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Ferrari 488 vs BMW 6 Series

What's the difference?

VS
Ferrari 488
Ferrari 488

$416,668 - $509,990

2017 price

BMW 6 Series
BMW 6 Series

$42,800 - $59,990

2018 price

Summary

2017 Ferrari 488
2018 BMW 6 Series
Safety Rating

Engine Type
V8, 3.9L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
11.4L/100km (combined)

7.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
2

5
Dislikes
  • Breathtaking option prices
  • Some shake on rough surfaces
  • Atmo engine noise MIA

  • Expensive
  • Feels big on the road
  • A bit of a weird car, really
2017 Ferrari 488 Summary

James Cleary road tests and reviews the new Ferrari 488 Spider with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

It’s almost inevitable. Tell someone you’re a motoring journo and the first question will be, ‘So, what’s the best car you’ve ever driven?’ 

Without getting into an esoteric analysis of what the word 'best' actually means in this context, it’s clear people want you to nominate your favourite. The fastest, the fanciest, the car you’ve enjoyed the most; the one that’s delivered a clearly superior experience.

And if I enter the room of mirrors (where you can always take a good hard look at yourself) the answer is clear. From the thousands of cars I’ve had the privilege of sliding my backside into, the best so far is Ferrari’s 458 Italia, an impossibly pure combination of dynamic brilliance, fierce acceleration, howling soundtrack and flawless beauty.

So, the opportunity to steer the open-roof Spider version of its successor, the 488, is a significant one. By rights, the best should be about to get better. But does it?

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2018 BMW 6 Series Summary

What happens when you struggle to sell an odd-bod, not-quite-a-coupe, sort-of-a-hatchback, almost-an-SUV model? Well, sometimes it gets axed, and replaced with a new model that bears a new name.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, which was formerly the 5 Series GT. It essentially takes the place of the 6 Series Gran Coupe - an alternative to the regular 5 Series sedan that's more attainable than a 7 Series limousine.

Confused? It's not as difficult as all that sounds - you just need to know that this model, the 2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, is supposed to offer a neat alternative to the go-to family luxury car or SUV.

I spent some time in the entry-level 630i to see if it can deliver on that promise. In fact, I spent more than 24 hours driving the BMW 6 Series GT over the past week, and I don't have a sore back, I haven't been left scratching my head over the intended purpose, I haven't been uncomfortable, and I haven't been left wanting for much.

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Deep dive comparison

2017 Ferrari 488 2018 BMW 6 Series

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