Why Was the BMW 6 Series Discontinued?
The reimagined BMW 6 Series was a promising comeback from the 1970s. But why were they so difficult to sell? And how did an entire line of BMWs just disappear?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Demand for the BMW 8 Series skyrocketed in 2019, but as a result, the
BMW
6 Series was left in the dust. More modern and sporty, the 8 Series gave us the sophistication the 6 was never able to achieve.Dating back to the ‘70s, the BMW 6 Series was discontinued once before, until 2004 when it was reintroduced to the public. These awkward GTs were BMW’s underdogs, but is it possible they could return once again to the
luxury auto
scene?The BMW Series we all forgot about
The BMW 6 Series was a peculiar bunch and was offered as the 645Ci coupe and convertible.
Different from BMW’s usual lineup, the models came with only two doors and a more elongated body than we're used to.
In 2016, the 6 Series Gran Coupe joined the gang with four doors and a little more fashion sense. According to
MotorBiscuit
, “All three iterations of the 6 Series were powered by either turbocharged 315 horsepower inline-six engine for the 640i models or a 445 horsepower V8 engine for the more prestigious 650i models.”And let’s not forget the M6, which came with 560 hp out of a turbo V8 engine. The final addition to the line was a grand tourer model.
These roomier BMWs spared no expense with
luxury accommodations
. MotorBiscuit notes leather upholstery, a sport suspension, and adaptive LED headlights. But if you’re sitting in the back, you’re just not going to get the same experience. The front seats have ventilation, ample space, and massage functions. The rear seats aren’t quite as comfortable, and are a tight squeeze for three passengers—but at least they’re heated!
Why did the 8 Series kill off the 6 Series?
Without a solid identity, these sports cars were pretty hard to sell. Almost-SUVs? Not-quite-a-coupe-but-also-not-really-a-hatchback?
The new and improved 8-Series, featuring high-tech supercars came in hot. BMW calls it “swagger meets substance.” The new bimmers had a fighting chance to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-class and the Audi’s A9.
In this progressive class, the BMW 8 Series gave us an elongated silhouette, sleek roofline, and a low slug design, according to
Top Speed
. The series features an advanced aerodynamics system and an awesome 50:50 split design in the rear backseat. The seats can be folded down together or individually to give you more cargo room.As far as performance, in the M850i model, the V8 gets up to 523 hp with 553 lb-ft of torque. The vehicles are shorter, wider, and lower than the BMW 6 Series, plus they have stunning tail lights and rear-wheel drive.
That 6 Series Gran Coupe we mentioned? That was replaced by the 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe. BMW also replaced the 6 Series coupe and convertible.
However, there was no direct replacement for the 6 Series GT. According to
Motor Authority
, “[The GT] was introduced for 2018, and [it] failed to ignite the market, with sales reaching only a few thousand units in [2019].”You can still own a BMW 6 Series
MORE: Are BMWs Expensive to Maintain?
If you’re worried you’ve missed your chance to get your hands on a BMW 6 Series, don’t fret! You can still purchase one of these discontinued models as a
used car
.The 6 Series was originally priced in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. In the used market, the earlier 2004-2006 models go for around $10,000 depending on the mileage, age, and condition. Post-2010 models can sell up to $50,000.
Rumor has it that come “2026, BMW product planners will merge the 4 and 8 Series into a new 6 Series range. Said
rumor
predicts that the 8 Series Gran Coupe will be the last car standing out of both lineups. It will no longer be an 8 Series, though, as it will be absorbed into the 7 Series range,” according to Autoblog
.In its third go-around, maybe BMW’s abandoned line of cars will finally be the
German automaker’s
shining star.
4.7
