Generation-specific owner insights from 25+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?151
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2011–2018
5
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the F12-generation 6 Series are broadly positive about the car's looks, road presence, and grand-touring character, with several describing it as the best or most enjoyable car they have owned.
6 problems reported (2 recurrent, 4 isolated) · medium confidence
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors the 640i with the N55 engine over the 650i and M6, based on lower maintenance costs and fewer reported reliability concerns, but no single trim or model year is agreed upon as best.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes CLS, BMW 5 Series, BMW 4 Series convertible, BMW 2 Series (M235i) and Cadillac CT6.
Is a 2011–2018 6 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the F12-generation 6 Series are broadly positive about the car's looks, road presence, and grand-touring character, with several describing it as the best or most enjoyable car they have owned. Praise centers on styling, interior quality, available technology, and strong performance, while criticism focuses on running costs, depreciation, and the risk of expensive repairs. The 640i with the N55 engine is repeatedly framed as the more sensible choice, whereas the 650i and M6 with the N63 twin-turbo V8 draw caution for reliability and maintenance burden. Sentiment is more cautious in discussions about the V8 cars and more enthusiastic in discussions about the six-cylinder and diesel variants.
Owners position the 6 Series as better looking and sportier than the Mercedes CLS, with one describing it as feeling more raw and sportier on the road, while conceding the Mercedes has the better infotainment and navigation system. Against the 5 Series, owners describe the 6 Series as essentially the same car underneath but sportier, more exclusive, and less practical, with one noting it is basically a 5 Series with a sexier body. Against the 4 Series convertible, owners note the 6 Series depreciates faster, which is why the two can be priced closely, and that the same money can buy the V8 in the 6. One owner suggested a used 2 Series M235i as an alternative to a rebuilt-title 6 Series.
Owners recommend the 640i over the 650i specifically because it avoids the N63 twin-turbo V8, which is described as known for reliability issues. One owner who had owned both a 650i and an M6 said that given a do-over they might choose a 640i because the smaller engine is more manageable. Adaptive suspension is described as a must. One owner advises staying away from the pre-TU N63. For the diesel, the 630d straight-six is praised as mechanically flawless with strong motorway fuel economy.
This generation suits buyers who prioritize style, presence, and grand-touring comfort and who are prepared for ongoing maintenance and unexpected repair bills, including bills over $3,000. Owners advise against buying the V8 cars above roughly 80,000 miles because they tend to be driven hard and are more expensive to maintain. Prospective buyers should get proof of maintenance history, have the car inspected, and on rebuilt or write-off cars verify who performed the repair and demand receipts, since a repaired car is never as good as a clean one. Doing your own maintenance helps control costs. Test drive before buying, and check comparable prices, as depreciation on this generation is steep.
Several owners note that the more technology a car has, the more chances there are for something to break, and that maintenance costs are comparable to a 5 Series since the engines are shared. One owner highlights that the car is roughly 16 cm longer than a 5 Series, which matters when parking. Discussions about the 6 Series Gran Turismo concern a different model and are not representative of this generation. Analysis based on approximately 25 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 0 | unknown or other |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | structure |
| 2015 | 19 | 1 | wheels |
| 2014 | 32 | 0 | engine |
| 2013 | 60 | 0 | engine |
| 2012 | 27 | 4 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2015 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 24V527000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:engine:other fuel types:turbo/superchargercampaign 12V161000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
2012 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 16V746000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:enginecampaign 14V176000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.