2012 640i Coupe Review by CAR

Jason · 07-14-2011, 06:58 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

2012 640i Coupe Review by CAR

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CAR magazine took the 2012 640i coupe out for their first drive experience of BMW's newest 6-series coupe (the F13). The review was conducted by a self-described hardened BMW fan who we presume has plenty of BMW experience with which to compare the F13 against.

The reviewer falls in love with the drivetrain, but does he love the car overall? It sounds like the answer is "it depends." Viewed properly as a GT car, the car has no better rivals in the luxury coupe segment. Where it may fall short is if the driver expects an edgy sportscar.

Here's the crux of the review:

Quote:

Does the driving experience live-up to the spec?

The drivetrain is absolutely fabulous. The engine is super-smooth and the 640i easily feels good for its 0-62mph claim of 5.4-seconds. You can rachet-up the speed of shifts, tighten the suspension and alter the steering weight via the grandly titled Driving Experience Control switch. In Eco Pro mode the 640i feels like the throttle’s broken but the ride is excellent and it has the potential to deliver 36.7mpg. Shuffle through Comfort+, Comfort and then into Sport and Sport+ and it’s more BMW-like. Body control is good, there’s tons of grip and the gearbox really snaps through ratios like a twin-clutch system. There’s no need to use the paddle shifters, but you probably will because it adds just a bit more fun and control.

Quote:

So it does the numbers, but is it exciting?

Exciting is perhaps too strong a word. Nothing wrong with the performance, nor the outright grip and composure of the chassis, but 1735kg is quite a lot of weight and the 6-Series never fully shrugs of its mass. More of a concern is the Active Steering system (an option that brings active rear wheel steer for added agility), which is very sticky at speed and highly unnatural. The idea is that this system makes the car easier to drive by speeding up the steering rack at low speeds (for parking or dealing with tight bends) and slowing it down for stability as speeds increase. The reality is that the front never reacts the same way twice, undermining confidence. Perhaps this would fade with time, but drivers who appreciate consistent controls will struggle to warm to the set-up.

The 6-Series is a hugely wide car, too. I suspect it might feel a bit too chunky on narrow UK roads for enthusiastic driving. Of course there’s more to a GT car than its outright handling balance and here the 6-Series looks more attractive. There’s plenty of room for adults in the back, a big boot and the interior is genuinely excellent. The quality is superb and it feels suitably expensive. Add that to the superb refinement and you get a car that would be a real treat on long journeys. You’d be very happy driving down to the Route Napoleon or the Alps… just don’t expect the Six to morph into a thrilling sportscar when you get there.

Quote:

How does it compare with rivals?

So the new 6-Series is essentially a much-improved version of the old car. The centre of its appeal is the superb drivetrain, the quality of the interior and its relative practicality. A Jaguar XK is nothing like as practical or efficient but is probably a shade more fun, a Maser GranTurismo is perhaps closest to the BMW in concept but costs vastly more. It’s a good car, no question. But my hardened BMW enthusiast tendencies means that I can’t help being a little disappointed that it’s not more fun to drive.

Source: CAR

PhillyNate · 07-14-2011, 08:29 PM

I don't know what it is but that is a handsome rear end on that car. Significant improvement over the Bangle-butt. It looks really sporty. IMO

GOLFFRR · 07-14-2011, 09:03 PM

I love this car. I never read into review to much in till i drive the car for myself. I have driven the new 6 series vert at our lot and loved it.

kdbryce · 07-14-2011, 09:05 PM

why is almost every 6er review the 640? its making us all look weak. use the 650. jesus.

palpatine_us · 07-14-2011, 09:29 PM

There is a $13K difference between the 750i and 740i. The 650i starts at $83K in the US- so figure $70K for the 640i. ED brings it closer to $65K- Makes it really tempting. Large grand tourer that actually fits 4.

PhillyNate · 07-14-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blipit

It went from an ugly rear end, to a ugly front end.

Agreed, but only from the side for me.

Remonster · 07-14-2011, 10:26 PM

I'm glad they liked it as a GT, which is all I would ever consider it. Why would you be surprised it isn't a good sports car? Who ever considered the outgoing 6 series a sports car? Even the M6 in full M mode was too big and soft to be a true sports car but that never made it anything but a great car and I imagine the new one will be exactly the same.

BMWRL · 07-14-2011, 10:48 PM

OMG! I'm in love with the color on this 6er coupe in the pics! Simply stunning!!!

Jason · 07-14-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RL530xit

OMG! I'm in love with the color on this 6er coupe in the pics! Simply stunning!!!

More pics of this color here - http://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500583

Quasimodem · 07-15-2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blipit

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I don't know what it is but that is a handsome rear end on that car. Significant improvement over the Bangle-butt. It looks really sporty. IMO

It went from an ugly rear end, to a ugly front end.

the front end is ugly to sell more M6s. And when is a M6 due out?

pow · 07-15-2011, 05:06 AM

I have seen this car at a car-dealer,... it did not impress me like the old 6er BMW. It's

, but not

JSCO · 07-15-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blipit

It went from an ugly rear end, to a ugly front end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pow

I have seen this car at a car-dealer,... it did not impress me like the old 6er BMW. It's

, but not

+1000

BMWRL · 07-15-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

More pics of this color here - http://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500583

Thanks!

turbotoy4me · 07-15-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pow

I have seen this car at a car-dealer,... it did not impress me like the old 6er BMW. It's

, but not

I agree with you. I did find the interior was stunning with the use of high quality materials throughout, very impressed!

taibanl · 07-15-2011, 11:36 AM

1. Seem to be cutting more and more corners

taibanl · 07-15-2011, 04:51 PM

Budget was laid out in first post 6-800

irfan · 07-20-2011, 03:51 PM

dislike the front end, needs tweaked. profile shot and rear look great tho. the headlight shapes just arent do it for me from the front side.

335i101 · 07-22-2011, 10:30 PM

They must have done some crazy engineering to say it comfortably fits 4 adults... I had an '07 650i and there was room for 2.

I was looking at the new 650 at the dealership a few weeks back and that too didn't look like 4 people (LP's-little peeps maybe) could fit

BDO · 08-27-2015, 07:55 AM

Lol at the seats 4 comment.

Blauweiss1988 · 08-27-2015, 08:21 AM

beautifull

07-14-2011, 08:29 PM	#2
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	I don't know what it is but that is a handsome rear end on that car. Significant improvement over the Bangle-butt. It looks really sporty. IMO __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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07-14-2011, 09:03 PM	#3
GOLFFRR 11171 Rep 27,930 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	I love this car. I never read into review to much in till i drive the car for myself. I have driven the new 6 series vert at our lot and loved it. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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07-14-2011, 09:05 PM	#4
kdbryce I have to return some video tapes 363 Rep 4,712 Posts Drives: e70 X5M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Albany, NY iTrader: (0)	why is almost every 6er review the 640? its making us all look weak. use the 650. jesus. __________________ 13 Carbon Black e70 X5M - 13 Black Sapphire e92 335i - 10 Le Mans Blue e92 335i - 09 Monaco Blue e92 328i xdrive - 07 Sparkling Graphite e92 328xi
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07-14-2011, 09:29 PM	#5
palpatine_us Banned 66 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 535i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	There is a $13K difference between the 750i and 740i. The 650i starts at $83K in the US- so figure $70K for the 640i. ED brings it closer to $65K- Makes it really tempting. Large grand tourer that actually fits 4.
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07-14-2011, 10:26 PM	#7
Remonster Lieutenant Colonel 827 Rep 1,585 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I'm glad they liked it as a GT, which is all I would ever consider it. Why would you be surprised it isn't a good sports car? Who ever considered the outgoing 6 series a sports car? Even the M6 in full M mode was too big and soft to be a true sports car but that never made it anything but a great car and I imagine the new one will be exactly the same.
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07-14-2011, 10:48 PM	#8
BMWRL Captain 596 Rep 617 Posts Drives: 528xi Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	OMG! I'm in love with the color on this 6er coupe in the pics! Simply stunning!!! __________________ Is there really anything besides a BMW?
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07-15-2011, 05:06 AM	#11
pow Private 0 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	I have seen this car at a car-dealer,... it did not impress me like the old 6er BMW. It's , but not
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07-15-2011, 11:36 AM	#15
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	1. Seem to be cutting more and more corners
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07-15-2011, 04:51 PM	#16
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	Budget was laid out in first post 6-800
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07-20-2011, 03:51 PM	#17
irfan Private First Class 1 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2011 335i XDrive Coupe 6M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	dislike the front end, needs tweaked. profile shot and rear look great tho. the headlight shapes just arent do it for me from the front side.
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07-22-2011, 10:30 PM	#18
335i101 Lieutenant 86 Rep 590 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 M5 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: ND iTrader: (2)	They must have done some crazy engineering to say it comfortably fits 4 adults... I had an '07 650i and there was room for 2. I was looking at the new 650 at the dealership a few weeks back and that too didn't look like 4 people (LP's-little peeps maybe) could fit __________________ 2021 Mercedes G550 2015 X5M 2020 Supra-JB4, DP 2008 M5 with muffler delete-sold 2007 650i-sold 2008 335i-JB4, DP, Meth-sold
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08-27-2015, 07:55 AM	#19
BDO Lieutenant 281 Rep 538 Posts Drives: 2016 X6 40d M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Citizen of the World iTrader: (0)	Lol at the seats 4 comment.
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08-27-2015, 08:21 AM	#20
Blauweiss1988 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 645Ci convertible Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Garda lake -Italy iTrader: (0)	beautifull
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