Generation-specific owner insights from 23+ 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 F13 generation are strongly positive about the car's styling, presence, and grand-touring character, with several describing it as the best-looking BMW and a car they enjoy staring at after parking.
7 problems reported (2 recurrent, 5 isolated) · medium confidence
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal favors the 640i with the N55 engine as the more sensible choice over the 650i and its N63 V8, with one owner saying that given a do-over they might choose the 640i for its smaller, more manageable engine.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes CLS, Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, BMW 4 Series convertible and BMW 540i.
Is a 2011–2018 6 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the F13 generation are strongly positive about the car's styling, presence, and grand-touring character, with several describing it as the best-looking BMW and a car they enjoy staring at after parking. The 640i with the N55 engine draws praise as a more manageable and reliable choice, while the 650i and M6 are admired for performance but criticized for ongoing leaks, repair costs, and the risks of the twin-turbo V8. A recurring theme is that these cars demand diligent maintenance and a budget for unexpected repairs, and that depreciation is steep. Later model years are generally viewed more favorably, particularly where the N63 engine was updated.
Owners position the 6 Series as better looking and more raw and sporty than the Mercedes CLS, while conceding the Mercedes has a better infotainment and navigation system. Several note the 6 Series is essentially a 5 Series underneath with less practicality and more style, and that it depreciates faster than rivals, which is why used prices can approach those of a 4 Series convertible. Against the CLS and E-Class, owners describe the two as about equally good but with distinct personalities, and some suggest the Mercedes has an edge on long-term quality.
Owners recommend the 640i over the 650i, citing the N63 twin-turbo V8's reputation for reliability issues and higher maintenance costs. Adaptive suspension is described as a must. Buyers are advised to confirm which engine and transmission a car has before purchase, and to favor examples with full maintenance records.
This generation suits buyers who want a stylish, sporty grand tourer and are prepared for ongoing maintenance and potential repair bills over $3,000. Owners advise against buying examples above roughly 80,000 miles because these cars tend to be driven hard, and recommend a pre-purchase inspection, receipts for any repairs, and proof of routine maintenance. Doing your own maintenance helps control costs. Avoid repaired write-offs unless the price is substantially below a clean example and the repair work is documented. The 640i is the safer used buy; the 650i and M6 carry more risk.
Owners repeatedly note that the more technology a car has, the more chances there are for something to break, and that the 6 Series is a car where deferred maintenance tends to grow into larger problems. Several praise the interior and available driver-assistance features such as lane departure warning, collision control, and surround cameras. One owner notes the car is longer than a 5 Series, which matters when parking. Analysis based on approximately 23 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.