BMW has always been credited with making the ultimate driving machines, and one of their biggest selling points was that they were all RWD. Sadly, that is no longer the case, and BMW nowadays seems to be busy upsetting their fans with new kidney grilles on the M3 and M4 models.
But back in the day, one of the best models made by BMW was the 6 Series. A proper grand touring coupe with a beautiful exterior design and some cracking engines. It first appeared in the late 1970s, and it achieved legend status almost immediately. But, as with any BMW, there are problems that potential buyers need to be aware of.
10 E24: Rust
We'll start with the first generation 6er, one that's referred to by everyone as the "Sharknose" generation. Like with so many cars of the 1970s, and in some cases even modern cars, they have some rust issues.
The E24 has it especially bad in the inner front fenders, and in general all around the engine bay. If you're in the market for one of these, make sure to check all the common rust spots on the car. Other areas that can rust include the sills, the rear fenders, and the roof area on cars that have a sunroof.
9 E24: Collapsing Suspension
Another problem with the E24 6 Series models that could potentially be a dealbreaker is the suspension. For the most part, the suspension is fine, but all of these cars have a potential ticking time bomb in the components; the front strut spring cups.
These are the components that sit on top of the suspension dampers, and they have a tendency to literally rot out. If this happens, it could potentially lead to total suspension collapse. Be sure to check them out and see if they're in good condition, and replace them if necessary.
8 E24: Gearbox Concerns
Finally, one last glaring issue with this generation of 6 Series has to do with the gearbox. Most of these cars came with an automatic transmission, a 3-speed at first which was upgraded to a 4-speed in 1982.
The Sport transmission is the one to watch out for. To make it easier, the Sport gearbox is the one without the overdrive gear, and they tend to have a worn-out change mechanism. If the gearbox and the previous two items are sorted, then you have a solid E24 on your hands.
7 E63: VVT System Faults
Moving onto the second generation 6 Series, which was built from 2003 to 2010. This was a great car and a proper grand tourer with all the ingredients and components necessary, but it was plagued by a good number of faults. One of those was problems with the variable valve timing system.
The gist of the problem is that the oil line from the VVT system could potentially leak, leading to a rattly engine and a check engine light on. If your 6er is showing these symptoms, it's almost certainly the VVT oil line. As with any BMW, this is not a cheap fix.
6 E63: Valvetronic Intermediate Levers
Another common problem with this generation 6er is what's known as the Valvetronic Intermediate Levers - a part of BMW's innovative throttle system. Though the name sounds way too technical, it's easy to recognize if you're having this problem.
Sometimes, upon starting the engine, an irregular idle speed will be present for about 20 seconds, and then it will go back to normal. Another symptom of this would be a check engine light and misfire diagnostic codes. If this happens, the intermediate levers need to be replaced.
5 E63: The Rear End
This is not a mechanical issue, but rather something to do with the design of the 6er. Although the shape of this car is gorgeous, the front and rear ends are a bit iffy. However, the rear end is arguably worse.
As Jeremy Clarkson once said, it looks like the designer got lazy when it came to designing the rear end. It just declines downwards, and with the pronounced decklid, it just looks all wrong. Thankfully, the next generation fixed this problem.
4 F13: Limp Mode
This is one of the most talked-about issues on the F12 generation 6 Series, produced from 2012 to 2018. Like with a lot of BMW, the VANOS system in this car can act in unpredictable and unwanted ways.
This only affects the 6-cylinder models of this generation, and it's once again to do with an oil leaking into the system. If this happened, the car would go into a limp mode and it would throw up an engine light, so it's best to check if the VANOS system works properly before you splash the cash.
3 F13: Drinking Oil
Like a rotary-engined sports car we're all familiar with, under certain circumstances, the 6-series can sometimes consume a lot of oil. This only affects cars that have the N63 4.4 liter V8 powertrain (650i), so it's worth investigating if that's the one you're in the market for.
The heat in the engine bay could exploit the fragility of components in the crankcase, causing the car to consume higher amounts of oil than necessary, throw up a check engine light or emit blue smoke from the exhaust. The components either need to be secured or replaced altogether.
2 F13: Fuel Pump Failure
Finally, another potential big problem with this generation of this 6 Series has to do with the high-pressure fuel pump. Like the previous issues, this only affected 2011 models with the V8 engine (650i).
This problem involves the valve that controls the amount of fuel that enters the high-pressure fuel pump failing. If that happens, the engine's power output will be decreased and an engine malfunction warning will be displayed. The solution is to replace both of the high-pressure fuel pumps.
1 The 6 Series Today
We don't exactly appreciate what BMW did with the 6 Series after 2018. The grand touring coupe is gone, itself replaced by the 8 Series in BMW's lineup. But, instead of retiring the nameplate altogether, they decided to stick it on the back of this awkward coupe-hatchback-fastback amalgamation.
The Gran Turismo line has never been a big seller for BMW, ultimately leading them to retire the 3 and 5 Series Gran Turismo models. The 6 Series GT can best be described as cynical, and combined with lackluster sales means the future isn't very bright for this oddball BMW.
There are plenty of little known facts about BMW, but everyone should know that the BMW 6 Series is an awesome piece of BMW's illustrious history. No matter what generation you go for (as long as it's not the GT), it offers a great deal of classiness, great handling, (mostly) good exterior design, and a great lineup of engines. But, unless you're prepared for the maintenance, all the potential problems that could arise with this Bimmer might just be a dealbreaker for you.