2012 BMW M6

This M6 is one of the later S63 V8 engine cars, which means it boasts more tech than your average Starfleet vessel. Clever driveline gadgets include the 7-speed dual-clutch M-DCT transmission, electronic Active M limited-slip differential and M Dynamic damping control. The cabin appointments are just as space age and include 14-way adjustable and heated front seats, a 16-speaker premium audio system and voice-activated satellite navigation. It has a high enough level of standard equipment to still feel well specified, even when compared to a new BMW.

The condition of this 45k-mile example appears to be excellent. The paint remains near blemish free and the cabin is also very highly presentable. There’s an excellent history file showing fastidious care and attention from the car’s one former keeper. He returned his M6 to John Clark BMW in Aberdeen for every service or warranty recall. That’s the good news, the bad news is that there is a funny (i.e. bad!) noise coming from under the bonnet, but we’ll explain more about that later (see underneath section).

San Marino Blue certainly conjures up images of sweeping coastlines and sunsets from an aspirational BMW lifestyle advert. Yet, ad bluster aside, this rarely seen shade is actually something of a palate cleaner; a welcome relief from the usual modern procession of monochrome dullness. Its finish also accentuates the muscular flexes of this big BMW’s bodywork. Every cut, sweep and curve is highlighted by a contrasting dark shadow. The deep blue colour is picked out once again on the brake calipers, further reinforcing its effect.

The roof is skinned in carbonfibre in a fairly token attempt at weight saving (this thing still tips the scales at 1850kg) though its weight saved in the right area, up high. If nothing else, it still looks cool and remains in a highly presentable condition. The same is true of the M Sport 373m 20-inch alloy wheels. Their polished spokes and rims remain looking shiny and free of any serious marks. A dive into the history reveals that the front Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres were replaced in September 2018 at the cost of £539.86 the rears are also dated 2018. Good, and indicative of the care it appears to have had.

There are a few small marks around the bodywork that are worth a passing mention. A very small stone chip has marked the grille surround with the lower third of the front splitter showing multiple small strikes. There are also some light scratches to the top of the rear bumper, indicative of careless boot loading and unloading. In addition, there is a scratch on the bumper just above the nearside parking sensor. Really though, this M6 appears to be in excellent condition throughout.

There’s not really a whole lot to say about the cabin in this M6. It’s loaded with all of the tech BMW could throw at it in 2012 and it all still seems to still be working as it should. There weren’t a lot of options for the M6; it was a £93k car when new after all. So, as mentioned, you did get a lot of gear for that, admittedly high, entry price.

The only wear we could find were a few marks to the driver’s seat. The outer bolster has the usual creases from entry and exit. These are in-keeping with average wear and tear. A little worse are the marks from the seatbelt on the shoulder portion of the driver’s outer bolster. The PDC control button also has some stains/scratches plus there’s some sticker residue at the top of the windscreen, but we couldn’t find much more worth mentioning. Frankly, it appears to be as tidy as the exterior.

Firstly, we need to highlight that engine problem we mentioned earlier. The vendor said that the car was driving fine until a knocking noise became audible from under the bonnet. The car’s ECU has limited its power output and there’s a display on the centre screen advising ‘continue the journey at a moderate speed, full performance not available.’ 

In anticipation of your questions, let us clarify as much as we can. The principal owner of this car part-exchanged it recently against a new M-car - it was not showing any mechanical issue at the time. The car passed into the hands of the trade, and just as it was being sold, the engine started to produce some worrying noises. The retailer has had the car looked over by mechanics and is sufficiently sure it is not an ancillary. The noises have become louder and louder, and there is clearly a major problem. We’re no experts so we are not sure if they are from the top, or the bottom of the engine, but a knowledgeable mechanic, in passing, has agreed with all other diagnoses; that very major works, or probably a replacement engine will be required. Please bid accordingly, please do not think it 'just might be the alternator' or anything else. It currently works and drives, but we would obviously recommend trailering it home. For any further information, you’ll need to inspect the car yourself, and/or send along an experienced mechanic.

As with all BMWs from about the mid-1990s onwards, the suspension and chassis components on this M6 are mostly made from aluminium. That means there’s little to fear from corrosion at this stage (it’s not even nine years old after all). We couldn’t any evidence of damage to anything under the car beyond the odd scratch to the extensive plastic shrouds, which also inhibited us from carrying out a more thorough exploration.

We did see that the rear brake pipe flexi unions look corroded but all the other bits we managed to inspect, rubber bushes and exhaust hangars etc, all appear in great condition. The rear tyres are low on tread on their inner edges (not surprising as these cars run negative camber).

The documents accompanying this car certainly make for engrossing reading. There’s a BMW print out of the entire service history, stretching back to when the car was built. It even shows a very early oil pump being replaced under warranty with just 1.1miles on the clock; no doubt at the factory or supplying main dealer.

Next came another warranty fix for coolant pipe heat insulation, as I said, it’s engrossing… It might not be a thrill a minute but the depth of history is reassuring to say the least. Either annual or 10k-mile trips back to John Clark BMW in Aberdeen (whichever came first) were undertaken for the servicing. On occasions, such as in 2018, this M6 paid several visits to the same dealership for multiple check-ups and fresh filters and fluids.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

Obvious engine issue aside, this M6 appears to be in very fine order throughout and with a gorgeous specification. The condition would pass as average for most three-year old cars, but for one approaching a decade old, it’s a testament to the conscientiousness of its first and only owner. The history backs this up with a comprehensive care regimen from a trusted main dealer.

As you’d expect for a car this well cared for, its MoT history shows a pass every year since the first test in 2015, there might even be time left to sort that running issue and enjoy it on the road before its next test is due in August. You even get two keys. We estimate it to sell between £13,000 - £22,000.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.