Review: BMW F12 6-Series convertible (2011-18)

BMW F12.I 6-Series convertible (2011-14)

Overview

Released in May 2011, the BMW F12 Series I (F12.I) 6-Series was a two-door convertible with a soft-top roof. Manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, the rear-wheel drive F12 6-Series convertible range initially consisted of the 650i, with the 640i following in August (see table below). The 640i was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six cylinder petrol engine while the 650i had a 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8; both models, however, were fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with steering wheel gearshift paddles. In September 2012, the 650i received a power upgrade.

EfficientDynamics

The 6-Series was fitted with BMW’s ‘EfficientDynamics’ technologies such as electric power steering, on-demand operation of ancillary components, low-rolling resistance tyres and ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting. The 640i was also fitted with:

• Auto Start/Stop which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary;
• Air Vent Control which closed air vents when cooling was not required for improved aerodynamics; and,
• An ECO PRO driving mode which modified the engine management, accelerator mapping and the shift characteristics of the transmission for greater fuel economy.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the E64 6-Series convertible , the F12 6-Series convertible was 74 mm longer (at 4894 mm), 39 mm wider (1894 mm), 8 mm lower (1365 mm) and had a 75 mm longer wheelbase (2855 mm). Furthermore, static torsional rigidity increased by approximately 50 per cent.

The power-operated, soft-top roof could be opened in 19 seconds and closed in 24 seconds, with both operations capable of being performed at speeds of up to 40 km/h.

Suspension

The F12 6-Series had all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link ‘Integral-V’ rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F12 6-Series Convertible included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags with head and thorax protection, door-mounted head-protecting airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and an automatically deploying rollover bar.

Features: 640i and 650i Convertible

Standard features for the 640i included 19-inch alloy wheels, a nine speaker HiFi sound system with a 205 watt digital amplifier, CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Dakota’ leather seats, power adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, Professional satellite navigation system with a 10.2-inch colour screen, head-up display, cruise control, directional bi-xenon headlights, front and rear fog lights, Bluetooth mobile phone and audio connectivity, internet connectivity, voice recognition, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, steering wheel gearshift paddles, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors, power retracting mirrors, a power adjustable steering column (tilt and reach) with memory settings, a power-operated park brake, 12 volt power outlet, an alarm and immobiliser.

The 650i was further equipped with a twelve speaker ‘Professional’ HiFi sound system with a 500 watt multi-channel amplifier with DIRAC processing and surround sound mode, ‘Comfort’ (i.e. ventilated) front seats, front and side cameras (‘Surround View’), TV tuner, automatic soft-close doors. The 650i was also fitted with BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control and Adaptive Drive systems, including Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation. As such, the electronically controlled dampers could adapt to both the nature of the road surface and the driver’s style to prevent unwanted body movements, while the damping system adjusted the compression and rebound settings continuously and independently from one another.

M Sport package

The 6-Series Convertible was available with an optional M Sport package which included 20-inch alloy wheels, Anthracite headlining and a bodykit with more aggressive front and rear bumpers and side skirts; the exhaust system for the 650i was also modified for an ‘enhanced’ exhaust note.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F12 6-Series Convertible (January 2011)
• Specifications: BMW F12 6-Series Convertible (April 2014)

BMW F12.II 6-Series convertible (2015-18)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in June 2015, the F12 Series II (F12.II) 6-Series Convertible introduced cosmetic updates, a revised interior and increased torque for the 650i.

The F12.II 6-Series Convertible could be identified by its Adaptive LED headlights (fitted as standard) and redesigned kidney grille and front and rear aprons; the 640i was also fitted with larger tailpipe finishers. Furthermore, the F12.II 6-Series Convertible was offered with five new paint finishes: Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic.

Inside, the F12.II 6-Series Convertible introduced new high-quality surfaces, the latest generation BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) and the availability of bi-colour leather trim as an option.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F12.II 6-Series Convertible were extended to include BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ which included:

• Forward Collision and Pedestrian Warning system with city braking function: used a camera to monitor traffic and obstacles up to 50 metres ahead of the vehicle. If the distance to an object ahead decreased such that there was a risk of collision, the driver would receive warnings (visual and audible) and the braking system would be primed. At speeds between 10 km/h and 60 km/h, the ‘city braking’ function could autonomously apply the brakes and apply maximum braking force to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
• Lane Departure Warning: operating at speeds above 70 km/h, Lane Departure Warning used a camera to monitor lane markings ahead up to a distance of 50 metres. If the system detected that the vehicle had unintentionally crossed a marking, the driver would be warned via steering wheel vibrations; and,
• Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function: operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control used three radar sensors to maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead. With the Stop&Go function, the vehicle could apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest and, once the traffic ahead began to accelerate, automatically accelerate if the vehicle had been stationary for a period between 1 and 3 seconds. If the vehicle had been stationary for longer than 3 seconds, the driver would need to briefly press the accelerator or a button to initiate acceleration up to the previously set cruising speed.

Features: 640i and 650i Convertible

Standard features for the F12.II 6-Series Convertible were extended to include DAB+ digital radio tuner, Adaptive LED headlights, BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system (previously limited to the 650i), soft-close doors (also previously limited to the 650i) and a wind deflector. The F12.II 6-Series Convertible was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which used ultrasonic sensors to identify parallel parking spaces and could then steering the vehicle into the space while the driver operated the accelerator and brake.

The 650i Convertible was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels.

2016 BMW F12 640i Convertible Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F12 640i Convertible was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

• Fine-wood trim in Piano Black;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Opal White;
• Ruby Black paint finish; and,
• Aluminium satinated exterior trim.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F12 640i Convertible Individual included 20-inch double spoke M alloy wheels, a Harman/Kardon surround sound system, BMW’s ‘Comfort’ front seats, active seat ventilation, ceramic surrounds for controls and ‘M Sport’ package. Australian deliveries of the BMW F12 640i Convertible Individual were limited to five (5) vehicles.

Related links

• BMW Australia: BMW 6-Series Convertible
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F06/F12/F13 6-Series