UK 6GC owners

[BMWLad]

Hi all,

I'm looking to make a step up from my 330i coupe to a 640d GC. Having driven one at the weekend (on fairly good roads) it certainly felt like the sort of car I'm looking for now that I've got a family.

Couple of questions for UK owners, how do you find it day to day is there anything that really annoys you? Options you wish you had? or Options that you wished you'd not bothered with?

I only did a 10 mile test drive so hard to gauge real world fuel economy but what sort of figures are you getting?

The biggest sacrifice I think I've got to make is not being able to carry bikes unless I go for an SE and stump up the ££££'s for the tow bar and bike carrier.

Any thoughts / feedback would be great.

[SpokenHands]

The 640d GC is a huge improvement on the 330i Coupe and you should immediately find an improvement in luxury, space and refinement, especially noise levels and high-speed stability. This is a heavy car so not as nimble and pointy as the 330i possibly but it feels remarkably agile and the 640d engine is a monster! Its also incredibly pretty and has one of the best BMW interiors on current production models. Great discount deals available so haggle for average £16k off, £20k if you option well and strike at the right time of the year.


Things I would absolutely option when buying new
1. Electric sunroof - absolute lifts the interior and makes it feel airy
2. Heated steering wheel - the best £150 i spent on cold winter/spring days
3. Head Up Display - wont ever buy a car without it. That good!
4. Surround View Cameras - car this big easy to kerb alloys, ding around tight curves
5. Adaptive LED headlamps look great and work very well. LCI upgrade has stronger lights as well
6. Sun Protection Glass - actually cheaper than aftermarket fitment
7. Heated rear seats as my kids dont need car seats anymore
8. Digital Instrument Panel - futuristic, fun and context specific menus.

I wouldnt waste money on (1) Automatic 4-zone climate control as the cabin is relatively small (unlike my previous 5GT) - the front 2-zone auto climate is adequate (2) Adaptive drive - I tend to drive in Sport mode anyway and dont change modes all the time (dont know anyone who does really) or (3) TV or internet functions - hardly ever use them. BMW apps have not kep pace with whats out there on your smartphone. But best to be future ready so I would keep them (stock)

I also got the Matt alumnium window surrounds on the M-Sport ( a no cost option) which really lift the swooping coupe like lines. Hankered for the 20" alloys that are easy to kerb but fit the look/wheel wells so nicely. I would not get the Nappa leather (which is very good) if you have yound children in car seats as it will crease/cut easily. Sport seats and the retro style steering wheel are fantastic.

I also saved £500 on the Supaguard sealant coating (rubbish, poorly applied) and instead got a specialist detailer I am happy to recommend PM - to do an awesome job with over 20 hrs labour around £350 covering high gloss bodywork, alloys, specialist treatments for leather, carpets, trim, tyres that are still as new 18 months on.

Things I dislike about the 640d GC
Very minor gripes but here goes
1. No powered bootlid shut
2. No rain channels off rear windscreen so it gets dirty quite quickly
3. Stock 20" alloys not easy to clean
4. Electric sunroof only vents, does not open fully (to fit the design)

The Gran Coupe is very sensitive to right spec and options. The stock cars you find on some dealer forecourts are dogs - absolutely not worth paying twice the cost of a 5-series (which it shares most of its mechanicals with, incidentally)

Hope this helps.

[BMWLad]

Wow thanks for the incredibly detailed review. I won't have the luxury of spec'ing a new one but there are a few '13' plate cars which are very much within my budget. But definitely agree its a massive step up in refinement I think I can live with the more grown up attitude of the car over the more nibble 330i

The car I went to have a look at had individual leather, paint and wood trim, comfort seats, sun roof and M Sport pack. I just didn't want to fall foul of the marketing and think every option was a must have.

Out of preference I'd prefer to have a car with 20" wheels but the 19" don't look too under wheeled.

[edz_f06]

I'd agree with the points made above, I'm getting late 30s mpg since new on mine.

I've not got the all of the mods above but definitely do love the HUD.

[Mud]

Look for one with Surround View - these things feel massive and it makes life so much easier....