6 Series Box Opinions

[tigerkoi]

mpaul0055 said:

derestrictor said:

Observe: user objectivity, unsullied by ownership bias. (M6.)

SMG is fantastic - no, better than fantastic - for fully bored assaults and in those instances, it pees over all transmissions bar other paddle jobs. Ergo, I only drive the car as a man from Shorpe.

Other than that, it really is the car's profound weakness and whatever anyone else says, that is the truth of it, trust me.

Which is why the B6S is the more rounded offering.

Sorry to be crap, but whats a B6S... The Slushbox?

The B6S is Alpina's take on the 6 series. Quite rare, only spotted one so far, and like most Alpina/BMW differences the power delivery and character is changed from the 645/650/M6.
Haven't driven one, but said to be a phenomenal car.......if you can find one.

Also to clarify, only the SMG uses paddles, so the 6-speed auto does without. The SMG works in the M6 with that revvier V10 but you won't see that many manual or SMG cars in 645/650 guise out there - for most of those reasons. It's the auto that's the right fit for the car, and doesn't preclude it from being a real beast when you want it to be.

[The GMan]

derestrictor said:

Observe: user objectivity, unsullied by ownership bias. (M6.)

SMG is fantastic - no, better than fantastic - for fully bored assaults and in those instances, it pees over all transmissions bar other paddle jobs. Ergo, I only drive the car as a man from Shorpe.

Other than that, it really is the car's profound weakness and whatever anyone else says, that is the truth of it, trust me.

Which is why the B6S is the more rounded offering.

Thanks a lot!!!

After reading your responses not juat here but on other threads, I have just spoken to my local AD and he is arranging an extended test drive for me for an M6. Its used but it might be worth a punt.

[derestrictor]

Good work.

Few cars are as drivercentric wherein the required driver mindset needs to be suitably vicious.

I can absolutely guarantee you that perseverance with this vehicle in not just autobahnen sweeperkreigs but low speed moorland passes minus DSC will have you cackling.

[Job38]

I'm not sure I get the OP. The initial question was one of transmision. M6 for sure is a magnificent machine, but 650 auto is a completely different proposition! If a big auto GT is what you're after then an XKR is on a different planet on respect of: looks, dynamics, performance. If you want a manual coupe - which you should if you're in possession of all four limbs, then it has to be a 997.............

[JNW1]

Job38 said:

I'm not sure I get the OP. The initial question was one of transmision. M6 for sure is a magnificent machine, but 650 auto is a completely different proposition! If a big auto GT is what you're after then an XKR is on a different planet on respect of: looks, dynamics, performance. If you want a manual coupe - which you should if you're in possession of all four limbs, then it has to be a 997.............

Think the M6 found its way into the thread because of the reference to SMG; I didn't think it was even an option on the 650 but to be honest I've never looked that hard and given the choice between the two I would also much rather have an XKR!

Do understand where you're coming from with a 997 but still think I'd save a few quid and buy an M3...

[tigerkoi]

Job38 said:

I'm not sure I get the OP. The initial question was one of transmision. M6 for sure is a magnificent machine, but 650 auto is a completely different proposition! If a big auto GT is what you're after then an XKR is on a different planet on respect of: looks, dynamics, performance. If you want a manual coupe - which you should if you're in possession of all four limbs, then it has to be a 997.............

I thought the OP is more asking about a 650i, with attendant queries on what gearbox options there are.

To be frank, an XKR vs 650i comparison is not that fair, in my view. But then again neither is a XK8 vs 650i comparison, 300bhp vs 367bhp etc. And in turn, an M6 would trounce an XKR.

Edited by tigerkoi on Thursday 5th February 23:38

[The GMan]

Sorry. I think it was my fault for thinking of going from a 645ci to M6 that hijacked the thread.

Any way as I said before, I love my 645ci, great car. I have owned an E46 M3, and sold that about 4 year ago. I loved that too, but at the time fancied something a bit crazy so bought a Skyline that I never drove.

But any way the auto box has suited me on the 6. My M3 was a manual and I did try an SMG box, but MrsGman found it a bit to jumpy(she said that) when parking. The auto on the 645 is fine for her, and I enjoy driving it. Its been fun in the snow. Saying that it was fun in July last year.

Edited by The GMan on Friday 6th February 03:36

[mpaul0055]

Hey Guys

Yeh GMan started all the M6 lunacy.. lol... Had to come and piss on my bonfire hey..

Im all GT myself at the moment. Nice slush Box to troll about in, then getting an elise or vx220 turbo after the summer for some fun....

Cheers for all ya help though folks, been a great read. Off to test drive a High Milage 645i tommorow. No intention of buying that one, but its at the dealers os he said to come and have a drive ..

As were talking GTs, What are XKs servicing costs? Would one be massively more expensive to run adn maintain?


Oh and GMan, if your near the north west, ill expect a ride

Edited by mpaul0055 on Friday 6th February 11:23

[tigerkoi]

All the best and have fun.

Look at it this way: 645Ci, 650i, M6, XKR.....all good. It's nice to be able to think along those lines

[mpaul0055]

All great cars..

All of a sudden though RS4s are jumping out at me again... I thought id put them to bed, but the 4wd and last V8 is a rs4 is so incredibly tempting...

[JNW1]

mpaul0055 said:

All great cars..

All of a sudden though RS4s are jumping out at me again... I thought id put them to bed, but the 4wd and last V8 is a rs4 is so incredibly tempting...

Can see (and hear!) the appeal but virtually all of the road tests at the time rated the E46 M3CS as the better drivers car....

[tigerkoi]

mpaul0055 said:

All great cars..

All of a sudden though RS4s are jumping out at me again... I thought id put them to bed, but the 4wd and last V8 is a rs4 is so incredibly tempting...

But......it's only available as a manual.
(If the 'box was still your consideration - as it was in the first post)

You sound like me, when I was looking originally - Audi S5, RS4.....645Ci......

[mpaul0055]

JNW1 said:

mpaul0055 said:

All great cars..

All of a sudden though RS4s are jumping out at me again... I thought id put them to bed, but the 4wd and last V8 is a rs4 is so incredibly tempting...

Can see (and hear!) the appeal but virtually all of the road tests at the time rated the E46 M3CS as the better drivers car....

Im A Big Girl and would love the traction and grip from the 4WD.. Maybe not on a track, but for every day to day driving.. yes please..


Tigerkoi... Seems we went round in the same circles.. As much as an auto seemed like a must. The RS4 is such a different machine. I could see me keeping this till the day i die. Eventually having it as a weekend/track car.. Supercharger anyone...

Off to Honda to get the Mrs in a CDTI Type S, so will sneak into the BM garage next door and hopefully have a drive of a 6..

How come you didnt go for the RS tigerkoi? Was it Fault wise?

[JNW1]

mpaul0055 said:

JNW1 said:

mpaul0055 said:

All great cars..

All of a sudden though RS4s are jumping out at me again... I thought id put them to bed, but the 4wd and last V8 is a rs4 is so incredibly tempting...

Can see (and hear!) the appeal but virtually all of the road tests at the time rated the E46 M3CS as the better drivers car....

Im A Big Girl and would love the traction and grip from the 4WD.. Maybe not on a track, but for every day to day driving.. yes please..


Tigerkoi... Seems we went round in the same circles.. As much as an auto seemed like a must. The RS4 is such a different machine. I could see me keeping this till the day i die. Eventually having it as a weekend/track car.. Supercharger anyone...

Off to Honda to get the Mrs in a CDTI Type S, so will sneak into the BM garage next door and hopefully have a drive of a 6..

How come you didnt go for the RS tigerkoi? Was it Fault wise?

Sounds to me like you've got an RS4 itch that needs scratching so go for it! I'm sure it's an excellent car and if deep down it's what you really want then chances are you're not going to be happy with anything else (or at least certainly not a 645 or 650!).

ETA:
Or if you fancy a coupe with with an auto box and an engine to rival the RS4 how about a CLK 63 AMG? Decent examples are now below £40k, have a look on page 2 of the showroom on:

www.gcmotors.co.uk

Edited by JNW1 on Saturday 7th February 14:47

Edited by JNW1 on Saturday 7th February 14:50

[mpaul0055]

Ahhhhh Those Letters.. AMG... Scares me a little too much.

Mainly down to maintanence. Ive herd AMGs are very expensive to run.. Not that a V8 RS4 or 650i wont be... But 40k is a stretch too...

Im gonna sneak out the back door over to the audi subsection...

Cheers for all your advise guys,

Lol, I asked about an Auto, RWD, BMW and end up swaying to a AWD, Manual, Audi..

[The GMan]

Have you decided what you want yet?

Took an M6 out for most of last weekend and stone me, I loved it!!!

Only thing that is stopping/slowing me down getting a new car is that Mrs GMan thinks that because we have had a 6 series we should look at something different and not rush in to anything. She was the same when I went from an 330ci Sport to an M3.

Anyway going to have a look at an AMV8 next week as both of us are off work. But I might wait and see how much R8's come down.

Hope you get sorted and decide what you want!

Enjoy the hunt.

I am!!

[mpaul0055]

Ez G-Man

These past two weeks have been a rollercoaster car wise..

Been to look at some RS4s then S5s. Was sold on a RS4, but the DRC issue just bugs me on such an expensive car. S5 is just too common already and it just doesnt really stand out compared to a s-line model.

I then decided a 07 Sti was looking like alot of car for 12k. Could be fun to have one for a year.. But after looking at the audi`s and BMs i was only in the STI for 2 mins before i knew it wasnt the right move,

So im back to a 645i or 335i now, can get both for under 20k. More pennies for that GTR Fund.. lol

Although between the GTR and R8 id be torn... Such differnt cars, but i think the GTRs power sways it for me, and the tuneability... yum..

I wish this credit crunch didnt make me act all sensible or i think id be in the nissan garrage now tbh. and guys.. please dont say just do it.. lol

[bobthemonkey]

tigerkoi said:

mpaul0055 said:

derestrictor said:

Observe: user objectivity, unsullied by ownership bias. (M6.)

SMG is fantastic - no, better than fantastic - for fully bored assaults and in those instances, it pees over all transmissions bar other paddle jobs. Ergo, I only drive the car as a man from Shorpe.

Other than that, it really is the car's profound weakness and whatever anyone else says, that is the truth of it, trust me.

Which is why the B6S is the more rounded offering.

Sorry to be crap, but whats a B6S... The Slushbox?

The B6S is Alpina's take on the 6 series. Quite rare, only spotted one so far, and like most Alpina/BMW differences the power delivery and character is changed from the 645/650/M6.
Haven't driven one, but said to be a phenomenal car.......if you can find one.

Also to clarify, only the SMG uses paddles, so the 6-speed auto does without. The SMG works in the M6 with that revvier V10 but you won't see that many manual or SMG cars in 645/650 guise out there - for most of those reasons. It's the auto that's the right fit for the car, and doesn't preclude it from being a real beast when you want it to be.

Also the M SMG is a totally different box to the non M SMG. Its 7 v 6 speed and is designed purely for electro hydraulic actuation, while the six speed is a derivative of the normal manual box.

[inishfalle]

I have 645 ci (2005) auto since sept 08. Great car auto box is fine car still makes me smile on country lanes when you floor it with the windows down. Auto box is smooth rarely use manual mode except in recent snow with traction control off. Car is very cheap to buy now I paid 20k with 24k miles back in sept. Best to buy from dealer as this car needs its warranty. Servicing costs very low compared with Audi. Also note Audi are great until 3 yrs old then they become very expensive to keep. Note run flat tires around 300 quid per corner but worth it if you get blowout at at 80 on the motorway! will keep this car for another 2 years then hopefully M3 Saloon DCT will be in my price range!

Edited by inishfalle on Wednesday 18th February 11:16

[mpaul0055]

inishfalle said:

I have 645 ci (2005) auto since sept 08. Great car auto box is fine car still makes me smile on country lanes when you floor it with the windows down. Auto box is smooth rarely use manual mode except in recent snow with traction control off. Car is very cheap to buy now I paid 20k with 24k miles back in sept. Best to buy from dealer as this car needs its warranty. Servicing costs very low compared with Audi. Also note Audi are great until 3 yrs old then they become very expensive to keep. Note run flat tires around 300 quid per corner but worth it if you get blowout at at 80 on the motorway! will keep this car for another 2 years then hopefully M3 Saloon DCT will be in my price range!

Edited by inishfalle on Wednesday 18th February 11:16

Sounds like you got a good price there for a low milage car there. Did you get it from a dealer?

As you mentioned giving it a blast, How chuckable is the car? Im in a R32 at the minute, which being small and 4wd is very easy to handle and chuck about. Obviously the 6 is a much bigger car, and im not buying it to chuck it about at all.. id just like to know, on that odd occaison ill be down the lanes its not going to....

A. KILL ME
B. Disapoint me

Im only 27 and do wonder if im going GT too early..

EDIT:

After another lunch break ive wondered back up the scale.. to my most upper limit, and id keep this for a good 4/5 years.. is..... Actualy ticks all my boxes, if i can service it and maintain for 1400 a year id go there.... i think...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-04-BENTLEY-Continental-...

Thoughts? Should be reliable as its a VW.... he he.....

Edited by mpaul0055 on Wednesday 18th February 15:43

Edited by mpaul0055 on Wednesday 18th February 15:48