The BMW 6 Series is an icon. First introduced in 1976, BMW initially discontinued the 6 series in 1989 before being introduced in 2003. For a luxury car with a powerful engine that can comfortably seat four people, the 6 series is relatively cheap.
The low value is shocking when you consider this a premium brand. Its production was discontinued in 2019, so supply is finite, and the car has always had a powerful engine through the generations. We often wondered why makes the BMW 6 series was cheap, we looked around, and this is what we found.
Reason Why the BMW 6 Series Is Cheap
Car Design
The consensus is the 6 series is that they look awkward (if we are kind). Especially the early part of the second generation (2003-2010) and the early part of the third generation (2011-2018).
The car design looks bloated for a coupe and convertible (again, we are kind). BMW has made some awesome cars, design-wise (some generations of the 3 and 5 series come to mind).
The interior is luxurious but can be a little cramped, especially for those sitting at the back. The combination of a not so breathtaking exterior and a cramped interior ensures to drive down the price of the used 6 series.
Engine Structure
When BMW reintroduced the 6 series in 2003, a V10 combined with a 7-speed automated manual transmission powered the car. While that provides a lot of power, recent years of rising fuel costs mean it is not practical to have such high petrol or diesel consumer in their garages.
The third generation 6 series has either an I-6 or a V-8 engine. There’s an improvement in fuel efficiency, but it still guzzles a lot of fuel. Some people love the powerful sound that the machine emits or the thrill of driving a powerful engine. Most people, however, don’t care for either the V10 or V8 6 series engines. This disdain for the engines has contributed to the low price of the 6 series.
Production Line
Another reason for the relatively low value of the 6 series is the car’s production line. The 6 series are produced alongside four other and ten models in the famed Dinolfing Plant located in Lower Bavaria, Germany.
In this vast industrial complex, a synergy ensures that cars are produced as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
There’s a plant in the complex that produces car chassis and drive components. Another plant also located in the Dinolfing Complex is where the vehicles are made. There are sections for training, spare part delivery, production of the Rolls Royce bodies, E-Drive production, and so on.
This synergy within the production line helped lower production costs, increase productivity, and lower the final cost of the 6 series.
Company Direction
Due to low demand in the 6 series, BMW quietly decided to phase out the entire line in 2019. They replaced the 6 series with the 8 series line. The decision of the company to move away from producing the car marks the second time BMW will phase out production of the 6 series after first ending production in the 70s.
When BMW reintroduced the car, the 6 series captured a niche in the market. As rivals like the Audi A5, Mercedes E-Class Coupe, S-Class Coupe cropped up, their market value dropped. Adding Gran Coupe and the M6 coupe turned the tide a little, but it didn’t help.
BMW decided to reintroduce the 2-door 8 series coupe and convertible in 2018, and the response was excellent. Somewhere along the line, the company decided to cut its losses on the 6-series and move on with the 8-series.
Change in company direction became a factor in driving down the prices of the used BMW 6 series.
Maintenance Costs
In general, BMW maintenance costs are a bit on the high side. It costs an average of $1,000-$1,700 to maintain and repair a BMW. The 6 series is no different. Its maintenance cost is higher than the average for car brands.
For a car that is no longer in circulation, with higher than average maintenance costs, the only way the price for such a car to go is down.
Car Technology
Reliability Issues
BMW has always made long-lasting cars, but the 6 series has some glaring reliability issues that car owners want to avoid the vehicle. Listed here are some of the reliability issues for the BMW 6 series.
- Variable Valve Timing System
This problem plagued the second generation of the BMW 6 series. The actual problem stems from the VVT oil line. There have been cases of oil leaks into the engine from the VVT oil line. The result is a rattling sound in the engine and the check engine indicator lighting up your dashboard.
The cost of fixing this problem is on the high side.
- Valvetronic Intermediate Levers
Sometimes, innovative technology can be a little tricky. This tricky innovation is the case with the second-generation acceleration system. When the car comes on, the driver will experience the vehicle maintain an irregular idle speed for about 15-20 seconds before going back to average idle speed.
Also, the check engine light may come on. The problem is the intermediate levers if the powertrain is scanned and a misfiring code comes up.
- Unpredictable VANOS System
This issue plagues a lot of BMWs, including the sixth-generation I-6 engines. The VANOS system is an improvement of the VVT system. However, like its predecessor, there are problems with oil leaks in the system.
When this oil leak occurs, the car goes limp, and the check engine indicator comes on. The cost of repair for the VANOS is expensive. When getting a used F12, check that the VANOS system is functioning correctly before purchasing.
- High Oil Consumption
This high oil consumption usually happens in the 6 series with 4.4-liter V8 engines (the 650i category). The heat produced in the car’s engine bay causes a breakdown of some parts in the crankcase.
The breakdown leads to the car consuming huge amounts of oils, blue smoke coming out of the exhaust, and a check engine sign turning up on the indicator.
- Fuel Pump
The 650i has a problem with its high-pressure fuel pump. The valve that regulates the quantity of fuel that enters the pump fails and causes the car’s engine to underpower.
When you notice reduced engine power and a check engine indicator on your dash, it is almost certain that there is a problem with the high-pressure fuel pump. Replacing the fuel pumps is the only way to stop this problem when it arises.
Is the BMW 6 Series Reliable?
We are using the 2019 6 series as a case study. The car has a slightly above average J.D. Power reliability ratings of three and a half stars. This rating means that the 2019 6 series is better than average when it comes to reliability. It also means that for its class, the 2019 6 series has one of the reliability ratings.
Also, there are no crash and safety scores for the 2019 6 series because no crash tests were conducted on it.
How Many Miles Does A BMW 6 Series Last?
On average, the 6 series last for about 100,000 miles. If the car owners maintain their cars well and carry out routine service checks, their car can last as long as 250,000 miles.
Tips to Follow When Buying a Used 6 Series
- Check the valves, hoses, and oil levels before buying. The 6 series consume and leak a lot of oil, confirm that all possible sources of leakage are examined thoroughly before purchasing.
- If you are buying a 6 series with a petrol engine, look at the dashboard for the check engine indicator. A check engine indicator might mean various things, from lousy camshaft sensors to oil leaks into the engine.
- If you are buying a diesel engine, examine the engine’s turbo converters and vacuum pipes. It is also possible that the engine’s inlet manifolds leak.
- Check the sump cover. It is possible that cracks and starts to leak oil.
- While test driving, if you feel a slight shaking when you press on the brake pedal, then check the control struts in front. There is a possibility of leaking shock absorbers.
- Another important tip is to check for rust.
Conclusion
The BMW 6 series is a large luxury car with a powerful engine. The car was already an icon when BMW reintroduced the car in 2003, and several generations later, the 6 series is still a great car. Despite its various problems, there 6 series is a reliable car.
The fact that it has poor fuel efficiency, cramped backspace, or discontinued doesn’t mean the car is terrible. Follow the tips before buying a used 6 series, and enjoy a pleasant drive with a powerful engine and a luxurious interior.
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