2007 BMW M6

This 2007 BMW 6 Series convertible spent its formative years in Ireland, coming to the UK after nine years in May 2016. Finished in black with a red leather interior, it looks utterly magnificent.

As the P500 version, ‘JXZ 2952’ has the full-fat 500bhp at its disposal, which means a power-to-weight ratio of 311bhp/tonne, which is enough for even the most enthusiastic of drivers.

With only 73,000 miles on the odometer, it is only for sale because the seller just isn’t using it as much as he thought; having covered only 4,000-odd miles in the three years he’s owned it, he feels now is the time to let someone else enjoy it.

Black is unrelenting in its ability to highlight and magnify even the slightest imperfection, so when you see one looking this good you know it isn’t hiding anything.

With excellent panel alignment and shutlines, the basic architecture is there. Dial in an absence of dents, dinks and other damage and you’ve got the perfect palette to show off that glossy black paint.

The black folding hood is excellent - both rear drainage tubes were replaced in 2017 - and it rises and falls as it should. It tucks away neatly under a hood cover when it isn’t needed and a pop-up glass wind deflector (complete with demister element) means you can leave it lowered even at high speeds.

The hood is a little creased but we suspect this is simply a function of being folded down for large parts of its life.

The five-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels are swathed in a matching set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As for flaws, those wheels do show some slight lacquer loss and the odd kerbing mark, so could do with being refurbished.

There is also some wear to the roof beading above the driver’s door, a scuff on the nearside rear bumper, a chunk is missing from the sidewall of the offside front tyre, there’s some wear to the paint on the nearside door handle, the BMW badge on the bonnet has seen better days, and there is a crack to the offside headlamp.

While most luxury cars dazzle their occupants with leather and wood, BMW switched out the latter for carbonfibre – and given the first owner also ticked the box for bright red leather, the interior of this M6 really is something very special indeed.

With a very of-the-moment cupholder, heavily bolstered seats, flappy paddles, and a head-up display (HUD) we can’t imagine ever getting bored of slipping behind the M-Sport steering wheel and firing up the V10.

It’s all in great shape, too. As you’d expect, following a light refresh a few years ago the only real sign of wear is to the driver’s seat but that only takes the form of light creasing.

The rest of the leather trim is very good indeed, as are the door cards, carpets and inner headlining on the folding roof.

The boot, which is home to the warning triangle, and battery is in good shape. 

We’re told that everything works as it should and we can see from the invoices that the air-conditioning system was recharged in June 2021.

The BMW’s V10 engine never ceases to amaze us; refined and quiet under normal throttle openings, it howls like a banshee when you explore the upper reaches of the rev range, all accompanied to one of the best exhaust notes of its era.

As you can see in the video, this one starts, idles and revs as it should but then this isn’t a surprise given how well it’s been serviced and maintained over the years:

• 13.01.2009 and 5,894 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Frank Keane BMW Dublin
• 15.09.2020 and 10,242 miles - miles – service by Frank Keane BMW Dublin 
• 19.06.2012 and 24,207 miles – service by Murphy & Gunn BMW 
• 24.05.2013 and 35,121 miles – service and fresh brake fluid plus a new clutch by Murphy & Gunn BMW 
• 12.06.2014 and 45,547 miles – service by Murphy & Gunn BMW 
• 12.12.2015 and 56,347 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Murphy & Gunn BMW 
• 17.04.2017 and 59,120 miles – service by North East Autos 
• 08.04.2018 and 64,894 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by North East Autos
• 26.04.2018 and 65,031 miles – new Sachs clutch fitted by Plough Motors Ltd
• 26.04.2019 and 68,282 miles – new connecting rods bearings fitted by Mr Vanos
• 04.05.2021 and 70,408 miles – service and fresh coolant by Young & Pollock LLP
• 07.07.2022 and 72,551 miles – oil service and fresh brake fluid by Young & Pollock LLP 
• 22.04.2023 and 73,591 miles – service by Young & Pollock LLP

The BMW’s owner is full of praise for Young & Pollock, the garage he’s been using for years. Staffed by ex-BMW mechanics, he handed the M6 over to them in 2021 to go through it “with a fine-tooth comb” putting any little niggles right. 

You can see for yourself what they did by browsing the attached invoices but we like the fact he didn’t turn a blind eye to some of the smaller faults some folk would have ignored.

That said, the dashboard has recently started to show a DSC failure. This has happened to the seller before and he says it goes away when you reset the clock. 

The underside has had a repair made to a tear in the undertray. This is, we are told, only cosmetic, is solid, and in no way affects the way the car drives.

The engine bay presents very well.

The BMW’s MoT certificate, which is valid until November 2024, was gained with no advisories, something it’s no stranger to.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a Cat S marker. We’ve been told the damage was to panels rather than the chassis, suspension, wheels or steering and wasn’t serious enough to activate the airbags. 

It was repaired, we believe, using a new bumper, nearside front wing, nearside front lights, a bonnet and a front grille and it has been passed following a technical inspection.

The BMW comes with two key fobs.

Depreciation is an merciless lover, savaging anyone lucky enough to have had sufficient cash in the bank to buy a nigh-on six-figure supercar convertible a decade and a half ago.

Which is terrible news if you were that buyer but great news if you fancy buying one of the best long-distance touring cars on the planet because we think this one, with a full-service history and a very reasonable mileage will sell for somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000, which is a bonkers pound/performance ratio.

And, because it is being offered with no reserve, it’ll sell no matter what.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.