it's own to a E90 M3. You probably have way to much mentally invested into that 535i.

[Flying Ace]

To answer your question regarding the Gran coupe, it's simply a M5 with a M6 body. The M6 GC has the same wheelbase as the F10 M5. The M6 coupe rides on a shorter wheelbase.

[Damage Inc]

Hey guys, didn't mean to offend anybody. And I never said the M6 isn't fast. I just said it wasn't a big step up in driving feel and sound vs. 535i. "big step up" is subjective so probably bad choice of words by me. The 535i m sport w passive (704) suspension actually has pretty good road feel for the plush 5'er that it is. Very few 535i have it. It's almost like the old E46/E39 cars (or a hint of it).

driving feel = road feel through steering and chassis
sound = interior cabin sound from the engine / exhaust

Obviously M6 is better in both than the 535i. And significantly faster. Again, never said an M6 isnt faster than a 535i re-read my original post

I'll have to research exhaust options. I've had them all over the years.

Thanks for the comments! I'll keep researching.

[Sleazy_1981]

You have to remember that is a heavy boat so it won't have that same neck snapping throttle you may experience in a lighter chassis vehicle.

I have the OEM Akra on mine and it sounds just perfect.

If you want a thrill make sure all your settings are set for aggressive and make sure you play with the gearing accordingly. Like any turbo motor, the lag is inevitable.

Best car hands down, wouldn't trade it for the world.

Have a nice day

[BMWDriverX]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc

Hey guys, didn't mean to offend anybody. And I never said the M6 isn't fast. I just said it wasn't a big step up in driving feel and sound vs. 535i. "big step up" is subjective so probably bad choice of words by me. The 535i m sport w passive (704) suspension actually has pretty good road feel for the plush 5'er that it is. Very few 535i have it. It's almost like the old E46/E39 cars (or a hint of it).

driving feel = road feel through steering and chassis
sound = interior cabin sound from the engine / exhaust

Obviously M6 is better in both than the 535i. And significantly faster. Again, never said an M6 isnt faster than a 535i re-read my original post

I'll have to research exhaust options. I've had them all over the years.

Thanks for the comments! I'll keep researching.

Sounds like you're not accepting the fact that you did not have the car on the right settings. You can put an M6 in ECO mode and yes, it will be slower than a 535 and a Prius

[Cincinnatus]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc

Hey guys, didn't mean to offend anybody. And I never said the M6 isn't fast. I just said it wasn't a big step up in driving feel and sound vs. 535i. "big step up" is subjective so probably bad choice of words by me. The 535i m sport w passive (704) suspension actually has pretty good road feel for the plush 5'er that it is. Very few 535i have it. It's almost like the old E46/E39 cars (or a hint of it).

driving feel = road feel through steering and chassis
sound = interior cabin sound from the engine / exhaust

Obviously M6 is better in both than the 535i. And significantly faster. Again, never said an M6 isnt faster than a 535i re-read my original post

I'll have to research exhaust options. I've had them all over the years.

Thanks for the comments! I'll keep researching.

I'd urge you to find another M6 and try again with all settings on Sport+ before you buy to be sure you know what you're getting into. It's a small investment in time and a few bucks worth of gas to avoid a $35k+ mistake. You might very well find that the difference isn't worth trading out of yiur 535, but you won't know for sure until you get behind the wheel one more time.

OH, and by the way... I would urge you to absolutely NOT disable the traction control until you have some time behind the wheel. At most, go with MDM. This car goes sideways in a heartbeat. For example, I was the last in a line of 6 cars dawdling behind a front car doing 45mph when I found a straight shot to pass. I punched it, the rear kicked out and the stability control wiggled her butt back in as I shot to 100+ before I took the lead. How many cars do you know of that can spin the rear loose at that speed, or even more?

So yeah... be careful.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Sleazy_1981

You have to remember that is a heavy boat so it won't have that same neck snapping throttle you may experience in a lighter chassis vehicle.

I have the OEM Akra on mine and it sounds just perfect.

If you want a thrill make sure all your settings are set for aggressive and make sure you play with the gearing accordingly. Like any turbo motor, the lag is inevitable.

Best car hands down, wouldn't trade it for the world.

Have a nice day

Good info Sleaz. tx.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by SoCalM6GC

Sounds like you're not accepting the fact that you did not have the car on the right settings. You can put an M6 in ECO mode and yes, it will be slower than a 535 and a Prius

Ridiculous comment.

The M6 in the softest setting (regardless of settings) will have pumped out more HP than a Prius at 1000 RPMs, more than a N55 535i at 3000 RPMs, and more HP than BOTH cars combined by 5000 RPMs and that's still 2000 RPMs BELOW the car's redline HP of 560-575-600, all in a car that weighs about as much as a 535i.

Let that sink in OP....

[Xx__xs]

ya..try sport plus buddy.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Ridiculous comment.

The M6 in the softest setting (regardless of settings) will have pumped out more HP than a Prius at 1000 RPMs, more than a N55 535i at 3000 RPMs, and more HP than BOTH cars combined by 5000 RPMs and that's still 2000 RPMs BELOW the car's redline HP of 560-575-600, all in a car that weighs about as much as a 535i.

Let that sink in OP....

That is true, the ramp up in actual throttle position (well Vanos but that is another topic) vs pedal position is changed between the modes but outright power and torque and full throttle in any more is the same.

[spikespiegel]

Only point I agree with is the noise. While the CP is better than stock, it still feels a bit muted. I think BMW finally got it right with the new gen M5 /M8. The m8 comp sounds like an animal!

[XxTORONTOxX]

hahaha he had it in comfort mode the whole time. come drive my 700hp m6 in sport plus. I would smash your r8

[wazzza]

I do feel like the M6 takes a bit to get used to. Since it needs to succeed in being a luxury car and a sports car, I think they've deliberately softened it up too much in efficiency/comfort settings. The throttle response is particularly an odd one. Since it's got so much power and torque, in comfort/sport, you really got to smash the throttle to get it to take off. So I can see why you felt it was slow. That being said, you smash it too much (or set it in Sports+ and smash it), and it will go dangerously sideways... so there is definitely a sweet spot where it takes off in it's neck-jerking glory without the traction control trying to tame it too much. I find that setting is -- Comfort suspension, Sports+ throttle @ Level 2 transmission setting while pressing the accelerator at 75% if you are at gears 1-3, and 100% if you are 4+.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by utsavized

I do feel like the M6 takes a bit to get used to. Since it needs to succeed in being a luxury car and a sports car, I think they've deliberately softened it up too much in efficiency/comfort settings. The throttle response is particularly an odd one. Since it's got so much power and torque, in comfort/sport, you really got to smash the throttle to get it to take off. So I can see why you felt it was slow. That being said, you smash it too much (or set it in Sports+ and smash it), and it will go dangerously sideways... so there is definitely a sweet spot where it takes off in it's neck-jerking glory without the traction control trying to tame it too much. I find that setting is -- Comfort suspension, Sports+ throttle @ Level 2 transmission setting while pressing the accelerator at 75% if you are at gears 1-3, and 100% if you are 4+.

With Michelin’s I can be at 100% in 2nd assuming the road is smooth and dry. 3rd is fine unless it is wet