Now for the track experience!
Here's a track diagram for your reference
We had
Instructor Wong from BMW Malaysia to supervise our session
Wong gave us a briefing on driving technique, setting your driving position etc, and told us that he will drive as fast as he can! There were rules on no overtaking. Basically, we would run in formation and the lead car needed to keep up with him....the rest keep up with each other.
We would get to do 2-3 laps in each car, then driver / car swaps. We had the choice of an M5 or M6, but driving the M3/M4 was mandatory.
So we headed down to the pits where the cars awaited us
Note, except for the matt black M5 and M6 GC, all the other cars were brand new with less than 300 kms on the clock - what a way to run them in! Since I had arrived earlier, I had observed the drill, knew where the helmets were and quickly grabbed mine. So it was the choice to be made. Decisions, decisions!!!
Should I go for this first?
Naaaah, we've been there and done that, although not on the track
Looks like people are making a beeline for it like there's no tomorrow
They are running after this. I had been speaking to fellow hacks who had a drive and they advised me on what to expect. Being new to the BIC, I decided to leave the best till later, with a view of going all out. So, I chose the M6 GC (considering the M5 has already been reviewed and I am a sucker for the M6 GC’s look) to orient myself.
Climbed in and it was pretty beige BMW all around. Except for a few extra buttons, it looked like a standard BMW interior. Strapped in and checked my driving posture. Selected the extreme 'sport plus' setting (except for 'ASR off'). I left the gearshift speed as normal. Pressed the start button and heard that wonderful burble (although it is partially piped in via the speakers).
We were connected to Wong by walkie talkies. He leads us in the matt black M5
We gently eased out of the pits and were taken around the turns slowly.
The M6 responded well on T1 & T2 and was easy to drive.
After Turn 3, Wong pressed the pedal to the metal.
“Experience the power of the M”
The M6 bellowed and took off. I was being conservative and kept my distance from the M5 in front since I did not know the brake capacity. This was the longest straight.
Wong then hollered, “M6! Catch up"! Before I knew it, the M5 braked hard from 180 km/h and the stop lamps started flashing. I instinctively braked early, but there was still a yawning gap.
At mild speeds, the M6's cornering was controllable, if not accurate. We then slowed down at the starting grid for the second lap.
The M3 behind Wong’s M5 was instructed to pull to the right and go to the back of the queue. Therefore, each driver would get a chance to keep up with Wong. Cue, the second lap, and Wong pushed hard, then the M6's shortcomings cropped up. After T1, it just could not take the tight turns due to its bulk. Even milder turns like T6 challenged it at speed. I could feel the rear swinging violently on T8 and T9 while correcting steering inputs. The guys in the M4 behind me had mounted a GoPro on my tail to film themselves. I bet they must be dizzy watching!! Although the body control was there, the steering was not quick enough for its bulk.
However, during the second run on the straights, I really floored it and glimpsed 220 km/h on the head-up display. On this straight section, the M6 was wonderful with a lovely burble (it sounds great from the outside too). The M6 kept shifting up to 7th gear and still had not run out of breath. The brakes were impressive to say the least. I could perform late braking manoeuvres, but all was lost when going into corners. I was understeering and it was a disaster when I tried late turn-ins. I nearly ended way off the kerb.
See the pic below, look at the roll and downforce on the front wheel during cornering. Compare that to an M3 in a similar corner.
On my final lap, I braked really hard on T14 and then took the corner slowly to avoid further self humiliation. That might have frustrated the M4 behind me.
After this lap, we pitted for a driver change. My co-driver retained the same settings, except for the gearbox in 'Drive' and increasing the gearshift speed. We accelerated, the gearbox shifted violently, the steering inputs were coarse & as the box was in D, the car kept deciding to change gear mid curves, hampering any smoothness. From the passenger seat, I felt the torque nearly wrenching my neck off.
After a couple of laps, it was time to change cars.
M6 Verdict – A great autobahn buster, but leave it at home when driving on the Stelvio pass. Quite possible that a 640D might ultimately be more satisfying. It is a nice car, but not for the track. Interiors are mundane, but have been addressed by latest upgrades, I am to understand.