78 modern classics
Head to Headstomaching lumps and bumps than
the M6 in its soggiest setting. While
there’s a degree more body roll in the
B6S than the M6, it doesn’t upset the
dynamics as starkly as the M
Department machine. It seems as if
Buchloe felt more confident in its
decisions to choose best for its
customers, rather than Munich’s
decision to leave it up to the owner.
You do, however, feel the Alpina’s
greater bulk on corner entry – there’s
a touch more understeer than the M6,
which, thanks to the Alpina’s vast,
low-down torque, can be counter-
acted with a healthy slug of throttle-
down oversteer. But to do so seems
rather outof keepingwiththeAlpina’s
easygoingnature.
Much liketheM6,theAlpina’s
brakes don’tquitehavethesame
passion forreelingintheperformance
as the enginedoesfordolingit out,
despite thediscscomingfromthe
Middle Eastern-spec760Li–the
biggest intheBMWpartsbin.They
are staggeringlyeffectiveintheshort
term, thoughexercisethemtoooften
and theybeginto fade.
It’s bestto concentrateonthe
Alpina’s uniqueskillset–thisis a car
that’s perfectforlongmotorwayslogs.
But doestheM6’ssupercaralterego
make thatthemoresatisfyingtreat?The Modern Classics view
Which is the best car here depends on
the question being asked – whether
it’s what’s the best GT car, or what’s
the ultimate version of the E63?
If it’s the former, the Alpina takes it
by a country mile – or, indeed, an
entire country, such is its ability to
chomp miles. Where the M6 makes
you work to keep it on the boil, the B6
is effortless. Point it at the horizon,
hold on, watch the world compress...
Rarity will always keep Alpina
prices at a premium, but its abilities
and character justify the extra wedge.
If you can live with LHD, it's worth
importing one from Europe.But it’s not the ultimate E63, and
that has to go to the M6. It’s a f lawed
car – it never quite knows what it’s
trying to be, stuck in limbo between
luxury GT and hardcore weapon. It
doesn’t quite convince on the latter,
even though it corners far better than
a 1785kg coupe has any right to.
You’ll find it easy to forgive, though- revving it out to 8000rpm never gets
boring. It's the kind of car we're never
going to see again, which makes it the
definition of a modern classic, and we
foresee the era of cheap M6s coming
to an end soon. If you're tempted,
count to ten and hit the classifieds.
specifications BMW M6 AlpinA B6 S
Engine 4999cc, 10-cyl, DOHC 4398cc, 8-cyl, DOHC
Transmission RWD, 7-speed SMG III RWD, 6-speed auto
Power 500bhp@7750rpm 523bhp@5500rpm
Torque 384lb-ft@6100rpm 5 35lb-ft@4750rpm
Weight 1785kg 1720kg
performance
0-60mph 4.2sec 4.5sec
Top speed 155mph 197mph
Economy 19mpg 19mpg
What to pay
Concours £30,000 £35,000
Good £20,000 £30,000
Usable £15,000 £25,000
Project £12,000 Unlikely’as a gt, tHe alpina takes it by a country mile.but it’s not tHe ultimate e63’Thanks to
Alpina
owner
Simon
Slater and
BMW
owner Sam
Wheeler.