27.03.2009
Despite packing a 500bhp punch courtesy of a truly extraordinary V10 engine the BMW M6 has never quite cut the mustard. Can the new Competition package turn it into a contender? DR pitches the Bavarian hypercoupe against its toughest rivals on road, runway and race track to find out…
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18 Comments
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
March 27, 2009Posted on DR: BMW M6 Competition v Porsche 911 Turbo v Audi R8 R tronic http://bit.ly/Faczl
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
March 27, 2009Posted on DR: BMW M6 Competition v Porsche 911 Turbo v Audi R8 R tronic http://bit.ly/Faczl
Paul
March 27, 2009Congrats Guys. A really good triple test and even more interesting for me as the R8 you used looks almost identical to mine!!!!
Sounds like you may have had a hard used one if the Launch Control wouldn’t let you play though and I’m baffled as to why you’d even want to consider leaving it in auto mode. Mine’s pretty much always in sport/manual, especially for it’s party piece!!
It was nice to hear the comment about why more people don’t track their R8′s also. I’ve yet to see another on any of the track days I’ve attended here in the UK. It is just like a bigger, more powerful Exige and you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be the quickest thing out there – especially in the wet!!
Only wish I’d spec’d the carbon brakes, as mine seem to get a bit overheated after 4/5 laps of most of the circuits I’ve driven.
Also, totally agree on your comments about it’s on road manners and the way it drives. I have to say, that nearly a year into ownership, I still get a massive thrill and pleasure from a blast in the country. And when you aren’t ‘in the mood’, switch the Mag Ride out of Sport mode and it is as comfortable and quiet to travel huge distances in without feeling the need to have new ear drums or a complete spine re-adjustment!
That said, I would still seriously consider a Turbo. I’ve always hankered after one, but for me, and certainly from the reaction of other people as well, the R8 just has more visual WOW factor.
As impressive as it seems, I don’t think I’ll be running to the BMW dealers for an M6 anytime soon though – I still prefer the look and the idea of the M3 4 door over it’s bigger brother.
Considering the model you used for this comparison was ‘just’ the 4.2 Fsi, I do wonder what the R8 would have done to the other two cars if you had got a hold of the V10 version???
Great Article again guys, great photos too. Keep it up and more of the same please.
Paul.
Paul
March 27, 2009Congrats Guys. A really good triple test and even more interesting for me as the R8 you used looks almost identical to mine!!!!
Sounds like you may have had a hard used one if the Launch Control wouldn’t let you play though and I’m baffled as to why you’d even want to consider leaving it in auto mode. Mine’s pretty much always in sport/manual, especially for it’s party piece!!
It was nice to hear the comment about why more people don’t track their R8′s also. I’ve yet to see another on any of the track days I’ve attended here in the UK. It is just like a bigger, more powerful Exige and you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be the quickest thing out there – especially in the wet!!
Only wish I’d spec’d the carbon brakes, as mine seem to get a bit overheated after 4/5 laps of most of the circuits I’ve driven.
Also, totally agree on your comments about it’s on road manners and the way it drives. I have to say, that nearly a year into ownership, I still get a massive thrill and pleasure from a blast in the country. And when you aren’t ‘in the mood’, switch the Mag Ride out of Sport mode and it is as comfortable and quiet to travel huge distances in without feeling the need to have new ear drums or a complete spine re-adjustment!
That said, I would still seriously consider a Turbo. I’ve always hankered after one, but for me, and certainly from the reaction of other people as well, the R8 just has more visual WOW factor.
As impressive as it seems, I don’t think I’ll be running to the BMW dealers for an M6 anytime soon though – I still prefer the look and the idea of the M3 4 door over it’s bigger brother.
Considering the model you used for this comparison was ‘just’ the 4.2 Fsi, I do wonder what the R8 would have done to the other two cars if you had got a hold of the V10 version???
Great Article again guys, great photos too. Keep it up and more of the same please.
Paul.
Rob Thorpe
March 27, 2009Is there any chance that you will be putting up a database of the cars you’ve tested extensively with lap times around the track etc? Would be nice to have our own DR leaderboard!
Rob Thorpe
March 27, 2009Is there any chance that you will be putting up a database of the cars you’ve tested extensively with lap times around the track etc? Would be nice to have our own DR leaderboard!
Stig
March 27, 2009Excellent DR feature article and great videos to compare the relative strengths of the M6, R8, and 997TT across road, autobahn and track! Also enjoyed some entertaining driving and commentary around Silverstone…
The competition pack appears to have improved the BMW M6′s qualifications, but the Audi R8 and 997TT seem to benefit from a post-doc in automotive engineering with applied driver dynamics!
Good to hear you’d also prefer a decent manual gearbox in the R8, where the R-tronic seems to dilute the driving experience. It will be interesting to see if Porsche can maintain the experience with a PDK gearbox in the 997TT.
Look forward to a re-rack of the final with an Audi R8 V10 taking on the Porsche 997TT facelift…
…but where’s the next “ultimate driving machine” from BMW M-Sport?
[img]https://mediapool.bmwgroup.com/mediapool/econtroller/pressclub/public?actEvent=zoom&filename=P0046110.JPG[/img]
Stig
March 27, 2009Excellent DR feature article and great videos to compare the relative strengths of the M6, R8, and 997TT across road, autobahn and track! Also enjoyed some entertaining driving and commentary around Silverstone…
The competition pack appears to have improved the BMW M6′s qualifications, but the Audi R8 and 997TT seem to benefit from a post-doc in automotive engineering with applied driver dynamics!
Good to hear you’d also prefer a decent manual gearbox in the R8, where the R-tronic seems to dilute the driving experience. It will be interesting to see if Porsche can maintain the experience with a PDK gearbox in the 997TT.
Look forward to a re-rack of the final with an Audi R8 V10 taking on the Porsche 997TT facelift…
…but where’s the next “ultimate driving machine” from BMW M-Sport?
[img]https://mediapool.bmwgroup.com/mediapool/econtroller/pressclub/public?actEvent=zoom&filename=P0046110.JPG[/img]
Steve
March 27, 2009@Rob Thorpe – Rob, we are indeed doing so. Sorry, it’s been on my list for a few months now and keeps getting delayed, but now that we’re back on track (i.e. setting new Silverstone lap times) it’s moving steadily to the top of the list again. We should have it up and running in the next few weeks.
Steve
March 27, 2009@Rob Thorpe – Rob, we are indeed doing so. Sorry, it’s been on my list for a few months now and keeps getting delayed, but now that we’re back on track (i.e. setting new Silverstone lap times) it’s moving steadily to the top of the list again. We should have it up and running in the next few weeks.
Rob Thorpe
March 27, 2009Sounds good Steve!
Rob Thorpe
March 27, 2009Sounds good Steve!
Alan
March 27, 2009I’ve got to agree with Paul above. No question the R8 has far more wow factor than the other 2. Amazing that the ‘basic’ R8 does so well. Surely the more like for like (particualrly with the 911) V10 would just blow the others away.
As your article says, I just can’t see the point of the M6, for a fast agile coupe, buy an M3. if you want the extra power and space buy an M5.
I do fancy an R8 to complement my M5 touring, might just be the best of both worlds !!
Alan
March 27, 2009I’ve got to agree with Paul above. No question the R8 has far more wow factor than the other 2. Amazing that the ‘basic’ R8 does so well. Surely the more like for like (particualrly with the 911) V10 would just blow the others away.
As your article says, I just can’t see the point of the M6, for a fast agile coupe, buy an M3. if you want the extra power and space buy an M5.
I do fancy an R8 to complement my M5 touring, might just be the best of both worlds !!
Neville Contractor
March 31, 2009Just thought I’d say what a great read that was and videos were fantastic!
Still can’t decide which one I would go for yet…
Neville Contractor
March 31, 2009Just thought I’d say what a great read that was and videos were fantastic!
Still can’t decide which one I would go for yet…
GaryST220
March 31, 2009That was a good read. If I had my pick of the litter then I’d have to go for the M6, 4 seats, and a naturally aspirated V10 engine.
GaryST220
March 31, 2009That was a good read. If I had my pick of the litter then I’d have to go for the M6, 4 seats, and a naturally aspirated V10 engine.