640d GC 4days in (possibly still the best car in real world)

[Ares]

CypherP said:

That's a good point actually. How are you finding the MIchelins? Are you still running them? I've been thinking recently about whether to continue with the RFTs or swap them out when they're due for replacement. What have you done now that you have no spare? Just sealant/compressor?

Given what I use it for, the Schnitzer kit may be a little more than I'd get out of it, but I might do it some time down the line when I've had 12 months to really understand it!

The Michelins are fantastic. A massive improvement on the RFT, and I changed all four for little more than the cost of the rears for RFT. Loads more grip, less noise and a real impact on the ride and improvement on steering feel. The car ride as if it the tyres are under inflated - no banging over potholes/lines in the road, but the steering is like they are overinflated, made it lighter but more communicative.

A definite win!

And I've gone for a sealant/compressor kit.

[ORD]

I don't really understand the coupe styling of such big cars. Given that it's an enormous bus of a thing, why sacrifice having good rear accommodation? It seems wasteful to me.

[Ares]

ORD said:

I don't really understand the coupe styling of such big cars. Given that it's an enormous bus of a thing, why sacrifice having good rear accommodation? It seems wasteful to me.

Thats the large GT/coupe shape. SL/XK/Maser/etc. Long nose, stylish body, decent boot, token rear seats.

At least with the 6 you have a rear-space option with the GC!

[jogger1976]

Just found this thread. Two things I'd like to say:

1. What a stunning looking car OP. I've always thought these looked the business, and I fully believe your comments about the performance,BTW, as I witnessed one easily keep away from a baiting 997 as they both entered the M25 yesterday.

2. If all the trolls, haters and other assorted dheads could sod off to NP&E and leave the rest of us to it, that'd be great. Ta.

Edited by jogger1976 on Thursday 7th April 20:35

[CypherP]

ORD said:

I don't really understand the coupe styling of such big cars. Given that it's an enormous bus of a thing, why sacrifice having good rear accommodation? It seems wasteful to me.

Personally this is part of the appeal for me. I've always gone for a coupe over a saloon, just because I prefer the lines and style of a two door over a four. Don't disagree that the GC is more practical and has more usable space given the extra doors, but I like having a bloody great coupe.

The only thing I do wish I had was the panoramic sun roof, but given the lack of any reasonable weather in this country, I'm not lost without one.

Ares - Will definitely look at swapping out the RFTs if that's the kind of improvement you've seen from them!

[Ares]

jogger1976 said:

Just found this thread. Two things I'd like to say:

1. What a stunning looking car OP. I've always thought these looked the business, and I fully believe your comments about the performance,BTW, as I witnessed one easily keep away from a baiting 997 as they both entered the M25 yesterday.

2. If all the trolls, haters and other assorted dheads could sod off to NP&E and leave the rest of us to it, that'd be great. Ta.

Edited by jogger1976 on Thursday 7th April 20:35

Thanks buddy. I concur

[Ares]

CypherP said:

ORD said:

I don't really understand the coupe styling of such big cars. Given that it's an enormous bus of a thing, why sacrifice having good rear accommodation? It seems wasteful to me.

Personally this is part of the appeal for me. I've always gone for a coupe over a saloon, just because I prefer the lines and style of a two door over a four. Don't disagree that the GC is more practical and has more usable space given the extra doors, but I like having a bloody great coupe.

The only thing I do wish I had was the panoramic sun roof, but given the lack of any reasonable weather in this country, I'm not lost without one.

Ares - Will definitely look at swapping out the RFTs if that's the kind of improvement you've seen from them!

I agree (although in the 6's case, I do think the GC looks better than the Coupe).....but large coupes should be all about impracticality, cars there just because, not because they make sense.

I remember a friend having a CL years ago. Huge car but comically tight in the back and tough to climb into. Kind of made it special.


I had a panoramic roof in my last car. Great in theory, and fun to have so much light....but not on sunny days where it just caused the climate control to work overtime.


...and definitely on dumping the RFT. Having defended RFT for 15yrs, I was amazed how much different they made on this - mostly due to the 30-profile tyres no doubt.

[jogger1976]

Ares said:

jogger1976 said:

Just found this thread. Two things I'd like to say:

1. What a stunning looking car OP. I've always thought these looked the business, and I fully believe your comments about the performance,BTW, as I witnessed one easily keep away from a baiting 997 as they both entered the M25 yesterday.

2. If all the trolls, haters and other assorted dheads could sod off to NP&E and leave the rest of us to it, that'd be great. Ta.

Edited by jogger1976 on Thursday 7th April 20:35

Thanks buddy. I concur

No probs Ares Far too many nasty, bitter keyboard warriors on this forum.

[T16OLE]

Helicopter123 said:

I've had a look at these but had to concluded that one would be financial suicide, either new or used.

Agree about the interior - it is a lovely place.

Panamera the obvious alternative and it feels like a step-up again inside, but I can't reconcile myself to the looks.

What's your reasons for the financial suicide?

[Helicopter123]

T16OLE said:

Helicopter123 said:

I've had a look at these but had to concluded that one would be financial suicide, either new or used.

Agree about the interior - it is a lovely place.

Panamera the obvious alternative and it feels like a step-up again inside, but I can't reconcile myself to the looks.

What's your reasons for the financial suicide?

Savage depreciation.

[T16OLE]

Helicopter123 said:

Savage depreciation.

No worse than anything else though

[T16OLE]

Helicopter123 said:

Savage depreciation.

No worse than anything else though

[Ares]

Helicopter123 said:

T16OLE said:

Helicopter123 said:

I've had a look at these but had to concluded that one would be financial suicide, either new or used.

Agree about the interior - it is a lovely place.

Panamera the obvious alternative and it feels like a step-up again inside, but I can't reconcile myself to the looks.

What's your reasons for the financial suicide?

Savage depreciation.

Depends if you judge on RRP or the actual price you pay!

[dbdb]

I like the 640GC - it's much more sleek than most other big saloons, which look heavy handed to me.

It is good to see you are still enthusiastic about the car two years on. I haven't spotted this thread before and the attempts to puncture your joy in some of the earlier replies are baffling to me and quite disconcerting.

[Ares]

dbdb said:

I like the 640GC - it's much more sleek than most other big saloons, which look heavy handed to me.

It is good to see you are still enthusiastic about the car two years on. I haven't spotted this thread before and the attempts to puncture your joy in some of the earlier replies are baffling to me and quite disconcerting.

Thanks.

It comes with the territory of buying a fast diesel. The Diesel haters do whatever it takes to discredit...usually without ever having driven one

[CypherP]

Ares said:

Thanks.

It comes with the territory of buying a fast diesel. The Diesel haters do whatever it takes to discredit...usually without ever having driven one

More often than not that is the case. I've certainly not owned a diesel before, but to have found such a good all-rounder (albeit a pricey alternative) means more than spending half the amount on an 'A-B diesel'.

Ares - any other options on your spec sheet that you haven't mentioned?

[Ares]

CypherP said:

Ares said:

Thanks.

It comes with the territory of buying a fast diesel. The Diesel haters do whatever it takes to discredit...usually without ever having driven one

More often than not that is the case. I've certainly not owned a diesel before, but to have found such a good all-rounder (albeit a pricey alternative) means more than spending half the amount on an 'A-B diesel'.

Ares - any other options on your spec sheet that you haven't mentioned?

Comfort access and rear camera are really worth having. Comfort Seats likewise. Piano black trim is essential (checker/aluminium stuff looks crap) and 20" wheels are de rigour but the car looks dire on the std 19".

Beyond that, the Schnitzer performance and suspension modifications are the best things on my spec sheet.

[FWIW]

Ares said:

Depends if you judge on RRP or the actual price you pay!

So, what do you think your 6 is worth now? How much of a depreciation hit have you taken?

[Ares]

FWIW said:

Ares said:

Depends if you judge on RRP or the actual price you pay!

So, what do you think your 6 is worth now? How much of a depreciation hit have you taken?

Auto trader tell me this:


Total I'll have paid for the car (including interest and assuming I buy it at the end of the agreement) is just over £50,000. So on that, it's lost £17k in 2 years.

Is that any worse than other new cars in it's sector?

Edited by Ares on Tuesday 12th April 11:54

[ORD]

I would have thought that is about normal. All the doom-laden depreciation figures assume that the buyer pays the list price, which only a fool would do.