A tantalising match-up, this one. It’s rare that Maranello and Munich face off on equal terms, but here we have it: a pair of 2+2, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive super-coupés from BMW and Ferrari costing around £60,000 apiece.
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (2004-2011) cost more than £210,000 by the end of its tenure, but this left-hand-drive, HGTS Pack-equipped 2006 example is for sale by VVS UK in Cranbrook Common, Kent, for £62,990.
After only 18,000 miles, it has shed £125,000, but that’s for someone else to worry about, because their loss gives us a full complement of 12 glorious, V-mounted, naturally aspirated cylinders to pitch against the M4’s mere six.
But the M4 makes the most of those six cylinders, eking out 425bhp from its twin-turbocharged 3.0 litres. Indeed, it’s a proper tech-fest under the M4’s skin, with switchable modes for the dampers, engine, optional dual-clutch automatic gearbox and electric power steering, as well as a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic driveshaft. The car charges to 60mph in 4.1sec yet returns a remarkable 34.0mpg combined.
By comparison, the 612 is old hat. It does have dual-mode adaptive dampers, but the optional self-shifter is the single-clutch automated manual ‘F1’ transmission, which now seems awfully long in the tooth. The steering is old-school hydraulic, too, but that’ll draw more cheers for feel than jeers for the slight economy penalty.
Ah yes, economy. Although, at 4.4sec, the 612 is almost as quick as the M4 to 60mph, its combined economy figure is 13.6mpg, dipping to 8.8mpg in town. Cringe. And the 612’s CO2 emissions mean annual road tax of £505 (or £290 if registered before March 2006). These numbers didn’t matter to its first owner but probably will to its next.
You’ll pay £1300 for a minor service on the 612 at official dealer Maranello Sales in Surrey, or £1600 for a major service, and a change of timing belt (due every five years) costs £2900. Independent specialist Foskers in Kent quotes £900 for a minor service, £1500 for a major one and £954 for a belt change. For the M4, it’s around £320 for a minor service and £1130 for a major at Berry Heathrow BMW, but a timing chain means no expense there.
Ferrari Approved cars up to 10 years old get a two-year warranty as standard, but any example – subject to qualifying criteria of mileage, condition and history – is eligible for a Ferrari-backed warranty up to 12 years after registration. Cover costs £3120 per year on our 612, with discounts for loyalty and claim-free years. And indications are that tidy examples such as this may gently increase in value, whereas we expect the M4 to have shed around £30,000 after three years.
Originally berated for awkward styling, the 612’s voluptuous looks have softened with time, contrasting with the aggressively styled M4’s origami ducts, bulging bonnet and naked carbonfibre roof. The 612 has the classier cabin, too. Neither skimps on hide, but the BMW can’t disguise its workaday roots and still places operability over opulence. With fewer controls to accommodate, the Ferrari manages both.
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612
The 612 is a bargain right
I would take the Ferrari all day long. The M4 isn't in the same league, regardless of its speed.
This is a very interesting
This is a very interesting