EuroRoadTrip Diary: Renting a 2013 BMW M6 in Germany.

"alexotics" (alexotics)
08/22/2013 at 09:55 • Filed to: BMW

The initial idea was to take a trip down to Munich, visit the BMW Welt (read: BMW World) and museum, have a beer and a sausage, and call it a day. But !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the BMW Welt parking lot proved to be a great place to spend some time. As we perused through various M offerings, we began to notice that these weren't visitor or factory cars, they were instead cars owned by a rental company located on the main floor of the BMW Welt! As Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds would of said: "Ooooh we have a bingo!"

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As soon as my dad and I exited the elevator we zeroed in on the 'Mobility on Demand' rental desk where the friendly lady informed us that there were only X5M and X6M cars available due to the heavy rain and slick roads. Luckily this only seemed to have been a defense mechanism against the lead footed adrenaline monkeys looking for a quick thrill. In fact, she told us that this month alone, six M cars had been totalled. Six! From the fleet of about 20. Yikes. I'd hate to own shares in a German insurance company right about now. Anyhow, after convincing her that we were in fact semi-responsible drivers with our eyes on a BMW 640d, she allowed us to fill in the paperwork for the only 6 Series available to rent - a 2013 BMW M6 Coupe. Bingo.

After going over a brief damage checklist and tutorial on the car, we checked off the windiest of pre-programmed trips and set off on a 310 kilometre adventure through the Bavarian Alps. But as soon as we crawled out of the BMW Welt parking garage we were greeted with buckets of rain, a dark grey sky, and epic Munich traffic. With literally no time to get used to the 560 bhp on tap, we shimmied the car to the Autobahn where we were further limited by the 120 km/h speed restrictions due to the horrid weather.

Eventually we reached the mountains where we tucked the M6's wide backside between some age old Armco towards a picturesque village with a biblical name. And for the record, oh my Jesus can this car surprise you. Do not for one second think that a BMW M6 would make a great grand tourer a la Bentley Conti GT . It's a savage unpredictable soul that'll have you spinning backwards in flames before you can say "I wish we got the 640 diesel." Even though the power buildup is relatively slow and often times the engine feels like it wants to pull straight out of the near 2,000 kg body, it'll require generous dabs of opposite lock at even the least expected of times. Buyers beware.

We then posed for some pictures and experimented with the M1 and M2 shortcuts on the M6's steering wheel that unleashed five times more fury than the slick roads nor the performance conti's could handle. Your best bet? Leave the steering, damping, and engine management in comfort and just enjoy the luxury with endless power on tap. Do not try and squeeze every last horse out of the TwinScroll turbocharged 8 cylinder. At least not on rainy roads that hadn't seen a drop of wetness in weeks. In fact, even when left in rainy nanny mode, the M6 would kick it's tail on mere downshifts from 3rd to 2nd. Insanity.

We eventually surprised ourselves by bringing the beast back in one piece. Proud as peacocks we dropped off the keys at the rental desk and proceeded to continue our visit of the stunning BMW Welt. More on that later. But for now, I'm looking forward to hopping in my hot hatch that, with a 'mere' 200 bhp, at least allows me to occasionally put the pedal to the metal without needing Raikkonen reflexes combined with the composure of the Barrett-Jackson chap who manoeuvres the muscle cars down the stage.

DISCUSSION (13)

highmodulus > alexotics
08/22/2013 at 10:10

Cold tires and insane amounts of torque can lead to lots of unexpected Oppo on the new M5- the first thing we were warned by the BMW Instructors at BMW Disney USA (aka the Performance Center in SC).

Mosqvich > alexotics
08/22/2013 at 10:49

I rented a 5-series in Frankfort back in the late 90s. The weather was great and I spent a weekend running it up to its apparent top speed (149 mph). I went through about 3 tanks of gas! I love Germany and really enjoyed the experience.

How much did the car cost to rent? How long did you get to keep it?

Milky > alexotics
08/22/2013 at 11:21

Seems like a great trip .... also love the song choice.

alexotics > Milky
08/22/2013 at 12:07

Thanks! One of my favourite driving songs.

alexotics > Mosqvich
08/22/2013 at 12:12

I bet in 20 years I'll be reminiscing on this experience just like you are. There's something special about renting a homegrown piece of kit and unleashing it on its home turf roads.

To answer your questions, it was 225 Euros for 3 hours plus fuel. But once we had it for 3 hours we got it for the day. Unfortunately we weren't in Munich for very long so we only used the car for 2.5 hours and spent the rest of the day visiting the Welt and rushing through the Museum. You can also rent the cars for the weekend or for longer, but you'd have to book in advance. Especially in August.

I figure 225 Euros for the day in any M car of choice (the M6 was the most expensive, so it may even be cheaper for an M3) is a decent deal. Especially if you've arrived by train or plane and are in need of some right foot pedal to the metal. No 1M's though.

alexotics > highmodulus
08/22/2013 at 12:14

Funnily enough I thought the M5 was a bit more tame. At least in terms of governing. However the M5 surely isn't a kitty to be approached without caution. I remember one time last year watching the TC light flicker all the way to the bottom of 4th gear when making a run between lights in a brand spanking new white F10 M5.

Mosqvich > alexotics
08/22/2013 at 12:39

Plus you're really paying for the experience. It's too bad the weather and traffic didn't work out. My last trip to Germany I didn't get a car. It's an awesome country. I hope they don't impose speed limits any time soon.

highmodulus > alexotics
08/22/2013 at 12:41

Once the tires are warm and you are used to the tons of torque down low, it was a easy car to hustle down the road fast. On the track it was a bit too heavy IMHO.

Spasoje > alexotics
08/23/2013 at 18:49

Could you explain the "rent it for 3hrs, keep it for the day" bit? Do they just look the other way when you return it 10hrs later?

alexotics > Spasoje
08/24/2013 at 08:26

No, if you only booked for 3 hours you gotta give them a call and see if the car is free to keep for the entire day. The day ends at 5ish PM so you can't just take the car to dinner and leave it outside the Welt around midnight with the keys tossed under the tire. :D

alexotics > highmodulus
08/24/2013 at 08:35

The car was plain too heavy. Like I hinted at in the bit, the engine felt like a sprinting racehorse tied to a loaded carriage.

Egoods > alexotics
04/09/2014 at 17:55

I know this is an old post but... in 2015 myself and a friend are planning to attend the 24 hours of Le Mans, and then spend a week + driving through Germany/Belgium, wherever we want to go. Hopefully the Nurburgring 24hr is taking place at the same time next year (weekend after Le Mans), but if it's not we'll shoot up there.

On to my question, I'm platinum status with Sixt, and I've been offered a few choices and wanted to get impressions from someone that has a bit more time on the roads/with the Europe spec versions on what I should take. So, I can get either an M3/5/6 a 7 series, a Z4 or SLK, and finally a 640d. Given gas prices, and our propensity to probably drive much more than I anticipate what would you suggest out of the top choices? I'm partial to either the M5 or M6... thoughts?

alexotics > Egoods
04/14/2014 at 13:02

The Nurburgring 24 is happening the week after LeMans 24, so definitely catch both! I've attended the former, and it turned out to be completely free, hold for the beer and sausage. I've also walked the LeMans track free of charge by just pulling up, and walking on, but have never attended the 24.

In terms of car rental choice, I'd suggest a comfortable, powerful, economical car. The 640d would be an excellent choice. Gas is extremely expensive in France, Belgium, and Germany, and even more so in Italy (about $3/litre). I'd steer away from anything larger than a 6 Series as it's just two of you. I'd further highly recommend getting your hands on something small, new, and German and fun. Think M235i, M135i, CLA45 AMG, or the new Audi S3. If they have a Porsche Cayman or Boxster up for rent, try those two as the new models have improved dramatically.

Also remember you'll be so excited by the places you'll visit, you won't always enjoy your car to the fullest. You'll spend a lot of time on highways and a lot of time will spent sightseeing with it parked. So don't get anything too crazy. A fast somewhat economical German sports car ought to do it. Just something to keep up with the big Audis on the Autobahn.