DecodedCars2012 BMW 6 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 650i Xdrive 2dr Coupe AWD, 650i 2dr Coupe RWD, Cabriolet 650i 2dr Conv RWD, Cabriolet 650i Xdrive 2dr Conv AWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 192.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,233–4,608 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 BMW 6 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,387 lb (650i Xdrive 2dr Coupe AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 32 highway), 2% better than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer, wheelbase +3.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 4.8L 8-cyl
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG up from 18 to 26
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 6 Series →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 650i Xdrive 2dr Coupe AWD | 192.5 in | 74.4 in | 53.9 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 65.7 in | 4,387 lb | 54/46 |
| 650i 2dr Coupe RWD | 192.5 in | 74.4 in | 53.9 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 65.7 in | 4,233 lb | 53/47 |
| Cabriolet 650i 2dr Conv RWD | 192.5 in | 74.4 in | 53.9 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 65.7 in | 4,531 lb | 50/50 |
| Cabriolet 650i Xdrive 2dr Conv AWD | 192.5 in | 74.4 in | 53.9 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 65.7 in | 4,608 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 640i Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +2% | $3,150 | 342 |
| 640i Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 23 | -10% | $3,550 | 386 |
| 650i Convertible | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -30% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 650i Coupe | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -30% | $4,550 | 494 |
| 650i Convertible | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -34% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 650i Coupe | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -34% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 650i Coupe xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -34% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 650i Convertible xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -34% | $4,850 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 BMW 6 Series.
Similar 2012 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 6 Series (this car) | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 BMW 5 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi A6 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Jaguar XJ | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger · Apr 10, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V161000 · 2,846 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
- Fix
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2012 BMW 6 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 BMW 6 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 BMW 6 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 6 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 6 Series | 23 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 6 Series | 23 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 6 Series | 24 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 6 Series | 24 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 6 Series | 25 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 6 Series | 25 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 6 Series | 26 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 6 Series | 18 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 6 Series | 18 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 6 Series | 18 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2007 6 Series | 18 | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 6 Series | 18 | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →