Should You Buy a BMW M5 or BMW M6? A Detailed Comparison
If you’re in the market for a high-performance luxury sedan or coupe from BMW’s acclaimed M series, two models you may be considering are the BMW M5 and BMW M6. But should you buy an M5 or an M6?
The M5 is the powerful, practical 4-door sedan, while the M6 is the sportier, more aggressive 2-door coupe. Both offer incredible performance and luxury, but there are some key differences between these two BMW titans.
This in-depth comparison of the BMW M5 versus M6 covers all the major factors to help you decide which M car is right for your needs. We’ll look at pricing, performance specs, interior space, features, driving experience, and more.
Pricing – MSRP and Depreciation
When looking at the M5 versus M6, pricing is an important factor to consider.
The base MSRP for the standard BMW M5 is around $103,500 compared to $117,000 for the base M6. However, prices can get much higher with added packages and options.
Over a 5-year period, the M5 is projected to depreciate about 45-50% of its value. With the M6 being more expensive upfront, it may depreciate slightly more at around 50-55% over 5 years. This means the M6 will lose more value than the M5 over the first years of ownership.
Exact depreciation depends on mileage, condition, packages, and other variables. But in general, the M5 holds its value a little better than the pricier M6.
Performance and Powertrain Specs
When it comes to sheer performance, both the M5 and M6 deliver serious speed and power. But there are some key differences under the hood.
The M5 is powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 generating 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This allows the M5 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but can reach 190+ mph without the limiter.
The M6 packs an even more powerful 4.4L twin-turbo V8 making 600 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Hitting 0-60 mph happens in an incredible 2.9 seconds in the M6. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, or 189 mph without the limiter.
So while both produce 600 horsepower, the M6 just slightly edges out the M5 in acceleration and power due to having less weight to haul around. The coupe body style gives it a power-to-weight advantage for improved performance.
Interior Space and Practicality
The BMW M5 is a sedan with four doors, four seats, and a usable rear seat and trunk. The M6 is a two-door coupe with a smaller interior and cargo area.
Front seat legroom and headroom is nearly equal in both cars, providing spacious comfort for the driver and front passenger. However, the M5 clearly beats the M6 when it comes to rear seat space and practicality.
The M5 has 28.7 inches of rear legroom allowing adults to actually sit comfortably in the backseat for short trips. The coupe-style M6 has just 26.4 inches of cramped rear legroom making it unusable for adults. The M6 backseat is best reserved for extra cargo space or small children only.
As expected, the sedan M5 also wins when comparing cargo space. The M5 trunk offers 18.7 cubic feet of room to haul luggage and gear. The M6 coupe trunk is more limited at just 12.0 cubic feet.
For getting in and out of the vehicle, the four-door M5 again has the practicality advantage. The doors are bigger and open wider, making it easier to enter and exit the vehicle without having to squeeze or duck your head. The M6’s smaller coupe doors can feel more restrictive and challenging to get in and out of.
So if you want a more practical and spacious M car for carrying passengers or cargo, the M5 sedan is the way to go. The M6 trades practicality for style and performance.
Technology and Features
BMW packs both the M5 and M6 with tons of luxury features and technology to enhance the driving experience. Here’s an overview of some of the key tech and amenities you’ll find:
- Infotainment – Both models come standard with BMW’s iDrive system with a 10.25″ touchscreen display, Bluetooth, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot. The user interface and menu options are similar. Optional rear seat entertainment screens are available.
- Safety – The M5 and M6 are equipped with all the essential safety tech including airbags, parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and more. Overall safety ratings are excellent for these BMWs.
- Interior materials – You’ll be surrounded by premium materials like leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber trim. Both the M5 and M6 feature power heated and ventilated front seats. The M6 adds standard leather upholstery on the dash and doors.
- Convenience – Power everything including mirrors, steering wheel, trunk, and more. Memory seating presets, automatic wipers, quad-zone climate control, soft close doors, and keyless entry are standard.
Overall, you can expect the latest technology and luxury appointments in both M models. The M6 may offer slightly more standard features and options due to its higher price tag. But the M5 still impresses with its luxurious, high-tech interior.
Driving Experience
This is where we get to the heart of the M5 vs M6 debate – how these high-performance machines actually drive.
The M5 is regarded as one of the world’s best high-powered sedans with its perfect balance of ferocious acceleration, precision handling, and four-door practicality.
It features an adaptive M suspension and Active M differential for incredible handling and grip when pushing the car to its limits. The steering feels precise and responsive. Braking power with the standard M compound brakes is highly impressive for quickly scrubbing speed.
Hitting the gas produces a truly thunderous roar from the V8 as you rocket forward with jaw-dropping speed. The specially tuned exhaust sounds phenomenal. The 7-speed automatic provides fast, crisp shifts.
Inside, the luxury cabin remains peaceful and quiet when driving relaxed. Seats are comfortable enough for long trips. Thick sound insulation keeps outside noise to a minimum. You can comfortably cruise for hours or attack corners like a beast – the M5 does it all.
The M6 was born to live life as a sports coupe. The stiff chassis, firm suspension, active differential, and limited slip rear end give the M6 tenacious grip and agile reflexes. It feels eager to carve up winding backroads and conquer track days.
The coupe is simply happier being pushed hard through corners with power sliding out the rear. The steering and brake pedal offer abundant feedback for precise control. The suspension smoothly soaks up road imperfections to keep the M6 composed at speed.
That ferocious twin-turbo V8 delivers face-melting acceleration in an instant. Just mash the gas and hold on tight as the coupe rockets forward with alarming speed. The engine sounds menacing when unleashed, emitting a deep, gnarly growl.
Around town, it’s not quite as comfortable and isolated as the M5. You feel more road vibration and hear more outside noise creep into the cabin. But this adds to the rawness and excitement of driving the M6 coupe.
Fuel Economy Estimates
With their high-performance engines, the M5 and M6 are quite thirsty for fuel. You’ll be making frequent trips to the gas station with either of these BMWs.
Here are the published EPA estimates for fuel efficiency:
- BMW M5 – 15 mpg city / 21 mpg highway / 17 combined
- BMW M6 – 15 mpg city / 21 mpg highway / 17 combined
As you can see, the fuel economy is nearly identical for both models. The M5 being heavier offsets its aerodynamic advantage somewhat.
In real world driving, expect low to mid teens for mileage in the city and low 20s on the freeway. Premium grade 91+ octane fuel is required.
If fuel efficiency is a big priority, you may want to look at other options. But for the sheer performance the M5 and M6 deliver, their thirst for fuel seems a reasonable tradeoff.
Key Differences Summary
| Spec | BMW M5 | BMW M6 |
|---|---|---|
| Body Style | 4-door sedan | 2-door coupe |
| Starting MSRP | $103,500 | $117,000 |
| Engine | 4.4L twin-turbo V8 | 4.4L twin-turbo V8 |
| Horsepower | 600 hp | 600 hp |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 3.1 seconds | 2.9 seconds |
| Legroom – Front | 41.4 in | 42.2 in |
| Legroom – Rear | 28.7 in | 26.4 in |
| Cargo Space | 18.7 cu ft | 12.0 cu ft |
| Fuel Economy | 15/21/17 mpg | 15/21/17 mpg |
Conclusion
The BMW M5 and M6 represent two amazing interpretations of BMW’s legendary high-performance M models. Choosing between them comes down to your priorities and preferences.
Overall, the M5 is the better daily driver with its spacious four-door practicality, smoother ride, lower price, and slightly higher resale value. It’s the consummate high-powered luxury sedan.
On the other hand, the M6 is simply more fun to drive as a sports coupe. It edges out the M5 in raw power and driving excitement. The coupe styling and performance focus have undeniable appeal for many drivers.
You really can’t go wrong with either of these incredible M cars. We recommend test driving the M5 and M6 back-to-back to experience the differences firsthand. Let your driving priorities and styling preferences guide you to the right decision.
Whichever you choose, tighten your seat belt and prepare for a thrilling ride. The M5 and M6 represent the pinnacle of BMW performance.
