The BMW ///M6, also known as the BMW M635CSi, is a high-performance version of the 6-Series automobile, designed by the motorsport division of BMW. The BMW M6 was produced from 1983 to 1989, and then 2005 to 2010. Third generation was introduced on February 12th, 2012 via internet press release.

This BMW M6 concept made its debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is based on the BMW E63/E64 6-Series, introduced in 2004. It shares the same 5.0 L V10 S85 engine and SMG III gearbox with the E60 M5, and produces 373 kW (500 hp) / 520 N·m (380 lb·ft).

BMW claims it accelerates from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 4.4 seconds. Road & Track measured the 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) time as 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 312 kilometres per hour (194 mph) but it is limited to 249 km/h (155 mph).

The M6 has the same 'power button' as the M5 which modifies the throttle response. From ignition, the car delivers 399 bhp (298 kW; 405 PS), but engaging the M button allows the full 373 kW (507 PS; 500 hp). It weighs 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) Road & Track (Feb 2006) compared to the 1,660 kg (3,650 lb) E92 BMW M3 Road & Track (Dec 2007) thanks to a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof panel as well as thermoplastic front wings, aluminum doors and bonnet and compound boot lid.

The carbon fibre and other light materials are used in places like the bumpers and roof that are far from the center of gravity and/or high up, so that they not only reduce the overall weight but improve the handling by reducing the moment of inertia and lowering the center of mass height.


It was offered as both a coupe and a cabriolet. A lightweight CSL version of the M6 was expected to be released in the near future, however, BMW has since 

officially stated that no such version of the M6 will be built, as there is currently no market for such a model. The 2007 coupe is expected to have a 0-60 mph time of about 4.1 seconds (4.6 convertible)(Road and Track, March 2006). Both the M6 coupe and convertible can be visually distinguished from the 630i, 645Ci and 650i by their deeper front valance with air intakes, more contoured side sills, aerodynamic side view mirrors, an additional rear valance with diffuser and the absence of front fog lights.

In the 2010 model year, the M6 was the second-most expensive BMW sold in the U.S. after the 760Li ($137,000), with anMSRP of $108,150 for the convertible and $102,350 for the coupe. In the U.S. the M6 had one of the largest residual value drops at 19%, as it had little if any changes since its 2006 introduction.

Production of the M6 ended in mid 2010, with sales over the five year run totalling 9,087 for the coupe and 5,056 for the convertible.

The BMW ///M5 is a high performance version of the BMW 5-Series executive car built by the Motorsport division of BMW. First introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1984, the first incarnation of the M5 was hand-built utilizing the 535i chassis and a modified BMW M1 engine, being the fastest production sedan in the world at the time of its introduction. Subsequent iterations of the M5 have been built from each generation of the 5-Series platform, including the E34, E39, E60/E61, and most recently, F10, with the first orders to be delivered in late 2011.

Due to the longevity of its nameplate and undisputed position at the top of BMW's midsize lineup, the M5 remains one of the best known sport sedans, despite competition from Mercedes-AMG and Audi quattro GmbH.

E60 M5 (2005–2010)

The E60 M5 was introduced in 2005. It has a 4,999 cc (305.1 cu in) BMW V10 S85 engine redlining at 8250 rpm, and developing a peak output of 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp) and 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) of torque. Unlike some other BMW engines which utilise Valvetronic to infinitely vary valve lift to eliminate the throttle plate, this engine has individual throttle bodies per cylinder. The E60 M5 was the world's first production sedan to feature a V10 petrol engine.

Other key features include a stiffened aluminum chassis and a 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission. Front fog lights are unavailable for the M5, as the amount of air required to cool the brakes under spirited driving applications requires the spaces under the bumper, normally occupied by fog lights in other E60 cars, to be reallocated for air cooling ducts.

Despite the criticism of the Chris Bangle-designed chassis, the difficult iDrive interface, and the lack of smoothness of the SMG III transmission, the E60 M5 was the most successful M5, despite being on the market for one year shorter than the E39 M5. During its five year run, 20,548 units were built composing of 19,523 saloons and 1,025 wagons. 8,800 were sold in the U.S., all of the sedan variety. Great Britain and Ireland claimed 1,776 examples, followed by BMW's home market of Germany with 1,647 units, and 1,357 were sold in Japan. Italian enthusiasts claimed 512 units, and 339 examples were sold in Australia.

The BMW M5, along with the E63/64 BMW M6, were designed to use the new Getrag SMG III single-clutch seven speedsemi-automatic transmission. Gerd Richter, the head of BMW M, defended the decision to use a single-clutch sequential manual gearbox rather than a twin-clutch unit, saying "True, the dual-clutch system has a smoother automatic mode, and it performs seamless upshifts. For a 7-series, this may be the way to go. But an M car should always combine efficiency with emotion. That's why there are six shift speeds to choose from, from velvet glove to iron fist. That's why we cut the torque into seven slices. That's why we added special features like a hill holder, a designated drive program for steep climbs and descents, and a downshift assistant, which briefly dips the clutch to avoid destabilizing wheel spin." The SMG III transmission, while responsive at the track, has been criticized for its general lack of smoothness in everyday driving, and by 2010 it was considered outdated as most manufacturers were using dual clutch transmissions instead. Based on suggestions from the motoring press, BMW announced in October 2006 that a 6-speed conventional manual transmission would be available in North America, this became the base transmission in these markets while SMG III is an option. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower, since the dynamic stability control could not be disengaged unlike the SMG version. This however, was changed with the release of a Service Bulletin in November 2007 for a retrofit allowing DSC to be disabled as well as the function being implemented into the introduction of the 2008 model year M5 as well as the M6. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced RPM to prevent vehicle damage and abuse.
The M5 features several Formula One inspired engine and transmission controls. There is launch control which allows maximum performance standing starts automatically. The Getrag SMG III single-clutch semi-automatic transmission has the option of changing to either automated or manual, as well as the speed at which shifts are completed (there are 11 shift programmes in total forming what BMW calls Drivelogic). Manual shifting can be done with either a console shifter, or the steering wheel mounted shift paddles, both of which are fitted to all SMG M5s. The console shifter is the type used on manumatic transmissions; tipping it backward (toward the "+") shifts up, while a forward tip (toward the "-") shifts down. The shifter can be moved to the left to access neutral and reverse. The car also features a "power" button on the navigation panel (labeled "M") which offers access to three modes: P400 (limiting the engine to 400 PS (294 kW; 395 bhp) for daily driving use), P500 (unleashes the full 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp)), and P500 S (for full power and sharper throttle response, selectable only from the "M Drive Settings" in the iDrive menu). P400 is the default start-up mode, the P500 modes are preselected using iDrive and then activated from P500 S using the "M" button.

The E60 M5 took the title of the most powerful midsize sport sedan when released, over direct competitors the Audi RS6 (C5) (4.2L biturbo V8) and the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (5.4L supercharged V8). All three vehicles are quoted by their manufacturers to reach 0-to-62-mph in a time of 4.7 seconds. Motor Trend's comparison test found that while the E55 AMG had a faster 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds versus the M5's 4.5 seconds due to the E55's greater low-end torque, the M5 had better driving dynamics. The E60 M5 Sedan is slightly slower than the E63 M6 Coupe, which is longer overall but has a shorter wheelbase, with the M6 also being lower to the ground and lighter.

The M5 has since then been overtaken by several newer rivals, specifically the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (507 bhp (378 kW; 514 PS) from a 6.2L V8), Audi RS6 (C6)(426 kW (579 PS; 571 bhp) from a 5.0L biturbo V10), and the second generation Cadillac CTS-V (556 bhp (415 kW; 564 PS)) which bested the M5's Nürburgring lap time.

• 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 4.7s
  • (0–100 mph: 10.00, Road & Track [2/06])
  • (0–60 mph: 4.1s, Road & Track [2/06])
  • Power: 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) at 7750 rpm

• Torque: 520 N·m (384 lbf·ft) at 6100 rpm
• Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) with electronic speed limiter; 170 mph with electronic speed limiter on vehicles with the Dynamic Stability Control deactivation update; only on G.B. models German models not limited 204 mph (328.3 km/h)(delimited)