Drivers Log.(News)

2007 BMW M6

Date in fleet: Dec. 20-Jan. 2 As-tested price: $109,190 Drivetrain: 5.0-liter dohc V10; rwd, seven-speed sequential Output: 500 hp @ 7750 rpm, 383 lb-ft @ 6100 rpm Curb weight: 3909 lbs Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 14/12.8 mpg

MORRISON: "The performance difference between M5 and M6 is slight, but significant to those who can tell.''

So wrote intrepid AW scribe Mark Vaughn after the BMW M6's launch. But I wonder just how many people can actually make the distinction. That the M6 laps the old Nurburgring 10 seconds faster than the M5 is indeed impressive, but the roads I drive daily don't have much in common with the Nordschleife, other than a distinct lack of runoff area.

Drive the cars back to back and you might feel that the M6 is slightly more nimble and quicker, thanks to a 99-pound lighter curb weight (and therefore better power-to-weight ratio) and lower center of gravity. Then again, you might not, depending on your experience and driving ability. I'm guessing the average BMW-driving dentist would be able to discern the difference about as well as I could extract an impacted molar.

I've spent a lot of time in both the M5 and M6, and I struggle to come up with a good reason to drop about $15,000 more on the coupe (though, admittedly, I can't place a dollar value on the satisfaction that would come from rubbing M5 owners' noses in the fact that your car is faster). The M5 delivers about 98.5 percent (or more) of the M6's performance, costs less and has a real back seat. Sounds good to me, though the M6's appearance appeals more-another one of those things you can't put an absolute dollar value on.

So say you don't care about the "value factor'' (does it even exist at these prices?) and you buy an M6: You would own one of the finest performance GT cars ...