2012 640i Coupe Review by CAR - 6Post.com | BMW 6-Series Forum

Jason · 07-14-2011, 05:58 PM

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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

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PhillyNate · 07-14-2011, 07:29 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, 08:03 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.

kbryce · 07-14-2011, 08:05 PM

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

palpatine_us · 07-14-2011, 08:29 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, 08:53 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, 09:26 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.

RL530xit · 07-14-2011, 09:48 PM

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

Jason · 07-14-2011, 09:50 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, 12:14 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, 04:06 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, 07:16 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

RL530xit · 07-15-2011, 07:43 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, 09:01 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, 10:36 AM

1. Seem to be cutting more and more corners

taibanl · 07-15-2011, 03:51 PM

Budget was laid out in first post 6-800

irfan · 07-20-2011, 02:51 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, 09:30 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

07-14-2011, 07:29 PM	#2
PhillyNate BMWCCA #405750 Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,424 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [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 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe (retired 06/21/11)

07-14-2011, 08:03 PM	#3
GOLFFRR Architect Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 10,984 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, PM ME FIRST I CAN HOOK YOU UP! We are Performance Center\|Euro Delivery\|BMW Individual Specialist Need a quote?..Ryan /Checa Email link \| T.805.482.8878 ask for Francesca www.stevethomasbmw.com \| OUR PARTS STORE \| Facebook-STBMW \| Twitter-STBMW

07-14-2011, 08:05 PM	#4
kbryce I have to return some video tapes Drives: e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Albany/NYC Posts: 2,603 iTrader: (0)	why is almost every 6er review the 640? its making us all look weak. use the 650. jesus. __________________ 13 Black Sapphire e92 335i - 6mt - Coral Red - M-Sport - No mods for 1,200 miles! 10 Le Mans Blue e92 335i - Retired 09 Monaco Blue e92 328i xdrive - Retired 07 Sparkling Graphite e92 328xi - Retired

07-14-2011, 09:48 PM	#8
RL530xit Private First Class Drives: 530xiT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 164 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?

07-15-2011, 10:36 AM	#15
taibanl Colonel Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Syracuse Posts: 2,655 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	1. Seem to be cutting more and more corners __________________ WTB: 335is Black Chrome Tips -PM Me FS:Sub Amp - works w/ Technic harness! MRD-M300 FREE!!: Euro-Amber LCI LED tails (for repair) DON'T BUY FROM RAF555!!!! Ask me why

07-14-2011, 08:29 PM	#5
palpatine_us Old Man Drives: 2010 Audi A6- Former E90 Owner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY Posts: 81 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.

07-14-2011, 09:26 PM	#7
Remonster Captain Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 766 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.

07-15-2011, 04:06 AM	#11
pow Enlisted Member Drives: 320i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 43 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

07-15-2011, 03:51 PM	#16
taibanl Colonel Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Syracuse Posts: 2,655 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	Budget was laid out in first post 6-800 __________________ WTB: 335is Black Chrome Tips -PM Me FS:Sub Amp - works w/ Technic harness! MRD-M300 FREE!!: Euro-Amber LCI LED tails (for repair) DON'T BUY FROM RAF555!!!! Ask me why

07-20-2011, 02:51 PM	#17
irfan Private First Class Drives: 2011 335i XDrive Coupe 6M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 108 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.

07-22-2011, 09:30 PM	#18
335i101 Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335i Coupe-sold Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: ND Posts: 529 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 __________________ M3 Ashtray, M3 Windshield Wash Fluid, M3 Seatbelt buckle...have I impressed you yet.....and all these modds are from the 2017 model M3....

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