650xi GC--test drive

I test drove a reasonably loaded GC 650xi today (MSRP $107k). My current drive is a '11 550xi M-sport, so my perspective is based on this car


1) Build Quality: phenomenal: Has the "look" of hand craftsmanship throughout the cabin with lots of leather and stitching apparent. The Alcantara roof liner adds a touch of luxury. The ride was quiet with no squeaks or rattles.

2) Exterior Styling: The car has a huge (read glamorous) road presence. The length of the car is deceptively long..much more in person than in pictures. The M-Sport package and the full LEDs are a must on this car, imo

3) Interior layout: Very cozy..you sit lower than in a 5 series. The electronic shifter is slightly different than in the 5. The cigarette adaptor is further away from the cup holders and closer to the arm rest (which poses a problem for radar detectors, but much more convenient if used for phone charging, as it is housed in a bucket compartment in order to fit the phone in) Rear room is comfortable for seating, but there is no way to seat 3 people in the back as the center console comes all the way to the seats.
In general, I am not a fan of the NAV screen layout in the 6 as compared to the 5. It looks like an aftermarket add-on, due to the way it sits

4) Performance: Definitely more torque and power than my 5. The one area of disappointment is braking. It felt noticeably mushier than my 5..It is, without a doubt, the worst brakes I have felt in a BMW

Other nuances:

1) lack of soft close doors in the model.

2) This car did not have the Driver Assistance Package, but it did have the HUD option. I did not see a multi-color display as I had seen in the photos. The primary color indicator is white (beige) as opposed to my 5-series, which is orange.

3) Options sheet mentioned Enhanced BLuetooth Connectivity. When I paired my iphone 4s, it paired successfully and with ease; however, it displayed a message "the only functions available for this phone is telephone and audio". So not sure if the calendar and email/messaging feature has been ported over to the iphone models in this version of the BT

4) B&O is a nice option. However, the plethora of settings within the Equalizer is overwhelming for all but true audiophiles.

4) Not having idrive Professional in this car until March 2013 is also a disappointment.

I will be waiting until my dealer gets their M5s and M6s in, and will look more carefully in a comparison, in order to see which one fulfills my criteria the best

I didnt know they had arrived. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by RezF

I test drove a reasonably loaded GC 650xi today (MSRP $107k). My current drive is a '11 550xi M-sport, so my perspective is based on this car


1) Build Quality: phenomenal: Has the "look" of hand craftsmanship throughout the cabin with lots of leather and stitching apparent. The Alcantara roof liner adds a touch of luxury. The ride was quiet with no squeaks or rattles.

2) Exterior Styling: The car has a huge (read glamorous) road presence. The length of the car is deceptively long..much more in person than in pictures. The M-Sport package and the full LEDs are a must on this car, imo

3) Interior layout: Very cozy..you sit lower than in a 5 series. The electronic shifter is slightly different than in the 5. The cigarette adaptor is further away from the cup holders and closer to the arm rest (which poses a problem for radar detectors, but much more convenient if used for phone charging, as it is housed in a bucket compartment in order to fit the phone in) Rear room is comfortable for seating, but there is no way to seat 3 people in the back as the center console comes all the way to the seats.
In general, I am not a fan of the NAV screen layout in the 6 as compared to the 5. It looks like an aftermarket add-on, due to the way it sits

4) Performance: Definitely more torque and power than my 5. The one area of disappointment is braking. It felt noticeably mushier than my 5..It is, without a doubt, the worst brakes I have felt in a BMW

Other nuances:

1) lack of soft close doors in the model.

2) This car did not have the Driver Assistance Package, but it did have the HUD option. I did not see a multi-color display as I had seen in the photos. The primary color indicator is white (beige) as opposed to my 5-series, which is orange.

3) Options sheet mentioned Enhanced BLuetooth Connectivity. When I paired my iphone 4s, it paired successfully and with ease; however, it displayed a message "the only functions available for this phone is telephone and audio". So not sure if the calendar and email/messaging feature has been ported over to the iphone models in this version of the BT

4) B&O is a nice option. However, the plethora of settings within the Equalizer is overwhelming for all but true audiophiles.

4) Not having idrive Professional in this car until March 2013 is also a disappointment.

I will be waiting until my dealer gets their M5s and M6s in, and will look more carefully in a comparison, in order to see which one fulfills my criteria the best

Was this vehicle at Passport BMW?.. If so I know the car you are talking about.. Lovely Automobile..

RezF,
A couple of notes. The HUD is color and is white in the daytime when the lights aren't on and orange at night. Leave the doors open to the car or don't put your seatbelt on while looking at the HUD and you will notice this. I have an android phone and have no issues with connectivity. Just a note from a 640 GC owner.

Lawrence

Originally Posted by RezF

I test drove a reasonably loaded GC 650xi today (MSRP $107k). My current drive is a '11 550xi M-sport, so my perspective is based on this car


1) Build Quality: phenomenal: Has the "look" of hand craftsmanship throughout the cabin with lots of leather and stitching apparent. The Alcantara roof liner adds a touch of luxury. The ride was quiet with no squeaks or rattles.

2) Exterior Styling: The car has a huge (read glamorous) road presence. The length of the car is deceptively long..much more in person than in pictures. The M-Sport package and the full LEDs are a must on this car, imo

3) Interior layout: Very cozy..you sit lower than in a 5 series. The electronic shifter is slightly different than in the 5. The cigarette adaptor is further away from the cup holders and closer to the arm rest (which poses a problem for radar detectors, but much more convenient if used for phone charging, as it is housed in a bucket compartment in order to fit the phone in) Rear room is comfortable for seating, but there is no way to seat 3 people in the back as the center console comes all the way to the seats.
In general, I am not a fan of the NAV screen layout in the 6 as compared to the 5. It looks like an aftermarket add-on, due to the way it sits

4) Performance: Definitely more torque and power than my 5. The one area of disappointment is braking. It felt noticeably mushier than my 5..It is, without a doubt, the worst brakes I have felt in a BMW

Other nuances:

1) lack of soft close doors in the model.

2) This car did not have the Driver Assistance Package, but it did have the HUD option. I did not see a multi-color display as I had seen in the photos. The primary color indicator is white (beige) as opposed to my 5-series, which is orange.

3) Options sheet mentioned Enhanced BLuetooth Connectivity. When I paired my iphone 4s, it paired successfully and with ease; however, it displayed a message "the only functions available for this phone is telephone and audio". So not sure if the calendar and email/messaging feature has been ported over to the iphone models in this version of the BT

4) B&O is a nice option. However, the plethora of settings within the Equalizer is overwhelming for all but true audiophiles.

4) Not having idrive Professional in this car until March 2013 is also a disappointment.

I will be waiting until my dealer gets their M5s and M6s in, and will look more carefully in a comparison, in order to see which one fulfills my criteria the best

The M5 cabin can be pretty nice if you trim it out with full leather, or even better a full Individual interior. Wait till I post pics of mine. It will be unique and stunning.

Still no BMW interior can come close to the one in the new 6 series. That 2 tone leather is just out of this world.

Thanks for the write up.

I'm on the fence about trading my car in and leasing the new 6er until the new 7er comes out. The 6er, in my option, is the best looking BMW out right and it's a car you know will look good for years to come.

So, soft close doors aren't available at all?

Originally Posted by XZLR8

So, soft close doors aren't available at all?

Well.... Soft close doors are standard for 650i GC. But then, I am in Hong Kong