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      06-29-2013, 10:21 PM   #1
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2014 640i GC  [0.00]
2014 640i vs 650i GC decision

This is a great forum! I'm in the process of researching the upcoming purchase of a GC. I'm leaving a a 2012 Jag XF Portfolio w/ Sport Pack. Great looking car but the quality is not there. I miss BMW. I sold a 2008 BMW 550 M Sport for the Jag. I have missed my BMW and I'm coming back. My questions, I have been in 8cyl for the past 3 cars. I love the power. I test drove the 650 GC and it was fantastic. My mind was set until I read the specs on the 640 which seem reasonably comparable.
- What was your thoughts on both cars 640 vs 650?
- Is there really a significant difference?
- Does the 640 have the same oil issues?
- Was the oil issue addressed in the 2014 650?

Thanks.
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      06-29-2013, 10:45 PM   #2
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Pros of 650 over 640:

-Faster/More Powerful
-Nappa is standard (if you prefer a finer leather)

Cons of 650 over 640:

-About $10,000 more
-Lower gas mileage (the difference isn't just in the $$ but also in the frequency of fill up... I hate filling up)
-Heavier
-More issues (I believe)


While the 650 would be nice, I didn't have much use for the extra power, and would rather spend the difference of price on the options such as M-sport package, executive package, cold weather package, driver assistance package, etc. I drive my car to work and back mostly and I don't even have much of an opportunity to open it up. Even then, the 640 is pretty quick.
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      06-30-2013, 12:59 AM   #3
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Is there a difference? How about 50% more power and almost 66% more torque. I'd say that's a big difference. With the way I drive both vehicles, I averaged about 20 mpg (U.S.) on my F10 535i. The 640i engine is comparable to that engine. I've been averaging about 18.5 mpg (U.S.) on my 650i. So all that extra power for only a 10% mileage hit. Not bad.

Having said that, the only reason I got the 650i over the 640i was because they had a car with the color combination I wanted on the lot and it was a 650i.

So, yes, there is a big difference in power between the 640i and the 650i. If this is a "big deal" for you, well... that's a personal decision. Now that I have the 650i though, I'm really happy to have the extra power.
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      06-30-2013, 07:42 AM   #4
southern6er22
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If you think it'll bother you not having the V8, extra grumble, and additional power/torque, then get the 650i.

If you want the looks and luxury of a 6er and couldn't care less about the power plant and acceleration, then save some money and get the 640i. One thing worth noting though is a 640i with the added Nappa leather on the dash and seats is a much smaller difference than if you go with the standard Dakota. The Nappa makes a big difference in the look and feel of the car, so you'll want that if you are looking for, as I said above, "the looks and luxury of a 6er."
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      06-30-2013, 10:34 AM   #5
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2014 640i GC  [0.00]
Thanks for the responses. No one addressed the issues regarding the frequent oil checks in the 650. Do you experience the same issues with the 640?
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      06-30-2013, 01:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazz View Post
Thanks for the responses. No one addressed the issues regarding the frequent oil checks in the 650. Do you experience the same issues with the 640?
I'm pretty sure it's limited to the V8.
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      06-30-2013, 02:55 PM   #7
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2014 640i GC  [0.00]
@ipsedixit
I notice you have a 650. Do you have to frequently top your oil or is it random to some vehicles?
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      06-30-2013, 05:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazz View Post
@ipsedixit
I notice you have a 650. Do you have to frequently top your oil or is it random to some vehicles?
I have to top off, but not frequently.

That said, I think the engine oil issue for the V8 is random, although my SA did say that BMW considers this issue as "normal" and has instructed its dealers to top off all 650s (didn't say anything about the 550s) upon owner request without the need to punch in their key fobs.

I would not let the engine oil issue be a deciding factor between the 650 and 640.

Just go buy the car you want. Money comes and goes. You only live once, and for that one time you want to live life happily.
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      06-30-2013, 07:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazz View Post
Thanks for the responses. No one addressed the issues regarding the frequent oil checks in the 650. Do you experience the same issues with the 640?
Now 8000 km or 5000 miles on my 650ix GC and NO oil usage at all.
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      06-30-2013, 07:05 PM   #10
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Yeah...I did that with the Jag without all the research and now look at me two years later with regret. I'm trying to be more diligent this time. Thanks for the help.
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      06-30-2013, 11:18 PM   #11
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I've added oil twice in 11,500 miles, not including the oil change a few thousand miles ago.

I haven't heard of any oil issues with the 640i.

Some 650i vehicles seem to have legit issues with oil consumption, but I think it's pretty normal for those of us doing it every 4k to 5k miles.

I get crappy mpg with my pure city driving - typically 11.5 mpg. I could get better if I changed the way I drive, but I have no desire to do that. As an interesting aside, I recently had a 528i (2.0 L, 4-cyl. turbo) for a loaner and got 15.8 mpg city on my usual route. Long live the V8!
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      07-01-2013, 01:05 AM   #12
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I just put in my second quart of oil, and I'm at 2200 miles in my 650i.
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      07-01-2013, 05:13 AM   #13
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I second that the oil issue is random. The F02 750Li I just got rid of ate oil like mad driving around LA, and like southern6er I drive mostly on side streets. I drove that same car to Seattle, Houston, and NY on 3 separate trips and the car consumed maybe half a quart each way. I have 1000 miles on my 650 GC and the oil level has dropped a few bars on the iDrive gauge - but I won't top it off until it's a quart low. So I think driving style has a lot to do with the subjective nature of the N63 oil consumption issue. I will also second that this should not be seen as a deterrent from this motor. The power, sound and feel far outweigh the need to occasionally put oil into the motor. The 640 is not a car I have driven, but I used to lease a F10 535i - I also came from a E60 550i like you once had; I have to say there is a big difference. The N55 (as I've said before in other posts) is a fantastic motor with a pretty decent reputation - but keep in mind the I6 turbos have been known to have chronic High Pressure Fuel Pump issues - although my info is a tad out of date as to if this problem has been solved.
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      07-01-2013, 05:24 AM   #14
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Although I have this oil issue (6 times oil top up within 7100 miles), I would not want to miss my 650i Gran Coupe. It's just an amazing car with a lot of power! :-)
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      07-01-2013, 08:58 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ipsedixit View Post
I have to top off, but not frequently.

That said, I think the engine oil issue for the V8 is random, although my SA did say that BMW considers this issue as "normal" and has instructed its dealers to top off all 650s (didn't say anything about the 550s) upon owner request without the need to punch in their key fobs.

I would not let the engine oil issue be a deciding factor between the 650 and 640.

Just go buy the car you want. Money comes and goes. You only live once, and for that one time you want to live life happily.
Hey, does your SA have that "instruction" in writing...? I only ask because I am becoming quite frustrated with having to pay for an oil top off once a month. I find that to be rediculous.

If your SA has some sort of Memorandum stating that the 650 should be topped off at the owner's request, and doesn't ming emailing that to you or me, a 650 owner, i would highly appreciate that. I have had to pay for two top offs so far, and getting ready to pay for yet another one. That will make THREE times I would have to take time out of the day, and money out of my pocked to pay for oil on a car with less than 3000 miles on it, and i have had the car for 4 months.
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      07-01-2013, 04:46 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day View Post
Hey, does your SA have that "instruction" in writing...? I only ask because I am becoming quite frustrated with having to pay for an oil top off once a month. I find that to be rediculous.

If your SA has some sort of Memorandum stating that the 650 should be topped off at the owner's request, and doesn't ming emailing that to you or me, a 650 owner, i would highly appreciate that. I have had to pay for two top offs so far, and getting ready to pay for yet another one. That will make THREE times I would have to take time out of the day, and money out of my pocked to pay for oil on a car with less than 3000 miles on it, and i have had the car for 4 months.
See my reply to you on the other thread re: engine oil top offs. I have no idea whether it's in writing or not.

But the next time the dealer gives you shit, ask for the Service Manager and say this in the most polite way possible.

Quote:
"Ok, I just want to understand ... so you're saying that even though my car is under warranty and has a 4 year maintenance program, you're not going to add a quart of oil even though my engine oil light on, is that right? I only ask because I contacted BMW AG about this issue and they instructed me to bring it in to get it topped off at no charge to me because this is a known issue at BMW. If you are not going to top off my oil without charging me, please provide me your name, employee number, dealership number, so that I may contact BMW and inform them of your response to my issue."
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      07-01-2013, 05:21 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazz View Post
This is a great forum! I'm in the process of researching the upcoming purchase of a GC. I'm leaving a a 2012 Jag XF Portfolio w/ Sport Pack. Great looking car but the quality is not there. I miss BMW. I sold a 2008 BMW 550 M Sport for the Jag. I have missed my BMW and I'm coming back. My questions, I have been in 8cyl for the past 3 cars. I love the power. I test drove the 650 GC and it was fantastic. My mind was set until I read the specs on the 640 which seem reasonably comparable.
- What was your thoughts on both cars 640 vs 650?
- Is there really a significant difference?
- Does the 640 have the same oil issues?
- Was the oil issue addressed in the 2014 650?

Thanks.
Hi, I think your best option is to test drive both, preferably one after the next to get a good feel of whether the difference is acceptable.

My take is that you probably may not feel the need for the 650 unless you are a speed demon. My past 3 daily drives have been the 645ci, the M6, and now the 640i GC. So that's a V8, then V10, and now the I6 twinscroll. From a power point of view the new 640i has nearly the same stats as my former 645 and maybe even a bit more torque, along with better gas mileage, basically the tech has now allowed them to offer the power of the V8 with the efficiency gained by the I6 and turbocharging. The power is more than adequate to be honest, and even though I'm coming from the M6, I've not felt like it was a big power downgrade as the power is timely and very useable in the 640. Of course it's not a race car with a screaming V10, but the GC is a big car, and long and wide, it's not a race car or anything close, so the power you can reasonably use is certainly limited to the US infrastructure, and you won't be weaving in and out in a GC, it's just not the car for such habits. So it comes down to your style and usage, but I'd say that i don't find it lacking in power at all, even though I do luv driving fast

Good luck
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      07-01-2013, 06:48 PM   #18
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@m630
That was an excellent description. I realize on paper the horsepower and torque differences are there but the practical driving experiences are another thing. I'm primarily doing city driving under 50mph until the occasional highway trip. I didn't buy a supercharged Jag because I couldn't justify the extra horsepower driving 45 to work. But, I still have the occasional need for speed. I was just wondering if the 640 would leave me wanting... It sounds like it probably want. I will be deciding soon. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.
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      07-02-2013, 12:50 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazz View Post
@m630
That was an excellent description. I realize on paper the horsepower and torque differences are there but the practical driving experiences are another thing. I'm primarily doing city driving under 50mph until the occasional highway trip. I didn't buy a supercharged Jag because I couldn't justify the extra horsepower driving 45 to work. But, I still have the occasional need for speed. I was just wondering if the 640 would leave me wanting... It sounds like it probably want. I will be deciding soon. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.
I think you will surpised how good the 640i is when you test drive it. I used to think that the 535 is the same as 640 but I was wrong since yesterday I drove my old 535 again and I was shocked how my 640i felt faster and more responsive.

In the end as the others have said if you are looking for looks then get a fully loaded 640i.
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      07-02-2013, 03:33 AM   #20
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I'm use to driving a V8 (previous cars BMW 550i, MB CLS550, MB E550 Coupe) and I must say that the 640i that I own has more than enough power and I don't miss the V8 at all. I'm sure the 650i is great as well but I'm very happy with my 640i. Just test drive them both and go with what feels right. I knew the 650i was going to be a gas guzzler because the 550i I had was a gas guzzler and I believe they have the same engine, so I tried the 640i first and it was enough power for me.
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      07-02-2013, 09:05 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ipsedixit View Post
See my reply to you on the other thread re: engine oil top offs. I have no idea whether it's in writing or not.

But the next time the dealer gives you shit, ask for the Service Manager and say this in the most polite way possible.
Thanks a lot, ipsedixit. I will definitely follow this advice. I am tactful for sure, and do not want to be "that guy" who causes a ruckus for something as small as a quart of oil. At the same time, I will not waive when it comes to my principles, and this is absolutly a matter of principle. I just want for the Service Center to acknowledge the fact that it is wrong for a customer to have to pay for a quart of oil once a month for a car that is less that 6 months old and has less that 3000 miles on it, especially when we all know that our 04 Maintenance is factored into our sticker prices, lol
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      07-05-2013, 10:46 PM   #22
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I drove both the 650 as well as the 640 and ultimately decided on the 40 bc of its lighter front end. The 50 almost had a float to the front end in comparison. As far as the power goes, any acceleration under 80 feels comparable and after that the 50 has much longer legs. Coming from driving my z06 and m6, I haven't once thought i made the wrong decision. You can't go wrong with either choice!

Also, the larger aftermarket support for the n55 means more potential to close that gap and still keep the weight off....
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