BIMMERPOST First Drive: 6 Series Gran Coupe Review

[vladberca]

I'm curious if the steering feedback is better on an M Sport model
If not it can t be better than Panamera which is its main rival. We can also consider here Aston Rapide and Maserati Quattroporte.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by jonaliew

I don't think so. But I prefer this over the 7 entry model. The 6GC is def worth it

Highly unlikely this car has even 1/2 the dynamics the panamera has. Panamera is a large sports car. Comes with a naturally aspirated engine option and a double clutch transmission . The badge and looks command way more road presence.

I till think the 5 series is a more sensible bet. This money buys a Porsche. Nuff said.

This car competes with the cls and s7. Its more luxury, with a small token dose of sport. It looks nice though with the best interior I have seen at this price point.

[southern6er22]

Originally Posted by vladberca

I'm curious if the steering feedback is better on an M Sport model.

I have an M Sport 650xi coupe, and I highly recommend the M Sport package. I've driven the non-M Sport models, and in Sport mode it drives similar to the M models, but the exhaust note on the M Sport makes for a much better overall experience.

As for steering feedback, I recently learned that xDrive uses hydraulic steering while the RWD version uses electric steering. I have to say that I'm impressed with the steering feedback in my 650xi. It may not be a 911, but it is one more area that BMW defied expectations and physical limitations in such a car.

[Amleto63]

[QUOTE=Diver]

Originally Posted by Soomro

Diver.......people who can afford these cars dont park them on street. they have big mensions and they use valet parking

I was just in Sicily. The streets are narrow and driving any car wider than something like a one series is difficult. Actually, the big shots who own large cars have drivers. There isn't much valet parking because there isn't anyplace for the valets to park cars quickly. One can safely say they introduced cars into Italy without a thought as to where they would put them when they were not moving. Driving down the street people will just stop in front of you with no warning to double or triple park while they run an errand.

In a week behind the wheel of a Kia rent-a-wreck I learned to drive like an Italian. That is a scary thing, and I am still getting over it now that I am back in Texas. On the last day when I needed to catch a plane, the Kia would not start. Someone from the hotel had to jump it.

What can you expect? Texas is more than twice the whole Italy with less than half citizens!!! It is only a simple matter of size. Cheers

[Jason]

Updated with Press Conference from Our International Press Drive

[bimmerJP]

I really love this car. This is the most beautiful BMW IMO. However, I just don't get why is has such a long overhang?? I have no idea why they did that. Otherwise, this is just a perfect looking car.

[JA///MES]

Originally Posted by MI6

Nobody has mentioned it so I will.......

Thank you so MUCH SOUTHLIGHT for your review.

Many forum moderators never drive the cars they represent but you did and gave honest feedback. Thank you....

That being said there is no denying it is a beauty.........

With too many choices.....

It is more along the lines of a Panamera but..........here is the THING.

When priced against the A7 the 640i with equal options is 20k more. I like the A7- don't love it but 20k more is a big stretch. Only time will tell if pricing the 6GC closer to the Panny will actually work.....

No doubt the 6GC and i8 are so HOT..... but Porsche still maintains more of an of an exclusivity factor.

Ultimately if BMW CAN pull this off then good for them.......

-Bond

BMW lost all exclusivity when they sold out and started putting an M badge on nearly every car they make! So IMO if the M isn't exclusive anymore the GC won't be!!!

[datbimmerdoe]

great write-up! thx 4 sharin

[Legitimate]

lol @ Bimmerpost homepage screenshot showing a faded Mac Quicktime X control overlay

LAZY

[stealth.pilot]

Southlight - I have a couple of questions:
1) Did the car have the new digital instrument display?
2) Did the HUD have RPMs and Gear selection?
3) Did the car sound sporty?

[Holland Harry]

Originally Posted by TheRox

Highly unlikely this car has even 1/2 the dynamics the panamera has. Panamera is a large sports car. Comes with a naturally aspirated engine option and a double clutch transmission . The badge and looks command way more road presence.

I till think the 5 series is a more sensible bet. This money buys a Porsche. Nuff said.

This car competes with the cls and s7. Its more luxury, with a small token dose of sport. It looks nice though with the best interior I have seen at this price point.

The 6 Gran Coupe is a mix between a 6 coupe and a 7 series limousine! So it has nothing to do with a 5 series! It's a 4 doors 6 series for those who can affort a 7 but who are missing that sporty BMW driving experience and want a more exclusive BMW. It directly competes with the Panamera.

I had to choose between a 640d Gran Coupe or a Panamera diesel because I drive 70.000km a year. THe 6 has 313 HP and the Panamera has a Volkswagen diesel with 250 HP. Not to mention the difference in NM!

The only advantage the Panamera has is a bit more feedback on the steering for the rest it can't compete with the 640d Gan Coupe. The Porsche Panamera is also only frontwheel drive so there not much traction either. But who needs traction with a 250 HP diesel.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Southlight - I have a couple of questions:
1) Did the car have the new digital instrument display?
2) Did the HUD have RPMs and Gear selection?
3) Did the car sound sporty?

1) No, the new digital instrumental display is not (yet) available for the 6 series.

2) HUD shows speed, nav information and a couple of other things. RPMs and gear selection are available for M models only (e.g. M6).

3) The 640i sounds pretty good with the windows rolled down. Inside the car with the windows up it's still audible but muted as you'd expect from a car like the 6 Gran Coupe.

Hope this helps.


Best regards,
south

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by southlight

1) No, the new digital instrumental display is not (yet) available for the 6 series.

2) HUD shows speed, nav information and a couple of other things. RPMs and gear selection are available for M models only (e.g. M6).

3) The 640i sounds pretty good with the windows rolled down. Inside the car with the windows up it's still audible but muted as you'd expect from a car like the 6 Gran Coupe.

Hope this helps.


Best regards,
south

Thanks that helps.

I placed an order for an M5 in September, and was having second thoughts about maybe getting the 650iGC instead. However from what you say, this car will be difficult to drive like a sports car if it is quiet and the HUD doesn't have a tachometer.

I find paddle shifting on my 550i impossible without using the instrument cluster, and since the car is so fast it isn't practical to take your eyes of the road, so basically the paddles are useless in the 550i.

[bobblehead]

Apparently, the 650 M sport package exhaust (coupe,convertible & GC) is different from regular 650 Non M sport exhaust and same goes the 550 as well. This may be an article sound enhancement thru the car's speakers but nobody knows.

Here is a sample:

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Thanks that helps.

I placed an order for an M5 in September, and was having second thoughts about maybe getting the 650iGC instead. However from what you say, this car will be difficult to drive like a sports car if it is quiet and the HUD doesn't have a tachometer.

I find paddle shifting on my 550i impossible without using the instrument cluster, and since the car is so fast it isn't practical to take your eyes of the road, so basically the paddles are useless in the 550i.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

Apparently, the 650 M sport package exhaust (coupe,convertible & GC) is different from regular 650 Non M sport exhaust and same goes the 550 as well. This may be an article sound enhancement thru the car's speakers but nobody knows.

Here is a sample:

I can't really discern anything from that. Cellphone cameras have an uncanny ability to pickup vast amounts of noise that I can't hear.

My 550i M-Sport sounds nothing like that.

[bobblehead]

+1. My 550 does not sound like that in the video.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...%3D%3D,00.html

btw, congrats to your M5 ED order. I am currently considering M5 or 650 GC, nothing firmed until I get pricing for the 650 GC in Canada. Also, I was told by dealers in Canada that each dealer will be alloted for only a few for the July production, once they are filled, then it becomes 1st come, 1st served basis.

[WhyGeeGee]

Originally Posted by TheRox

Highly unlikely this car has even 1/2 the dynamics the panamera has. Panamera is a large sports car. Comes with a naturally aspirated engine option and a double clutch transmission . The badge and looks command way more road presence.

I till think the 5 series is a more sensible bet. This money buys a Porsche. Nuff said.

This car competes with the cls and s7. Its more luxury, with a small token dose of sport. It looks nice though with the best interior I have seen at this price point.

I don't know how is the Panamera more sporty than the 6GC when the GC has better performance figures compared to the Panamera exluding the Turbo variants. The 640i is faster than the Panamera and Panamera S with the chrono package