Bmw 640d GC owners - hard suspension
Discussion
London GT3 said:
This thread is showing how little I know about the car I drive! What are the different suspension options? My old 7 had Comfort+, Comfort, Normal and Sport. The 640d GC has Sport, Normal and Eco+. I am referring to the rocker switch by the gear lever.
From what I am reading here, although the switch looks the same on both cars it seems to serve a different purpose on the 640d GC.
The 6GC manual is pretty appalling on the whole thing.From what I am reading here, although the switch looks the same on both cars it seems to serve a different purpose on the 640d GC.
If you have the adaptive suspension option you get comfort+ mode in addition to the others and iDrive allows some suspension options to be altered. Selecting Comfort+ softens the damping. In the Sport modes it gets firmer.
If you don't have the adaptive suspension stuff you dont get Comfort+ and the button only changes the stability system, engine response, transmission shift, and steering assistance in Sport mode. No changes to the suspension or roll control.
The orginal press pack confused things further - suggesting that variable dampers - VDC was standard - then in the asterisked small print saying only in Germany. If that's the case then in Germany then all 6GCs will have comfort+ and the suspension settings will change when you use the rocker switch.
Also confusing things I suspect that because on some models MSport versions have different suspension some people might thinl the MSport 6GC has a different suspension.
Edited by Dryce on Wednesday 29th January 21:50
I test drove two 640d GC's neither with VDC or Adaptive Suspension. I found Comfort comfortable, Sport sporting and Eco Pro dreary. They basically did what it says on the tin. Therefore I find most of these comments so subjective, though perfectly honest, as to be of little assistance. Anyone who is thinking of one of these needs to have a good long test drive. Full stop.
cardigankid said:
Anyone who is thinking of one of these needs to have a good long test drive. Full stop.
I took a long test drive.Was quite methodical on the route and roads covered.
And missed the irritations because with two passengers the car was riding better.
Oddly enough the salesman mentioned in passing that the majority of customers don't test drive. That really surprises me. They were more than happy to get a car from another branch for me to drive.
Thanks to all that have commented. I came out of a 5gt with 20s and run flats. No real issues there. Previous cars include bmws Porsche turbos, Porsche 996 with sport suspension packs etc so I no softy towards hard suspension. This is not that it is firm it's just not working on certain types of bumps at all full stop. It's appalling and I have only owned for. 1 month The thought of 2/3 years in this car is not great. At least I now know it's not me or just my car. Annoyed I didn't pick up in test drive. Thanks again.
CMJ said:
Thanks to all that have commented. I came out of a 5gt with 20s and run flats. No real issues there. Previous cars include bmws Porsche turbos, Porsche 996 with sport suspension packs etc so I no softy towards hard suspension. This is not that it is firm it's just not working on certain types of bumps at all full stop. It's appalling and I have only owned for. 1 month The thought of 2/3 years in this car is not great. At least I now know it's not me or just my car. Annoyed I didn't pick up in test drive. Thanks again.
Doesn't the 5GT come with Air suspension at the rear? I imagine that would affect the ride quality a bit.London GT3 said:
This thread is showing how little I know about the car I drive! What are the different suspension options? My old 7 had Comfort+, Comfort, Normal and Sport. The 640d GC has Sport, Normal and Eco+. I am referring to the rocker switch by the gear lever.
From what I am reading here, although the switch looks the same on both cars it seems to serve a different purpose on the 640d GC.
Oh, and by the way, my transit blocks weren't still in the suspension - sadly.
On mine (I assume due to the Adaptive Suspension) its more like your 7. From memory (not in it right now) it goes ECO -> Comfort+ -> Comfort -> Sport -> Sport+. By default each mode changes Suspension/drivetrain/etc. But you can go into settings and change it so only certain things change between two modes. For example if you like comfort suspension, but sports drivetrain/steering, you can un-tick suspension settings under sport. Not a very intuitive way to do it, you should just be able to select the combinations you want as I think Audi do now.From what I am reading here, although the switch looks the same on both cars it seems to serve a different purpose on the 640d GC.
Oh, and by the way, my transit blocks weren't still in the suspension - sadly.
Sorry for slightly off topic question but GT3 which 7 did you have, I only ask as I have an e65 730d that I am having trouble parting with due to the great ride.
Had a 535 sport before which lasted 6 weeks before I gave it to one of my reps as the ride was so hateful !!
Now need to change my 7 as it has done so many miles now and had been thinking of new 730d sport, 6 coupe or cab, the only thing that has put me off is the ride which seems much harder than my 7.
Advice very welcome and apologies for the hijack
Phib
Had a 535 sport before which lasted 6 weeks before I gave it to one of my reps as the ride was so hateful !!
Now need to change my 7 as it has done so many miles now and had been thinking of new 730d sport, 6 coupe or cab, the only thing that has put me off is the ride which seems much harder than my 7.
Advice very welcome and apologies for the hijack
Phib
Hi Phib
I don't know the model references but it was a Sep 2011 730d M Sport on 20 inch wheels (see below)
It was a great ride. The 640d engine is heaps better and the inside is a great place to be but on balance, because of the poor ride, I would be better off in the 730d. Now if this country could get its roads sorted out...........
Edited to add that I contract hired this car and I was offered it at 24 months old in Sep 2013 at £25,600 with 26,000 miles on the clock. It was truly unmarked condition and had new tyres at 22,000 miles. It was tempting to keep it and with hindsight it would have been a much better bet financially than getting into the 640d GC which is badly compromised (for me) in the suspension department. There were a lot of these cars on contract hire deals at this time and I am sure there will be many in the second hand market now.
I don't know the model references but it was a Sep 2011 730d M Sport on 20 inch wheels (see below)
It was a great ride. The 640d engine is heaps better and the inside is a great place to be but on balance, because of the poor ride, I would be better off in the 730d. Now if this country could get its roads sorted out...........
Edited to add that I contract hired this car and I was offered it at 24 months old in Sep 2013 at £25,600 with 26,000 miles on the clock. It was truly unmarked condition and had new tyres at 22,000 miles. It was tempting to keep it and with hindsight it would have been a much better bet financially than getting into the 640d GC which is badly compromised (for me) in the suspension department. There were a lot of these cars on contract hire deals at this time and I am sure there will be many in the second hand market now.
Edited by London GT3 on Thursday 30th January 23:19
phib said:
GT3 many thanks, your old 7 is the one I was looking to buy, basically pretty much as you have said I could have a 2 year old 730d msport for about £27/28k with 20k on the clock which seems pretty good value for a car that was £65k new
Thanks again
Phib
I don't think they were ever £65k new mate, unless you take the RRP at face value despite very few if anyone having ever paid it. At £27/28k its hit about 50% (IMO) of what most 1st owners will have actually paid, weather that be through headline discounts or subsidised lease deals.Thanks again
Phib
London GT3 said:
Hi Phib
I don't know the model references but it was a Sep 2011 730d M Sport on 20 inch wheels (see below)
It was a great ride. The 640d engine is heaps better and the inside is a great place to be but on balance, because of the poor ride, I would be better off in the 730d. Now if this country could get its roads sorted out...........
Edited to add that I contract hired this car and I was offered it at 24 months old in Sep 2013 at £25,600 with 26,000 miles on the clock. It was truly unmarked condition and had new tyres at 22,000 miles. It was tempting to keep it and with hindsight it would have been a much better bet financially than getting into the 640d GC which is badly compromised (for me) in the suspension department. There were a lot of these cars on contract hire deals at this time and I am sure there will be many in the second hand market now.
I didn't think that you could buy a car which you havd contract hired. I believed for legal reasons, they had to take it away from you and sell it elsewhere.I don't know the model references but it was a Sep 2011 730d M Sport on 20 inch wheels (see below)
It was a great ride. The 640d engine is heaps better and the inside is a great place to be but on balance, because of the poor ride, I would be better off in the 730d. Now if this country could get its roads sorted out...........
Edited to add that I contract hired this car and I was offered it at 24 months old in Sep 2013 at £25,600 with 26,000 miles on the clock. It was truly unmarked condition and had new tyres at 22,000 miles. It was tempting to keep it and with hindsight it would have been a much better bet financially than getting into the 640d GC which is badly compromised (for me) in the suspension department. There were a lot of these cars on contract hire deals at this time and I am sure there will be many in the second hand market now.
cardigankid said:
I didn't think that you could buy a car which you havd contract hired. I believed for legal reasons, they had to take it away from you and sell it elsewhere.
I've enquired about buying my company car before and it was never a problem, don't see why it would be.The 7 and the 6 are effectively the same price new after discounts and options added, one is the big sporty one, the other is the big comfy one in the BMW range. If the sporty one did the comfy thing as well, you wouldn't need the comfy one. In other words, they're meant to be different and they are.
cardigankid said:
I didn't think that you could buy a car which you havd contract hired. I believed for legal reasons, they had to take it away from you and sell it elsewhere.
I had been told the same and I was expecting to have to buy it in my wife's name. When it came to it, BMW Finance said no problem for me to buy it in my name. As it turned out, I didn't buy it so it was all academic.5to1 said:
I don't think they were ever £65k new mate, unless you take the RRP at face value despite very few if anyone having ever paid it. At £27/28k its hit about 50% (IMO) of what most 1st owners will have actually paid, weather that be through headline discounts or subsidised lease deals.
Mine was 65k in 2008 and the first owner paid it I bought it 6 months later for lots less !! and I am pretty sure the ones I am looking at ( pretty high spec) were £65k but I get your point re discounts Phib
Thread resurrection alert! I picked up a new 640d Gran Coupe last Friday. Very excited but was totally shocked at how hard and uncompliant the ride was.
Thinking I'd made a massive mistake I started Googling and found out some people's cars have had transport blocks left in. There was also the issue of runflats on 20" wheels to confuse the issue.
Sure enough I checked and the two rear blocks were still in. Not quite believing someone could do this I took it to the dealer this afternoon who confirmed I was correct.
I was so relieved I didn't have a go at them. I can now enjoy my new car.
Sheesh!
Thinking I'd made a massive mistake I started Googling and found out some people's cars have had transport blocks left in. There was also the issue of runflats on 20" wheels to confuse the issue.
Sure enough I checked and the two rear blocks were still in. Not quite believing someone could do this I took it to the dealer this afternoon who confirmed I was correct.
I was so relieved I didn't have a go at them. I can now enjoy my new car.
Sheesh!
deanflyer said:
Thread resurrection alert! I picked up a new 640d Gran Coupe last Friday. Very excited but was totally shocked at how hard and uncompliant the ride was.
Thinking I'd made a massive mistake I started Googling and found out some people's cars have had transport blocks left in. There was also the issue of runflats on 20" wheels to confuse the issue.
Sure enough I checked and the two rear blocks were still in. Not quite believing someone could do this I took it to the dealer this afternoon who confirmed I was correct.
I was so relieved I didn't have a go at them. I can now enjoy my new car.
Sheesh!
What wheels are you on?Thinking I'd made a massive mistake I started Googling and found out some people's cars have had transport blocks left in. There was also the issue of runflats on 20" wheels to confuse the issue.
Sure enough I checked and the two rear blocks were still in. Not quite believing someone could do this I took it to the dealer this afternoon who confirmed I was correct.
I was so relieved I didn't have a go at them. I can now enjoy my new car.
Sheesh!
How is the ride after?
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