Used BMW 6 Series Convertible 2003 - 2011 review

The BMW 6 Series Convertible is lavishly equipped, supple-riding and quick – this impressive grand tourer was built to cover long distances.

It's based on the 5 Series saloon, so handles with all the polish you'd expect, and this convertible versin drives as neatly as the coupe and feels solid, although the high rear end makes reversing tricky.

Top down, the interior is hushed and calm, even at speed. But while it's a big car, there's not enough room in the back for adults, and luggage space is tight.

It's a relatively rare sight on UK streets, so exclusivity is assured. However, while the interior is handsome, it doesn't have the warmth or special feel of some competitors' interiors.

Like many other modern BMWs, many controls are handled by an iDrive system, which employs a single point-and-click dial to control heating, phone, stereo and so on. It's a love-it-or-hate-it device, so spend time with it before you buy.

By BMW standards, depreciation is quite stiff on a 6 Series. But that means it can be quite a bargain if you buy at the right time, after the first owner has suffered the biggest drop in value. As a result, older cars look attractive buys, although running costs mount as they enter the middle years.

Servicing costs are reasonable and, like all BMWs, intervals vary according to how you drive. Spares are dear and a pair of tyres will cost several hundred pounds to replace.

Insurance falls into group 19 for the 630i, while cover for the others is by special quote only.

For a car of this sort, fuel economy is good at up to 31mpg overall for the 630i.

Choose the 630i - the 3.0 takes you to 60mph from rest in just 6.5sec, even though it is the smallest engine in the range. Best of all, it's also the cheapest.

The engine burbles nicely when worked hard but otherwise it does its work quietly, whether you're looking at model with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Its interior isn't quite as special as the high-performance M6's, but it is leather-trimmed and has pretty much all you'll ever want, although sat-nav is an extra.

Like all BMW 6 Series Convertibles, the 630i comes in a choice of standard or Sport trim, the latter bringing stiffer suspension and bigger alloy wheels. We prefer standard models for their more absorbent ride and subtler looks.

If you can bear the expense of buying and running, the other options are the 650i and the M6. The latter produces 500bhp and screams to 60mph in under 5.0sec.

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