2006 BMW M6 Oklahoma

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On the day of our only chance to sample the 2006 BMW M6, it rained. It absolutely poured, in fact. The streets were awash, the track was damp, and the sky was gloomy and threatening. There was even hail. It was just the thing to ensure a stress-free day driving a 500 horsepower, $100,000 car that didn't belong to us.

The fact that it was not actually a bad day is testament to the M6' all-around athleticism. BMW's M division has been producing some of the world's most respected performance cars for almost three decades now, and the M6 is the latest fruit of this skunkworks' labors. This car is designed to excel not just on the track, but anywhere that your oil-pumping, driving-enthusiast heart happens to take you. That includes twisty roads during a downpour.

The M6 has a breathtaking look; the sublime edges of the 650i seem tighter and more athletic thanks to stronger side sculpting and unique darker trim. 19-inch wheels show off brake rotors that are as big as the tires of some cars. At the rear, a redesigned lower valance houses quad exhaust pipes. Sharp eyes will note the contrasting-colored roof, which isn't actually painted; the M6 sports a lightweight carbon-fiber roof panel, to help lower the car's center of gravity and shave a few more pounds, as do a plastic trunklid and fenders. It's not obvious to a casual onlooker, and that's all in keeping with the Q-ship mien of an M product.

You can't make a performance splash these days without big, big power, and the M6 delivers happily on this front. Under the latest M car's hood is the 5.0 liter V10 engine that debuted in the monstrous M5 earlier this year. A flex of the ankle unleashes 500 horses on the unsuspecting road. The V10 is a rev-monster, and makes its power when it's spinning like a race engine. Eschewing BMW's Valvetronic system, the M6 uses race-derived hydraulic lifters designed for high-rpm performance. Thanks to a mellow exhaust note that turns to a snarl as the power builds, the M6 sounds good, too. Power is delivered to the road via a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) similar to that found in other BMW products. A true manual transmission would have pleased our purist's heart more than the SMG, of course--the auto-manual may run the numbers quicker, but a true manual transmission is more adept at stirring the soul. Then again, this car would probably be a bit of a handful with a stick, so there's that to consider as well. The SMG's built-in Launch Control helps to keep the M6 civilized around town, as does a variable differential lock that prevents unnecessary wheelspin.

The M6's massive power is balanced by responsive handling and augmented by a bunch of electronic driving aids. To keep the unnecessary weight down and the necessary poundage in the right places, the chassis and suspension are all-aluminum. Compared to the 650i, the M6 has a slightly wider track, stronger suspension bushings and lightened half-shafts. Cross-drilled brake rotors are designed to reduce unsprung weight, and the payoff comes in lighting-quick reflexes that are nothing short of amazing in a car this size. The Sensotronic variable power steering's response to sudden inputs is great, and the M6 stays composed even when the road is slick. Electronic damper control is used on the shocks. The adjustable suspension allows a bit of slip when it's needed, and BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system has been recalibrated specifically to provide more enthusiast-friendly responses. The suspension is stiff without being harsh. Like the M3, this coupe always stays in communication with the driver. Those monster brakes will haul this car to a stop in aneurysm-inducing time thanks to fourteen-inch rotors.

And for all that capability, it's civilized. It takes a special sort of maniac to drive a Dodge Viper every day, but the M6 harnesses the same power in a mellow enough package to cruise without undue vigilance. Part of the secret is a vehicle dynamic computer with a split personality. With the touch of a button, the M6's throttle response, suspension damping and even engine power can be adjusted to one of three levels. This isn't a fuel-saving cylinder shutoff, but a simple engine tweak that allows the V10 to scale its output back to 400 horsepower. When the engine is in full-sport mode on the road, the suspension actually remains soft, to soak up the irregularities of a public road. Rock-hard settings are saved for the track. It works nicely, and the M6 hugs the road confidently without resorting to the buckboard ride of a track car.

It works well. During our waterlogged drive, the big wheels never washed out on the wet pavement. The M6 always felt poised, even without all-wheel drive. As gloomy as it was outdoors, we were always comfortable inside, where the M6 sports a choice of handsome blond Olive Carrara or darker Walnut Madeira wood on the dash and a multi-layered instrument panel whose contours match those of the exterior. The suede headliner and iDrive are shared with the 650i; the subtle red and blue stitching that matches the M badge on the steering wheel, sport seats and 200-mph speedometer are not. The rear seat is a glorified package shelf, and best treated as such. A navigation system and premium sound are also standard. A cool head-up display projects the M6' vitals on the windshield for the driver.

Considering the M6' performance capabilities, luxury and of course the 500 horsepower, names like Porsche and Ferrari were bandied about when considering what it might compete with. They stayed there when the sticker price came down; the M6 we drove stickered for $106,390. That's a starting price of $96,100, plus the head-up display, satellite radio, Merino leather and a gas guzzler tax. Ferrari and Porsche buyers are no doubt familiar with that many digits on the bottom line, but a 500-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is not much more than half the cost of the M6.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 BMW M6.
Length: 191.8 in.
Width: 73.0 in.
Height: 54.0 in.
Wheelbase: 109.5 in.
Curb weight: 3909 lb.
Cargo space: 13.0 cu.ft.
Base price: $96,100
Price as tested: $106,390
Engine: 5.0 liter DOHC 40-valve V10
Drivetrain: seven-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower: 500 @ 7750
Torque: 383 @ 6100
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 12/18

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
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Bend, OK
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The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.