The car market is full of rivalries and battles between models that are bound to last longer than the Hundred Years’ War.

Reviewers and tests always try to pick a side and sort the conflict out but it doesn’t seem to happen. The situation is so bad that models from the same car maker are fighting themselves as well.

For instance, the revival of the BMW M6 alongside the M5 has begged the question. Which one? Why? Is the difference noticeable?

Jethro Bovingdon, associate editor for Car and Driver decided to post a serious question about this ongoing debate. He also tried to deliver the answer.

After a quick ticking off on paper and in a straight line, the scales were tipped in favor of the F10 M5. It’s value for money factor outweighed the minuscule performance gains of the M6.

However, once the old fashion comparison runs out and the very relevant nowadays track test comes in to question, the differences begin to emerge.

Due to the lower center of gravity, slightly lower weight and ultimately different optimization, the F12 BMW M6 quickly begins to outshine its four door brethren.

The conclusion is one that doesn’t mean to embarrass any of the models. It becomes obvious that the Bavarians have planned out the directions of these cars quite well.

Even if the M6 appears to cost more for not that much less, the difference is there. It’s also earning stripes for being a GT car that gets compared to the GT-R in terms of track performance.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post A battle of the best F10 BMW M5 vs F12 BMW M6 appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

I know BMW is a pretty restrained and grown up manufacturer when it comes to certain models. The F10 5 Series and F12 6 Series seem to be mature enough to grow beards.

That’s quite the nice thing to be described by and it probably makes plenty of customers happy. But what if you want to let your hair down?

Can the big German coupe still let its hair down and leave you giggling like a schoolgirl when driving it in what’s an enthusiastic manner.

BMW’s USA arm decided to undertake a pretty interesting experiment. One of their top drivers was involved alongside an M6, some paper and some paint.

Having sprayed the paint from the trunk through a custom system towards the tires, the car would leave very pronounced tire tracks on the paper it ran over.

The video is pretty self explanatory and the idea of what they’re trying to make is actually remarkable. The papers with tire tread paint on them will be used in an interesting way.

BMW will actually be using the resulting sheets of paper to create unique autographs which will be sent out to M Division fans across the world.

Personally, I consider that 560 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque from a 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine can be put to somewhat more interesting uses.

Perhaps BMW have more feelings than I do or perhaps (and this is more likely) they actually have something outside selfishness in their genes.

We’ll just have to add that to the list of reasons for why we like BMW.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12 BMW M6 stars new video appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Interested in some more Frozen Silver painted special editions from BMW but you don’t seem to ever be able to get a hold of one?

You can always fake it, Russian style, or you could wait to get one of the real things. The Bavarians are making special editions with the star paint for two more interesting products.

The new cars to get Frozen Silver special editions are the F12 BMW 6 Series and the E71 BMW X6. A new chance at getting these models and this custom paint presents itself.

Exclusivity shouldn’t be a problem either, both these Frozen Silver are headed for the United States market alone and no more than 100 X6 units are to be built.

BMW’s opinion on the two door F12 6 Series, is that it should be even rare so only 55 units of that will be produced.

As usual in these sorts of conditions, we probably won’t see these new cars on the dealer showroom. Or parking lot, or even the factory court.

Chances are that this car will exchange hands even 20 years into the future without any company involvement whatsoever.

These products should also hold their value a lot better than regular one. Speakingg of which it will cost at least $81.695 to get one of the X6 models and $92.895 for the F12 6 Series.

That is painful, even with the standard features that include stuff like soft close doors, running boards and satellite radio alongside Alcantara, Premium, Cold Weather and Technology Packages.

Regardless, you are getting yourself a very cool looking car. It may be expensive and a tad annoying to maintain, but if your main goal is elsewhere, you should be pleased.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW Frozen Silver special edition gets to X6 and 6 Series appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

And here I am, the bearer of bad news. BMW have sent out a memo according to which its dealers will stop deliveries of certain F10 M5 and F12 M6 lots. Furthermore, owners of such cars are to stop driving them.

How uncool is that? Knowing BMW you’ll have to agree that they wouldn’t postpone such a thing for no reason at all so everybody take notice.

Some of the 2013 model year cars sold by BMW with the S63TU engine may have received an oil pump that’s not really up to scrap.

Should it develop a fault it could seriously starve your M Powered dream machine of oil, possibly causing some serious damage to the engine.

From that point on you’re risking some serious damage and I don’t know about you but I’d prefer that my 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 doesn’t need a rebuild with just a couple thousand miles on the clock.

BMW USA have allegedly already started contacting owners of the cars which may be affected by this problem and told them to refrain from driving until a fix is ready.

No timeline was issued, the NHTSA isn’t in on the business but given the high profile customers and expensive cars we’re talking about a rush is bound to happen.

Hold on tight you poor F10 M5 and F12 M6 (coupe and convertible both) owners, it won’t be long before you have your fun.

Oh and by the way, if you have one about to be delivered you should stop holding your breath since it’ll be put on hold until the oil pump gets a replacement.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Fun is put on hold for BMW M5 and M6 owners appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

This one is going to be a whopper for the Americans. BMW have published an announcement according to which their showrooms are now hosting something special.

It’s the amazing F10 BMW M5 and its step brother, the F12 M6, which are now available in showrooms. Buying off the lot just got a lot easier.

Not really the best way to get the M5 or M6 model and spec you want but at least you’re now capable of taking a proper test drive before making the final decision.

Statistics tell us that most BMW buyers don’t go as far as to take a test drive. There’s still plenty of folks out there who won’t buy into something without a proper test.

This is especially worth considering when the car you’re looking into is worth somewhere around the 100.000 USD mark.

What will be interesting to keep track of, courtesy of interested parties, is just how many of these demo cars actually come with a manual.

The F12 BMW M6 also gets the manual transmission as an option but we really don’t expect to see that many of them turn up as expectations are low for sales on it.

Desirability for the manual is as valuable to the M5 as it is, after all, the same drivetrain we’re dealing with.

There’s such as similarity between the engine and the cars underpinnings altogether that there’s just no reason why you’d shy away from being more involved in the drive.

It’s not our decision so no matter how wrong we think it is, there’s not a lot we can do about it.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F10 M5 and F12 M6 now in US Showrooms appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We heard this idea before; for the F10 version of the BMW M5 the Bavarians were going to kill off the manual transmission. Thanks to the US market, that didn’t happen.

Now however, having released the F10 M5 for a while now and having had some time since the release of the F12 M6, BMW are saying this was the last time.

Whenever they build the next generations of these cars, BMW will no longer accept small amount of demands to make a manual gearbox.

Everybody will have to stick to automatics. We’re not sure what gearbox will be used for these versions but who really cares at this point.

Just about all enthusiasts are currently mourning the demise of the manual transmission. Sure, the older versions will be great value on the second hand market but somehow it’s not the same.

So did BMW sell their soul with this decision? Well, it’s halfway there since the decision is based on financial reasons.

According to Albert Biermann, BMW M-brand engineering chief, the manual version of the M5 only sells some 15% of the total purchases.

Sadly for BMW, and subsequently for us, that means the manual gearbox continues to lose money and that they want to put it on hold.

It seems that despite the American effort for the automatic gearbox within the M powered 5 and 6 Series is going to die.

Thankfully, the manual gearbox seems to be surviving in the smaller types of both these cars so there’s still a chance to get a kick out of rowing your own.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Next generation of the BMW M5 will be automatic only appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW’s F12 M6 has found a new job for itself. It’s not exactl the most flattering of places for us motor car enthusiasts but it certainly is in a place of speed.

Come the infamous 24 hour race at the Nurburgring this weekend we’ll see the fastest ever M6 enter active duty as the Safety Car of the event.

After this debut which is easily a trial by fire, the BMW M6 will resume “normal” work as the actual Moto GP safety car for the rest of the season.

Presumably that means the Grand Tourer will take to the track on June 3rd at the Catalunya event in Spain since the French event coincides with the Nurburgring 24.

The full unveiling of the M6 Safety car will actually take place at the M Festival, an event that will very likely see some celebration wash off.

http://youtu.be/4NjTTYKnUM8

In becoming a safety car, the F12 BMW M6 receives some rather modest changes. There’s some LED work, an actual rear wing, teamed to a front splitter and a light bar on top.

Obviously, the awesome BMW M Racing colors chosen for the livery of the F12 BMW M6 is hard to ignore but it doesn’t actually contribute to the speed of the thing.

The 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet on the other hand, has 552 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque to put through the M-DCT transmission.

Acceleration from 0-62 mph still stands at 4.2 seconds but there’s no mention of the top speed figure. The F12 BMW M6 will never hit 155 mph on the small race tracks they use for bikes but it still feels like a shame to have a limiter.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12 BMW M6 takes Moto GP Safety Car job appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We’re not exactly strangers to the newest version of the BMW M6, the F13, but it’s still a joy to see pictures of it.

Particularly if you consider that this time the photos available are live ones, not the sort that are made in a studio and painstakingly edited before each release.

Apart from getting the fresh pics of the F13 BMW M6 the Bavarians mentioned some new info during the presentation.

In the rather unusual bits of the story, BMW only brought the coupe version of the F13 M6 to the Geneva Motor Show with no genuine explanation for why the convertible is missing out.

What makes it even weirder is how BMW tells us the F12 BMW M6 (the convertible) will be the first one to hit the market. An official debut is expected to take place in June and this version will be labeled as a 2012 model.

The F13 Coupe will be introduced later in the summer but it will be labeled as a 2013 model year. It seems like somebody’s had some fun with the German company’s calendar.

Other than that, things are as we know them. The F13 BMW M6 is powered by a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine which develops 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.

Call us easy to please, but we think that’s plenty for a car that will mostly be driven at speed without too many people weighing it down.

There was something we were hoping to see is the manual gearbox. As with the F10 BMW M5, it’s not available as standard but rumor has it it’s currently under consideration.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F13 BMW M6 gets its Geneva Motor Show debut appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Now that BMW have unveiled their latest moment of pride from the M division, the F12/F13 M6, we expect to get more and more info on it for a few days.

The first bundle of interesting stuff available on the new BMW M6 comes in the form of two new driving videos, some added technical details and some new photos.

Beginning with the easiest to follow, the two videos feature the coupe and convertible M6 drive along side each other, through beautiful scenery.

Sounds like the perfect recipe, but there are a few problems to deal with. First off, there’s just 30 seconds a pop for the videos, which is nowhere near enough for us M6 hungry folk.

And then there’s some music instead of engine notes to deal with. Not cool BMW, we expected a better approach on that front.

The photos will meet you later toward the end of the article and the added details are some of the most anal stuff you can talk about when it comes to a car.

Both the F12/F13 BMW M6 will feature 15.7 inch brake rotors with six piston calipers at the front and 15.6 inch ones with at the back. The steering feel promises to be as good as the M5.

This happens thanks to an adjustable speed-sensitive power steering that has words like Servotronic and M-specific in the description. Finally, we get to a less than pretty set of details.

It may feature weight saving gimmicks like carbon fiber reinforced plastics in the bodywork, carbon ceramic brakes and so on, but the F12/F13 BMW M6 is still a pretty heavy car.

The Coupe weighs in at 4.078 lbs and the Convertible is fatter still at 4.365 pounds.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12/F13 BMW M6 new Videos, Photos & Details appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As the title has it, BMW have lifted the covers off what will be this year’s star player in their M division product portfolio, the F12/F13 M6.

Unlike the previous generation, this time you don’t have to wait several months before you get to drop the top off your BMW M6.

What does stick with tradition in regards to the BMW M6 is that it retains the philosophy of using M5 underpinnings and a better looking body on top.

This is why it comes as no surprise to find out that hte F12/F13 BMW M6 is powered by the same twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine you may find in the F10 M5.

With the same engine come almost identical specs as the new M6 develops 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque with availability of the torque between 1.500 and 5.750 rpm.

Also like its four door counterpart, the newly introduced BMW M6 is in a bit of a jam with with transmission situation. Upon launch it will only be available with a seven speed dual clutch affair but a manual is under consideration.

Where the F12/F13 separates itself from the less ostentatious relative is when it comes to the details. The brakes are now carbon ceramic rotors as standard, the roof is made out of carbon fiber and there’s an overall concern over lightness.

In terms of performance here’s what we got: 0 to 62 takes 4.2 seconds (4.3 convertible)and the top speed is limited for both at 155 mph. Upon purchase of the M Driver package that goes up to 189 mph.

Fuel economy levels are rated at 23.8 mpg and 22.8 mpg on the US cycle with both models dishing out upwards of 230 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12/F13 BMW M6 officially unveiled appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.