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BMW 6 Series

14 model years from 2005 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

BMW 6 Series
Pictured: BMW 640d GT xDrive 1X7A0311. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2019
Class
Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Latest engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Best MPG
18–26 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2008 (2)
Fewest problems
2019
Interest
8,583 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2019 6 Series in brief

The 2019 BMW 6 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,409 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 14% worse than the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The BMW 6 Series has 14 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2019, classed as Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars.

Its most efficient year was 2013 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 18 to 26 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the unknown or other (2), electronic stability control (esc) (2), electrical system (2).

Buying used? 2019 has the fewest problems in our data.

2010 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 3 campaigns and 4 owner complaints.

How the 2005 6 Series compares

The 2005 BMW 6 Series is a subcompact car offered with a 4.4L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

About the BMW 6 Series

The BMW 6 Series is a range of grand tourers produced by BMW since 1976. It is the successor to the E9 Coupé and is currently in its fourth generation.

From the Wikipedia article "BMW 6 Series", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2019 6 Series pros & cons

Full 2019 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 14% below the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

Best year

2019 6 Series

0 owner complaints · 0 recalls

No clear problem year

None of the 5 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

6 Series changes by model year

  1. 2019
    • New body dimensions: 7.9 in longer, wheelbase +8.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  2. 2013
    • Lightest version 154 lb heavier
  3. 2012
    • New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer, wheelbase +3.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engines added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 4.8L 8-cyl
    • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
    • Best combined MPG up from 18 to 26
  4. 2006
    • Engine added: 4.8L 8-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 4.4L 8-cyl

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 14 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20193.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo23 MPG200.4 in4,409 lbNot rated00
20183.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo23 MPG192.5 in4,650 lbNot rated00
20173.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo24 MPG192.5 in4,409 lbNot rated00
20163.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo24 MPG192.5 in4,409 lbNot rated00
20153.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo25 MPG192.5 in4,409 lbNot rated00
20143.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo25 MPG192.5 in4,409 lbNot rated00
20133.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo26 MPG192.5 in4,387 lbNot rated00
20123.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo26 MPG192.5 in4,387 lbNot rated11
20104.8L 8-cyl18 MPG190.2 in3,814 lbNot rated20
20094.8L 8-cyl18 MPG190.2 in3,814 lbNot rated20
20084.8L 8-cyl18 MPG189.8 in3,814 lbNot rated22
20074.8L 8-cyl18 MPG––Not rated20
20064.8L 8-cyl18 MPG––Not rated20
20054.4L 8-cyl19 MPG––Not rated21
Best combined MPG by model year — BMW 6 Series
2005: 19 MPG2006: 18 MPG2007: 18 MPG2008: 18 MPG2009: 18 MPG2010: 18 MPG2012: 26 MPG2013: 26 MPG2014: 25 MPG2015: 25 MPG2016: 24 MPG2017: 24 MPG2018: 23 MPG2019: 23 MPG2005200720092012201420162018max 26 MPG

Alternatives to the 2019 6 Series

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2019 BMW 5 Series29 MPGNot rated0
2019 Audi A627 MPG★★★★★7
2019 Lexus LS28 MPGNot rated4
2019 Lincoln Continental21 MPG★★★★★3
2019 Tesla Model S370 miNot rated10
2019 Jaguar XJ21 MPGNot rated1

Most common owner-reported problems

Unknown Or Other2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Electrical System2
Engine1
Air Bags1
Seat Belts1
Owner complaints by model year — BMW 6 Series
2005: 12006: 02007: 02008: 22009: 02010: 02012: 12013: 02014: 02015: 02016: 02017: 02018: 02019: 02005200720092012201420162018max 2
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →