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

[Ares]

I exploded on PistonHeads here last week: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I’m now four days into 640d Gran Coupe ownership. I’ve been lucky to own some great cars in my life, to have driven some even greater cars, and raced some greater cars still….. But this 640d GC is still impressing me more then (just about) any other car I’ve driven……on the road at least.

Possibly the finest interior I’ve sat in, and one of the best looking four-doors around. But its the drive that is blowing me away. The car belies it’s bulk and is really quite nimble, long wheel base notwithstanding. The ride quality is great despite the scaremongering about the 30-profile run-flats. Yes it’s firm, but still rides very well. Sport mode adds a great deal of purpose to the ride (although steering feedback could be better), but it’s the engine that it stealing my heart so early on.

In comfort mode it is spritely. Like my old 530d but on steroids…..no real surprise there, but hit sport or sport+ and it changes character, primarily thanks to the 8-speed sports-auto ‘box. The power is prodigious, especially as it passes 3000 rpm. On sports/sports+, the auto box shifts like a dual-clutch manual, instantaneous changes giving genuinely relentless acceleration – whether on flappy-paddles or full auto (yet the ‘comfort’ setting still maintains the traditional, relaxed auto shift). The acceleration appears raw linear. Nail the throttle and the car gets to, and beyond the mystical boy racer KPI derived 60mph without letting up…. I’ve not been brave enough to take it to “too” high a speed, but I’ve yet to experience the rate of acceleration noticeably tail off.

The end result of this is performance like I didn’t expect. A playful exit from a dual carriageway roundabout, with a good friend in his 997S saw him fail to gain ground on me….and saw a look of shock and a text message of disbelief from the same friend within 5 minutes……and that on an engine that was still in the delivery suite, such was it’s youth.


At the other, slightly more beige end of the spectrum, the Eco Pro setting is great. The eco friendly settings (and route planning if desired) are coupled with almost sarcastic reminders of how to drive with MPG at heart rather than the measure of one subsequent character. Overall fuel consumption so far has been just under 41mpg with predominantly local running (and the odd ‘blat’ up a dual carriageway [all in the name of loosening the engine, officer]). The one 15 mile stint sat on a Motorway at (BMW) cruising speed saw the mpg indicator routed resolutely above the 50mpg marker. Once the engines gets past 150 miles, past 1000miles and past 5000, I suspect that whilst an average of 50+ mpg will be the stuff of fiction (or beige tweed wearing), it is still going to me comically good for a 310bhp/460 lb ft big four door.

All in all it’s a hell of a car. It isn’t a sports car. I won’t for one second try and claim it is the better drivers car than my old M3 let alone any of the two-seaters I have been lucky to own….however, in the real world, I genuinely don’t think there is a better 4 door car out there, everything considered.



…..told you I would bang on ad nauseum

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berlintaxi said:

I apologise. I'll stick to posting Daily Fail stories in future!

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edo said:

Glad you like it. My 640d (Coupe) is firmly sitting at 39mpg after 23,000 miles with no effort on my part (I have a fuel card).

It also smashed through its limiter (on a track you understand) last year.

Do you have adaptive suspension, or just normal? Like you I find the ride ok considering the 20" wheels.

Yes, adaptive. The one I drove didn't have, can't say I notice a massive difference over the first 120 miles!

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crisp packet said:

A great write up - if you can't vent excitement about a new car purchase on a car forum... Really good to hear some initial real world experiences.
A 640d might not be to everyone's tastes (dull world if it was) but we all get kicks from different things. I've owned 45 cars over the years and my daily is a GT-R (it does a commute surprisingly well) and my faves were probably my second integrale evo (maybe predictably) and a mark 1 Golf Diesel - slow, rubbish handling, rubbish brakes and I loved it - you could drive the nuts off it and not be worried about losing your licence.
I always love to read reviews so thanks.

Thanks. Indeed. And ditto.

I can remember doing a track day with the GTR owners club. We were testing bike-engined cater hams at the time. Can't think of a greater miss-match to share track time!!

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leglessAlex said:

Nice write up, but you do know there's a forum specifically for talking about your car right? Its called Readers Rides, why not start a thread there?

I do now Assumed such thing came under General Gassing in General Gassing!

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g3org3y said:

Nice write up.

These new diesel engines do seem to be excellent and a genuine (better prospect?) on a daily drive than the M equivalent.

Out of interest, what's the sound like when you put your foot down?

Like I said on the other thread, very unlike my old 530d - this sounds similar to a muted V10. Not unpleasant. It's no V8, but doesn't sound like a straining oil burner. Which is nice.

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Motorrad said:

Great cars. 'Real world' a load of bullst.

Best car in the world isn't one of these modern diesel coupes. Fantastic though they are it's like saying 'my girlfriend- best fk in the real world' because you can't get a go on a supermodel.

Thanks for the constructive comments.

I'm sure your wife/girlfriend shares your opinion.

What IS a contender for best car in the real world in your opinion? (real world being actual ownership, using daily, ferrying family/etc about, parking at the supermarket..etc etc)

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fjord said:

Fair play, each to their own, your money blah blah blah, (and don't take this as negative), but... holy fking stballs, 75 grand on a car which will get lost amongst all the other diesel repmobiles out there on the motorway.

There's no way that money justifies what it is.

I've never liked the 6-series from the outset, but now, every single BMW seems to have the same old, sad, droopy looking face and it's really put me off them. The new 5-series is an abomination, the 1-series isn't much better, and the only one different from the norm is the 3-series, and even that only looks slightly better (just).

I just think that 75k could have got you so much more.

Fair comment.... Beauty in the eye of the beholder etc. I disagree. I think the 6GC is one of the best looking 4-door cars on the market, but then I also like the looks of the 5, just not as much.

What car (similar league) is better looking?
And what could £75k (minus the £22k discount I managed to get) have got me that would the job as well?

Genuine questions. Genuine interest...

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kapiteinlangzaam said:

Does this really need another thread?

Just start a topic in readers rides like everyone else.

Again my apologies. Blame my being new to the site and foolishly putting what I saw as being a 'general gas' in 'general gassing'.

Thanks for the warm welcome and understanding though.

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chrispmartha said:

Am I missing something how is it a £75k car if you bought it for £53k?

I guess so. RRP Vs Negotiated price.

Same with a lot of things. a £600 Boss suit is a £600 Boss suit. If I catch the store manager 5 mins before closing on the last day of the month and get him to give me a discount to £500, it is still the same £600 Boss suit (RRP), it just cost me £500. The following day, it would probably have cost me £600.

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kapiteinlangzaam said:

Ares said:

Thanks for the warm welcome and understanding though.

You're welcome.

Im still puzzled as to why youve started a second thread on the same subject.

I suspect the MEME isnt too far from the truth

I suspect the MEME hadn't had enough time to work it's why around.

If you're puzzled, then feel free only to read one, or the other. Or neither.

Strangely, I thought early opinions on a new car after a short ownership was something that was de rigueur for a car forum.


Once again, my apologies for upsetting you. I'll look out for that MEME.

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kapiteinlangzaam said:

However, two threads in GG when there's a perfectly acceptable platform in RR strikes me as attention whoring.

.....or just the lack of knowledge of the existence of a 'Readers Rides' forum? In fact, I still can't see 'Readers Rides' listed in 'Gassing Station'??

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chrispmartha said:

But it cost £500 so it's a £500 suit.

The RRP £75k figure is utterly irrelevant, as it's just that - a recommended price, the actual value is what it sells for.

It seems like a bit of willy waving to be saying its a £75k car.

Well I apologies if you think I've waved my willy about. I assure you, my willy has stayed put in my trousers all day, and not once been waved.

I have however urinated three times though, and thus I suspect perhaps I did 'wave' it then? It was in full privacy though, and not something I wish to discuss in public. Until now of course.

I promise to refrain from willy waving in future though. I will also provide your comments to my insurer who despite the price I paid, have insisted on insuring on it's retail price (or "real price") as they called it. Perhaps it will save me £100 or so?


On reflection, I have only actually paid £12,000 for the car so far (cash deposit), so I guess the car is a £12,000 car by your reckoning? Then it becomes a £12,480 car in the beginning of May..... £12,960 car in early June....

On further reflection, the discount wasn't actually termed a discount, it was referred to as a 'deposit contribution', does that mean that it IS a £75k car, or perhaps its a £34,000 car (sum of total deposit...?)

I'm confused.

Still a bloody nice car though, whatever the cost.



for the avoidance of doubt, and prevention of underwear getting entangled, this response was 100% tongue in cheek and intended to me less than fully serious. in case you wondered. or let your 'chimp' run wild

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kapiteinlangzaam said:

Ares said:

Once again, my apologies for upsetting you. I'll look out for that MEME.

You've not upset me, after all that would be rather strange... this is an internet forum, not real life.

You posted two threads for a reason - you know it, I know it, everyone knows it.

Dont be surprised when not everyone fawns all over you.

Start a topic in RR and let it run its course like every other well adjusted member of PH.

Ares said:

kapiteinlangzaam said:

However, two threads in GG when there's a perfectly acceptable platform in RR strikes me as attention whoring.

.....or just the lack of knowledge of the existence of a 'Readers Rides' forum? In fact, I still can't see 'Readers Rides' listed in 'Gassing Station'??

Yeh, im still not sure why we need two threads, no matter their location?

OK

Post one. New Member post; experience of test-driving a car and ordering said car. Tag under 'excitement of ordering a new car' or ''introducing oneself to the car forum my introducing the car one had ordered'. Complete with implementation of the 'birds custard' request (albeit using Balti Paste. Blame Sainsburys stock control and my non-custard based diet). I did get the Birds Custard MEME.

Post two. Findings of actual ownership post-delivery, sharing those findings etc. My apologies if the correct status quo (as per, no doubt, another MEME) would have been to include the contents of Post two onto the end of Post one (thats the 'New Member...' one.


I appreciate, the depiction of any owned car is a little self indulgent, but it did seen a prime function of a car forum??


Now if you will accept that I am duly chastised, accept my apologies and increased vigilance for all future MEMEs, we can put the unfortunate matter behind us and get back to my "waving willy"? (PS, is the waving willy a PH trait as per another MEME? or is it more of a gender or sexual orientation issue?)


(once again.....all comments to be taken with humour engaged....etc...)

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Fox- said:

Did you not consider the 640i?

No. £2k cheaper, but a lot more expensive to run, holds value less, slower, etc etc.

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chrispmartha said:

It is a nice car, glad you're enjoying it , it was my '£75K' I wouldn't be at the BMW garage is be at an Aston Martin, Porsche or Maserati place but each to there own and all that.

Alas the 4 door Aston Martin comes in a little above £75k (or £53k or £12k or £36k or.... etc). I drove the oil burning Porsche Panamanamanamera and concluded it was inferior to the 640d. The Maserati Quatroporte is quite lovely, again more expensive and a LOT thirstier. Has some great plus points, largely centred around the V8, but I have heard one to many (hundred) scare stories about ownership.

But as you rightly say.....each to their own!

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chrispmartha said:

£73K? ;-)

Probably closer to it as the deal/offer I was able to negotiate was ordered and registered by 31 March, and there were no 640i available to be registered.

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leglessAlex said:

Click for Readers Cars

There you go. I can totally understand that you're excited about your new car, who wouldn't be with a car like that! But it does come across as a little attention seeking to have two threads about it in such a short space of time. I'm not trying to be a dick at all, just pointing out how it might get on some members nerves :P

I don't care myself, it doesn't bother me how many threads you have about your car. I will say that this thread is severely lacking in pictures though!

Thank you - so Readers Rides (RR) is Reader Cars (RC). Got you - I was looking for the wring MEME

Perhaps a helpful moderator might move this thread into RR, or RC? Or the bin if it truly is superfluous.

As for pictures, I can repost the ones already posted, but I would hate to infuriate sensitive members further

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Vladimir said:

berlintaxi said:

And that is what's wrong with PH.
Enthusiasts getting drowned out by vacuous keyboard warriors.

Glad you're enjoying it ares!

Thanks Vladimir! (insert hetrosexual/Dermot O'Leary style Man-Hug here....)

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fjord said:

Ares said:

Fair comment.... Beauty in the eye of the beholder etc. I disagree. I think the 6GC is one of the best looking 4-door cars on the market, but then I also like the looks of the 5, just not as much.

What car (similar league) is better looking?
And what could £75k (minus the £22k discount I managed to get) have got me that would the job as well?

Genuine questions. Genuine interest...

Hmmm, if it were me and I had 75k?

Probably a Panamera. A little cheaper too, they can be had nearly new for about 60k. And I know they arent all that popular, so an Aston Rapide could be another shout, but you aint getting a new one for 75k.

In all honesty though, as a final answer, a new Jag XJ. 5.0 v8 for the power, get the LWB version for the wafty comfort, looks a lot better than the current BMW fleet, 15-20k cheaper, and i'd hazard a guess it will depreciate less too.

Still, half of the issue for me is spending that much money on a car. If you've got it, fair enough, then spend it, but the figures are eye-watering for me. Sounds crazy, but even if i was a millionaire, i still think i'd wince at spending anything more than £35k.

Drove the Porsche - didn't like as much, and was more expensive all in all.
Aston is double the cost, all round.
XJ is lovely but huge, expensive (V8 LWB starts at £96k) and running costs would be near double. The diesel isn't in the same league. Plus, dare I say, it is starting to look a little dated. The interior is bloody lovely though.


But it's all academic, if you'd never spend that sort of money on a car, you remove 'real life' needs and sit in fantasy garage. In my fantasy garage I'd have had the QuattroPorte over the 640d.... But I do have to run it in the real world where costs/reliability/day-to-day practicality etc are centre to my needs!